by Barbara | Jan 31, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Beading, Beads and Materials, Components, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Tools
I’ve tried numerous mats and cases ranging from jewelry trays to rather expensive travel beading cases, but this new find suits me to a “T” and I found it at a resale shop! It’s a beautiful black cigar box that measures 8.25” x 8.75” x 1.25”. Not too big,...
by Barbara | Jan 27, 2016 | Art Jewelry, Components, Earrings, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay, Resin, Sterling Silver, Techniques
My hydraulic press and a floral-themed pancake die were used to create these playful earrings. Made of patinaed sterling silver and 18k gold bimetal (I love the rich amber tones and flashes of blue at the center!), they swing and sway from hammer-textured 18-gauge...
by Barbara | Jan 24, 2016 | An Aside, At the Bench, Earrings, Gemstones, Handmade, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Resin, Seed Beads, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tools
I’ll admit that I’m a packrat! Over the many years that I’ve made jewelry, I’ve collected a lot of scrap metal and doo-dads. Things that didn’t work out or were leftover from finished projects just get thrown into containers. Many of the pieces are still useable so...
by Barbara | Jan 21, 2016 | An Aside, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Seed Beads
It’s not an enormous problem, but during the course of each year moths become enamored with my fine woolens. They find my sweaters and shawls the perfect place to lay their eggs so their hatching larvae can feast on these very tasty items! I refuse to use...
by Barbara | Jan 17, 2016 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Embellishments, Fine Silver, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Sterling Silver, Uncategorized
In the midst of our frigid Midwest winter the idea of warmth, sun, sand, and sea is very appealing. With no chance of a tropical vacation in store right now, I’ve brought a tiny bit of that atmosphere to fruition with this mixed-media bracelet. The pieces of coral...
by Barbara | Jan 14, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Components, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Techniques
I have only one available and it’s quite a value! I’ve put together a kit of materials for making a bracelet using some of my polymer clay pod and twig beads! The colors are a ripe and juicy blend of lime, teal, and coral. The travel-sized tin (3/5” x 5”)...
by Barbara | Jan 11, 2016 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Bronze, Components, Embellishments, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Sterling Silver, Techniques
I’ve made another winter-worthy necklace! Looking at this necklace almost makes me shiver! This time I’ve interspersed polymer clay pods, twigs, and beads with fine silver metal clay warp-shaped disks as well as Toho Baroque Pearl glass seed beads. The...
by Barbara | Jan 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
If the mere thought of winter can be invoked by jewelry, this neck piece does just that! Out of the collection of polymer pod beads I made recently, I chose just one polymer component for this piece. The grey polymer clay pod dangling at the bottom is accented with a...
by Barbara | Jan 5, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Classes, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Uncategorized
I didn’t attend the Bead and Button Show last year and I almost didn’t sign up for it this year. I perused the catalog of classes and wasn’t finding any that interested me. I won’t take beading classes because I never finish the projects and, frankly, I prefer...
by Barbara | Jan 4, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Components, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Polymer Clay, Sterling Silver, Techniques
It’s winter and I felt compelled to create a collection of polymer clay pod components that blend with my neutral wardrobe. I may string these components as I did with my “Tropical Pods” necklace, but I also have in mind a necklace that combines...