Peanut Pod Inspiration

Here are some new designs that I'm really psyched about - one set of earrings and a pendant/necklace. I think they're new and unique and I couldn't be more proud. These are semi-inspired by Ronna Weltman's organic styling of polymer clay (see post below) but I feel that they definitely have my own signature style. I love mixing seed beads in with my polymer clay pieces. I think they add a nice delicate touch. These designs are definitely the start of something new for me.

The pods themselves are made of gray scrap clay which has been molded and baked around long wooden beads to give them their shape. Before baking, the outsides of the pods had been textured and highlighted with silver mica powder (this texture gives them that peanuty effect). The insides of the pods have been decorated with small discs that were molded with a ball stylus. These discs are made out of my new metallic Pardo clays. Seed beads sit in the center of the discs which have been filled with gloss varnish to set the beads in place. I will be adding these designs to my Etsy shop very soon.

Ancient Modern Inspiration

I am totally in love with Ronna Sarvas Weltman's new book Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay & Wire Jewelry (above) - so much that I actually broke down and purchased it instead of just loaning it through the library system. I made this pendant based on one of the projects from her book. I love how it came out! My boyfriend said it looks like the eye of a sea-monster, so I'm calling it the Fisheye Necklace. I obviously can't sell it, because it's really not my design, but I am going to wear it! I'm dying to find Ronna and show her what she inspired!

Right now I'm working on some of my own designs I've made with the new polymer clay Pardo and I can't wait to show you them! Perhaps tomorrow I'll get a chance to take some pics outside.

Mokume Gane Inspiration *New*

New designs by moi. From top: Blue & White Swirled Mokume Gane Necklace, Blue & White Swirled Mokume Gane Earrings, Red Hectic Mokume Gane Necklace, Black & White Hectic Mokume Gane Necklace. These are not available in my shop because they are going to be auctioned for a library association benefit. BUT, if you love any one of these and want it for your own, I can do my best to replicate it for you. Let me know by commenting on this post, or covo me through my Etsy shop.

Plum-Lovely Inspiration

Check out my new necklace. It's similar to the Roy-Gee-Biv necklace but monochromatic. I also added glitter and copper flakes to the clay to give it a little shimmer. Haven't posted it in my Etsy shop becase I'm not sure if I want to sell it yet...

Fire Inspiration

So for the last ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap I did through Swap-Bot, the theme was fire. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do, but then it hit me: I would make myself into a wild fire woman! Using a photo I took of myself, I added ink and acrylics to bring this idea to fruition. Here she (I) is (am)! I wish I could capture this piece in its full glory but it seems impossible. The metallic paint I've used for my eyes and some hair highlights just doesn't show up in a photo or scan.

Roy-Gee-Biv Inspiration

New necklace made by moi! This one was a lot of fun to make. From my Etsy listing:

All the colors of the rainbow flow smoothly through this super-unique necklace. Hand-made polymer clay beads pop when surrounded by organically styled brown spacer beads. The 9 textured focal beads are a mix of translucent and opaque polymer clays. Some of the beads were mixed thoroughly and some only partially to give them a marbled effect.The necklace measures 16.5" in length - the focal beads start just at the collar bone. Each focal bead is varnished for shine and durability. Toggle clasp is silver plated.

The BEST thing about this necklace? It matches everything!

Funky Chunky Polymer Clay Beads

These beads are totally retro and each is made by me from my own hand-made mold. Colors include grasshopper green, light coral, pearl, white, hot pink, lavender, turquoise, yellow, orange, and light pink. Each bead is about 3/4" in diameter and about 1/2" thick. They've all been varnished to a nice shine. I'm getting into making beads now, where before I tended to stick to pendants. These are available at my Etsy shop right now.

Black Luna Bean Necklace

Allow me to introduce my black Luna Bean Necklace. Each of the 24 black polymer clay beads has been painstakingly rolled, textured, and accented with mica powder (12 different colors in all). Dark iridescent seed beads flank both strands which end in a silver-plated lobster clasp. A lot of time and love went into this piece. You can buy it on my Etsy shop, here.

P.S. I named these beads "luna beans" because they are shaped like beans and have craters like the moon!

Tuxedo Bloom Earrings

New earrings! These are available in my Etsy Shop right now.

Summer Bouquet Necklace

I am extremely proud to show off this necklace that I finally finished today. This thing has been living in my head for a very long time, and I'm so happy that it is now a tangible, wearable object. The three flowers are made out of (what else?) polymer clay. Each layer or "petal" is a separate hand-sculpted piece. The flowers' centers are adorned with corresponding color seed beads. Flanking the blooms are two leaf-shaped glass beads. The necklace is finished with green seed beads and a toggle clasp. I also went ahead and made matching earrings which you can see in the bottom picture. The biggest challenge of this necklace was the actual construction of the finished baked pieces. Attaching the petals of the flowers themselves was the first issue. Mounting the flowers to the wire in an aesthetically pleasing way and getting them to hang "just so" was the biggest challenge of all. I'm entering this necklace into Polymer Cafe Magazine's summer "Flower Power" challenge. The only thing that's driving me nuts is that you can only submit ONE photo! Of course, being an indecisive Libra, I've been agonizing over this for hours. I'm also agonizing over the name of the piece. Right now I'm calling it "Summer Bouquet Necklace," but if anyone has a better idea, please comment!