Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Ring Tutorial

Spring

I found this lovely little surprise when I walked around in my backyard today. I didn't know I even had crocuses!
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Faux Turquoise

I decided to take a slight detour while working on my "squash" inspired colour palette. Something kept whispering "turquoise" in my ear until i caved and made a batch.
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Saturday, March 27, 2010

Colour Inspiration

For the last week or so I have been trying to decide on a colour scheme for my next Grommet Tube necklace. I was pretty certain that I wanted to use translucent clay this time but I couldn't decide on colour. However, today while I was making some delicious curried squash soup I decided what the colours would be!
I ran and got my camera and put a few of the colourful peelings on my windowsil. Since I can't trust my family for long NOT to throw them away , I am off to my clay room with the peelings to see what I can do! Wish me luck.
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Monday, March 22, 2010

Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn't buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? Remember, you must use it, as it is given only once. Once wasted you cannot get it back.

Anonymous
more famous quotes

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Something a little bit different with the CaBezels

I seem to be going in a whole new direction these days, even when I'm using the CaBezel molds. A little while ago Bev handed me some new molds to play with. They were just circles but sizes that I didn't have and some with really chunky frames. I started working with them and Bev's texture stamps, combining them in ways like I hadn't in the past. I also came up with a new way to make  rings from Buna cord. Ill share about how I did that a little later on. Bev and I (by the way if don't already know, Bev is the one that makes the actual CaBezel molds and ImpressIT texture sheets with the photopolymer) anyway, I digress. We have decided to come out with a new series of molds, we're just trying to decide on the most exciting shapes! Hopefully it won't be too long of a wait, for now the first 3 in the series are still available exclusively on-line through Shades Of Clay. http://shadesofclay.com/index.html


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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

What a difference !

I am fortunate enough to have a really good friend that has faith in me and my creative skills. We met years ago in college when we were both studying fashion design and more than 20 years later, even though our lives have taken very different turns, we still get together to laugh and shop and stir up each other's creative juices.(and consume the odd glass of red wine).  Cindy has always stood by me (often for many hours at a time during long Christmas craftshows) and thankfully kept me grounded too. Ok, enough of that.  Cindy also has a very talented husband that has a passion for photography. Somehow he was easily convinced to include a few of my jewellery pieces in a photo shoot that he was doing last week end with a beautiful model. What a difference it makes when a professional takes the photos!!!  Thanks Dean.

If you'd like to see more of Dean's work click here.http://deanarcherphotography.web.officelive.com/default.htm



Feeling green

Look at all of these lovely shades of green. I couldn't help but notice my "green" theme when I was working the other day. Even my Matcha tea was such a beautiful shade of green. It has always been one of my favourite colours. I'll admit I am a complete sucker for anything green when I'm out shopping. If I'm having a hard time deciding what brand to purchase if it has green on the package that's the one that will likely be coming home with me. Turquoise is another one of my faves. I'm trying really hard to think outside of my colour box these days but as you can see I still have a long way to go.



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As promised, here is the finished piece.

I am quite pleased with the results. My vision when I began this piece was to create something with a "Tribal" feel and I think that I accomplished that.  This is my most in-depth work yet. Normally I would have a large focal bead or two and then just thread it onto Buna cord so this is quite a departure for me and I must admit that I loved the whole experience. I can definately see more of this type of work in my future.
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Monday, March 8, 2010

A new idea


A while back I came up with an idea to use grommets for building beads.  I don't often make beads beacause I don't do them well or consistently, atleast not until I started using grommets for the ends. I mainly made earrings using this method until recently.  I saw an interesting scrap of clay on my work table and immediately I was inspired to do something with a "Tribal" feel.


I'll post the finished necklace soon.

A wonderful gift

Every year we do a gift exchange between members of The Southern Ontario Polymer Clay Guild.  I received my gift a little bit late but it was well worth the wait.  This pendant was made by Barbara Coulatti. It is on a silk cord and it has sterling silver findings. I totally admire all of Barbara's work, her work always has an impeccable finish!  I don't think Barbara has much of an on-line presence yet unfortunately but I'll let you know when and if she does get one.  Thanks Barbara.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Be Grateful, Just a little reminder. Something i think we all need once in a while.

From The Secret Daily Teachings

Begin your day by feeling grateful. Be grateful for the bed you just slept in, the roof over your head, the carpet or floor under your feet, the running water, the soap, your shower, your toothbrush, your clothes, your shoes, the refrigerator that keeps your food cold, the car that you drive, your job, your friends. Be grateful for the stores that make it so easy to buy the things you need, the restaurants, the utilities, services, and electrical appliances that make your life effortless. Be grateful for the magazines and the books that you read. Be grateful for the chair that you sit on, and the pavement that you walk on. Be grateful for the weather, the sun, the sky, the birds, the trees, the grass, the rain, and the flowers.


Thank you, thank you, thank you!
May the joy be with you,

Rhonda Byrne
The Secret... bringing joy to billions

Monday, March 1, 2010

My most recent work

Don't you just love the look of turquoise! I do, so I made some faux turquoise and then I turned it into cabochons using the CaBezels molds to help me and voila! An oversized pendant and earrings were born.




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An exceptional photo exhibit

I found this on DailyWorth http://dailyworth.com/

Women's Worth, Worldwide - A Photo Exhibit
in PROFILES | by MP Dunleavey | Feb 19th, 2010

You're not the only one with money on her mind. The International Museum for Women in San Francisco is now hosting an online exhibit called Economica. It sheds light on women's economic standing around the globe.

Here's a selection from the exhibit:

Women's Wealth
Arab women are changing the face of business leadership in the Middle East. (more)