The Christmas Season

Once again, several months have passed since I last posted.  I have been busy getting ready for the holidays and upcoming surgery.  The good news, all my shopping is done!  Now the mad rush for wrapping everything.

We had a few shows and had a good turnout.  I also had a special order for some more of my angel pins.  I love this time of year!  The smells, decorations, songs and just a homey feeling brings back great memories.  I hope, whatever holiday you celebrate, you are able to relax and enjoy it!

Here's a picture of our table from our show in November.  



Handmade gifts are a great way to show your friends and family that you have spent time and given consideration to your gift at this time of year.  There are many shops on Artfire that showcase unbelievable talents of artisans across the country.  Feel free to browse these shops and support handmade!  http://www.artfire.com/



Here are a few holidays pieces I've made.

These are the special order angel pins I finished today. 

What would this time of year be without some cute snowmen pendants.


Til next time.....     Have a great week! 

Fall has arrived

Happy Fall everyone!!!  I know I have been away from my blog for several months....have been busy with work and surgery that has kept me from spending time here.  I hope to be getting back to my regular routine in a short time, but, just wanted to let everyone know where I have been.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  Til next time....

Beautiful Smoky Mountains

Been away for a few weeks, on a much needed vacation.  I took two of my daughters and 1 year-old grandson to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  I just love the Great Smoky Mountains and, since it's been about six years since we were there, it was wonderful to go back.

We did a lot of walking, saw many attractions, "mined" for jewels, swam.....and ate too much!  If you ever have a chance to go, you should.  It really is a beautiful part of the country.

We wanted to see some waterfalls, and decided to take a hike to an 80 foot fall called Laurel Falls.  The "hike" was about 1.3 miles and almost straight up hill {well, maybe not straight up, but it sure felt like it}.  The path was windy and narrow and we saw many signs about the dangers of falling off the ledge.  The views were spectacular!  Here is one overlooking a dense forest to the mountain range beyond.  I really need to invest in a better camera....the picture does not do it justice.

Finally made it!  Here is the top part of the fall.  It was so cool {temperature wise} when we reached the landing, I could have stayed there all day.  Unfortunately, many other people had the same idea.

The bottom part of the falls.  That's my daughter on the lower left.

Several days, we took the 33 mile trip...across the mountain....to Cherokee, N.C.  Again, the views were amazing.  

Can you tell I love the mountains???   

It was a great trip, but, it's great to be home.  Time to put the thinking cap on and start that creative process again.  I'm sure this break has inspired me. 

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

Jewelry in Harmony

Elizabeth, of Jewelry in Harmony, loves beautiful things.  She must.  Using gorgeous cameos and precious stones, her wire wrapped pieces are truly one of a kind.  From rings to pendants {she even has a line of men's jewelry}, she incorporates rolled gold or silver wire to embellish her gems.    

Her collection of men's rings are stunning.  This one is with lapis lazuli, but she has numerous choices with different stones.

Look at these hibiscus stud earrings.  Soo pretty!

Love bracelets??  Here is a Grecian Goddess Roses Cameo bracelet.  Isn't her wire work wonderful??

Can't make up your mind?  Check out her shop at http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/Jewelry_in_Harmony 

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

blissfulgardenbeads

The IBH group, or, It's Better Handmade {of which I am a part}, has started a blog ring.  Each week, an artist is featured and everyone that is participating in the blog ring writes up a post about that artist, that week.  This changes every week.  Got it?  Ok, I know it was a little perplexing for a moment.  I thought the same thing.  The great thing about the blog ring, is the exposure that all the artists receive.

There really is nothing quite like handmade items.  Sure, you can get pretty jewelry off a factory line.  You can buy a quilted purse, a door knocker, what ever you would like.  But where is the love and joy one gets from seeing their dream design come to fruition, knowing all their time and patience will, hopefully, make someone else happy and feel good?  Making one great piece at a time, can be a slow and tedious process.  But the end result can be priceless.

Now, if you have read any of my blog, you know that I am really into polymer clay.  I probably didn't tell you I started out with beads; glass, wooden, crystals, you name it, I bought it and strung it.  I was like a kid in a candy store.  Little did I know there was a whole different world out there.

Take a close look at Heather's shop; blissfulgardenbeads.  These are absolutely beautiful!  She makes lampwork beads.  What is a lampwork bead, you ask???  Well.....  it's a bead made from glass.  But, it's not that simple.  The artist uses a flame, glass and spins....hmm, I don't really know the technique.  All I know is the beads are lovely.

Are you interested in making your own necklace or bracelet?  Browse through Heather's shop and you may just finds a set of beads that shouts your name!

Here is a set of 7 beads in great colors.

How dainty looking are the next set of beads??  Picture them gently swinging from your ear lobes {or, fella's the lobes of a loved on!} She makes these in all sorts of colors.

Heather also works in PMC, or, precious metal clay.  Yes, clay that you mold, design, stamp, whatever, and after curing, you have...precious metal.  Here is a set of silver charms.

If you are interested in learning more about Heather's products check out her ArtFire site at https://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/blissfulgardenbeads.  You can also follow Heather's blog for more opportunities to buy, at, http://blog.blissfulgardenbeads.com/

Til next time; stay safe and be happy!

Gotta luv purple!

This weeks blog roll, for the Polymer Clay Smoosher's is purple.  I know you may have heard this before, but purple really is my favorite color.  Might have a little something to do with our hometown football team....The Ravens!  

Purple is often associated with royalty in a lot of cultures.  I just learned purple was the favorite color of Cleopatra.  Anyone remember the group Deep Purple, or the song Purple Rain?  The lavender plant has multiple uses; oils for perfumes, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits, and relaxation to name a few.  And, last but far from least, the Purple Heart is a decoration awarded to U.S. Military wounded in battle. 

 In my opinion, there is no other color that is quite so rich or relaxing.

Look at this beautiful pendant by ArtMakers Worlds.

Love cats?  Here is a cute one sleeping by TTE Designs.

Another example of the versatility of polymer clay by TinaHolden Design.

SecondSister at MoArk Jewelry made this necklace.

You can see the talent of the Smooshers by following this link:  http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/.

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

New pendants

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Holiday.  Thanks to all the men and women who have served to keep us free!

During our last guild meeting, we had some time so I showed the members what I've been working on.  Something I call mokume gane focus.  It's kind of a combination of, {but slightly different than} all the mokume gane designs I've seen on line {from great artisans like Cindy Lietz, Julie Picarello and a multitude of others I can't seem to recall right now.}  The idea is to have a multicolored "focus" design/picture/word that will be the center of your pendant, but will be smooth, not raised or impressed.  The goal was to have it look like the design was painted on.  See, my daughter asked me to make a pendant for one of my granddaughter's teachers.  She said I could choose between a butterfly or hearts.  I chose the butterfly.  I didn't want to make a butterfly shaped pendant, so I put on my thinking cap and started playing around.  As opposed to the general mokume gane, the focus is one object, with multiple colors surrounding or in the actual picture.  I'm still perfecting the process and have a lot of ideas in my head for other designs.  

Here's another piece I made for our upcoming show on Saturday.  I wanted to get some summer colors in my pieces and am also working with pinks, yellows and oranges.  

This next piece hasn't been buffed yet.  I just love the color combination.

And, last but not least...

 Til next time, stay safe and be happy!

I'm so happy!  I entered my sunflower clock for Things Crafty {http://thingscrafty.ning.com/} for their April Flowers challenge and received second place!!!  I was thrilled and honored to have been chosen with all the wonderful pieces submitted.  Check out their site.  It has all kinds of craft information, tutorials, discussions, classes...you name it.  

Here's the clock that won.










We had our monthly clay guild meeting last Saturday.  Donna showed us how to make a sutton slice; thanks Donna!  Unfortunately, I couldn't get mine to turn out.  8^( Guess I'll have to practice more.  Here are some of the results from other guild members.

A lot of talented people in our group!




Til next time, stay safe and happy!

Critters in polymer clay

If you ever wander around the internet, searching for polymer clay information, you are sure to come across many artisans that sculpt and/or make animals, insects, birds, you name it.  Though I have done a few pieces {just playing around}, I'm not sure I could ever match the talent I see on a daily basis.  Some do whimsical, fantasy creatures, others do miniatures.  Still others do amazingly realistic reproductions.

Take a look at the following items I found while browsing through the shops of the Polymer Clay Smooshers on ArtFire.

I've always been fascinated by dragons.  I don't think I'm alone.  How cute is this baby, done by Chibitude!

Creative Critters does a lot of scupltures.  It's hard to believe this adorable mouse is made from polymer clay.

Like steampunk?  DesertRubble does wonderful steampunk work.  

Hope you have enjoyed the small sampling of "critters" here.  Check out more on http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/

Til next time...stay safe and have a great day!

April's gone

Wow, the end of April already and I have only done one post this month.  Between work, running for softball for my daughter, getting taxes done and everything else, the time has just slipped by.  It's getting to be time to prepare for more shows, and I have been squeezing clay time in whenever I can.

The good news is......I finally got my Dream Machine!!!!!  I love it.  It was well worth the cost to save my hands from anymore pain.  I have arthritis in the basal joints of my thumbs and cranking the pasta machine really takes a toll.  The Dream Machine turning crank is so smooth, and I have had no pain this week. Check out Polymer Clay Express http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/ if you are interested.

I'm working on some new designs for necklaces to build up some stock for our shows.  I purchased some graduating sized cutters when I bought my Dream Machine, and have been thinking of doing some layered pendants.  I'm pretty happy with the results and have a lot more ideas rolling around in my head.

I made a necklace and earrings of faux turquoise on patterned black background.  The necklace is hung on a double strand of suede and I made the ear wires from non tarnish silver copper 20 guage wire.  The pendant was sanded and buffed with my Ryobi bench grinder that I attached a buffing wheel to.  The earrings have a coat of liquid wax.  I prefer to use my buffer for finishing pieces, but the earrings are a little too small to use with the machine.

Last, but far from least, I'm still working on my clocks.  I have been receiving tutorials from Cindy Lietz and love the art sheet look.  You can check out her site here:  http://www.beadvideos.com/.  I decided to make a large sheet for my clock face.  Here is the result.  As you can see, I haven't yet drilled and attached the clock component.

I'm hoping to be able to make larger clocks now that I have my new Dream Machine.  So far, the ones I have made are about 6 inches in diameter.  Small, but a perfect size for a home office, don't you think??

Well, time to get my daughter up for her double header today.  Hope everyone has a great day!  

Til next time....          

Happy April everyone!

This week's blog topic, for the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild, is yellow.  Think sunshine, springtime and yellow peeps!  We have had a very mild winter here and as you go about your daily routines, you can see small signs of rebirth everywhere you look.  Flowers peaking out, starting to bloom.  Catching a whiff of a wonderful fragrance.  Seeing and hearing the birds out back.  Have even noticed some enterprising individuals cooking out already!  Seems like you just have more energy when the weather is this nice.

Spring cleaning?  Redecorating?  Check out this beautiful wall hanging from Fantasy Clay.

Jazz up a springtime outfit with these cute earrings from Keep you posted.

How cute is this lemon drop bracelet from Wyvern Designs!  Get ready for your cookouts.

This is but a sampling of all the wonderful items on sale by the Polymer Clay Smooshers.  Be sure to browse their shops.  You can find the list of artisans at http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/.

Till next time, stay safe and enjoy the wonders of spring!

Well, we had our first craft show of the season today.  Low turnout and only sold two things, but we were approached by an Assistant Manager of a new art store about placing some of our items in their shop.  They have a gallery of local artisans and seem to really promote handmade.  What an honor!  We will definitely be checking this out and getting more information.

Here is our table for the show.  I was very happy with the way the table turned out, not too crowded with merchandise.

If you read my last post, you know that we are expanding our inventory with frames and clocks.  {By the way, my daughter loves her clock!}  I made a second clock with faux leather and turquoise, and have drawn up some more ideas for others.

I'll be listing this one soon on our ArtFire site.

Also made a few more frames, something else I really love doing.  Though I never took any formal art classes {other than those in Junior High!}, I love coming up with ideas, sketching them and making them a reality.  

I really need to get a DREAM Machine so I can make larger pieces.  A DREAM Machine {made by Polymer Clay Express} is a large pasta machine that can condition larger sheets of clay.  My current machines measure five and seven inches wide.  The DREAM Machine is 10 inches wide.    

Here is a new frame with faux leather technique and an impressed butterfly.  

Till next time....stay safe and be happy!

New Ideas

Mid March already!  Wow, I can't believe we have our first show in 2 weeks.  I have been trying to branch out with my polymer clay, making different items in addition to jewelry.  If you'd like, look at my recent post about the frames we are now making.

It's always nice to meet with other clayers to share ideas and techniques, and to see what wonderful works these artisans have been making.  Here are a few pictures from some of our member's.

 

The theme for this month's meeting was clocks.  A few member's made clock's prior to the meeting.  Aren't they beautiful???

I started mine at the meeting and finally finished it tonight.  This one is for my daughter that is moving to North Carolina.  8^(  I don't know if I can wait until Christmas to give it to her!!!

This may be something I could get into!  It was a lot of fun coming up with the design and seeing it come to life.  Hmmm, guess I have to put my thinking cap on and see what else Ican get inspired to make.

Til next time, stay safe and enjoy this beautiful weather {If you are lucky enough to be experiencing early Spring like we are!}

Green week

The topic for this week's Smooshers blog roll is green.  Ahhh, just the thought brings to mind warmer weather {though I must say, we have had a pretty mild winter here!}.  There are so many shades of green; sea green, lime green, kelly green, forest green, turquoise green.....the list goes on and on.  I love looking through the Smooshers designs to see how they interpret and use color in their art.  

This lovely cross necklace is from Christina Kosinski Designs.  Almost looks like jade, doesn't it?

In the mood for some fantasy jewelry??  Check out Desert Rubbles designs, like this sculpted dragon wing.

What a beautiful necklace!  This one is from Tonja's Treasures. 

This is just a sampling of the great things you can find when you visit the Polymer Clay Smooshers of ArtFire!  So, why not take some time, put your feet up and explore.  Here is the link to the Smooshers blog, where you will find the list of the artists, that link to their ArtFire store.

http://www.polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/

Til next time......

I finally had some extra time to get some of my new frames posted on my ArtFire site.  This first one was inspired by the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild Celtic challenge.  I have seen several tutorials for faux leather and just love the look.  I combined this with one of my celtic knot stamps and voila!  What do you think?

My daughter saw another frame I made using a sort of flower stamp.  Green is her favorite color and she loves sunflowers, which the stamp reminded her of.  So, she asked me to make her one.  Of course, I did, however when she saw it, she said it didn't look like a sunflower at all.  Oh well, I still like it.

I have a lot more ideas on other frames to make and want to start making them larger.  Here is a bigger one that is not finished yet.  It's made with stamped clay brushed with copper pearlex powder, that I cut into pieces for a mosaic type style.  Have to finish the grouting yet.

It's the first time I have attempted this technique, so I am still critiquing the outcome.  May have to tweek some here and there on my next one, but....live and learn, right?

Til next time...