Thursday, March 4, 2010

Another day in paradise

I cannot believe it's been a week since I posted here. What with the snow being on the ground for so long, and having fallen into an indoor daily routine, I never seem to know what day it is. It used to be I knew what day it was by what I had seen on the television the previous night, but now we DVR all our shows and watch them throughout the week. If we watch our Monday night shows on Thursday, and our Wednesday night shows on Saturday, it can get a bit confusing.

I have been spending quite a bit of time working with polymer clay. One of my favorite books for ideas is Ancient Modern by Ronna Sarvas Weltman. She loves to make jewelry that she refers to as impracticable...big, bold pieces that might impede normal duties, but are still such fun to wear. Here is a bracelet made from one of the techniques.



One of the components in this fun chunky elastic bracelet is faux agate slices. I found a picture online of a really pretty agate slice and referred to it as I built this cane.

Isn't it cool how my patio table looks like water???

Using translucent clay, gives it a more realistic appearance. To get an unusual texture for the outside of the cane, I rolled it in Epsom salt and then applied various colors of alcohol ink. You can then gently remove the salt, or you can carefully make the slices without removing it, but don't run it back through your pasta machine, or the salt will scratch the rollers.

Speaking of agates canes, the bracelet also includes slices from an agate cane that my sister and I made about nine years ago. Just another confirmation as to the length of time you can keep unbaked clay. Some of you may recognize the ring and brooch from an earlier post, but since they are favorites of mine, and made from this same book, I'm showing them again.

Other than watching it snow and hoping for Spring, I have been doing a lot of blog surfing. I read all your blogs and for some reason have been lax in commenting and for that I do apologize. We did go to see a movie last week, The Crazies, and I loved it. Really scary and lots of gory special effects that were believable enough to be fun, but not so disgusting.

The sun is actually out this morning and the hubs has suggested a shopping trip to Stein Mart, so I'm off to get ready for that. Hope everyone is enjoying their week and preparing for a warm and sunny weekend.

Take care and stay creative.

16 comments:

Julia Bolchakova said...

Wait. This is NOT a real agate slice????

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Girl that bracelet is speakin' to me, it's stunning! It is cool how your table top looks like water. Your really showin' off your artsy side today!

Ya'll have a greatly blessed day!!!

Jill said...

I love scary movies too & have been wanting to see The Crazies. I thought it might be too gory (which I don't like) but it sounds ok. May have to do that this weekend. Hope you get some sun soon but I enjoy seeing what you've created while stuck inside! Have a great day ~ Jill

Jenny Stevning said...

Love love LOVE the jewelry!!!!

Sea Gypsy said...

These pieces are stunning!

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

I have always loved agates. My Dad was a rock hound, so as a kid I remember going for whole weekends to places all over the west to collect rocks, and agates were my favorite. Amazing that you can so closely copy these lovely rocks. I love the colors. Just beautiful, and your water table a perfect setting too!

Peri said...

Nice to see the agate turned out to be so cool! You didn't mention the gloves....hmmm...secrets of the trade? Looks too cool! Who knew you would keep all that old stuff? Surprised, but pleased.

Susan said...

Peri, I was afraid the picture of the gloves would be too scary. Thought you would get a giggle out of me still having a cane that old.

Sweet Tea said...

I loved seeing the pretty colors in the braclet. You've been very productive along with your TV watching. I hear ya on the DVD "thang" - I'm an insomniac and watch of recorded things during a long night...Hope you get a SUNNY weekend!!

Anonymous said...

The faux agate is cool! Have a wonderful weekend!

Ronnie said...

I enjoy reading your posts. They read like a nice letter I got in the mail from a friend. Your bracelet is a stunner and that cane looks WAY like real agate. Nice.

Countryfolk Keepsakes said...

How I love to hear about your jewelry making and how you use polymer clay. ♥
~Peanut

Artgalcrafts said...

Hi Susan I did put a comment in here wonder where it went?.
No matter
Thanks for coming into my blog, always so lovely to hear from you.
I love all your latest work the Agate is fabulous and that bracelet is world class
Have a lovely day now your snow has nearly gone back top the North Pole LOL
Love
E XXX

Melobeau said...

Whoa, I can't believe that's FAUX agate. BRAVA! Lovely photography, too.

Kristen H said...

That cane is so beautiful! I was unsure if it was clay or rock. WOW... you ROCK!

kanishk said...

It is cool how your table top looks like water. Your really showin' off your artsy side today!
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