Summer night’s dream

Originally uploaded by bounty_gg

Bounty_gg submitted this work to the CraftGossip Flick pool.

I love the fluid nature for the design and the rich and deep color palate.  I would love to know more about the technique which is simply noted, “polymer clay, liquid gel, multi-layer technique.”

Excellent work!

Yellow and Pink Flower Beads

Originally uploaded by Rebecca Geoffrey

For a bit of Wednesday inspiration, check out Rebecca Geoffrey’s work on both Flickr and Etsy.

She recently uploaded pictures of her fun work to the CraftGossip Flickr pool. Her polymer pendants in two-tone are clean lined and modern in a funky way. These flower beads are totally different vibrant and bright. Keep up the good work Rebecca!

N9009

Originally uploaded by JanGeisen

Jan Geisen recently uploaded this image to Flickr of her polymer clay pendent.  Her work is really striking in the shades and textures that she is able to create with polymer clay.  You can also find her work for sale in her Etsy shop.

Check out Flickr to be inspired to try and reach new levels with your own polymer work. She has worked in various different artistic fields which shows that it is never too late to master a craft if you put your mind to it. ]]> http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/polymer-clay-with-jan-geisen/2009/09/02/feed/ 0 http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/online-tutorials-by-gelt-designs/2009/06/26/ http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/online-tutorials-by-gelt-designs/2009/06/26/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:07:07 +0000 Barbe Saint John http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/?p=1388 If you are looking for some tutorials on different jewelry making techniques, etc…. check out Gelt Designs Tutorial Page.

They have an entire page full of great jewelrymaking tips lfrom making interesting findings like the Clover leaf Toggle to how to make…

 Art Jewelers Susan Lenart Kazmer and her business partner Linda Larsen ; owners of Objects and Elements webstore,  have been busy the last few months.  They’ve been updating the store with all kinds of unique goodies you won’t find anywhere else  like Ancient Roman Glass beads,  antique African   Dougan, unique bezel settings and cast bronze Ammonites . 

I’m a big fan of ICE resin  and it’s what I use in my jewelry work.  You can buy that online at the Objects & Elements store  .  There is also lots of unique  bezels,  fibers,  resin molds and tools for your art jewelry making needs.

In addition to searching out great jewelrymaking supplies, they have just revealed a new blog and a new Objects and Elements Design Team. 

The Objects and Elements blog has just gone live and will soon have lots of content such as  jewelry by Susan Lenart Kazmer and Linda Larsen, design team jewelry inspirations, updates on new store items,  guest artist features, reader challenges and more. You don’t want to miss out on any of the fun, so be sure to add the RSS feed to your blog links or add to bloglines or Google Reader

I am extremely happy to announce that I am on the Objects and Elements Design team. The other Design Team members are:  Jen Cushman, Deryn Mentock, Kristen Robinson, and Jane Salley .  In the coming weeks, you’ll be able to see the design teams creations on the new Objects and Elements Blog.  The team wil be creating some lovely projects using the amazing supplies from the Objects & Elements store, along with various found objects, beads, wire, etc… to inspire you to create your own unique jewelry.

If you are unfamiliar with Susan and her work, please check out her amazing  jewelry work, check out her blog , get her book “Making Connection” or  look at her workshop schedule  to take a class with her.

Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay + Wire Jewelry  by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680970
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680975

I was blown away when I saw the cover of this book and HAD to have it.   This distinctive jewelry book artistically combines polymer clay and wire into  organic, sophisticated, and contemporary jewelry.  Bead crafters and jewelry makers will learn a number of innovative techniques in designing beads and components from polymer clay, making wire work elements, clasps and ear wires, wire bead caps, polymer clay tipped head pins, and more.  The author has a very distinct  modernist primitive style that I personally LOVE, and if this is your style  as well,  you will be making some amazing  jewelry.

Ancient Modern discusses the fundamentals of jewelry design as well as what makes a piece “primitive” and how to achieve an organic effect through color mixing and textures.  There are 15 one-of-a-kind detailed projects and a gallery of more stunning jewelry to be inspired by..

The book starts with an introduction to deigning jewelry, color inspiration, the tools used with wire, wire techniques, creating clasps, and all about polymer clay. In that section she goes over how to cure clay, tools, various techniques like canes and marbleing and how to make a simple bead.  Then its on to the projects.

The projects range from Lush Sonata Necklace, Three Ring Circus Brooch, to Dancing Bells Earrings and Embrace Me ring. All have very detailed photos and instructions.

This book is truly one of a kind polymer clay book. I”m inspired to pull out my old polymerclay (hope its still soft!) and try out these techniques.

Started by charming Amber Dawn, International Charm day is a day to make, wear,enjoy, share, buy and giveaway charms. Check out the International Charm Day blog for a TON of charm inspiration,tutorials,  links to blogs having charm giveaways and lots more!

Some of the swaps and giveaways you could participate in are:

Julee Herrmann (recently interviewed on CraftGossip!)is hosting a charm swap on her blog,

Life Goes On is giving away 2 charms to lucky commenters.

Tracy from Magic Lantern Musings in Canada is giving away a very colorful charm to one lucky blog reader.

Since polymer clay is such a versatile material, this retreat is great for bead & jewelry artists, fiber artists, bookmakers, collage artists and a combo of all those and more!  Workshops include: Silk beads, intro to PMC, polymer beads, and more.

Check out the website for full details, pricing and accomodations.

How did you start doing jewelry/beadmaking as a business?
I have always loved beads and beading, so began many years ago making seed beaded bracelets, and earrings. It wasn’t until I began using polymer clay in earnest, that I turned jewelry making into a business..

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?   Oh, boy, I don’t, but I’m certain I was very small, and likely made it from flowers and twigs while playing “Fairy House” with my sister in the bushes and trees outdoors! Then I moved on to using real, wooden beads as a BlueBird and Camp Fire Girl…that’s the first time I remember actually making jewelry. I was always weaving fibers to create bracelets, as well (this was in the early 70’s, so my macrame bracelets were very ‘in vogue’..lol).

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?   Pasta machine, clay, brayer, cutting blade, oven (is there electricity on this island???)…if not, I’ll cure my clay in the sun

What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
Oh, my list is long. I have long wanted to work with glass, especially lampworking. I also would love to do metal working (I wanna play with a torch!) and also, paper marbelling…that’s not jewelry related, but the effect is so beautiful and I’d love to try my hand..

What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?  I am an avid hiker (snow-shoer in the winter) and love to be outdoors exploring. I’m also a dedicated reader, and lover of information, learning and ideas.

Where can readers find more out about you?  More of my work can be found: www.janarobertsbenzon.com, I also have a flickr page, and will have my etsy shop up in the near future. I sell my items at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts Gallery, and also have two instructional DVD’s available, “Arabesque Caning”, and “Secret Shapes Inro”.  Folks can see how to purchase those by visiting my website.

Todays Mini Jewelry Artist Interview is with Heather Powers of Humble Beads. Don’t you just love this hedgehog bracelet??  Heather creates amazing polymer clay beads inspired by nature and art history.  She has a very unique style, look at these urchin beads for example, they are lifelike!

Anyway, on to the interview!

* How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?
I started making jewelry in college to pay for extra expenses.  In 2002 I changed the focus of my business from selling jewelry to selling my art beads. 

* Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
It was a brass pendant on leather.  I think I wore that thing every day for a month.  Well, until I returned to the bead store!

* You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?    My lindstrom pliers, wire-cutters, wire, fireline, and a beading needle.  That would keep me busy for a while.  I’d have to learn how to make art beads from the island’s resources.  That would be a fun challenge!  * What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet? I’d love to learn some basic metalsmithing skills like soldering and making bezels. 

* What do you do when you aren’t making beads?
When I’m not making beads, I’m planning my annual Bead Cruise adventure, editing my popular blog, the Art Bead Scene, and spending time with my family and friends. Links are:  www.humblebeads.blogspot.com www.artbeadscene.com   www.beadcruise.com   I recently had 2 designs published in Bead Star magazine as a finalist in Interweave Press’ new competition. 

Thanks so much for letting us get to know you a bit better Heather!

In honor of our CraftGossip Turkey Theme day and Thanksgiving celebration this week, I bring you some realistic roast turkey earrings! By polymer clay artist Krisi, these are available on etsy and are so real I want to carve right into them!

And you can also get a pair of pumpkin pie earrings FREE with purchase!