by Barbara | Nov 29, 2015 | An Aside, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Polymer Clay
Inspiration was right under my nose! I received this colossal book (it weights over six pounds!) as a present several years ago and every time I open it, I am amazed at the drawings! Albertus Seba’s “Cabinet of Natural Curiosities” is a natural history book filled...
by Barbara | Nov 26, 2015 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Components, Polymer Clay
Over the past few years, I’ve amassed a drawer filled with polymer clay. Fortunately, polymer clay has a very long shelf life because it will take quite a while to use this huge amount. It’s definitely time to start working in clay again and as it happens, my...
by Barbara | Nov 23, 2015 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, At the Bench, Components, Earrings, Handmade, Inspiration
Shutterfly has come through again with speedy service, excellent quality, and great pricing (I had a coupon for a free 8” x 8” 20-page book…shipping was extra and $1 per extra page over twenty). “Jewerly Inspired by Medieval Muses” is the fourth book I’ve...
by Barbara | Nov 20, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Components, Earrings, Embellishments, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Sterling Silver, Uncategorized
Another pair of earrings is finished. I’m thinking ahead to the holidays…they are mere weeks away, and I’m trying to finish up several pairs of earrings to offer for sale for holiday gift giving. Creating the earrings is not a problem, but parting with them...
by Barbara | Nov 17, 2015 | An Aside, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Tools
I think everyone would agree that one can never have too much storage, especially if you tend to collect a lot of tools and equipment used to create art. If you keep an open mind, you’ll be surprised how many household items can be facilitated for this purpose. Take...
by Barbara | Nov 14, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Cabochons and Gemstones, Earrings, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind
The Cross Pattée is a perfect addition to medieval inspired jewelry and a form I am readily using in my work of late. My “Cross of Alisée” earrings embellished with Chalcedony briolette dangles were created first. Accented with cabochons of Garnet and a Chrysocolla...
by Barbara | Nov 11, 2015 | An Aside, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind
I recently came across these books while perusing the shelves in a Books A Million store. These books are of particular interest to me as I’ve been working on my “Medieval Muses” jewelry collection inspired by the royalty of medieval history. As a child I...
by Barbara | Nov 9, 2015 | An Aside, Uncategorized
I’ve had this Raku vessel since the mid 1970’s when I purchased it from ceramic artist, Kerri Chapman, at the 57th Street Art Fair in Chicago’s Hyde Park. Filled with a fragrant potpourri of cinnamon sticks, tonka beans, and various other dried leaves and...
by Barbara | Nov 4, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, At the Bench, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Earrings, Gemstones, Handmade, One-of-a-Kind
I’m in the process of creating several more pairs of earrings. They have become my favorite “go to” jewelry of late and there are several reasons for that. I had always favored bracelets, but discovered they have been responsible for snagging my fine knit...
by Barbara | Nov 1, 2015 | An Aside, One-of-a-Kind
I know my energy will rebound and that I’ll be eager to head to the studio, but I’m feeling very tired of late. I have a lot of things I’d like to accomplish and projects waiting for attention, but frankly, I’d like to just curl up with the...