Tuesday, May 11, 2010

some work in progress and a peek at part of my private collection

I've been experimenting with some polymer clay. I'm not so good with clay, I have a lot of difficulties getting it to do what I want. Maybe that is the problem - maybe I should do what it wants. But - what does it want??? A mystery to me.

Anyway - I had made a copper bezel some time back. Originally, I wanted to fill it with resin. But somehow, that didn't appeal to me. So it has been sitting on my work desk. I kept picking it up and thinking about how to finish it. And putting it back down.

The other day, I was trying something with polymer clay. For a special project. But that is still a secret. I had some clay left over and filled my bezel with it. I added some colour. I pressed a stamp into it and put it in the oven to bake with the other pieces. When it came back out, I added some more colour. I aged it. Polished it just a bit. And now, it looks like this.




Love how the patina looks just like the clay! Here it is with my turquoise necklace.


I love how it resembles the turquoise!

The turquoise necklace is one of my private pieces. A present from my husband. He knows I love my gems and stones. I used to wear a lot of very ethnic bead necklaces, big and heavy.


These pendants were gifts from my husband. I used brass beads for two of them. I spent a lot of time looking for beads to match the largest pendant.


Amber beads. At least, that is what they are supposed to be. They feel and look so good. They are huge.


Very old carnelian and agate beads. Unfortunately, this necklace was strung on very thin wire, much too thin for these beads, so it fell apart not long after I received it. I really should sit down and restring it.


Bone beads, some with batik patterns, some carved; combined with wood, seeds and onyx. These are pieces I designed and strung, years and years ago.


The larger necklace is made of wood (black beads), horn and jasper. The focal bead is resin and from the 70's. The smaller necklace has a Tuareg silver cross, combined with tiny beads of silver, wood, bone, horn and coral.

Guess I was taking a stroll down memory lane. Thanks for coming along!

27 comments:

Mari said...

Awesome collection. I love the necklace with the Tareg cross!!!

sharon said...

Gorgeous Renate! What a collection!!
Loooooove your clay pendant piece! It is really gorgeous! I don't do well with clay at all, but you sure have!

mermaiden said...

your copper and clay piece looks like it was discovered at an archaeological dig- just my kind of thing! and re-string those carnelian beads, they are beauties :D

TesoriTrovati said...

If that is not good polymer clay, I can't wait to see what good is! That is stunning! The colors are perfect for those beads. I personally think that you will string something better out of the necklace that broke...it is a happy accident! Thanks for sharing. I love your style. Enjoy the day! Erin

Sharon said...

Gorgeous necklaces, all. Your polymer pendant is stunning, it looks like you've been creating with clay for years!

Createology said...

I live in memory lane and am always strolling along. Your jewelry pieces are very interesting. I think you have discovered the secret to polymer clay...let it decide and be.

steufel said...

Eine wunderschöne Sammlung an Ketten und ein grandioser Ehemann, der so tolle Geschenke macht:-) Den Polymer Clay-Anhänger finde ich fantastisch. Bin gepannt, was Du uns in dieser Richtung noch alles zeigen wirst. LG Stefanie

lunedreams said...

Your new clay pendant is breathtaking!!! Could have fooled me that you had problems with clay--you look like a genius with clay to me!! that is absolutely luscious. and your brass pendants are especially gorgeous--your husband has exquisite taste! wonderful collection!

romantic decay said...

Your clay focal is wonderful, the colors look great together. As for memory lane, it's always fun to look back and see how different/same things are.

Esther said...

beautiful focal!! realy gorgeous patina!!! love the turquoises beads!!

Judy said...

I love the polymer clay bezel! It pairs so well with the turquoise. I know what you mean about not knowing what to do with something...timing is everything and suddenly it has a home.

Silke Powers said...

What gorgeous necklaces! I have a few like this that I don't wear anymore, but I still love them and look at them... I love your new polymer clay piece - it looks so much like aged turquoise! Wonderful!! Love, Silke

Anonymous said...

Your pendant has depth of colour and looks timeless. Wow! What a stash of necklaces. They certainly grab one's attention and make a statement. Lovely one and all.

SummersStudio said...

Oh, my but your private collection does appeal to me. I have a little fascination with ethnic pieces. Your copper bezel and polymer piece is beautiful. It works so well with the turquoise.

Barbara Lewis said...

Renate, I really enjoyed seeing your goodies! I hope you continue with your polymer clay exploration! I've often wondered about working with it ... it's a push/pull kinda thing. I love what I see ... pieces like yours ... but it scares the livin' hell out of me to get involved with yet one more thing! But you go girl for the rest of us. I love what you did!

Rustique Gal said...

What a beautiful collection. You make me want to dig up all my old beads and look at them in a different way. I really love how the clay/copper piece came out. The texture and color is perfect. It looks like old Tibetan turquoise. Lovely!
Sherry

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

That polymer creation is gorgeous! Amazingly lovely color. You are such a wonderful artist. Blessings to you friend.

Cindy said...

Renate, your polymer/copper pendant is out of this world!!! The design and patina is incredible...and just look at it paired with your necklace! You are really on to something here. Yet another medium I'd love to try one day too. Thanks for sharing your private collection of necklaces... they are each so unique and special.

Narrative jewelry said...

You did a great work with polymer clay dear Ren, your patina is really gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing your private collection of necklaces, love especially the ethnic one.

creativelenna said...

gosh, everything you shared is beautiful, Renate! You have a generous and loving husband i think. I also love your experiment with polymer clay -I would say it is very successful! (glad you liked my ATCS, thanks for visiting!) hugs, lenna

Magda said...

I love large pendants, especially when they look ancient and have a soul, which I think they have:) I'm sure that Emily Deschanel would love it too:)

Juliette Crane said...

Your jewelry is absolutely beautiful! I am so happy to have found your lovely blog and am amazed at this new clay piece. It is wonderful and it's so nice to hear your process. Thank you for being such an inspiration! I can't wait to stop back again and see more of your incredible work :)

Best wishes to you!
juliette

Diane said...

Renate it was fun going along with you! I do love the new clay bezel...it turned out beautiful.

lilylovekin said...

I think you did a wonderful job with the polymer clay. Thank you for the "tour" of some of your necklaces, what a fine collection you have.

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

Your clay pendant is GORGEOUS! You are such an artist, Renate!

The Joy of Nesting said...

Oh My Gosh Hermanita!!!

You certainly know how to make a sister green with envy!!! :) How beautiful your beads and focals are!! You truly have been given an incredible gift of being able to put them together in a way to celebrate their individual beauty and yet complement each other!!!! Ahhh but I have to give Max a bit of credit. He has a very gifted eye and imagination for picking beads that go so well together. Not a bad team you two are I'd say!!!

Hmmmmm if that is your idea of "not so good" tell me what is?? The focal piece is amazing and such a perfect match for your incredible turquoice!! Don't you get a huge rush when you are able to create exactly what your soul sees??!!! I think we should create a new "club" The Sisterhood of Patina!!! ((Huge Giggle))

Have a lovely Spring weekend, filled with making art and a bit of fleamarket crawling!!
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Carla Trujillo said...

Nice work with your Polymer and What a wonderful husband you have!!