Changing Metal Finishes

I always buy metal bangles when they are dirt cheap.

Last summer I played around and discovered some fantastic new patinas for these pieces.

They started like this...

And ended up looking like this....

I realize this look is not for everyone.

But I love it!

Once I get the look just right, I seal it with wax and give it a good buffing.

These  make me smile....

I tried it on necklaces as well.

They get a great new look...

Actually an old look.

What do you think?

Are you a fan of shiny and new?

Or old and aged?

I like the old and aged.

Thanks for stopping by...

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Ok...So I am Cheating....

As most of us in the East know...there has been very little green lately.

Lots of white and ice.

But lately, I hear the birds singing in the morning.

I hear the water dripping as it melts.

I can smell and feel spring even though over a foot of snow remains in most of my yard.

So I am sharing a few old spring pictures just to let you know....

It IS coming.

Soon!

Can't you smell these?

Have some hope...

And patience...

  

March came in like a lion...

But it will go out like a lamb...

Thanks for stopping by...

Yarn Wrapped Candy Cane Ornament

Time for another quick ornament. 

Have you been keeping up?

This one starts with a piece of heavy wire.

I use rebar wire from the fencing section of home improvement stores.

You can also use an old wire hanger.

Cut the wire and bend it into a candy cane shape.

Then I used hot glue to glue the end of some heavy red and white yarn I had.

Then I wrapped it continually around the wire, gluing every so often.

When I got the whole thing covered, I  glued the end to the candy cane.  

Once the glue was dry, I trim the end with scissors.

I make a mixture of hot water, coffee and ground cinnamon.

 I soak the ornaments in it for about 30 minutes.

  I remove them and hang them over a drying rack in my garage until they are dry.

Now they are ready for the tree or a package.

Thanks for stopping by...

Steampunk Polymer Beads

One of my great loves this past year has been playing with Sculpey polymer clay.

I love rolling it in my hands, pressing things in to texture it and then coloring and creating finishes that give it a new look.

I have always loved beautiful beads but when I actually get some, I save them.

I am not sure what I am saving them for...

So in April, when I started ,making my own beads, it opened a whole new world to me.

It was a world where I could create anything I could imagine.

This has led to many fun experiments.

Today I am sharing my steampunk beads.

I used these to make some fun stretchy bracelets.

They are easy to get on and off.

You can see I did a variety of finishes as well.

I love these.

I hope they appeal to you perhaps, too.

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I've Got the Blues...

My dad was an engineer by trade.

And an artist in the evenings and weekend.

He worked with redware clay and made folk art figurines.

I am guessing that is where some of my love for clay comes from.

I am finding more and more that having it in my hands brings such peace and relaxation.

He worked in redware clay.

I work with polymer.

My favorite is Sculpey.

After I make the beads, there is also the mad scientist part of playing with finishes.

This piece was a play with beachy blues.

These beads do not have the crackled rustic look that I started with.

These look like they rolled in the ocean waves for a while and were worn.

I love that.

The texture really pops with this finish...

I think the clasp should be as pretty as the beads.

These handmade clasps make me smile.

I love forming them and then hammering them.  

The dogs always try to come and help since I am sitting on the floor for the hammering.

Everytime I make a clay piece, I feel like there is a piece of me in it.  

I know every handmade piece has a part of the maker in it....

But the polymer is different for me.

Maybe because I rolled it in my hands to warm it and bring it to life first.

Maybe because I feel a connection to my dad while doing it.

Maybe because the dogs infuse some of their love too while I am making clasps.

Whatever the reason, my clay pieces always make me smile.

Hope they do for you too.

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Shark Shores Necklace

Today I wanted to share a necklace that celebrates my love of jewelry making and my daughter's love of sharks and marine life.

I used a shark tooth to make a mold so I can make many, many sharks' teeth.

I love to use natural elements in my designs, but if possible,I like to preserve the actual element.

Making a mold from it is a great way to do just that.

The tooth pendant is complemented by polymer beads in beachy blues.

The silk strip allows the necklace to be adjusted from short to long.

Waxed linen cord is so much fun for knotting with my chunky beads.

Even though it has been a cold 2015, this puts me in the mood for warm weather and sandy beaches.

Thanks for stopping by...

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Sweet Button Snowman Ornament

Time for a quick ornament.

You need 

some white buttons

 glue

 heavy yarn

scissors

 and a Christmas hook.

Glue your buttons together.

Tie a piece of yarn on for the scarf.

Slip a hook in one of the button holes.

Done!

Does it get any easier than that?

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