by Barbara | May 26, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Components, Designer Patterns, Earrings, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tutorials
I’ve received so many inquiries from fellow polymer clay enthusiasts who love my “Matisse Inspired Cutouts” Earrings as to whether a tutorial for making them is available and here it is! The tutorial contains over twenty full-color process photos and step-by-step...
by Barbara | May 13, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Components, Designer Patterns, Earrings, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Techniques, Tutorials
Have I abandoned beadwork? Absolutely not! And I promise to get back to beading eventually, but my creative muse has the upper hand and at the moment she is dictating that I continue designing with polymer clay cutouts. Do you know the story of “The Red Shoes”? A...
by Barbara | Apr 19, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Techniques, Tutorials, Uncategorized
I’ve just finished the tutorial for my “Fleurs et Papillons” Cuff! While proofreading the tutorial it occurred to me that there are so many possibilities for making the cuff! Although I used Metallic Iris Brown seed beads, it could be embellished with all manner of...
by Barbara | Apr 15, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Components, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Techniques, Tutorials
I’m having a spring fling! I’ve just finished my “Fleurs et Papillons” mixed-media cuff incorporating polymer clay and bead embroidery! Was this fun to make? Delightful! And it worked up rapidly once I’d made all the polymer clay...
by Barbara | Apr 1, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Techniques, Tutorials
Remember all those polymer clay flowers I made last week? Were you wondering what I would make with them? I had several ideas in mind, but bead embroidery was the technique I chose. Until now, I’ve employed the usual components…seed beads, of course, plus...
by Barbara | Mar 10, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Beads and Materials, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Techniques, Tutorials
My “Six Petal Bloom” Bead-Embroidered Brooch is finished and I love it! Measuring 3″ in diameter, it is quite the statement piece! The focal cabochon used in this pearl and Swarovski crystal embellished brooch is one of my colorful handmade resin...
by Barbara | Feb 3, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, At the Bench, Beaded Beads, Beading, Beads and Materials, Components, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tools, Tutorials
I’m running low so it’s time to make more components for the “Tibetan Inspired Beaded Rope Necklace” Kit. This entails creating more polymer faux amber, coral, and turquoise beads and sterling silver heart charms. The photos show the final...
by Barbara | Jan 6, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Cabochons and Gemstones, Classes, Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Sterling Silver, Techniques
Registration is open for the 2017 Bead&Button show. I’ve been perusing the class catalog and there are several classes I’d consider taking if time and money were no object. I would definitely take Celie Fago’s Master Class, but the cost would be...
by Barbara | Dec 12, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay
I needed some immediate gratification and polymer clay always delivers! These colorful beads are part of a bigger plan. After they are baked, I plan to add acrylic paint to certain areas, which will add more interest, tone down the brightness of the colors, and play...
by Barbara | Dec 9, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, Polymer Clay, Techniques
I’ve just been notified that my “Coral Reef” bangle is a bronze medal winner in the Fire Mountain Gems 2016 Creative Clays contest! Woohoo! I’ve been awarded a $100 gift certificate toward more jewelry-making goodies…my lucky day! The...