Kumihimo

I was browsing the television channels Sunday and came across Jewelry Television {JTV}.  It's a shopping channel for jewelry, but it also has segments on supplies for those of us who make jewelry.  Naturally, I was interested in seeing what they had, though I tend to avoid shopping on T.V.   

During the hour they sold supplies, they happened to offer a kumihimo kit.  For those of you who aren't familiar with Kumihimo, it is an ancient Japanese braiding method that has become popular.  I'm sure you have seen friendship bracelets around, and if you have been to any craft shows, you may have seen artisans that sell Kumihimo jewelry. 

A few years ago, I saw something on facebook about this braiding technique and thought I would like to give it a try.  As I mainly work on polymer clay pendants, I thought it would be nice to have a braided strand to sell with the pieces.  I fashioned my own loom and bought some floss, made a few necklaces and put it away.  It took a long time to make a strand and the cotton floss I bought kept tangling.  Even when I broke down and ordered a kit {comes with the loom, a small amount of yarn, a few patterns, and plastic bobbins that hold the yarn to prevent tangling}, I still had problems.

Here is a picture of a pendant on a Kumihimo strand I made back then paired with a mokume gane pendant.

Well, after watching JTV, I thought....Why not??  I'm still limited in my activities since my surgery and spend my days with my foot elevated; reading, watching television or on the computer.  What better time to resume my quest then now?  I found my stash and started perusing the internet for video tutorials. 

I'm not sure what the difference is from a few years ago, but I've been "braiding" all week.  I realized the floss I'm now using is satin floss instead of cotton and {knock wood}, I haven't had one tangle all week. 

Here are a few strands I've made.  The possibilities are endless, for both color combinations and patterns. 

This is the loom I bought, with my new strand I am working on. 

There are several companies out there that sell looms and there are different shaped looms {square, round and octagonal}.   I'm not yet sure what difference this makes with the end result of the braiding, but I'll keep looking.

I hope to get out in a few days to look for end caps to finish the above strands, as opposed to using all my wire to make my own.  Then I'll pull out some pendants and take some pictures to post. 

Til next time, stay safe and happy.

New Year, New Goals

Happy New Year!

   I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and a safe and happy New Year celebration.  It was fairly quiet here, though I did make it to midnight.  I had my second foot surgery and I am on the mend.

The New Year is usually a time for reflecting on the past year, both the good times and bad, looking forward to the possibilities ahead, and making resolutions.  I don't usually make New Year resolutions, and this year is no exception.  I have been, however, exploring new ideas for my clay work.

One place to look for ideas is Pinterest.  I love looking at all the pins, especially those related to polymer clay.  I think it is a great way to share; anything from tips on books to sewing to crafting in general and everything you can imagine in between.  If you are a crafter, or make jewelry, this is a great place to get all kinds of inspiration and ideas.  If you would like to browse, you can check out my pins http://pinterest.com/dreamweaversjw/ .  I have to warn you, it can be addicting. 

I am looking forward to being more mobile, so I can get back to claying.  In the meantime here are some great pieces for you to enjoy from some of the Polymer Clay Smooshers.

Lovely sand dollar pendant from Beadcomer.

Like steampunk??  This is from ArtmakersWorlds.

More steampunk from Desert Rubble.

Till next time, keep safe and smiling!

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!