by Barbara | Jan 5, 2018 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Bronze, Components, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay, Techniques
I haven’t worked with bronze metal clay in some time…I just haven’t been “into” it! But I recently ran out of the flower-shaped disks that I include in my “Bollywood Bling” Beaded Ruffle Cuff design. Then I had an idea…why not use Polymer clay...
by Barbara | Jul 29, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Cabochons and Gemstones, Classes, Components, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Fine Silver, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Resin, Rings, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tools
I took a class taught by Richard Salley (great teacher BTW!!!) and learned to make the “Ketoh Bracelet”…typically a wrist guard worn by Navajo Indian archers to protect their forearms from the snap of their bowstrings when shooting arrows. It was a...
by Barbara | Jun 19, 2016 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay, Resin, Seed Beads, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tutorials
It’s been a long time since I’ve worked with resin, but I have a renewed interest in playing with this medium after taking a class from Susan Lenart Kazmer at the 2016 Bead&Button Show in Milwaukee. I have my workspace all set up and I’m ready to make more...
by Barbara | Feb 29, 2016 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Cabochons and Gemstones, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Metal Clay, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay
I had fun creating this brooch! I used a pancake die and hydraulic press to cut out a bronze flower shape, soldered a fine silver bezel at the center, and then hammer-textured the petals to add a bit of interest and form. I toyed with the idea of setting a gemstone,...
by Barbara | Feb 20, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Embellishments, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay, Sterling Silver
I couldn’t wait to get to my jeweler’s bench and start hammering out silver components to go with beads from my new collection of polymer clay faux gemstones! I wanted them to have a tribal feel as if they had been discovered in a treasure trove of exotic jewelry, but...
by Barbara | Feb 6, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Embellishments, Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay, Techniques, Uncategorized
I met Tory Hughes at a craft show in the 1980’s and have always admired her work. Tory’s book, “Polymer – The Chameleon Clay”, a wonderful resource book filled with inspiration has been in my library of craft books for several years. My intention has...
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 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 | Dec 20, 2015 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Embellishments, Fine Silver, Handmade, Inspiration, Metal Clay, Patina, Polymer Clay, Techniques, Tools, Uncategorized
FYI usually means “for your information”, but in this instance it is the brand name of “For Your Inspiration” Silver Metal Fine Clay. Because I’ve made a new batch of silicone molds using pods and other objects provided by Mother Nature for my polymer clay work, I...
by Barbara | Dec 17, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Components, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, Patina, Polymer Clay
My “Tropical Pods” necklace is finished and honestly, if this doesn’t chase away the winter blues, nothing will…well, except a tropical vacation perhaps? Since that’s not on my agenda, I’ll settle for the necklace! Visually, it...