Superstition Blog Hop Reveal

Superstition badge framed 300 x 400Welcome to reveal day for the Superstition Blog Hop and jewelry design challenge. The participants, all jewelry designers, have created jewelry based on various superstitions of their choosing. Some of them are using Lucky Black Cat beads, made by yours truly, in their design.

This is my first time hostessing a jewelry design blog hop. I’ve participated in quite a few and felt it was my turn to come up with an inspiration/theme and invite some friends. You can read more about why I chose “superstition” as the theme in the post where I announced sign-ups for the hop. Continue reading →

AJE Design Challenge: Ravens

Raven feather earringsThe fall art/component theme on Art Jewelry Elements is ravens, in mythology and in nature.

As the subject of many myths and legends, ravens are also a popular subject in the art of many cultures. They make great focal elements for jewelry designs as well.  I took this challenge as an opportunity to create a small collection of raven-themed jewelry featuring artisan components from several of my favorite artists. I threw in a few components of my own making as well.
Continue reading →

Danse Macabre Blog Hop

danse macabre blog hop badgeWelcome to my reveal for the Danse Macabre Blog Hop.  Our hostess, Lee Koopman, challenged us to create jewelry, or decorations or other crafts, inspired by a “Halloween type character.”

The Danse Macabre has some symbols and imagery in common with Halloween, including skeletons. Those are what I decided to focus on for my creations.

I also borrowed from another fall holiday – the Day of the Dead – for my design inspiration. Skulls and skeletons are featured prominently in decorations for that day, as well as bright colors and flowers. Continue reading →

Fall Leaf Pendants in Polymer Clay

Pile of fall leaf pendantsI spent part of a rainy weekend making fall leaf pendants from polymer clay and a “secret” ingredient.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year for many reasons, not the least of which is it means the end of my least favorite season – summer.

It’s also a great time of year for color inspiration if you’re as big a fan of earth tones as I am. What’s not to love about the blends of green, amber, orange, and red in tree leaves in the fall? Continue reading →

Recovering a Polymer Clay Mishap with Swellegant

Stamped copper cuff with patinaEarlier this year I experimented with two new-to-me polymer clay techniques: the Sutton slice and Swellegant metal paints.

Sometimes I make things that don’t turn out as planned. Sometimes, the results of an accident or a change in plans are better than what I first set out to create. And sometimes, well, they’re just bugly. Continue reading →

Jewelry Design Challenge: Copper Etching

Etched copper earringsMy newest jewelry-making technique involves a bit of chemistry and physics. I gave metal etching a try this month. Etching and electroforming are the techniques featured for the Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design challenge in August.

I began researching etching weeks ago, and decided on salt-water as my etchant almost immediately. My studio, which is sometimes otherwise known as my kitchen counter and dining table, is not equipped for harsher chemical techniques that generate more toxic fumes. Continue reading →

It’s “Beads Away!” for the Superstition Blog Hop

pillow box and padded envelopeA quick post to let participants in the Superstition Blog Hop know their Lucky Black Cat focals are on the way.

Each little black cat bead, pendant, or cabochon was carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and placed inside a brown craft paper pillow box. The pillow box is decorated with the official Superstition Blog Hop badge.

The Lucky Black Cat focals are on their way to jewelry artists in 14 states and one foreign country (Canada) via First Class Mail.  Continue reading →

Superstition Blog Hop Participants

black cat posterI’m quite pleased at the turn-out in sign-ups for my Superstition Blog Hop. As this is my first time hosting a design challenge blog hop, I wasn’t sure what kind of interest was out there. Happily, I managed to lure 28 jewelry designers with the enticing theme.

Or maybe it was the chance to win a Lucky Black Cat bead that drew them in? As promised, the first 13 people to leave a comment on the sign-up post and complete the sign-up process will be receiving a free Lucky Black Cat focal, handmade from polymer clay by yours truly.  Continue reading →

We’re All Ears Challenge: Antelope Canyon

Polymer clay bead dangle earringsThe inspiration images for this month’s We’re All Ears design challenge are from my home state, Arizona. Specifically, they are photographs of Antelope Canyon – a famously picturesque slot canyon in the northern part of the state.

This is the second time I’ve participated in a jewelry design challenge where images of Antelope Canyon were the inspiration. Last year I designed a necklace and bracelet for a Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design monthly challenge. I think the universe is telling me I need to make a trip to see this place in person. Continue reading →

Superstition Blog Hop Sign Ups

Lucky Black Cat beadI’m hosting a jewelry design challenge and blog hop in November. The theme is “Superstition” and the reveal date is Friday, November 13th. Read on to learn more about the theme, how you can join in, and how to win a limited-edition Lucky Black Cat bead.

The second Friday in November is the third Friday the 13th of 2015. It’s not often we have three Friday the 13ths in the same year. Most years have only one. I decided we need to celebrate this somewhat rare occurrence with a virtual party. A blog hop party, that is. Continue reading →