Something just for me

I get in the habit sometimes, of thinking it's not worth making if I'm not going to sell it. I was at Michael's a couple weeks ago, and I hardly ever buy beads there because I can get them online so much cheaper...but while browsing the sale rack, I found some resin beads for 99 cents! I bought two matching sets- the donuts, and some gorgeous aqua stick beads (to be featured at a later date!) I was inspired to use some of the Swarovski siam flatbacks I have left over from my sister's wedding last summer- don't ask, but I'll tell- I hand-cut 1,000 flowers, and hand-glued 1,000 crystals into the center of those flowers for those 100 invitations. Swarovskis come in 1,444 packs- so I had 444 left over! They look so nice on these new earrings, floating above the surface of the resin. So I spent some time today bringing these to life....

First, I spent some time looking at them and thinking. Of course, my thoughts went to polymer clay. The pendant below, which features a beautiful stamp on the bottom layer, then some handpainted ink to extend the design and color the flowers, several layers of poly-juice for shine and dimension, and finally glitter and a Swarovski on the front. I have to wait for the glue to dry before brushing off the excess glitter, there will just be a tiny bit for sparkle when it's all done. But I am pretty excited about the idea. It is a deep design, with things happening in all the layers and I think it represents a new direction for me. I have been playing extensively with Magic Transfer Paper lately, as well as with real paper- and I have been creating some tiny designs that I think are going to end up as embellished transfers, layered like this one. Today was a testing day. I ruined several pendants, made some molds, tested my inks and embossing powders, and generally made a mess. But I finished with this pendant and my new earrings, so all-in-all, not a bad day!

Cold days in south Florida!

It's been chilly down here! But I love it. I relish the chance to be outdoors in 60 degree weather, wrapped in a blanket, drinking tea. It's one of my best childhood memories. I don't know why I developed the habit, but I remember many moments on the back porch, facing the trees, in the wind, in my lawnchair too far into autumn to be considered comfortable or normal by anyone but me.

Now, with my water view balcony and wild sunsets almost every night, I get to take advantage of the chill any evening I want! I dragged my poor DH out to downtown Hollywood tonight, all bundled up, just to get some fresh air. We ended up in a Turkish restaurant, having Mezzas, baklava, and a delightful fruity Rose wine. Plus I found a factory outlet for an expensive boutique and got the most beautiful top! A fun and unexpected night. DH and I had to celebrate, because he starts school tomorrow and I won't see him again until Friday. He's taking night classes, and won't be home in the evenings until I'm in bed.

But on the upside, it gives me evenings to myself in the condo, so I can get myself going again. I created a bunch of new jewelry prior to Christmas for a sales-party my friend was giving. It was nice to have a fire lit under me, so-to-speak, and I was very creative for a spurt. But I'm really reconsidering my direction lately. I love two things very much- fantasy, and digital art. Fantasy like elves and faeries, and digital art like seriously fantastic, grungy, gritty stuff. So I've been experimenting with photoshop a lot, learning new tricks with layering, patterns, brushes and such. And I found this awesome clay that doesn't have to be baked, with allows for some interesting ideas for the integration of things that can't be baked. So I'm hoping to carve out my new niche soon.

In the meantime, here's a fun link to a site I found a few days ago. Been meaning to post it....Duirwaigh

I am great at highjacking my own posts! On being an expert in my field....

A previous post spawned the thoughts in this one, so I figured I better divide and conquer!

I have some things I would like to do- this year is my year to get published. Ilysa and I are writing a book about polyclay artists around the world. It's a look into their studios and minds, and we are excited about it. After that, I plan to submit to the magazines. Here's the most important fact about the Polymer Clay World that no one will "tell" you, but everyone knows- if you're not published, you're no one. Even though I demo for my local guild once a month and everyone consistently gushes over how "talented" I am, what a "good teacher" I am, and how "knowledgeable" I am, they still say they want a "Real" polymer clay teacher. What am I, liver and onions? So, it's obviously time to sell my soul to Art Beads, Bead & Button, Belle Armoire, and PolymerCafe. Otherwise, I am obviously just an untalented hack not worth paying for my expertise :)