Polymer Clay Christmas Pins

I made some cute little gingerbread men and Christmas Tree pins from polymer clay.  This is only my second attempt at a polymer clay project and I'm happy with the results.

Sealing Copper Jewelry with Spray

After having read online about spray sealing metal jewelry to protect it I grabbed some Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer Matte Finish at Michaels.  That was the only thing I saw at the store that mentioned sealing metal.  I had hoped to get a finish that would be quick to apply and long lasting.  I tried it out on my copper leaf brooches and pumpkin pins with a heat patina.  The matte finish looked nice but the sealer scratched off too easily to use for my jewelry.  You can see the mark my fingernail left on my pumpkin brooch when I scratched it over the surface.  I could even peel the dried coating off in one piece.  The sealer deficiently didn't work for the application I bought it for.  I'm sure it would have more staying power on a rough metal surface or a piece that didn't get as much handling as jewelry.  For now I'll go back to sealing my pieces with paste wax.  Feel free to leave comments on your experiences with sealing copper or other metal jewelry.

Dyed Mother of Pearl Beads for Spring Jewelry

There are all types of Mother of Pearl beads to add to your spring and summer jewelry. The dyed pastels are gorgeous and will easy mix and match with your current jewelry design pallet. The shine of the beads attracts attention and adds a luxurious feel to spring jewelry pieces. I'm posting a couple of pictures from my studio of flat round mother of pearl beads. Check out your favorite supplier for more colors and shapes such as flowers, butterflies, birds, squares, rectangles, ovals, crosses, hexagons, triangles, and much more.

Check out Art Jewelry magazine, May 2011

The cover project is a pendant which hands you the opportunity to make as many interchangeable panels as you like, truly giving you an infinite number of possibilities. The design is cleverly based on a box clasp.

Also find directions on making a metal clay pin back, how to make a dichroic glass and metal clay dragonfly, making a mixed metal chain mail bracelet, how to choose the correct wire gauge and diameter to get the chainmail of your liking, how to make a box clasp, an article highlighting the green gemstone chrysoprase, studio safety, applying for competitions and art shows, basic handfinishing, improve your earring designs with an ear wire makeover, and an interview with jewelry designer Christy Klug.

Book Review: Steampunk Style Jewelry

The Steampunk style originated in the late 1980's and draws inspiration from the Victorian era, punk style, and science fiction genre. This book has twenty projects designed by thirteen different artists with material lists and instructions. It teaches basic techniques so it's accessible to beginners.

Steampunk Style Jewelry: Victorian, fantasy, and mechanical necklaces, bracelets, and earrings
by Jean Campbell
2009 Creative Publishing International
144 pages

But it's not only a design book, this is a great reference for Steampunk in general. Sections of text throughout the book give a mind boggling glimpse into the Steampunk subculture. Also there are dozens and dozens of examples of fiction works, fashion, artwork, film, theater, and music that you can seek out to delve even deeper into Steampunk.

Since many of the projects use found objects, making exact replicas of the pieces may be impossible, or require a heap of flea market trips. If you have trouble finding what you seek, use your creativity to craft your own unique pieces inspired by this book. One necklace project has a dizzying 57 items listed for materials and tools, and lists 12 separate suppliers. Thankfully, about half of the projects have much shorter lists approximating about a dozen items.

Metals used in the book include brass, copper, silver-plated and sterling silver. Examples of tools needed include pliers, cutters, files, heatgun, hammers, jewelers saw, spray paint, ink, craft drill and bits. Common jewelry items such as beads, chain, filigree components, crimps, earwires, bezels, wire, eyelets, etc are listed. The most common found objects needed are watch parts.

The end of the book features a gallery of 21 designs, as well as artist bios, website credits, and suppliers.

Valentine's Day Jewelry

If you're looking for a fun quick project for Valentine's Day check out this how to for little polymer clay conversation hearts. Like any project it can be adapted to your liking, this project shows a charm bracelet but you can craft earrings or a necklace just as easily. http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/valentines-day-conversation-hearts.