Archaeology Necklace

Sometimes it is just fun to do something that is outside your usual style.

A friend and I decided to try to make some things with a decidedly grubbier and darker look.

It involved a lot of JAX Pewter Black.

I used it to age some chains, focals, and beads.

And this Archaeology necklace was born.

Glass and polymer beads were combined into this fun necklace.

The smashed bottle cap with a map covered in resin looked so much better after it was painted with JAX.

Now I love it.

It was in my failures pile so I figured nothing ventured, nothing gained...

What a gain...

I made links for each of my beads and then dipped them in Jax.

They all got rubbed with wax and buffed.

The fiber piece was made from a bit of a muslin sheet.

I dipped it in watered down black paint and then waxed it.

And those little twisted wire jump rings...

I made them...

Now THAT was fun!

I thoroughly enjoyed trying a new look.

I will be doing more of this style for sure...

What have you tried that was new for you?

Thanks for stopping by...

A Peek Inside Prims and a Giveaway....

One of my favorite styles to create is Primitive Country.

I have been making my own style of primitive country for years. 

I sell a lot of that style locally at festivals and shows.

So I am over the moon to share that I am within the pages of the current issue of Prims from Stampington and Company.

It is a great issue for fall and winter.

Let's peek at a few inspiring projects within this issue.

There are so many cute characters.

I am going to make some of these great pumpkins and turkeys from Renee Tousignant.

I love the simplicity of her designs.

This fabulous ghost would look haunting on anyone's front door.

Angela Clark Prater is brilliant.

This little primitive pumpkin gal is just the right amount of sweet from Trudy Honeycutt...

There are pieces from Chuck McClenning that look like authentic vintage Halloween pieces.

 Once I refine my skills, I may attempt something as fabulous as this cat from Carly Smith.

If you are already thinking winter, have no fear...

There are plenty of those too.

Like these little guys from Char Hosea.

Or this little guy that utilizes a recycled can from Heather Ledyard Hodges.

I am definitely going to work on some pieces that this project will inspire.

And nestled in the gallery pages are these little guys and gals...

Made from socks.

Really....

How do I know?

I made them....

And here they are...

I am over the moon proud.

I made this little block snowman too.

So, is primitive country a style that calls out to you?

If it is and you would like a chance to win a copy of Prims for yourself, leave a comment below about your favorite project shown and you will be entered for a chance to win.

A winner will be chosen next Tuesday and announced Wednesday here on the blog.

Stampington will send it right to you.

Thanks for stopping by....

Scarlet

One color I almost never use exclusively in designs is red.

I am not sure why.

I love red.

Red cars, red accents, red birds...

This necklace and bracelet set uses scarlet beads and wood beads with leather.

Oh, and a tiny bit of bling.

It is also a fun way to play with knotting and design.

The necklace is strung on waxed linen cord first.

The leather cord is added as a design element afterwards.

My handmade wire components are perfect for this design.

I like the wooden beads too.

I guess I just love natural components.

I made a little triple strand bracelet to go with it.

It is also strung on waxed linen thread first and then the leather cord elements are added.

One challenge I always face when making jewelry is to make it smaller.

I have large wrists, so to fit me it needs to be big.

For most everyone else, I have to make it too small for me.

This one is like that.

Too small for me.

Perfect for someone  else.

Thanks for stopping by....

                   Linking up with these great blogs.

Rustic Polymer Key necklace

Time for some rustic polymer goodness today....

This fun necklace is a mix of wire, silk, clay, glass, pearls,and wood.

The key focal was made from a mold I made from a vintage key.

It seems like every day, I embrace this style more and more.

What style defines you?

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs.

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.

Thanks for stopping by....

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?

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....

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.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these blogs.