Polymer Clay Tiles and Disks

I cover wooden disks and squares with canes. After they are cured and cooled, I paint the back of the tile black and then store them until I need a few to use in a wall piece.

These tiles and disks are almost 4" in circumference and diameter so they can only be used in larger wall hangings.

And, of course, couldn't help but get out the black light. I get such a kick out of the colors.

Happy New Year everyone! Have fun tonight and be safe!

Polymer Clay and Bezels

Bezel forms I am filling with my polymer clay canes and crystals.

This silver plated bracelet has two hooks on the ends; one shorter and one longer.

There are various bezels to use as the focal piece, but this has got me started. I am now going to make my own out of polymer clay.

Do you see what I mean about one thing leading to another; the creative thought process. I love those "ah-ha" moments.

I can see some beautiful wire work work as the two connecting rings. I'm excited to get started. So much to do, so little time. Today is a half day in the studio as we are having an early dinner with friends so I'd better get going.

Bead Embroidery

This is my first attempt at bead embroidery. The large circle on the right is a Mandala done in Peyote stitch. Mandala's are said to have healing powers and at the time, I was needing some healing and this piece evolved.

I had so much fun with it that when I heard about Robin Atkin's Bead Journal Project (http://www.beadjournalproject.com/), I decided to join and make a commitment of one piece a month for a year. It doesn't have to be bead embroidered or covered from top to bottom with beads, but it does need to be the same consistent size each month and have some beads on it.

The idea of expressing a feeling or feelings through beadwork once a month really appealed to me.

It begins January 1, but we are not allowed to post any of our work on the Bead Journal Project Three until April. We can, however, post to our own blogs. So I am hoping to post once or twice a month on the piece I am doing for the project.

The above piece is 4"x6" and what I learned from that is that I would need to go smaller for the project. I'm too new at this and I want it to be fun. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I also want to incorporate polymer clay as an added element; maybe a cane slice, small sculpture or beads. I'm really looking forward to it.

Ring and Pendant

The oval shape is really pretty. I'm definitely having fun with these. Still have some general clean-up here and there on both pieces; then they will be finished and I will be happy.

Not even going to write much because I am so anxious to get back to my studio and do more.

I came pretty close to coordinating the below pendant with the ring. Yeah, it works for me.

Post you tomorrow, unless I can't hold off.

Pendants, Wreaths and Trees

This wreath has a long red bow and a blue Swarovski crystal. The two canes I used are in the upper right hand corner of the above photo. I added texture to the background with a leather stamping tool and drew teeny tiny lines on the leaves of the wreath with an Xacto knife.

Here is the cane I used for the above tree. It has a red Swarovski crystal as the tree topper.

Below is the second wreath I made, but with a short red bow and a red Swarovski crystal.

I switched to a lighter, simpler design using the cane in the below photo.

It has a white Swarovski crystal and is still as textured, but not layered as heavily as the others.

Polymer Clay Rings

I have covered forms and embellished forms with canes and created forms with canes, but I have not filled forms with canes. At least, none that I can think of right now. Experimenting with this technique has been on my list for a long time.

I reduced some of my complex canes, rolled out some scrap clay for the bases and got started. I layered the scrap clay so the above ring would "dome" out of the ring. Than I applied the canes and crystals and then baked.

In this ring, I inserted only one layer of scrap clay (a #1 setting on the pasta machine) and then applied my canes and crystals. This design is perfectly level with the bezel.

They are not sanded or buffed as they are dimensionally layered. I am very happy with the end results and will make more.

The ring forms are silver plated and adjustable, so they are extremely comfortable.

I've really enjoyed making these.

Cracker Jacks, Vending Machine Toys

Merry Christmas! Being Christmas day I thought I would post some toys. Remember these from the 50's? Vending machine toys that would come in little plastic capsules. The ones above are actually mine that I saved all these 50 some years.

The above photo is of old Cracker Jack toys that I bought many years ago at a tiny antique store.

I liked the little yellow wooden yo-yo with the string dangling. But I think my favorites were the glow-in-the dark toys, the light bulbs and the lanterns. I was fascinated with those.

The little pocket knife was neat too. It opens and has a dull blade. The watch with an elastic band, the toilet seat (what was with that?), false teeth, kazoos, telephones, plastic picture frames with Gabby Hayes picture inside (light blue frame in first photo above), little trophies and medals; boy, they bring back so many memories.

So I decided to get them out of the box and string them. Enjoy them a little. Yes, I've even worn them. I live in a retirement community where you have to be at least 55 years old to buy a home here; so many have recognized the toys, smiled and started a conversation.

I need to take new photos of them because these last three are terrible, but could I leave them out? No. I posted all I had.

In closing, again, I hope your Christmas day is wonderful and I hope Santa was good to all. I thank my readers from the bottom of my heart; I thank you for the gift you have given me. Go and play now, enjoy your Christmas day.

Pins and a Gift Box

Merry Christmas Eve! Well, I finished these pins and have used up the last of my blue skinner blend plug. As I complete each pin, I am learning from it and jotting down bits and pieces in my sketch book. I love the above pin, but will go smaller and lighter next time.

I liked the way the above two pins came out also. Love the little blue flower and will use that cane again for some jewelry. I finished the last of my tiny star cane in the above Winter Quilt pin. What I learned from that one is I should not have added the larger snowflakes on top of the little stars. A much smaller pattern should go in the corners (or just leave it alone).

This is a paper mache box I bought at Michael's and covered it with slices of little canes. I painted the inside and covered the inside bottom of the box also.

I used it as a gift box for one of my heart pins.

Landscape Paintings

I just read a quote from Miquel Flores Vianna, "A house without art is like a man without a soul", and I thought that is so true. We should surround ourselves with what gives us joy.

I sculpt with polymer clay, beads and paint. I say sculpt because, for me, it is the same technique for all three materials. One layer, then another, then another, building texture, adding dimension and shaping it until the finishing touches.

Above is a closer view of the flowered valley in this painting inspired by one of Don Ward's (I think) pieces. Below is a closer view of the Sedona mountains. I tried to aim my photo lamp close to the mountains to show the heavy texturing of gels and pastes, but was unsuccessful.

Below is the first layer of paint over several layers of texturing gels. You can see how dark the blue cloud is and how the background mountain is too green, etc.

Below is the midpoint in the process of balancing the tonal values.

And below is the finished painting.

But I think you get the idea of how these landscapes were formed and how the dimensional effect gives movement to the piece.