These are some bits and pieces I'm preparing as examples of the Mix and Match earrings for the class on Saturday. Its ironic that the very basics of polymer are so simple but the possibilities, with even simple techniques, are just endless!  I'm wondering how I will contain the class to 2 hrs. This is a time when its so nice to have an art teacher as a husband. He's helping me plan my timing for the class.

I think I'll do a give-away next Tuesday of earrings that I make as examples. If you're interested check back then :-)

New, new and new

Whats new with you? 

Here are new earrings waiting for ear wires. The grey ones might get more dots. Not sure yet. 

This is how I've done pin backs in polymer so far - embedding a pre-made piece right into the clay.  But I'm trying something new right now that will include a handmade fibula. I'll post "in progress" photos with this as I go.

I posted some  earrings with a new ear wire design to the shop yesterday. Quite happy with these! When worn, the movement is really nice and the squared off wire stays put in the ear.

I injured a finger on my right hand, my dominate hand. Its amazing how having ONE finger not fully functioning slows you down. I have to be conscious of how I do everything. Maybe there's a lesson in it for me.

This is the lot of what went to the Danforth Gallery in Livingston MT (except for the ring second to the bottom). The show closes Oct. 21.

Have to admit that I won't be too upset if this ring comes back - I really like it. I had a last minute thought to mirror a bit of the design on the underside. This pleases me as much as the top.

Workshop scheduled

Its sizing up to be a busy autumn.

My polymer workshop is now set! I'll be doing a 2 hour Intro. to Polymer/Mix and Match jewelry workshop at the Paul Smith Library in Shrewsbury, PA on Nov. 2 from 10am to noon, cost $12. You can call 717-235-5806 to register. Space is limited.

Enjoying nighttime iphone photography in the car.

I'm approaching this as a beginner's introduction to polymer clay and although I'll introduce color mixing and several processes and techniques I'll mostly focus on design. Since this is an event thats being held in combination with the donation of a copy of Polymer Clay Global Perspectives to the library collection, the project itself will mirror the project I did for the book  - easy to construct and lend
ing itself to individualized design. No mind blowing technical secrets will be given away because, really, I have none.  (What a salesman I am!) It will be polymer basics with a heavy dose of "be yourself, everyone else is taken".

Students will be able to choose between making three part hoop earrings or a three part necklace that can be put together and taken apart, changed around and worn 7 different ways.

Materials will be provided although students are welcome to bring extra clay and any clay tools that they already have.

If you're interested in coming and have any other questions just let me know.

Have a great week!

Black and white shape earrings

In between homeschool and re-organzing my wholesale info. I've carved out a little time to work with some of the paper from SHAPE this week. I think considering the preciousness of the paper and size of
the beads I am just going to let myself go with some statement, one of a kind necklaces right now.

Are any of you in Pennsylvania or northern Maryland?  Have you noticed a surge of orb spiders like we have?  The one just off our back porch is eating stink bugs, God bless her!

Have a great weekend!

What you see

This is what you see - my new Cypher necklace made of polymer tubes and sterling silver chain. 

This is what I saw - Cypher necklace on white plastic on a wooden chest near a window, me perched,  heals hanging off the edge of the chest, using my feet (see the blue socks?) to hold a piece of mirror to bounce the light. 

I sometimes wonder about the difference between what gets portrayed on the internet (and in print and wherever) and reality. And I was struck by the quite un-glamorous, un-artsy, un-cropped images I took while trying to photograph this necklace. Comical but real.