3/52- Moon Gazer

This weeks challenge piece is a fine silver locket, made using Art Clay Silver. It is enamelled and set with 2mm stones, and also has 24k gold keum boo details. I've called this Moon Gazer.

This is a piece that has been in my mind for a while. On Facebook we have a group called Metal Clay Europe, and we run challenges. The theme of the current challenge is The Sun, the Moon and the Stars. Being one of the admins of the group I am not allowed to enter, but if I was this would be my entry!! :) (BTW if you want to enter the current challenge you have until 31st Jan '15!!!)

The front panel of the locket swings to open...

...and inside are a few hidden gems ;)

It is deep enough to hide something special. At one of the shows I did last year someone suggested my lockets were perfect for keeping a TicTac or two close to hand!! I guess you can keep anything secret in a locket! :)

It is quite small, measuring just 24mm wide by 30 mm high plus the bail.

Finally I added a handmade silver chain. I used to make lots of chains but always left them bright shiny silver. These days I patinate almost everything I make to bring up the textures and make them more pronounced. (Patination is a process of making the piece dark all over, and then polishing back up for the desired effect.) 

It was a logical step to start patinating my chains as well and I am loving the results!

While making this locket I was also working on a new stone setting technique which lets me set stones quickly and easily. I shall be doing more experimenting with that!! 

I realised this week that everything I've made so far this year has been very restrained on the colour palette. When I mentioned that on Facebook several people commented that they liked the results! So you never know, maybe 2015 will be a more colour limited year for me (but I'm sure a few  rainbows will appear sooner or later!!).

Have fun!

Joy x

WCC 16/52 - Cuddles

 

Meet Cuddles!! Cuddles is my first animal mask. I have made quite a lot of my Colourful Carnival Masks now (and I will be teaching them as a workshop in various place, so contact me if you are interested) but I decided I would now try my hand at a few animal masks. He is made in fine silver and enamel. He has a mottled little pink and black nose :)

 

Here is his poem - a Haiku

 

Eyes and ears large
Whisker curling. nose mottled
Cuddles awaits

 

I have another animal mask on the go so expect to see that one possibly next week ;-)  

 

This is the seventh of EIGHT posts for today to catch me up on my critter challenge blogging.

 

Phew!! I am nearly there. I now need to photograph critter 17/52 and I'll be back in a while. Meanwhile you can read all my other posts for today :)

Joy x

WCC 12/52 - Cataflaged

 

Another cat critter! (I said there would be more :) ). This time it is a fine silver pendant made using Art Clay Silver. The pendant is reversible and on one side we have the cat which was added using my Enamelled Accents technique. He has lovely green enamel eyes and a pink nose. A hidden cat!

 

The back is quite simple with a nice texture and a star shaped stone set near the top, and my Joy logo.

 

Here is the poem

 

Emerald Eyes
Mischievous glint
Playful gaze
And purring hint

 

This is the third of EIGHT posts for today to catch me up - so do check out my others :)

 

Joy x

WCC 10/52 Fluffy the Kitten

 

So, here we go with the first of 8 blog posts to catch up my Critter Challenge.

 

This is Fluffy the Kitten. He is a furry little thing made out of Goldie bronze and he measures just 22mm x 27mm. Fluffy didn't hang around long, I finished him on a Friday and he went off to a new home at my fair on the Saturday!

 

Here is his poem.

 

Fluffy the Kitten
Waiting to play
Throw him a toy
and you'll brighten his day

 

Cats are obviously popular - watch out for more :)

 

Joy x

Weekly Critter Challenge 4/52 - Bluebell

 

Here is this weeks critter - Bluebell!

 

She is fine silver and enamel and she is a brooch. She was a commission and guess what, I forgot to photograph the back with the brooch pin before she went off to her new home! Oh well. I am sure you know what a brooch pin looks like! :) She measures approx 35mm x 40mm.

 

She is based on Bluebell, the cat belonging to the new owner of the brooch. Bluebell is a ragdoll. I really enjoyed making this so watch out for more cats!! If you want to commission a cat brooch or pendant just let me know! 

 

Here is Bluebell's poem

 

Her fur is as white as the freshly lain snow
Her markings are delicate shades
Her eyes are as blue as the clear summer sky
Her intelligence shows in her gaze
Her manner is mischievous, haughty at times
She is Queen over all she surveys

 

Have fun!

Joy x