Although I have been creating things for as long as I can remember, I really only started creating jewelry designs in the late 1980's. In the early 1990's, I discovered polymer clay and became immediately hooked on this wonderful medium. At one point, I can recall other artists transferring images onto polymer clay, but I wanted to do something different than what others were doing. Frankly, I wanted to impose images into my work in a manner that was more foolproof with less trial and error. I developed the technique for incorporating images from real paper into my jewelry designs. At first, I utilized postage stamps into little framed pieces of polymer clay jewelry, and gradually started using other images, as well. I sold my designs on EBay and couldn't keep them in stock. Then, when I shared my technique for my framed postage stamp/polymer clay jewelry designs in Belle Armoire Jewelry II about 10 years ago, I noticed that all of a sudden, I had competition from people who were using my technique to create and sell their versions of framed polymer clay jewelry designs on EBay. To this date, I can't recall anyone giving me credit as the person who discovered this technique. And yes, it is still a sticking point with me. It is what it is, I guess. Live and let learn, right? OK, enough about that. I am getting off of my soap box now. LOL
Some of my earliest postage stamp jewelry designs (circa 1999-2000):
Even though I still created with polymer clay at home, the pieces I made to sell on EBay and Etsy were primarily made of other mediums. I focused on creating mixed media Catholic and pop art jewelry designs. These days, I am known more for my Catholic jewelry designs than anything else.
Lately, I have decided to return to my polymer clay making roots while still focusing on the Catholic aspect of things so as not to alienate my customer base. Earlier this week, I spent an entire 12 hour day working on just polymer clay. I wanted to share some pictures of what I am working on right now. Please keep in mind that all of the pictures show the designs in process.
This design utilizes the Klimt cane as a base. It will be fashioned into a necklace and possibly matching earrings:
Another pendant in process. I'm still toying with the idea of adding more clay into this piece and then covering the top with resin:
A Virgin Mary pendant with handmade rose beads. I am thinking about adding some rhinestones to this piece:
Polymer clay focal jewelry pieces in process- pendants and brooches:
Polymer clay crosses which will be made into earrings, necklaces and a bracelet:
An image of the polymer clay designs I made in 12 hours. The hearts have been textured and will be highlighted with other colors so they pop:
Stay tuned for more pics of these projects as I complete them. :)
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