Metallic Lustres On Polymer Clay

As you know, I love to play with finishes on white clay.  

In some ways it is silly, really.

I could start with a color then play with it, but NOOOOOO!

I will start with white, paint it a color and then mess with it again.

That is what happened with these pieces.

I used white as the base...

Painted them black and then rubbed them with Metallic Lustres paints from DecoArt.

I love the way they turned out.

But i am thinking down the road to make my life a little easier, I will start with black clay, then use the Metallic Lustres.

Work smarter not harder...

In all fairness to me, when I make polymer pieces, I never know how they will be finished down the road.

I do things in stages....

I make beads and components for a week.

Bake them all.

Then I divide them into groups for how they will be finished and start working on them in those groups.

Lastly I seal them.

Once they are sealed,  they wait to become a necklace, bracelet or earrings.

Anyway, Metallic Lustres are one of my favorite ways to finish beads.

I love rubbing them into the pieces.

Have you ever tried them?

Thanks for stopping by....

Black and White and Gorgeous All Over....

A while back, my daughter and I tried making some pieces for a specific color challenge.

The challenge was to use black.

My daughter came up with some stunning pieces.

First up, this complete set.

Love the necklace focal and the earrings.

Our styles are so different.

                     I love how she thinks.

I am not a matched set kind of gal, but I love these pieces because they very much go together without being all matchy-matchy.

I really like her twisted wire with the focal.

Perfect!

I love this piece.

These are something I would definitely wear....

I love the movement the chains create...

This bracelet is so sophisticated.

This is the perfect dress up accessory.

And then there is this last bracelet.

The elements she combined are so interesting together.

The chain next to her beaded chain compliment each other.

These little pounded wire pieces add a rustic organic element to the piece.

Would you wear this one?

I would!

How fun is that?

Just for fun today, try something totally different and see where it leads you.

Limit your color palette, materials or style.

See what happens.

Then tell me all about it.

Thanks for stopping by...

Have Paracord?

One of the things my daughter has made for years is paracord bracelets.

She started at the beginning of their popularity a few years ago and continues to still make them.

While you can find them everywhere it seems, hers are such high quality.

Her knots are tight and even.

My husband has worn his since she first made it for him years ago.

She sells them in our Etsy shop Artistic Endeavors 101.

She has collected paracord in varying weights and colors.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.

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....

Redware Polymer Clay Jewelry

Sculpey has a terra cotta clay that they sell in bigger boxes.

I actually buy the large 8 pound box to work with.

It has a different look than traditional polymer clay.

You can change it even more depending on how you finish it.

I want to share a few of them here.

This necklace actually incorporates beads with a variety of finishes and looks.

These heart links are so easy  to make and I love the look.

The spiral focal has an unusual look.

It was accidental.

There were salt crystals still on the piece after dying and it reacted with the crackle step.

I probably would not intentionally replicate it but I know how to if I want to.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know I have used beads to make this style bracelet a few times before.

To me, they are simplicity balanced perfectly with style.

Each bead is even more beautiful close up.

Some pieces do not string as easily.

This necklace uses wire links to join the components.  

It is rustic and artistic.

The sharks tooth is an homage to my daughter.

The shark tooth pieces were made from molding a real shark tooth.

The terra cotta clay takes word stamping so beautifully.

The Time to Love piece had mixed finishes as well.

Do you have a favorite?

Mine changes from time to time.

It depends on my mood.

I generally love the dark, almost black, pieces.

I tend to hoard my scavenged time pieces.

When I make my own, I can use them as often as I like.

The last bracelet I am going to show you has components that were just sealed and not antiqued or aged.

One box of clay with numerous looks.

Does it make you want to go get some?

Thanks for stopping by...

                             Linking up with these blogs.