Ahhhhh......

done.

Salvage works!

Well I thought this blog was about Polymer Clay! Yes, yes it is supposed to be my journey. I have been on a detour of sorts I suppose. I did finish this clay piece recently and love how it turned out.

Confession: The faces are made of clay, but actually I created them a couple years ago! I had formed a whole batch of these guys with my new mold maker then forgot them in the oven. Fried faces! So they sat for quite some time. Last summer I collaged them together thinking I might salvage the mess and make a brooch. Still not happy with the results so there they sat, staring at me just begging to come alive. Months went by then inspiration finally hit a couple weeks ago. I applied a patina look with acrylic paints. A little copper here a little turquoise there... wow, the results were happy! I finished the back, still intending a brooch but at the very last minute decided hmmmm.... no this is a pendant. I inlayed a tunnel across the back and gave it a final bake. The stringing came out of nowhere, it just seemed to call for a natural look. The multi strands of leather coupled with the Salwag nuts compliment the colors just right. Bringing in metal elements of copper was the finishing touch. I am completely satisfied with the end result.... 2 years in the making!

2009 Your Designs Rock Contest

I entered the yearly "Your Designs Rock" contest put on by Rings & Things. The winners were announced last week, and..... drum roll...... the winner is....... "not me!" But hey, that is okay! I had a great time designing my entries. I have never entered a contest before so it was really exciting anticipating the outcome. Above is "Spring Bling", my entry in the Crystal and Glass Category. I submitted 3 entries in three different categories. Quite a bold step especially considering I really have not alot of experience beading. So now I wait for January, maybe my entries will grace the pages of the 2010 R&T catalog. Meanwhile, here are my other two entries:

You really need to click on each picture to get the 'full size' view, details!

Where oh where has my little blog gone?

Oh man I have neglected my blog AGAIN! Maybe blogging isn't for me? Once more I will try to post something more often. Last fall I ran acrossed a sale on Etsy. A gal was completely unloading her gemstone beads. The prices were incredible and although I dont do a whole lot of gemstone beading, I could not pass up the savings. So I bought a heap of genuine stuff. Then it took me a good six months to gather knowledge in materials and techniques, I wanted to create some really 'nice' pieces. So this past weekend I finally took some pictures of my recent results.

Above is a long and chunky jasper mix chain. It comes together mid-chest with the ends creating a tassle effect. The brass Chinese Knife Money charms tinkle against the stones. This necklace makes a huge statement, really a fun piece. I must confess, I am not totally happy with it at this point. While it is long enough to fit over my head - I want to remove the big white stone in the back and replace it with a large brass closure. I just have to find the right set. I imagine a couple of large brass hook type closures but haven't run acrossed the perfect choice yet. Might have to settle for a toggle clasp I found at Rings & Things. What do you think? (420)

I Wrote a Book!

Alaskan Cruise...

The Inside Passage...

By For Yaeko & Family

Book Preview

My mother in-law took the family on a 10 day cruise thru the Alaskan Passage last summer. I put this book together as a thank you to her and a way to remember the wonderful time we had. It was fun to make, although really time consuming. I have often wanted to actually publish something and it is on my list of things to do. This is the first step I suppose!

I have another book that hasn't been uploaded to Blurb yet. The 'soon to be released' book (haha, really pushing myself here!) chronicles the first couple years of my work in polymer clay. I plan to keep it handy at art shows, and it will proudly sit on the coffee table between show dates. It is a neat way to show past work and items that have sold. Personally, it has become my treasure chest of accomplishments. I foresee a collection of books published one by one as I journey through one inspiration after another.

I suggest everyone download the Blurb program and try a book yourself! It is a great gift if even to yourself. My mind is full of ideas! My grandmothers recipes, those 100 year old photos stored away safely in my living room trunk, maybe a childrens book showcasing my own grandchildren? What about all the pictures of flowers I take every summer.... hmmmmm, endless possibilities. Have fun!

BEEN BEADING

I am not much of a 'beader', the whole process is a huge challenge for me. I can spend an hour just staring at the beads spread across the work table. I sting something, take it apart, add or take away... it just doesn't come naturally for me. But then there are times when I feel the desire to really make an effort and just create something beady.

I started with a Magnolia leaf created with polymer clay. The leaf turned out nice although not nearly as detailed as the Joe Pye leaves I prefer. The resulting brass chain necklace is fabulous! I moved on to a couple of pieces not using polymer beads or pendants. The multi-stranded blue necklace isnt quite finished. I am browsing catalogs for just the right bail to hang a swarovski cosmic ring. Simple but stately.

I just finished the bracelet.... which I adore! I stepped out there and used an array of fall colors. It turned out eye catching, just a grand piece! Click on the picture (please ignore the fuzz and dust accumulated on my display bust, agh!) to delve into the details.

Not sure what is next on my pallette.... maybe a matching necklace for the bracelet? Seems like the perfect color collection for Thanksgiving.

"Once upon a midnight dreary...."

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year! Creative inspirations abound, and I tell you what... ANYTHING GOES! I've been making these cute little charms and attaching them to treat bags. Each bag has an Edgar Allan Poe quote attached, very gouly indeed. I've made cats, and mummys, ghostys, skulls, witches hats and even a witches shoe!
Our costumes this year are adorable.... The Flinstones! We got together with another couple so we are complete, Fred & Wilma with Betty & Barney. Yesterday I made Betty's hairbow, bracelet, earrings and an oversized gawdy ring. All using polymer of course! It's been such fun. Now I've got to sit down to put together Wilma's hair 'bone' stick, necklace, earrings and maybe an anklet.

hmmmmmm, "...while I pondered weak and weary." In the meantime (what am I talking about? It's such a busy week there is no 'meantime'!!) , stay creative and get ready for an awesome and artsy HALLOWEEN!