49/52 Bits and Bobs!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Where did 2015 go??? Wow...that year seemed to go so fast!!! 

So we are now at the start of 2016 and I thought I'd do a round up of my year long challenge :D 

I know...this is only post number 49 so I'm 3 short of the 52, but I do have several things to show you in it though :D That's my excuse!!! I decided it was better to round if off as we have passed the year end, but I'll still be posting regularly and I have lots of ideas still unfinished so you'll be seeing them in 2016 :D

I thought I'd finish with a few other things I've made which had slightly different things in for me, but that I haven't posted here yet. I made these in December.

First off we have another spinner ring. This is the second one I've made using my new technique. It wasn't until I was well into making this that suddenly I realised I had created little sets of eyes all around it! That wasn't planned! They look like eyes either way up as well!! :D

Next we have a moulded shell. I know...we all make those...but this one was made in full 3D from a very special shell for a client, and it's the first shell I've done with this type of bail attached to it :D

Next is a simple ring - but I'd never made a Z ring before - again this was for a client. I think it turned out quite well. It has a wavy back to it - forgot to photograph it from that side though!

Then some little sparkly drops set with 8mm stones. These are from my Bag of Bling!

Finally we have a turquoise pendant. I actually made this one as an example while I was teaching an Art Clay Level 2 diploma recently...so why is that different? Well using turquoise and gold together was on my challenge list. I really like the combination of the two and will make more using those them.

BTW the spinner ring at the top was also made while I was teaching that L2 workshop. It's the bonus of a 1-2-1 workshop, I can often fit in demo-ing a few extra things ;)

So that will be it for challenge entries and whilst I didn't hit 52 I don't mind as I have really enjoyed it! I've learnt lots of new things and had fun - what else can I ask for!!

2016 marks 10 years for my business, and 10 years that I've been using silver clay - so watch out for posts about special offers as I'll be celebrating all year long!!!

Have fun!

Joy x

23/52 Aquaocity

I had fun making this piece! 

I've been trying out some new techniques for making a surface to enamel onto adding textured areas by hand. I'm liking the result and have another piece underway to see where it all takes me :) 

The little shell shapes have 24k gold added onto them, and there is also gold under some of the enamel. The little blue stones are 2mm lab sapphires and the pendant is set with a 5mm sea bamboo coral cabochon.

The back is also a change for me as I didn't add my normal style of bail but went for two half loops to attach the chain to.  

I wanted to make a chain to complement the pendant, but I searched through my bead stash and really didn't have anything I thought would go with it. In my mind I knew I wanted translucent watery look in the stones. So a trip to my local stone shop Stone Corner was in order. It is a wonderful shop, the problem is there is always too much to distract me!! True to form I returned with beads for this project...and things for a couple of future ones I haven't even thought of yet!!! ;)

I love being able to visit a local shop to buy, I went thinking I wanted aquamarine, but when I put the pendant by them they really didn't work on their own, they are the pale blue ones.

After much rummaging through bags of beads (and a great deal of patience by the shop owners!!!! :) ) I eventually ended up with a mix of aquamarine, apatite, labradorite, howlite turquoise and sea bamboo coral. 

Then  it was beading time! This was the end result.

The chain has more sparkle than I can capture with the camera, and the little labradorite chips have lovely flashes of colour too. 

All that was left was to think up a watery name for it.  

So this is Aquaocity :D

Have fun!

Joy x

November Four a Month (again!)

 

At last I can upload photos again!! So here is my Four A Month for November. These are four tiny stone set pendants. The cabochon stone in each one is 8mm in diameter. They are all made in fine silver using Art Clay Silver.

 

The one above has a garnet...

 

 

..this one is a goldstone, and below is a matrix turquoise...

 

 

...then an amethyst below...

 

... and finally all four pendants together.

 

These are now in my Etsy shop although the garnet cross is already sold.

 

Tomorrow I will be at St Barnabas in Bexhill, East Sussex for my last fair of the year.

 

It is a lovely friendly venue :) Maybe I will see you there?

 

Have fun

 

Joy x