Ghouhl Friends Till The End

It's the Ghoul Friend pins making their Ghoulish Entrance again (get it? enTRANCE).  The Ghoul Friends work the graveyard shift and, make no bones about it, they think it is the best.  No ghouling around, they think every shroud has a silver lining.  They look forward to going out after work to party, but, don't worry, they practice safe hex.  They love going out to eat.  But no handburgers or halloweiners for them.  Nope, only the finest quality health food.  Why?  Because it is super natural.   Muwahahahahaha, so begins the Halloween season.

Kato Style

I had a great time in Donna Kato's Clay Carnival workshop in Vegas.  I finished the workshop pin in the background and then came home and made a pendant with carving (in the foreground).   I'm barely home and I can't wait to go back next August.

You can sign up to receive Donna's Prairie Craft Newsletter where you will receive the latest info on new products and receive CraftArtEdu coupons.  You can see more of Donna's work and learn more about KatoPolyClay on her website and to keep up with the latest, check out her Facebook page.

Pins Worn as Pendants

 Bettina Welker's fabulous tutorial (click HERE) for her polymer clay pin converter is wonderful.

 

Pin converters have been around for a while, but new designs such as Bettina's and Lorenzo Mele's vertical adapter (above left) and Sean Brown's (above right) are so refreshing.

In 2012, I did a post on using a straw as a pin converter (click HERE).  Something quick and easy.  For something stronger than a straw, you can use various sizes of brass tubing in whatever size that would accommodate your cable or chain.  Just slip it over the pin, close, lock and slide it on a chain.

My polymer clay Chameleon Pin (below) converted to a necklace (above) using a straw.

Pin It On Me

 

St. Paddy's Day Polymer Clay pin.  Lucky me.

Vintage Flower Brooch

I purchased this brooch at a fancy estate store outside of Chicago, Illinois twenty years ago.  I fell in love with the quirky little flowers and the metal work.  I was told a "story" of it being over 50 years old and from the collection of so and so (I always love hearing the stories).  None of it mattered though; it had me at the door.

Polymer Flower Pins

 I photographed these polymer clay pins on a dull gradient gray background because I thought it would make the colors pop.  Sometimes the end result I have in mind is not the end result I get.   I'll try another day.

Valerie Hector

 This is the card I received with my brooch.  It says" Short Narrow Bar--gold weave-gold, copper & bronze beads from contemporary Japan are the most expensive beads made in the world today--the tiny black beads are early 20th century Venetian.  Thank you!  Valerie 9-92"

The inside of the card gives a short biography (click on photo to read).  I loved having this handwritten explanation of what beads were used and where they were from.  Such a wonderful personal touch.

I love her book, "The Art of Beadwork".  If you are interested, it can be purchased through Fire Mountain Gems (click HERE).  

"Short Narrow Bar"

Valerie Hector Brooch 1992

I wanted to get photos of the back and both ends of the Valerie Hector brooch.

 When I did, I noticed I had given the wrong year the first time I posted it.  The brooch is dated 1992.

 Both ends are resin sealed. The back of the pin is covered with ultra suede and the pin back is sterling silver.

Then, I had to find the card that came with the pin (tomorrow) and then sit and go through her book again (one of my favorites), also tomorrow.

Valerie Hector Brooch

I purchased this Valerie Hector brooch in 1992.  It is still in perfect condition; exquisitely made.

Jewelry Photography

I love this old pin I purchased at an estate sale many years ago.  I will be practicing jewelry photography for the next few days so I have dug out some of the oldies (but goodies).

Polymer & Knitted Scarf

You may recall these polymer clay pins I made.  I have been enjoying them on this new scarf I knitted.  I loved knitting this scarf so much, I just ordered more yarn and am looking forward to making another.  The next one will be longer and wider.  Can't wait.  (Stop back on Saturday for the simple pattern).

Lacey Stole

I purchased some vintage non-allergic, mothproof Fluffy Unger yarn imported from France.  It's very soft and mohair-like and I love the color.  The stole is based on a free scarf pattern from The Art of Zen Crochet (click HERE).  The polymer clay magnetic pin is one of my layered cane pins.

Straw Please

Cut a small piece of a drinking straw, slip it on a pin back, close and lock.  You can then slip a cable, ribbon, neck wire or chain through the straw and wear your brooch as a pendant.

Le Bouton Jewelry

Le Bouton Jewelry is unique, whimsical and inspirational.  When I lived in Chicago, Illinois, I never missed one of their shows.  I received 4 of their brooches (which can also be worn as pendants) as payment for a sculpture repair I did.  I thought I would share these four pieces with you as they are so interesting.  Le Bouton creates one of a kind jewelry using antique buttons, buckles, gaming pieces, cufflinks, coins and watch parts.  The materials in Beverly Eisenstein and Sonni Helmer's creations date back as far as the 1700's and as modern as laser-cut Swarovski crystals.  Le Bouton creates all forms of jewelry including earrings (pierced, clip-on, hanging and post) brooches/pins, necklaces, bracelets, stick-pins, cufflinks and unisex tacks.  You can visit their website (click HERE) to see some of their one of a kind jewelry.

Polymer Turquoise Pin

 Gluing the Swarovski crystal in the eye area really made all the difference in my polymer clay faux Turquoise Horse pin.  I used a super magnet instead of a pinback so it can be worn on silk or suede without damage to the material.

I find out later today if I need surgery on my ankle.  Hope not.  We've got lots of plans for the summer that start the first week of June with a trip to the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  So, I am crossing my fingers.

Polymer-Big, Bold and Blue

I got a fast food salad at the mall a few weeks ago and I looked at the bottom of that pretty plastic bowl and knew it was meant for polymer clay.  I used a "super" magnet in the brooch. I purchase them at the hardware store and use them in all my pins.  Big Bold Blue isn't heavy so the magnet holds it in position.  It reminds me of the blue skies of summer.

Polymer Clay Brooch

 I used the old coin counter (click HERE) again to make this brooch.  I like the intersecting design and will, at some point in the future, play around with developing it further.

New Bottle Bottom Mold

Industrial Flower brooch. I found a new mold from the bottom of my large coffee creamer bottle! So excited. This pin was a quick experiment initially, but then I decided to finish it with a magnet on the back and an old rhinestone button on the front for detail. I love the industrial "futuristic" look to the flower.

Two Faced

"One who defames another's character, also defames their own." --African Proverb Years ago I found a broken piece of what looked like a small tribal mask. I made a polymer sculpt of it and worked on it until it looked like what I thought it once did. I really liked the "Two Faced" design. I made it a magnetic pin so I can wear it on silk scarves. I wonder how two faced people look in the mirror at the end of the day. Which of their faces do they see or do they remain anonymous even to themselves? The pin has me deep thinking.

Repetitive Design Pin

I had some questions on what type of cutters I used for the Repetitive Design Pin. They were a gift from a good friend for my upcoming birthday. I received two sets. They are a de Buyer Plain Square (set of 9) and a fluted (set of 7) Boat cutters from Sur la table made from heavy weight plastic and are heat resistant to 320 degrees. They run about $58 each set. As with any product, many variations can be found on the Internet at more reasonable prices. I used the boat cutters for the Repetitive Design Pin.