Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Time is almost up

Just a few more hours to save 20% off in my Etsy Shop. Use Christmas20 in the coupon code section at check out!

Restocked Stone Upon Stone Rings today. They continue to be my most popular piece. (I am sure being dubbed "cool" by Cynthia Tinapple was what did it!)


Lest you think I live a wonderfully bohemian/artistic life, the rest of my day went like this...upsetting orthodontist visit, ruined a custom carved ring and had to start over, bat in bedroom.

And thats where I am right now. Waiting for my husband to get home from work to save us from Dracula. This has happened before and we've found that a Lacrosse stick can be wildly effective. I think we'll eat out tonight.

I hope that you are having a much better day!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Cyber Sale


I'll be having a Christmas Sale in my Etsy shop Monday, November 29 - November 30. Use coupon code Christmas20 at check out to get 20% off.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Bonjour

Awoke this morning to find my Stone Ring in a French gift guide!
Check out Sophie Petite Cuisine for links to all the items and shops listed.
- Thank you Sophie -

Monday, November 22, 2010

Its simply nice to share

Along the way, I've had some polymer artists extend themselves and share their knowledge and present me with great opportunities. Kindness should overflow, shouldn't it? So it seems appropriate that I make my first small attempt to 'give back' with a tutorial at the beginning of America's week of Thanksgiving.
( A special thanks to Ronna, Cynthia, Claire, Lynn, Tracy, and Christine.)


There has been some interest in my fiber-y beads so here goes. Yes, yes, its simple (but I tend to be pretty simple) and they make a nice contrasting texture with smoother beads .

1. Roll a ball of clay.


2. Flatten slightly to make a chunky disk. Put a hole through the center to made a bead.


3. Cross hatch with a tissue blade all around the sides. Don't leave too much blank space. Change the angle of your blade after 5-7 or so slashes tilting the blade so that your lines cover the entire side of the bead. Cross hatch but with a blade.


4. Squeeze either side of the bead with your fingers to make the cross hatch lines open up, revealing a fiber-y sort of pattern. And you will probably need to re-open the bead hole at this point too.


Here are the beads used in a finished piece. They can be used as is, sanded to make the raised areas shine in contrast to the "canyons" or, as I usually do, I distress with acrylic paint to enhance the texture.



(Please feel free to use the beads anyway you want. Crediting me would be nice. Sending me pictures of what you made would be great too and I would be happy to post your projects here.)

Friday, November 19, 2010

Take me to your leader

I often have "assistance" in the studio. My youngest son is most interested in polymer clay. He seems to understand that it can be almost whatever you want it to be and sees it as the first solution to every creative urge .

I've started buying him his own clay after he came to me one day and said "oh by the way, I used all of the Premo black...does that matter?"

This was his idea. I helped work out the kinks.



Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Winter soul

I've been in a lot of treasuries lately. This one really says winter to me.




Saturday, November 13, 2010

Time out

Beware the bareness of a busy life. - Socrates

Now...time to re-group because between school, household and my wholesale order from terrain I've been going 8am-8pm straight through every day.


Friday night was decidedly, deliciously, slow. Kyle and I practiced Christmas carols on guitar, mandolin and melodica, occasionally stirring a big pot of homemade applesauce that simmered on the stove. Saturday I played at making "magic stones" among other things.


If you are in Philadelphia stop by terrain at Styers in Glen Mills, PA and check out my jewelry!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Rough and Ready

Raw turquoise. Isn't this gorgeous? I usually prefer stones in the rough.

This is my little visual respite from the current task at hand...my first wholesale order. I'll post pictures and the more about the shop next week when the 16 pieces are complete.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A Short Story

210 white beads. It has been a long day. The end.