Over the Top Tribal

Green Jasper Carved Bone Necklace

In an ongoing quest to add new and interesting techniques and materials to my jewelry designs, I have been doing more designs substituting cord for beading wire. I like the look of jute, but I use mostly braided nylon cord because it comes in such beautiful saturated colors and because it doesn't fray easily. If I want the natural look of the jute in the piece, sometimes I will use both nylon and jute. Of course, jute is usually going to require larger holes in the beads as well, so if I use the nylon along with jute, I can use either to go through the bead and get the best of both in the finished piece. My plan is to include more and different types of fibers in future pieces.

This technique lends itself well to my tribal style.
Stone and Bone Tribal Pendant Necklace

The colors of the cord contribute to this fringe earring design.
Copper Metal Clay Flower Earrings with Fringe

Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Untamed Clay

It was inevitable. Polymer clay was calling to me, saying "Come . . . knead me with your fingers. Mold me into something wild.". So I listened. Whether it turns out to be a passing fancy or a direction for which I was destined, I am having so much fun making distressed and ancient looking beads and components.

When I can't find the right component for my design, it is so liberating to be able to sit down at my metal working bench or my clay table and make what I need.

Letting my imagination run wild, I can hardly keep up with all my new ideas. Just drawing and writing little notes, so I won't forget before I have the time to try them.

I try to use the clay color as just a base, and then after it's baked, coat it with layers of gilder's paste until I get the look I want. The colors are sealed with a matte fixative.

No plans at present for selling clay components, I just like having the freedom to make something outrageous for my own use.