Shades of Gray - & some Black and White....

September is right around the corner, and the Westerly Cooperative's September show "Black, White, and Shades of Gray" will be set up this coming week. It's always fun to see the new show, and I'm particularly interested in seeing how many of the artists are able to come up with at least something that fits the month's theme.

As I showcased here a couple of posts ago, I had made some silk screened pieces in the theme's colors - and was very pleased with the results. I made one more silk screened piece - a bracelet - that's different from any others I've made before. Here's a snapshot:In thinking about other options in these color-ways, I remembered the dragon flies on polymer rocks that I made about a year ago....I decided to re-visit pebbles - the gray part of the theme just seemed to fit. What fun! For some reason, one of the pebbles begged for a silver snail, so I made one from PMC. I just love my little pebble set! They're so smooth, I can imagine rubbing them all day.

I also made a "granite" stone with silver leaf for sparkle and a genuine silver (PMC) leaf on the top!












Of course, I couldn't resist making a few of the triangle dangle earrings in these colors. Here are some of the results.



I'm not sure if you can see it, but the gray pair are made with a Skinner blend bull's eye - and the effect is subtle and lovely, I think.

A New Cane & More Loose Beads

Last weekend, the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild, of which I'm a member, hosted our own "Clay Day" where we all bring our own projects, and clay and play together. It's always a good time - like-minded folks with no pressures, just a fun get-together to create and visit. We had a great time - how could we do otherwise?
I do owe a special thanks to Deb, who generously shared a new cane idea she had picked up elsewhere with the rest of us. We all loved it - and many had to try it out right away. I was in the midst of other things, so waited until I got home to try the new idea. Here are the canes I've made, and some samples of those canes turned into beads or jewelry components. Just love the look! I haven't begun to explore all the possible color-ways with this one. I'm sure you'll see more examples in future posts. In the meantime - what do you think?

















Also, here's a snapshot of some of my beads on background cards for a loose bead show that's coming up quickly. I need a few more sets, then I'll be ready.

Definitely seems to be a color "trend" to my beads this year...

~Kristie

It's August - and I'm back!

I'm back! Of course, you probably weren't aware I was away. My husband and I just finished cycling - that's right, pedaling with our own legs - up several mountain passes in the Rockies of Colorado. Amazing views, and tough climbs - especially on a tandem. Really beautiful country.

Now we're home, and I'm busy with beads and clay. I'm working up the samples for the various workshops I'll be teaching this fall. I've got the first bracelet made. This is the class I'll be teaching at Nature's Art in September. More photos of other samples will be forthcoming - as soon as I get off the computer and get back to beads and clay! Keep checking back, and take a look at the workshops and classes page for more info.

I also have a loose bead show at the end of the month, so am working away on my polymer. Here's a sample of the first set I completed. I love chrissy canes, and had to try this experiment. I'm really quite pleased with the results. :)