Butterfly Migration

As the days of September passed, the monarch caterpillars here spun cocoons in preparation for their metamorphosis into butterflies.  While watching caterpillars on milkweed, I was inspired to do something with a butterfly cane I had made recently. Making butterfly canes is a time consuming process, and it's really amazing to watch a butterfly appear in the clay.  The piece here represents the migration of butterflies, which usually occurs in October, as they head south and west for warmer climes.  One of the things I like to do is to make the wing sections of the butterfly separately.  This allows me to make different sizes of butterflies more easily than in a transparent clay-encased cane. I also can manipulate the wings for a nice, three-dimensional effect.

Pendanitas!

Most of my pendants are of a medium size, and, as I experiment with some processes, they sometimes get a bit larger.  However, there are those who prefer smaller items, and with the holidays in sight, I have been making some smaller pendants.  I call these pieces "pendanitas" or little pendants.

Here are a few samples, in different styles and using different techniques.  The black pieces are pretty self-explanatory.  I like the juxtaposition of the simple geometric black shapes contrasting with the 3-D flowers and butterfly cane.









The pieces below on the left are made with gold leaf composite, alcohol inks for color, and other bits and pieces such as gold flakes.



The two rectangular pieces are part of my "faux opal" collection. This is a process that keeps evolving, and I'm having fun with it.

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.