More Bargello

A few weeks ago, I shared my first bargello beads. At that time, I asked for suggestions for other patterns, and Alice suggested tropical colors. So, here they are: green-blues for the clear waters, beige and tan for the sands, and purples for wonderful tropical flowers. As you can see, I also played with shapes a bit. Fun!

Black, White, and Shades of Gray

Usually, I don't manage to work on new items for the Westerly gallery until the month before a show. This time, however, there was a special call for some items to be available early. The theme is "black, white and shades of gray" so I immediately thought of silk screening on polymer. I gently textured the clay using an organza fabric, and it created a perfect foil for the silk screened designs. These earrings have an oriental flare, and I really like them. Thought you might want to see them, too.
I've also made a silk screened pendant to go with some of the earrings.

In addition, I made a black and white kaleidescope cane which I used to create some beads. Of course, once you make beads, you still have to do something with them. Hence, the resulting necklace which uses silver jump rings and freshwater pearls to join the beads.

Earrings with Sparkle & Shine

Yesterday, I mentioned I had a few things to share. So here's more. Today, it's all about earrings. I love making pendants - their size seems to invite you to do more. Earrings are smaller, and the challenges are different. I decided to try something new.

I've put the earrings in two sets. This first grouping has lots of shine. I'd just gotten some metallic foils, and decided to see what they would do. Yes, there are also a couple of pairs with heat-set Swarovskis. There's just a bit of glint as the earrings move during wearing.

Then, I got caught up in 3-D again. I really love manipulating the clay to see what happens. I gave each sheet of clay a different finish on each side. In this way, you see glimpses of both finishes on each pair. Sort of a peek-a-boo effect. Centered on the folded tips are tiny pearls or more heat-set Swarovskis. These earrings are smaller than the other set, and have a look I find both dainty and fun.

Bargello: A Classic Stitch - in Polymer!

I know it's been a while since I've posted here. My husband and I have been in Europe, bicycling in the Black Forest area in Germany for 3 weeks. It's an incredibly beautiful place, and we had a wonderful time. But there were a couple of things missing...Most of all, we missed our girls. Our three Australian Shepherds are a huge part of our lives. Every dog we met made us miss them more -- and in Europe, we met a lot of dogs. The other thing I missed was creating with clay. A lot. So, now that I'm home, I've been playing and experimenting in my work room - and have a few things to share with you.

First, I'd like to share 2 special beads I made. I'm a member of the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild (SCPCG.) We have a traveling show which rotates amongst libraries in the state, giving patrons a view into the world of polymer. A call had gone out for new items, so I decided to try something I've never done before.

And here they are. This is a bargello pattern, first developed by Laura Liska. I made one bead with wide stripes, the other with thin stripes, just to see what the effect might be. This is a process that requires specific steps. It took me a while to make them, and I'm pleased with the results. Now I'll have to try it in another color combination. Any suggestions?

Damascas Ladder ~ Two Versions

A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of some canes I'd made based on Lindly Haunani's version of the Damascus Ladder. Recently, I've also been playing with the traditional Damascus Ladder. I just finished up a couple of pieces using the different canes, and thought I'd share them here.

To me, the canes based on Lindly's version look a bit like pieces of stained glass. There is a special glow that seems to emanate from the clay.

The traditional form of the Damascas Ladder creates wonderful swirls and stripes. I love both looks. How about you. Do you have a favorite?

Beadweaving ~ Chevron Stitch Flowers

More beadweaving! Just a quick note to show you the project for June at Nature's Art. It may not look like it, but both bracelet bands are made from the same stitch. A small change in edging, and the use of different color beads really changes the look. This is one of the things I love about beadweaving. Everyone chooses different colors and contrasts, and the end results are always unique and individual. I'm a bit more partialy to the red and white piece, though the shimmer of the gold and green is really lovely....Your choice?

Shells as Cabochons

Just finished a sample of the project I'm teaching at Nature's Art in May. Beaded cabochons typically use a specially prepared and cut stone as the centerpiece. For this project, participants may choose items which have thicker sides than usual - items such as shells, uncut stones, or agate slices. The stitch even creates a piece which is reversible! Here's a preview of both sides of a small cream abalone shell. More info on the class page.

Gallery Opening & Show

Hello, Hello!! I know I haven't posted a lot recently, but I have (another) good excuse...I've been working like crazy to get some pieces made and assembled. And here's the reason:

I'm excited - and a bit nervous - to announce that I will be a featured artist at the Artists' Cooperative of Westerly for the month of April. I will be showcasing my polymer jewelry, with a few pieces of a new porcelain and polymer combination I've recently begun making. One of the things I'm including in my exhibit is a set of storyboards. Each of them explains a different process I've used to create the polymer pieces, complete with actual slices from work in progress to help clarify the steps. I hope people find them interesting and informative. Here are a couple of samples:
The April show is themed: "Scratching the Surface - Textures." The show opens on Tuesday, March 31, and runs through Saturday, April 23. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Opening Reception will be held on Wednesday, April 6, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Wine and refreshments are served. The gallery is located at 7 Canal Street in downtown Westerly, Rhode Island, just down the street and on the opposite side from Dylan's restaurant. For more information, you may visit the web site: http://www.westerlyarts.com.

I am sharing the large street front window with a gentleman who makes mosaic glass tables. The Cooperative has artists representing a wide variety of mediums including pottery, porcelain, woodworking, silver, sculpture, glass, watercolor, oils, pastels, photography, fabric work and a variety of mixed-media.

Should you find yourself in Westerly during this time, please stop by! ~Kristie

Cabin Fever Clay Festival

I'm back. Once again, CFCF was a marvelous experience. The six days were spent learning and sharing while we played with clay. One of the things I like the most is the people I meet. The creativity just seems to pour forth in class after class. The instructors were wonderful, and I came home with ideas and techniques that I have to work with soon! In the meantime, I thought I'd share some canes I made. One day, hopefully soon, you'll see them in completed pieces.
The first photo is of some marvelous Damascus Ladder canes that were the result of a full day of discussion and manipulation of color in a class taught by Lindly Haunani.







The second shot is of some canes I made in Sarah Shriver's class. These were used to cover large forms we shaped and carved by hand using Sculpey Ultra light clay.

CFCF 2011 - Off I Go!

Hello!
I haven't been updating as much as I would like. The puppy takes a lot of time - and we love every minute! In the midst of getting her acclimated, I've been trying to condition clay, make blends and beads, and collect supplies for the 6 days of Cabin Fever Clay Festival (CFCF). This is a simply marvelous event held in Laurel, MD. Polymer clayists (don't know if that's a real word, but it looks and sounds good, doesn't it) gather from around the world to attend workshops, seminars and demonstrations given by master artists in polymer. It's fun, it's mind-expanding, and it's exhausting. This is my third year. I missed the first, primarily because I didn't know about it. In addition to learning new techniques and sharing great ideas, I find my creativity pool gets replenished, too. I even have some special friends in the area, so I get some visiting time in, too. A wonderful experience all around.
This year, Judith Skinner, who invented the Skinner blend which we ALL use, is being honored in a special ceremony. We are supposed to make a bead using the Skinner blend technique.We also have a swap. Each of us will give others one of our beads and, in return, we'll collect beads from everyone else. Too fun! I'm going to put in a couple of pictures here. One is a necklace made from the beads I made from a Skinner blend. The beads I'm using for the swap will be like these, in one of 3 color-ways. The other photo shows some focals made using the cane with the various color-ways. These pendants aren't done yet - I have some plans, just no time right now. I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing them again in the future.

Procelain & Polymer

Just a quick post. I've been playing with different ideas regarding how to hang the polymer and porcelain pendants I've created. I have been thinking of making necklace "chains" with pearls and stone beads. I also wanted something simpler. So I came up with this idea of using sterling silver neckwire and adding a few crystals for a transition from the bead to the cord. Here are some of the pieces I've made.

Puppy!! Oh yes, and some mokume gane

I haven't posted much to this blog lately - and I have the BEST excuse! We have just added the sweetest little female to our family. Anyone who has brought home a puppy knows the preparation that goes on before hand - and all the work that goes into the "once they're home." We're having a wonderful time with Kiri. Her name is a derivation of some Japanese words and translates roughly as one who is beautiful, lovely, and eager. We think the name fits perfectly. Don't you agree? :)

So, while she was taking one of her frequent - albeit short!- naps, I did get out the clay and make some mokume gane pieces. I really love this technique and realized I hadn't done any for quite a while. I usually use 4 colors. This time, I decided to custom mix and limit the number of colors to 3. I'm particularly fond of the periwinkle/green/cream combination.