Urban Tribal Revisited

Urban Tribal Multi-Strand Bracelet


As I continue to revisit the most popular of my jewelry pieces by creating new variations, this tribal bracelet is a new spin on one of my most successful designs. In the brand new bracelet variation pictured above, I emphasize the orange and red reflecting the autumn season. Nine strands of gorgeous Picasso finished Czech beads in various sizes and shapes, blending into a pleasing boho tribal bracelet design.

In the original bracelet pictured below, I have emphasized the blue and still maintain a rich blending of colors. This bracelet sold several months ago, and I am still getting numerous requests for custom bracelets based on this design. So I finally relented and if it remains popular, perhaps I will make others in the future.

I have another favorite (sold) bracelet in mind to revisit with an updated variation. Coming soon, I hope!!!

Gloria


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Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
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Back By Popular Demand

I willingly admit to being among the introverts of the jewelry designing arena. One of the most difficult things to do if you're an introvert is promote yourself. I have tried to find a way to promote my jewelry without promoting myself but it just can't be done. People are curious about the person behind the designs. They ask me "How does a mature blonde haired woman (obviously of northern European decent) decide to design truly tribal jewelry? The only answer that I have is that I have always loved ethnic art and clothing, and this feels like a very natural extension of my early tribal infatuation. Tribal is the style that best expresses who I am on the inside.

Now add to being an introvert my reluctance to become a full fledged computer nerd. Rarely, am I able to sit down and read detailed instructions and then construct a digital something "by the numbers". It goes against my grain. This character flaw does however result in lots of trial and error, and occasionally in missed opportunities. A very good friend recently pointed out to me that some pieces that I pinned on Pinterest were still being re-pinned frequently. She was asking me if I noticed the numbers, and frankly I had to say "no". So this board on Pinterest, entitled "Sold, But Not Forgotten", is the start of my effort to keep on top of these cyber indicators and put them to good use. Thank you, Norbel, for giving me the heads up on this!

Blue Krobo Bead Bracelet

I have had so many requests to repeat many of these pieces. So, depending on response from customers, I will revisit some of these designs. My plan is to do variations on some of your favorites. You will notice that the above photo is a variation of the bracelet included in the collage. Slight differences, but the same basic components and the same tribal character. I would truly appreciate feedback from anyone with ideas or requests related to this post.


Gloria Ewing



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Beauty in Imperfection

For those who don't follow the trends, who are always seeking to unearth something fascinating, I can relate to you. I look for the unusual. I like to find beads and findings, whether they are new or old that tell me a story. I find that the imperfections and the irregularities tell me much more than any shiny polished bauble could ever tell me. Each little chink or scratch is an experience of the past, or possibly a reflection of its creator, just waiting for the right person to appreciate its history. I feel much the same way about people. If you're not "running with the herd", it is more likely that you prefer to come to your own conclusions about life. That means you have the capability to reason rather than accepting a popular view because it sounds good. You go beyond the surface, and that makes you a much more interesting person to be around.

OK, back to jewelry. I spend countless hours finding old vintage African beads and artisan findings that fit that aesthetic, but it is really more like a treasure hunt. Sometimes it will be something with an appealing quality that I just happened to find first. Sometimes it will be something that everyone else has already seen and passed over because they could not see its potential.

The important thing to me is finding new (and old) beads with personality that will add to my work. Finding new people is equally as important to me. Two of the pieces pictured in this post are from a new friend and talented artisan, Laura Bailey Taskey, whose work with rustic copper speaks to me. She is an independent artist who reflects her life in her work.

It reminds me of a quote from the movie Frida when Lupe is explaining Diego's attractiveness to women: "He finds beauty in all your imperfections, it's irresistible."





Gloria Ewing



Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Adventures in Polymer Clay

Let's face it, everything I do with polymer clay is an experiment! I have an idea in my head of the finished piece, and sometimes the results are close to my vision. Other times, I end up with something entirely different. That is part of the fun in working with a new material. One idea leads to another. One technique leads to another. One success leads to another, hopefully. Experiments lead to discovery and growth with the successes, and also with the failures.

My main objective in working with polymer clay is to create beads and components that look like artifacts, something curious that was recovered in an ancient excavation. Not to say that I don't venture off here and there. My clay surfaces are at times pitted or crusty. I like to use inclusions of broken gemstones, metal and glass. After baking the clay, I use a broad range of coloring agents, alcohol inks, Gilder's paste, shoe polish, old powder eye shadow and blush, acrylic paint, and pastels. The coloring is done in several layers until the piece has a pleasing range of color and depth.

The pieces pictured in the collage above are some of my most recent designs that illustrate my ever widening range in polymer clay in a variety of focal pieces.

In the photos on the right, some of my experiments with color. This one has a layer of acrylic paint and a layer of pastel.

This grouping is colored with more subtle pastels.

In this focal, I included a sort of copper mesh into the pendant design, and colored it with pigments from powdered eye shadows. After baking, I added layers of Swellegant copper metallic coating followed by a patina.


#polymerclaycoloring #polymerclaytechniques #agingpolymerclay #pigmentsinpolymerclay #tribalpolymerclay






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