Beadwork: Citrus Florals

Citrus Floral Necklace, polymer clay, glass beads, nymo thread

Polymer clay leaves, blossoms, pods and coins in sunny citrus colors might seem an odd choice for the fall season. But what day wouldn't be brightened by this smash of candy hues?

Premo is the polymer clay used in this piece. It stays somewhat flexible, which gives it great endurance. And the brightness is obvious. The blossom in this detail shot shows the sparkling effect of the metallic clay tips. Notice how the metallic clay is not blended in - the design is rather chunky. The leaves are bold, but softly variegated using the Skinner Blend technique of shading. Two colors roll through a pasta machine over and over, until an Ombre effect is achieved. The Skinner Blend is named for Judith Skinner, a pioneer of polymer clay art. This technique is the backbone of many a polymer designer.

Again, I am thinking candy. I just want to eat this up. What flavors would it be? Mango, lime, kiwi, lemondrop and just enough cherry to be the prize.

I like the black tiger spots on the blossoms and inside of the pods. These are tiny pieces of clay. The pods are made of a slice of a kaleidoscope cane, cupped in my palm and rolled with a ball stylus. My version of this kind of cane is not very symmetrical, which is fine for this "organic" approach. Aren't the cane edges fun - the yellow and orange stripes?

The coins have a central hole with a slight recess. This is done with a very small ball stylus. A single bead can nestle down into the sew-on. The cane for this one is in a very loose style. The color seems splashed on.

Here are the "greasy" yellow beads, again. The tropical colors brighten them up. The greasy quality is suggestive of a juicy fruit. The mango colored accent beads are actually pearlized, which is not apparent in the photos.

Yummy.

Beadwork: Red Floral

Red Floral Beaded Necklace, polymer clay, glass beads, nymo thread

Polymer clay floral blossoms in red and black make for a dark romantic necklace. The combination of red and iris beads are an exotic mix. The red cranberry colored glass beads are a nice compliment to the sparse sprinkling of red coral pieces. The matte iris berry beads reflect the matte finish of the florals.

Iris describes the multi-colored finish of glass beads. This necklace has a mix of blue and purple iris beads as it's foundation. Notice the few spots of blue mixed in.

This is a good example of the fringing that the blossoms are nestled within. Fringes are branched beadwork, each knotted at the base to allow for easy movement, as fringe should have. Branched fringes become shorter and more spaced on the necklace itself, completing the statement.

Paper: Haunted Witch Card

Haunted, my newest set of paper silhouettes combine for a spooky scene, shot to be a card front. Two main challenges befell this arrangement: standing up of the props and getting the right focus with the camera. The grasses and picket fencing are excellent for interlocking, allowing for some features, like the pumpkins, to stay put. The grasses and fencing are curved so they will be free-standing. The trees, however, require some stand of their own. These are held in place by luck. And, it may be time to borrow a better camera.

What I love about this scene is the layering and dimension. The central character is a large rocking witch. Her hat has a nice bend and the bat is charming. The background paper makes for different effects with different lighting. It has a pearl layer that reflects the light.

Another version of the witch card. This one is less defined, but much more moody and dramatic. The lighting is achieved by placing color-changing led tea lights around the scene.

I like this one best. It has good contrast of color, light and dark. The colored light shows up, but is subtle. This witch is holding a crystal ball. She is much smaller than the witch above. The corkscrew willow in gray is a nice effect among all the black. I like how the background pattern shows up and then fades out in the upper corner.

Paper Witch Rocker

Gazing into a crystal ball, this witch rocks. Really, she rocks! She's the newest addition to my Haunted collection, which is new too. The rocking witch is a layered paper figure. Her hair, hat, cape, arm and skirt are all separate pieces. She rocks with the tap of a finger.

The crystal ball is a miniature acrylic cabochon. She can also hold a Jack-o-Lantern. This witchy girl would make a great place setting or cut larger, a centerpiece. I love her "Bewitched" collar and sleeves.

This view shows "behind the scenes" construction. The rocker is made of a rounded hem of her skirt in the front, (the jagged edged skirt is layered on top), and an oval glued onto the back. It is hard to see in this photo, but if you look closely you will see a notch taken out of the oval. This is no mistake. It is put there to keep the figure from rocking completely to the side. It is a catch, or a brake.

The quarter is taped inside the front bottom of the skirt to give it a center weight, allowing it to rock. I did three models. It cost me 75 cents. I figured out that washers cost the same or more than quarters. Why not just use quarters? Double stick tape holds them in place.

Beadwork: Floral Necklace 2

Floral necklace, beads, nymo, polymer clay

Floral Necklace 2

Oddly yellow beads are the foundation for this palette departure. I have had these beads for many years. They look like "greasy yellow" seed beads, as they have a strange translucency. This effect is called, "Vaseline" glass, which is a darn good description. True Vaseline glass, however, fluoresces under black light and these do not. The yellow seed beads are large and irregular. They are woven into a necklace using a technique called free-form peyote.

The accent beads are my favorite - alabaster. They have a subtle, pearl-like inner glow, with a touch of pink and amber. Mmmm. These are the last of the one tube I found at the gem and mineral show. The tiniest beads are silver lined pale yellow.

This light brings out the amber in the alabaster beads. The next photo shows how they respond to blue by reflecting that color.

I am a big fan of color-shifting glass.

The little purple blossoms and petal coins are made of Premo and Studio clays - both by Sculpey. The studio clay has a matte finish and texture. It feels soft and velvety.

The floral "coins" are slices of a cane, with a single hole made for stringing in this way. I use a large eraser to neatly flatten them without leaving fingerprints. The cupped blossoms are flat, then rolled into a hollow shape with a ball stylus.

The triangular style blossom is formed on a cake decorating tip.

Each floral element is then painted with a thin layer of transparent, iridescent paint.

Branch-like fringe gives this collar-length necklace a nice feel and movement.

The contrast of the yellow and the violet make for an unusual palette.

Beadwork: Bella

Bella, miniature collage cabochon, polymer clay, Nymo, glass beads

Bella is a collar-length portrait necklace. I begin with a clear acrylic cabochon, which is transformed into a miniature collage by applying images to the back of the cab. I work backwards, because the first images glued on will be seen as the top layer. This one uses a rose motif as a frame for the portrait, (a tiny reproduction of an antique photo). After the portrait is applied, the background is accented with a couple of pieces of iridescent "snow" flakes and finished with variegated gold leaf. The cabochon magnifies the collage. The layering is noticeable, the depth is a pleasure to gaze.

The collage is adhered to a stiff felt backing. Glass beads and polymer clay pods are embroidered around the cabochon. The back is finished with a final layer of felt, stitched in place.

I use fine beading needles: John James, size 13. I will use other needles, but only in a pinch. They are strong, thin and bend, rather than break. Mine begin straight and end up completely curved. As long as a needle stays sharp, I will use it until it breaks. John James.

A palette for fall-rich purples of the tiny iris beads, deep red of the garnet chips, cranberry, mink, orange and touches of blue-gives abundant versatility for autumn moods.

Bella is is a unique flavor of ornate and simple. The scale of the focal piece is compact, but heavily beaded and embellished. The sparse fringing at the center of the piece reflects the structure of the necklace. The pods and berries on the necklace are minimal, but add volume visually.

Winfield Photo Shoot

Ce Ce, Me, Winfield 2010

Temporary Tattoo Art

Winfield, Kansas hosts a Bluegrass festival in September each year. Although I appreciate the music and am married to a musician, my instrument of choice is a paintbrush.

This tattoo design features a dimensional miniature collage dome and jewels adhered to the skin. The design is a jagged root, piercing the skin, with drops of blood. Ruby red jewels enhance the effect of the blood. Instead of standing out, these jewels look as if they are concave. One person told her the design was "frightening". For an artist who makes miniature shoes and fairies, it is nice to visit the darker side.

The design is painted with a brush, then set with iridescent powder and sparse glitter. The iridescence is mica powder in blue and violet. It allows the detail of the paint to show through, but is metallic at other angles.

Phanie, Ce Ce, Siamese Twin Study

I discussed a concept with Ce Ce and before I knew it Phanie was in and the photo shoot was on. Aside from Ce Ce's tattoo, which was done the day before, we must have spent 6 or more hours working this idea.

By the end of the day - no more natural light - we were ready to shoot. Linda Cunningham stepped up to be our lighting tech. I think the effect is haunting.

Ce Ce styled the costume. I love the shared belt! I completed my concept with the dark and dramatic make up. We talked about the character of the sisters and how they do not shy away from their unique fashion just because they are conjoined.

This shot is completely raw. This shows off the belt, but the shadow on Phanie is too dark and the shared arm is awkward.

Sisters is an enhanced photo. I cut the girls out, then gave the background a chalk filter. I straightened Phanie's candle, which was leaning far to the side. I isolated Ce Ce's tattoo from another photo and used it to frame the photo. I finished the piece with multiple edgings and digital airbrush details. I may go in and give Ce Ce a flame for her candle.