Pins for Spring

For the April show, I decided to make a couple of pins. Although I admire pins when I see them on others,  I don't wear them very often.

I made a couple of different styles. To the left is a photo two brooch-type pins.  These are about 2.5 - 3 inches in diameter and create a splash of color.







To the right are some stick pins.  These flowers are smaller than the brooches and seem more casual to me. Different effects, yet both are fun ways to have a flower that stays in bloom.

New Tree Combos

Recently, I saw a picture of a three-dimensional tree mounted on a canvas background for use as a small wall-hanging.  The work was done by Laura Fesser and is just lovely.  I really liked the effect, and couldn't resist giving it a try as jewelry of some sort.

The photos here show my first 3 "combo" trees. I'll be putting a pin/pendant finding on the backs of these so they can be worn as brooches or hanging from a chain.  I realize my leaf colors may not be authentic in every case, but I couldn't resist including some of my favorite colors.

Pins of All Kinds & Variety

Pins and brooches can be the perfect outfit accessory. The fact that they come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and fastenings, makes them even more fun to develop and wear.  Here are photos of some of my latest pieces.  First, I have to share my first scatter pins.  Scatter pins were originally developed in the late 1950s, and were often worn in pairs or groups of similar shapes.  This small mannequin and sash display shows a variety of scatter pins in different sizes and shapes.

I'm particularly fond of the butterfly flower.  So here are a few different shots of that pin.

Next, here are a couple of stick pins in fun spring colors.








And finally, a few oriental fan pendant/pins I made. The finding on the back of these pieces allows them to be used as pins or to be strung with a chain and worn as a necklace. Two pieces of jewelry in one! The backgrounds on these pins show examples of what I think of as a "fabric" approach to polymer veneers which makes a repetitive yet pleasing design.

Coils & Flowers Pins

Here are two little experimental pins.  I was playing with some strips of clay and found myself with a long, striped rolled snake.  A twist here and there, and suddenly I had an idea for a these pins.  Each base is a striped, twisted coil of clay. Leaves, flowers, and buds were hand-fashioned and arranged on the coiled base, and a pin finding added to the back.

Floral Brooches

More florals, yes, I know. I'm stuck on flowers right now  - and thoroughly enjoying it, so it must be a good thing. :)  They're all a bit different. Some may resemble real flowers from our gardens, others are just my interpretation of what a flower could be.  The colors are all mine.  This first set shows 3 very different pieces.  All but the yellow/coral piece are pin/pendant convertibles.  I like the idea of giving someone the flexibility of wearing a piece as a necklace or a brooch.  This just creates a lot more options.

The next piece reminds me of gladiolus.  Given all the colors they come in, I figured my mix probably exists "out there" somewhere.  This piece originally was supposed to be an off-center necklace, but the wire I was using was too soft to handle the weight of the clay. So, the piece became a pin.  I'll try my idea again when I find something less flexible for a base.

Here is another variation on a starburst I first tried a few weeks ago.  For some reason, this particular design created with this particular cane almost looks like it's in motion.  I really like this design.

Finally, here is another of my "special" triangular shaped flowers I developed one day while playing with petal shapes.  The blends and fades from yellow to violet really makes this piece come alive.

Roses for the Holidays

Roses are one of my favorite things to make. Perhaps it's because they're my "birth-flower" or the fact that roses come in a myriad of colors, or maybe it's just that they're fun to make. :) Whatever the reason, I enjoy making them and putting them in different configurations. The other evening, I was playing with a bit of clay, making it into a square....which became a rectangle...which became a pointed rectangle....with a twist. Suddenly, it seemed I had just made the perfect vase to hold a single rose. I custom mixed some mauve tones, and here are the results.
These first ones have a matching tube in the back to hold a chain. I'm also experimenting with pin backs. Here's a photo of a green/red/white rosevase from the back. Notice the pin back is hidden by a leaf.




This last photo shows a pendant hanging from black wrapped wire.