Faux Polymer Geodes!

I've been playing around with geode canes and decided to experiment with methods of making the centers look like actual geodes and geode slices. Here are some examples of pieces I made that have actually fooled people who thought they were real.  The brown and copper pieces are slices, and the center is transparent.  I used a mixture of translucent liquid polymer and Diamond Dust particles to achieve the shine and sparkle of a true geode slice.

The other pieces in browns and blues are formed like geodes from the end of a round rock.  The front is flat as though sliced by a saw or sharp blade, and the back is rounded and textured, like the outside of a rock.  The centers are not transparent, but are filled with Diamond Dust particles and liquid polymer and small bits of gold or silver mica so they shimmer and sparkle when a light hits them.  Super pretty in the sun!

Single Pendants

I tried something a bit different in the way of "marketing" this month at the Westerly gallery.  I usually hang my pendants on silver or gold-filled chains.  This adds, of course, to the cost for me and the potential client.  So I decided to try just putting sterling silver or gold-filled bails on some pendants, and letting people add their own chains.  I'll be interested in seeing if this appeals to anyone. I'll know more at the end of the month.

In the meantime, here are some photos of a few of the pendants.

Oodles of Earrings

I  belong to the "you can never have too many pairs of earrings" club.  I also love making them! For the June show, I created a lot of different surface sheets and canes, and created earrings from those creations.







Here are several pairs in different colors, shapes and finishes.  I have my favorites - do you?

Pendant & Earring sets

Here are a few of the jewelry sets I made for the June show.  I hadn't realized how much I'd focused on the teal/aqua/purple color ways. Guess it's obvious how much I like those shades!


This first set is made with a feathered Ikat base.  I took the idea of splitting the pendant and joining it with a ribbon of clay from seeing some of Helen Breil's work.   I like the slightly asymmetrical look and adding the gold heshi and crystals really adds a special look to this piece.


These next 2 sets were based on Ikat stacks.  Although the colors are quite similar, the difference in width of the stripes, and the shading I used, does impart a different feel to each set.  I couldn't resist adding little flower elements to the one set.

New Stroppel Canes

As I have mentioned, I've been working on lots of different pieces of jewelry for the June ACGOW show.  Not surprisingly, I also have accumulated a pile of "scrap" in a variety of colors and patterns.  What to do with it?... Why make a Stroppel cane, of course!  It's been quite a while since I've put one together, so I decided to make two, focusing on clay from a couple of different color ways.






Here are samples of some pieces made from the different canes.  Alice Stroppel originally used black clay between the color layers.  I find I also like other colors, particularly creams and whites. Interestingly enough, the design of these particular canes actually fit into the "Scenes from a passing Train" theme for the June show.

Bracelet/Earring Combos for the June Show

 While working on items for the June ACGOW Show, I also taught a workshop using the mokume gane technique.  Since I really like the mokume gane effect, I decided to make a few bracelet & earring sets.  The bracelets are polymer on brass channel cuffs.



I really liked the wavy effect in the blue set.  Perfect for summer months and time near the seashore.

Here is a red, gold and white set, also in colors just right for the summer months.













I'm including a set made with the "blurred landscape" sheet I made when working with Lindly Haunani.  It's fascinating to see all the different looks it is possible to get from polymer. It seems straight forward, but is really incredibly versatile.