Happy New Year

In Warner Bros. movie "New Years Eve" the New Year’s ball inadvertently stops half-way down and creates a moment when Hillary Swank says the following:

It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by.

To remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken.  The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt because that is what new years is all about --- getting another chance.

A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more.  And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be.  So when that ball drops at midnight and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other.  And not just tonight, but all year long.

Black Tie

 This is the same foundation-less double crochet stitch I used for the beige scarf (click HERE), but looks completely different when a lace weight wool yarn is used and an "F" crochet hook.

 This one took a little longer, but I'm very happy with it.

Foundation-Less Double Crochet

I made one shawl, a couple of scarves and one cowl for some gifts this year.  This yarn is gorgeous and crazy soft.  Today and the next two posts are all made with the same stitch--foundation-less double crochet.  Some people call it a "Foundation Double Crochet" as in this YouTube tutorial (click HERE).

 It works up fast and is so beautiful when done with a lace weight or specialty yarn.  I used a "Q" crochet hook, so it was done in a blink.

Happy Holiday

Wishing you a warm and wondrous Christmas.

Meowy Christmas!

Polymer clay canes, cookie cutter shapes, googlie eyes, alphabet stamps and some card stock make for a  fun holiday card.  Lots of good wishes for a very meowy holiday!

Polymer Holiday Card

Polymer Escargot

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, 
                       and folks dressed up like escargots......

Crocheted Basket

I picked up some odds and ends sale yarn.  Made a basket to throw them in and then sat and looked through dozens of patterns on Pinterest trying to decide what to make with the odds & ends that don't match.  I guess it doesn't matter, I just need to be doing something.    

 Still overcome with sadness.  The more I see and hear on the news about the shooting, the sadder I get.  The cruelty and meanness of some people to intentionally cause hurt, pain and suffering and to wait until the holidays.....there are no words to describe how despicable that is.

Belt Buckle Pendant

 I cut the belt, looped it around, glued and clamped it overnight to create a pendant out of the buckle.

Holiday Lights Necklace

One of my favorite holiday necklaces.  I wore it to a holiday party that was phenomenal.   It was so well organized from the seating to the entertainment.  A few well spoken words about speaking the truth, lightening your heart and standing in grace; being able to look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day--that it all starts there with the gift of self respect.  Brought tears to my eyes. Thank goodness the hilarious entertainment followed.  It was really memorable.  I came home inspired and started sculpting.  Hopefully I'll get it posted soon.

Holiday Button Tree

I love this button tree.  The buttons have meaning; some were my grandmother's and some my mother-in-law's. The rest were purchased, found or given to me.  The new mixed in with the old; the perfect mixed in with the broken.  Nothing valuable, but yet, invaluable.

A button is a fastener.  It fastens (connects) one part to another - literally and, for my tree, symbolically.  Wishing you lots of opportunities this holiday season to button.

Vintage Buttons

“Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart. 

To a customer, service. 

To all, charity. 

To every child, a good example. 

To yourself, respect.” - Quote by Oren Arnold

Jewelry Display

I'm in California spending time with friends and family who are nurturing my soul and lifting my spirits.  So a post of an abstract painting I made as a display for this bead crochet rope.  Be back soon.  Hope your holiday season has started out with kindness and joy!

Dear Santa

 My pasta machine motor is on its last legs, so I'm back to using the crank.  Whew, working up a sweat!  Who needs a pasta machine motor?  I do.  Dear Santa.........

Industrial ChicTM

Merry Christmas to me!  I won the Pan 43 Necklace by Jan Cushman for Susan Lenart Kazmer Industrial ChicTM.  It is stunning!

 Not only did I win the necklace, but I won all of the below.  Can't wait to use the ICE Resin and can't wait to make some jewelry. Susan Lenart Kazmer Industrial ChicTM is having a sale right now too! Sterling silver bezels at half price and lots more.  Her blog is great; full of creative ideas (click HERE).

Thank you to Susan Lenart Kazmer for making my holiday so much fun!

Bright Red Beads

The season for giving thanks is almost over and the season for giving is around the corner.  For a quick gift, make some polymer clay beads and string them on a cable necklace.  

Polymer Set

I got some great pieces out of a mokume gane'  sheet that I used for some pendants.  The above was made from the left over scraps.  The inside of each piece was made from Sculpey UltraLight and baked.  I then coated the baked UltraLight pieces with liquid clay and then covered them with the polymer scraps.  

Make Art With Hot Dogs

It's a joke but with a little serious thought to it.  Play, explore, experiment, wander aimlessly in your creative endeavors.  See where it will lead you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Felted Purse

 JoAnns Fabric store had this cute plain black felted purse with a simple Velcro closure.  I have started freeform needle felting on the flap.  I plan on adding some bead embellishment and some type of strap.  But, it's a good start for now.

Wet Felting

 Yesterday I took a wet felting class from Maggie Leininger who was teaching in Tempe.  She is a visiting professor at Arizona State University and teaches woven structure, sculptural techniques and digital processes.

Fascinating artist, wonderful teacher, great class, good company and lots of fun.  I learned some basic wet and needle felting.  I made some beads, a small ring, a woven piece and covered a bar of soap (my favorite).  More tomorrow.

Polymer Necklace

I took an inclusion cane workshop from Sarah Shriver last week that was so much fun.  She is a wonderful teacher and person.  I am still working on my cane, but used some of it to cover a "tube" that  I baked on a cable necklace.   Fun to experiment and learn.

Crocheted Flower Pot Cover

 I crocheted this flower pot cover by alternating loops and shells.  A new dress for an old pot.  Kind of has a vintage feel to it which is why I love it I guess.  I made a sachet bag too, but I still need to finish the liner bag for it before I post.  I'm off to photograph some polymer for the weekend.

More Hardware Store Jewelry

Three more ways of wearing the nylon rope and polymer clay tubes.

Hardware Store Jewelry

While at the hardware store (Home Depot), I spotted this rope in the chain, rope and cording section.

They cut it on a machine that heat seals the ends.  I added some polymer clay and loved the big, bold look of it.

 This type of nylon rope comes in various thicknesses that you can have cut to any length.

 I wore it to an art gathering.  The ends fit snugly in the polymer clay tubes so I had no problem with it coming loose.  It was fun.

Free Beaded Earring Pattern

Another free holiday earring pattern from the talented Chris Franchetti Michaels through Linda's Crafty Inspirations Blog (click HERE) or the ORIGINAL instructions can be found HERE.  Gorgeous for Thanksgiving.

Free Beaded Snowflake Pattern

Paula S. Morgan's beautiful beaded snowflake pattern is brought to you by Beadwork.about.com (click HERE).  Hang as a stunning ornament or attach to a ribbon for a bookmark.  Or how about a gift topper?  Large earrings and pendant?  Just sayin.

Gray & Black Beads

Polymer beads slipped on a cable.

Polymer Bail - Scarf Jewelry

 I made this large polymer clay bail back in July of 2010 (click HERE).  I sold it over the weekend at the art fair.  It was kind of lost in the rest of the jewelry lying on the sale table, but as soon as I hung it on one of the display boxes by itself, it sold.

Fall Art Fair 2012

I ordered some wooden stacking trays from Nilecorp.com (click HERE) to display my jewelry.  Small wooden slats were glued to the inside top to accommodate small cup hooks and sawtooth hangers were nailed to the back.  I received many compliments on the clean design that uniquely showcased each individual piece.

I had a great location at the entrance of the art fair and arranged my booth walls so it had two entrances/exists.  With plenty of room to shop, I was fortunate to sell out of the polymer clay pieces early in the day.

 Lots of friends stopped by to give me support and that really meant a lot to me.

 The weather was beautiful and the crowds were great.  So now I have 3-1/2 months to get ready for the Spring Fair in March.

Abstract Jewelry Display

I am using some of my abstract paintings as jewelry displays.  They were a big a bit hit Saturday at our local art fair here in Sun City West, Arizona.