Oh My Stars! Rustic Polymer Clay Set

Do you ever think about why some things are interesting to you?

My style is ever-changing and my interests are broad and varied.

I am eclectic.

I love cottage chic, country, primitive, tribal, steam punk, modern, classic and more.

I have a friend that says she can tell my pieces...that they have a voice.

I don't always see a connection between the different series.

These grungy, primitive disks and stars are so much fun to make but once they are done, they sit in my printer's tray and wait to become a part of a whole.

When I made these pieces, they were for a magazine challenge.

The colors and stars are not normally something I would do.

But I liked the challenge.

And I like the way they turned out.

I find lately I love fibers/silk and I love steel findings.

Sort of the strong and soft together....

And I like the colors though they are not ones I would have created without the challenge.

I have been thinking a lot lately about artists.

How some create a body of work that is a slow progression through their medium.

And about others who try multiple styles and mediums...exploring as much as they can.

I am definitely in the second group.

I love a new challenge.

To me, there is no such thing as failure....

Just learning a way NOT to do something.

For me, there is great joy in re-purposing things and creating things.

I cannot imagine a life without those two activities.

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Linking with these great blogs.

Add A Little Silk...

If you have been visiting my blog consistently, you may have noticed that I am a fan of primitive finish polymer clay beads.

You may also have noticed that I love recycled silk strips.

Sometimes once I string a bracelet of polymer beads, it needs a little something else.

That was the case for this little beauty.

So I wove a piece of recycled silk around the beads as well.

It gives the piece a very bohemian look.

Which I love.

The older I get, the funkier I like my jewelry.

That is a good thing.

What is your favorite kind of jewelry to wear?

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Some Favorite Pieces from the Pages of Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine

On newsstands now is the Spring 2015 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

I am so pleased to have some of my favorite pieces in the magazine.

This piece can be worn as a necklace or a wrap bracelet.

The beads are hand crafted, as are the clasps and loops.

The silk strips are repurposed from silk blouses and then overdyed.

I love the verigated color of the silk.

This bracelet is one of my all-time favorites to wear.

The silk is wrapped around and between the beads and adds a very bohemian gypsy vibe to the piece.

I love the muted color palette in this bracelet.

It goes with almost every outfit I put on.

The bird bead adds a touch of whimsy to the bracelet.

The very last piece from the article, actually was gifted to a very dear friend so I cannot show it to you now.

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Guest Contributor at Plucky's Second Thought

Hello!

I have a quick tutorial over at Plucky's Second Thought.

Hop over to see how to make these cute and quick earrings just in time for Mother's Day.

Thanks for stopping by....

Rusty Crusty Goodness

The weather in my neck of the woods is finally getting warmer.

That means soon my garage door will be open and I will be creating both inside and outside.

Last summer I had a blast rusting all sorts of goodies.

I love the rusty, crusty look of age on a metal piece.

I covet little bits that have aquired that look over time.

But I am impatient.

So sometimes I help nature along.

These pictures show the pieces at their raw state.  

Many will receive an additional treatment of patina.

They will all be sealed in some manner before they are used to keep the rusty goodness on the piece, not on you.

Last summer I even started to write a tutorial for this process.

Sadly in the fall, I got a nasty virus  on the computer and lost all the work I originally put into the tutorial.

I was going to list my tutorial in my Etsy shop.

What do you think?

Should I start over and make it again?

Looking at these photos from last year makes me say, I think I just might.

Time to get out there and make some things!

Thanks for stopping by....

Steel Wire Findings

One of my favorite parts of a piece of jewelry can be the clasp.  

I am not sure why this is, but it has always been true for me. 

 It is especially true if the clasp is handmade or unusual.

So I love to make my own.

My very favorites to make and use lately with my handmade polymer clay beads are heavy black steel wire findings.

My wire of choice: black rebar wire from the hardware store.

Sometimes you can find it in the fencing section.

That is where I originally found mine about 15 years ago or so.

I buy several rolls at a time and use it for all sorts of things.

I like the body and heft of the wire and the way it holds the shape I create with my pliers, mandrel or a dowel.

Once the pieces are formed, I have seat on the floor and give them each a few whacks with a hammer.

I like to play with shapes and even what I use for connectors.

I little hardware piece offers a different look than a wire loop.

How much fun is that for a little touch of Steampunk or Industrial?

I make a whole pile of them and then hammer them in batches. 

 Sitting on concrete is not as much fun for my back as it used to be.

I keep them in a little compartment of my bead tray for when inspiration hits.

 Maybe today will be the day they become something special.

Thanks for stopping by....

Delicate Pink Jewelry

I am not really a delicate kind of jewelry gal.

I don't buy it.

I don't wear it.

And I usually don't make it.

But sometimes a girl just has to try something different.

  Armed with lace, silk, beds and buttons, off I go.

Into the delicate pink yonder.

Join me, won't you?

First up: a  choker made from recycled silk strips and lace.

A little white linen cord to tie off the ends.

A few handmade jump rings make it adjustable.

I have a big neck but I try to remember the rest of the world may be much smaller than me.

This sweet little buckle was the inspiration for the whole piece.

Next up: a triple strand seed bead necklace.

Also not my style, but fun to try.

Simple beading with a little lace choker layer added at the end.

And last, but not least: a button choker.

This one I WOULD wear.

Simple white buttons from the many, many button jars I collect.

Knotted together with white waxed linen cord.

I love working with that stuff.

I finished it off with a strip of pink silk and a little white flower button.

Do you see  anything that is your style?

Which one?

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I Made the Cover!

Sometimes things happen that are so amazing, you never quite believe them....

I was going through my blog roll and was reading Knick of Time a few weeks ago......

She was writing about being featured in the newest issue of Somerset Life and had this photo:

I could not believe my eyes.

You see, I knew I had some bottles I soldered in this issue but I had not seen it yet.

I started saying, "HEY!! HEY!  I think I am on the COVER!!!!"

My husband  looked and I RAN the whole way out to the mail box.

I am not built for speed so it made my husband chuckle.

Sure enough, there I am.

WOW!!!

I made the bottles to commemorate a vacation we took with my daughter to the Bahamas a couple years ago.

I am so proud of those bottles.

Having them on the cover, unbelievable...

If you see it on the newsstand, take a look.  

The issue is fantastic as always.

Christen Hammons is always amazing.

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Stampington for nailing it again.

Thanks for stopping by....

Jewelry Affaire magazine...

The Spring 2015 issue of Jewelry Affaire is now on  newsstands.

I am delighted to have a feature in this issue.

This polymer clay necklace is made with Sculpey clay and some great homemade dyes made with RIT Dye.

There are dozens of gorgeous pieces in this issue from artists such as Lynne Simon Suprock and Melinda Barnett and Peggy Sowers Heckman.

If you have never purchased Jewelry Affaire, but you love to make or wear jewelry, this is right up your alley.

I actually credit this magazine, along with Belle Armoire Jewelry as the two titles that triggered a turning point in my journey as an artist.

I bought an issue of each from Barnes and Noble in the summer of 2011.

I pored over those issues for weeks....

And then I started creating.

And creating.

And creating....

Wow!  

So many talented artists and amazing pieces.

So I am honored to appear on their pages.

Run right out and grab a copy...

In my area, I can find them at Barnes and Noble or most major craft stores.

You can also order them directly from the Stampington here.

Thanks for stopping by.....

Craft Lightning! A 15 Minute Teacher Appreciation Gift...

I am pleased to participate in the newest round of Craft Lightning....  

15 Minute Teacher Appreciation Gifts...

Teachers hold a very special place in my heart.

I hope they do in yours too.

They work hard every day (even in the summer when they are off).

They really care about your children or grand children.

So let's show them a little bit of appreciation.

Here is a sweet and quick gift jar you can fill with anything.

Start with a mason jar with a lid.

Give the lid a few coats of Chalky Finish paint in Carbon from DecoArt.

Let it dry thoroughly between coats.

Give a fake apple a couple coats of Chalky Finish Paint from DecoArt in Carbon.

Let it dry between coats.

Using a Chalk marker, write your message or teachers name.

Use your best printing!

Hot glue the apple to the lid.

Tie some red baker's twine around the lid.

Fill it with anything your teacher loves.

Chocolate.

Markers or highlighters.

Tea bags.

Or a gift card to her favorite store.

Your teacher will appreciate anything you put inside.

To make it extra special, write her a note of thanks and have your child do it too.

Cite a specific time she made your child feel special.

She will save the note  forever.

Be sure to swing by our three hosts to find all the other great 15 Minute Teacher Appreciation Gifts.

The Country Chic Cottage

30 Minute Crafts

Mad in Crafts

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs this week.