Another Lotus Pond Necklace

Here is a simple necklace I just put together.

Lotus Pond Necklace

This is my latest necklace and I have to admit that it wasn't my original idea. This is direct from the book Flourish by Christi Friesen. It really wasn't hard to do at all! In fact, stringing those darn little beads and pearls was the most difficult part ( these old eyes aren't as sharp as they once were).

Necklaces

Finally there is something to post! I feel as if I live in quicksand lately. Every bit of work is such an effort. Maybe it's time to take a break.

Studio Update

Making these flowers has been such fun, but I know that these a just a diversion while my heart and mind continue their dialogue about clay versus paints. It's ongoing.

Attractive Magnets.....get it?

I've had so much fun making flowers and then trying to figure out what to do with them. These are all magnets. Did you get my little joke?

For a Friend

I've been really forgetful about taking pictures lately. I'll finish some things and rush them off to the gallery before even thinking about photographing them. Then they sell and I never get another chance. But here is one I remembered to record. I've never tried one of this type of necklace before, but I like the way it turned out. What do you think?

New Year, New Direction

Instead of a new year's resolution, I have made a new decision about where I'm taking my creative life or where it's taking me. For the last two years I've experimented with polymer clay, making lots of beads which are still piled up in ( or rolling around) my studio. Besides some jewelry I haven't produced much.

My big decision seems so obvious, but it took me two years to 'get it'. Ta da..........the big decision is to leave jewelry behind and just create. That's right. Just create. No matter where that takes me. Here is a partial picture of what I'm working on now.

So check back often. That's another part of my big decision....get back on the blogging track and post more often like I did two years ago. Happy new year!!

I can't believe this is my 300th post!

Pat A Cake

Pat a cake, pat a cake.....today as I was conditioning my clay, that rhyme kept going through my head. I was so excited about bringing my clay to the Blue Skies Gallery to demonstrate today. Another artist and I brought things we had made and lots of clay to work with. Right away we had a crowd, well....not a crowd, but just about everyone in the gallery came over to look. My sister suggested I put out a bowl full of beads and that proved to be a magnet for everyone. People couldn't keep their hands out of that bowl!

These are the miniatures I made for a show at the Charles Taylor Art Center and decided at the last minute not to enter them. They are just not my  best work, so I'll wait til next year and come up with a better idea.

Fall Is Here

It seems like it was just sweltering, hot, and sticky and now, all of a sudden, it's glorious fall....my favorite season. Every afternoon I can hear the high school band practicing and it brings back all those college football games we went to in South Carolina. Good memories.

This is one of the pieces I've made from the Stroppel cane, which went viral last week on Flickr. It's a fun and easy cane, and you can't really tell how it will look until you slice it open.

I've been working real hard on my entry to the Tidewater Artists Miniature Show, which will open October 21 at the Charles Taylor Art Center in Hampton, Virginia. I've entered for the past four or five years and its a fun show with a lot of ingenious entries. Last year I took second in sculpture, so keep your fingers crossed for me this year.

After the show opens I'll reveal all three of my entries for you to see. Let me know what you think.

Buzzz, Buzzzz

This morning I completely forgot to upload pictures of my latest 'fun' project, these quirky little flowers. They are entirely made of polymer clay, with a little Swarovski crystal to add the bling. I'm thinking they might be good for pendants, maybe a necklace with three, and of course, brooches. What do you think? I really want to know.

Going to the Chapel

No, not me!! This little guy, my first wedding topper. Actually, he's too big to be on top of the cake, and they are having cupcakes, anyway. But he will proudly stand next to the basket for cards....with his bride if she ever gets finished. He still needs his boutonniere and his pant cuffs. The wedding is July 9, by the way, and I have my son coming to visit for five days. Keep your fingers crossed for me, ok?

New Assemblage

 This is not only a new assemblage, but also my first. I used an old wood cigar box a friend gave me, lots of polymer clay and acrylics. The title is 'My Life, Chapter 5, 2003'.

My Light Bulb That Became Frida Kahlo

I've Been Busy

Fun, Fun, Fun

  A new bracelet.......

 A new necklace.......

A Spring Understanding

Acrylic and Polymer Clay

12x12

Momentos

Acrylic and Polymer Clay

12x12

Ravaged Heart

Acrylic and Polymer Clay

10x8

Fun. That's what I've been having in my studio ( well, in my dining room, too). My fun seems to spread quickly. I also, of course, have all kinds of clay in my kitchen along with drying paint brushes. I've been jumping from one project to another and it occurred to me that this might be the best way for me to work. Fifteen minutes on some clay, pop it in the oven, thirty minutes on a painting, thirty minutes on a colored pencil portrait. That portrait is a gift so I'll reveal it next weekend.

New Work

A new necklace made with a stamp from Barbara McGuire. I painted it with a brown acrylic and then sanded it to reveal the lime green portion. It's very striking in person.

This necklace was inspired by the beautiful pale greenish blue stones. I've had them for a few years and I remember they were quite expensive, but I can't remember what they are called. The beads are mostly translucent clay with thin slices of several canes.

Faux amber in a stretchy little bracelet.

This is a little angel made before Christmas. I guess she hasn't earned her wings yet.

Another little angel. These stand about six or seven inches high. I think she looks like she has alot of authority in angel land.