Bold and Elegant, Funky and Sweet

I finally got around to designing with polymer clay again. When I first started, my colors were too brash and designs predictable. A new book Ancient Modern by Ronna Sarvas Weltman gave me new inspiration.

I focus more on colors, shapes and textures, than on canes. Since I have an compulsion for buying freshwater pearls, I wanted to create something that would have a nice relationship and balance with the elegant but imperfect pearls. These bone, or stone-like disks are the perfect balance.

I stuck with white, black and tan for this bracelet, but I plan on using other colors in future designs.

Art for Animals

It's that time of year again when artists in my city create paintings of pets for an artshow to benefit the SPCA. This oil panting is of my small, young cat Lily who is full of charisma. My youngest son found her in a box by the side of the road. She's the kind of cat who sleeps on her back with limbs extended in perfect trust and bliss. I tried to capture her "Life is Good" attitude.

These Pots Have Character

Handbuilt pottery and sculpture seems to move and breathe, maybe because it is not perfect, same as us. Each is as individual as the pets I've lived with. These pots by Nancy and Burt will catch the eye of any guest, or if just for your enjoyment, make you smile.

Being an ocassional potter myself I can imagine how long each one takes to make. Throwing on the wheel can be so much faster and easier. But I think they enjoy the handbuilding process. It shows in their work, their etsy site and the humor in their blog.

If you are going to the American Crafts Council show in Baltimore Feb. 27-March 1, stop by Booth 1206 and see their lively work in person.

Red, White and Silver

Passionate red sometimes needs to be balanced. A silver heart is long-lasting and of highly valued. Silver has a wise personality to me. Not as flamboyant as gold, but beautiful and dependable. Pearls represent commitment.

I've really fallen in love with Hill Tribes silver from the renowned tribal silversmiths in Thailand. Their pieces are unique, slightly exotic and their silver is purer than sterling. I like to also imagine the artisans who worked on each piece. The earrings hang from silver earwires and the ball chain is sterling silver.

Celebrate Love all year round. Why just wear these in February?

Pearls and Silver for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has been associated with romantic love since the days of Chaucer and the High Middle Ages and is still going strong. About 1 billion valentines are sent each year. Where would the floral business be without Valentine's Day?

Silver itself has had a long history and many connections to royalty and beauty. Because of it's near whiteness, it suggests purity. I prefer to use Hill Tribes silver, which is even more pure silver than sterling, but also because I enjoy thinking about the artisans who make each unique item.

There is something very beautiful about combining freshwater pearls and silver. These pieces glow. Pearls symbolize commitment and combine nicely with a heart.

The necklace you see here includes a sterling silver ball chain.

Vintage-Style Frosted Glass Leaf Jewelry

I can't resist this style of charming frosted pressed-glass bead. It comes in strands that have gradients of color. Sterling silver and Hill Tribes silver clasps.

Mixed Media Art to Wear

Beadkeepers makes exciting mixed-media jewelry. Maybe a better description would be wearable sculpture. These pieces are fascinating and any tribal princess would be proud to wear them. They use found objects (even silk cocoons) and polymer clay with an artist's spirit of composition and connection. If you are looking for texture, color and uniqueness, visit this etsy shop.

Here is the quote from their profile: "Beadkeepers presents art and jewelry designs reflecting a deep respect for nature and a strong commitment to conserving and protecting the Earth's quickly vanishing natural resources. Everything you see here has been created to meet a singular goal--support crucial wildlife conservation efforts through artistic expression. We believe Art and Nature are inextricably linked--one cannot exist without the other. Every design has been created with the wonders of nature in mind, and a portion of all proceeds are directed to the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation."

Off the Wall Art: Contemporary Majolica

Majolica is the perfect method for artists to express themselves with color, shape, and rhythm, while inviting themselves into people's lives. When your art is on pottery, you are like a guest at a lot of parties. You have conversations with the guests and they talk about you, well, your design at least.

I also love the history and worldiness of majolica. Every continent seems to have a style of majolica and experts can even tell what country it came from at a glance. Of course, contemporary majolica artists cross boundaries and mix things up, because, even in tourist areas, the majolica artist is a painter and can't help but show his or her personal style. When I think back, I actually brought back my first piece of majolica 30+ years ago. Those first bowls must have been a steal because I spent an entire summer on the Mediterranean with only about $200 in my pocket. I also took a week-long workshop in it and appreciate how time-consuming it is.

Next time I have a gift to buy I'm going to this etsy site: acorntooaks. Not only are these bowls (shown above) very outgoing, but the artist, Deborah Mortlock donates all her profits from the etsy sales to a non-profit she formed with another artist to fight hunger.

Girlboxmaker

When you have a very special gift to give, or message to say, think of this etsy artist. Rae has an MFA in book and paper arts. Somehow, in between raising 3 children, one with Down's syndrome, she makes these beautiful layered boxes and accordian-fold book/journals. She has a wonderful sense of balance and harmony in her designs...well, just what you expect from a well-trained artist. I know that feeling of wandering into a specialty paper shop and not being able to leave empty-handed. Here is her blog.

Vertical Glass Acts

Jewelry design is combining colors, shapes and textures to create new forms. My emphasis is on color, but I search for designs that incorporate rhythm and subtly surprising combinations. I intended these new designs to not scream "look over here", but to engage attention within close range. I think of them as small sculptures, sort of a cross between Brancusi and totem poles.

I use just a small amount of Thai silver with the beads. The cord is waxed cotton cord, which allows me to add more simple lines of color. The clasps are sterling lobster claw. Please let me know what you think.