On the fly

I've spent a good bit of time in waiting rooms at doctor's offices lately with my daughter who is having some GI issues. Claire Maunsell  told me about how she fits in work by taking clay to her kid's basketball practices. (uncured clay, Claire?)  I decided to settle for beads in a biscuit tin on my lap. 

MIA

Action is the key word in Missing in Action. I've not actually been missing; I was here, just very busy on several different fronts, among them being refining my carved rings. I want better, more comfortable shanks (the part that actually goes around your finger) because I think WEARERS want more comfortable shanks.

The vermillion one here, along with several others, a bracelet and necklaces are on their way to Corey and Co. in Portland. My jewelry and Barbara's work! Its such a great match, in my opinion.

(This is the grey version of their think spring attitude.)

Make a statement

I received one of the highest compliments ever when I wore this necklace to ACC last weekend. Kathleen Dustin said 'strong, strong design...why aren't you selling here?" My mind is swimming.

Kathleen is wonderful to talk to, generous with her knowledge and her enthusiasm for polymer is infectious.

I was delighted to write a guest post over at Love My Art Jewelry thats up today. I chose a timely topic for me - writing an artist's statement. Stop by when when you get the chance!

Making Connections

I feel like I spend a lot of time online these days so it really redeems the whole virtual experience to meet, in person, people I have only ever known via email.

(Organic Merino Wool Knit Wrap in Charcoal Grey)

I had the great pleasure of meeting one of my Artisans Gallery Team team mates , Elena Rosenberg (TickledPinkKnits), last Friday at the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, MD. Immediately I noticed a strong correlation between her personality and her work. She is sophisticated, intelligent, and interesting and at the same time so friendly and easy to talk to. Her booth was alive with color and shape and had the feel of a small, charming shop.

(That's Elena in the back corner of the booth, taking care of a customer.)

Its great to get to touch items but thats especially true with textiles, isn't it? And Elena's work feels as wonderful as it looks. I learned about the drape bamboo, about soft yet resilient merino wool and that Elena does much of her work from the comfort of an armchair. (Doesn't that sounds wonderful? I have to admit to being a little jealous about that.)

Best wishes for continued success Elena! Hopefully we'll get the chance to see each other again before ACC 2013.

A bit about the next things

One project flows into the next...so I shouldn't be sitting here playing with shavings. It looks like I should be cleaning.

Two new shops will soon be carrying my work. Watch for Jibby and Juna in Atlanta and Austin this spring.

And...drum roll... I will be included in a book about polymer clay coming out next year! This will take up a lot of my time and attention over the next couple of months and will probably mean that the Etsy shop, when re-opened, will be limited (because unfortunately there are still only 24 hours in a day).

Landscape/Seascape

I'm spending some time on my Landscape/Seascape necklace series today. It seems that walking away from them for a bit was worthwhile - I feel like I'm looking at them with fresh eyes. This is one of those pieces I may have to deliberate selling.

A big thanks to Angie at a little etsy love for featuring my work (with a coupon code) today!

Toga Beads How-to

Here's a short how-to for making what I call, for lack of a better name, toga beads. They remind me of marble "fabric" drapped on classical statues.

All you'll need is white polymer clay, a cutter, needle, black acrylic paint, paper towel and possibly some steel wool.

1. Make a ball of white clay about double the size that you want the finished bead to be.

2. Pinch and twist opposing sides of the ball making "handles" (sort of) and continue to twist until the bead has layers/twists to suit you. Less twisting will result in thick folds, more twisting results in thinner folds.

3. Carefully cut the handles off the ends of the bead.

4. Pierce, flat end to flat end, with a needle and bake standing up on one end or using a bead rack.

5. Brush with black acrylic paint, getting the paint into all the indentations, then immediately removing paint from the "high spots" with a paper towel. After the paint dries if you find you want more white showing, remove even more of the black paint with steel wool.

Black and white gives these beads a marble/toga feel but different colors of clay and paint would be fun too!