Icy beads fresh out the oven

Tags

artisan bead, beads, handmade, polymer clay, winter

I have had my head down a bit what with second (and now third) lockdowns in England and preparing for Christmas. I don’t like to start my “resolutions” on the 1st of January as I find it’s still too dark and cold and depressing to try deprive myself of sweeties at that point. However I had reached the point of feeling the time had come to start improving my eating habits and sleep patterns when my sister sent me a link to this beautiful video.

The bit that struck me was when she talked about it being okay to have less energy in the winter and that you shouldn’t force yourself to try to feel the same way that you do in summer. Having grown up in a humid subtropical climate in South Africa, I don’t know that I would ever be able to embrace the cold the way she does, but it does look beautiful from the comfort of my duvet in a centrally heated house. I think in these times it’s okay to have a need to comfort eat and want to hide (for a while), so I forgave myself for being withdrawn and sat down to start making beads again.

“Arctic Noon” polymer clay beads

I was also inspired by the way she spoke about light. This is important to me since I derived the name Fulgorine from “fulgor” which means “dazzling brightness, the light of the sun” because I want my work to be bright and joyful. I try to look on the bright side of life and focus on the positives but sometimes it takes an effort to remember to do it!

I really enjoyed making things again and I also have an idea for a new challenge that I hope others will be inspired to join in with. I’m working on a video of my own to explain it, so hopefully I’ll be able to share that soon.

I hope you all had a happy Christmas and are looking forward to a bright New Year.

P.S. I have started a mailing list! I’m not ready to send out regular messages yet, but if you would like to sign up now for when I do, here’s the link.

Art Vessel – week 12

Tags

2016PCchallenge, ArtVessel, candle, glass nugget, lantern, medieval, polymer clay

This week, for my 2016 Polymer Clay Challenge, I have finished the lantern I started back in week 10. What I had in mind was something like medieval reliquary – all encrusted with gold and gems.

Glass and polymer clay lantern by Cate van Alphen

Halfway through decorating the jar I thought of something that might make the snakes less clumpy looking, but I decided to continue as I had begun. It was a bit of an exercise in stamina. I’ll experiment on something smaller like nugget pendants to see if my new idea is an improvement.

The ribbon around the top is still on probation. I didn’t want a big slab of polymer clay to hide the thread for the jar lid. I had originally planned to wrap it with beads, however after working on the jar for 3 weeks, I just wanted something to finish it off quickly!

This lantern is much more interesting than my previous one when lit from within 🙂

Earrings by Anna Bragina

While I was working on the lantern I found these beautiful earrings by Anna Bragina. I thought they looked like an elegant take on the look I was going for. I like the minimal bezels. Why didn’t I think of that?

Buried Treasure

Tags

ceramic, pottery

Unusually the sun came out today so we went for a walk down by the river. I always love finding interesting bits of pottery (it slows down my gardening considerably), and with all the recent flooding there was a bumper crop today. Here’s a small selection of what I found:

I don’t know how to tell the age of the shards, but some of them look pretty old to me. I find it amazing to think that pottery and its use has not changed much in centuries. Perhaps 100 years ago some of these shards were used for someone’s Christmas dinner.

I’ll clean them up and see if I can wire-wrap some of the pieces or incorporate them with polymer clay in pendants somehow.

2015 Palette Preparation

Tags

2015PCchallenge, colour palettes, palette, polymer clay, spectrum

In preparation for the 2015 Polymer Clay Challenge I have created a page with details of what I intend to do, and some colour palettes to get me started.

I’m starting with orange, because a) it’s the most difficult colour for me b) I want to work on warm colours when the weather is cold c) I want to work on yellow in the Spring (I’m thinking daffodils :)).

Art Charms I received

Tags

art bead, art charm, Art Charm Swap, bird, Charity Auction, dragonfly, fairy, kite, soar

As promised here is a look at the Art Charms I received. This year’s theme is “Soar”. I’m feeling uplifted how about you? 🙂

Art charm by Alicia Marinache

This blue dragonfly charm was from Alicia Marinache along with a haiku:
“Dance, o dragonflies,
In your world
of the setting sun.”
– Unknown

For more haiku and different coloured dragonflies see her blog: http://www.allprettythings.ca

Art Charm by Caroline Dewison

Caroline Dewison made her charms in a variety of colours. I like the one I received best since at this time of year it matches the real sky ;). Have a look at the other fantastic colours on her blog: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk

Art Charm by Chris Eisenberg

I used the bird charm I received from Chris Eisenberg to make a bracelet before I even took a picture of it. Have a look at the variety of charms on her blog, http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com – each one she made is different!

Art bead by Elisabeth Auld

Elisabeth Auld’s bead looks like a magic garden. The charm on her blog features a sky blue lampwork bead. Have a look at her blog: http://www.beadsforbusygals.com and see the necklace she made featuring all the charms she received.

Art Charm by Lee Koopman

I kept the kite charm from Lee Koopman, http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com, on the card to show the lovely message included: “Kites were used to send prayers to God’s ears.”

“Soaring Bubble Baubles” by Renetha Stanziano

Renetha Stanziano’s Soaring Bubble Baubles are like a party in the shape of a bead. See them on her blog, http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com, each one is different!

Art Charm by Sheila Prosterman

Sheila Prosterman’s seed bead squares represent kites or bits of sky and the colours around the edge each tell a story. Find out more on her blog: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Art Charm by Susan Kennedy

Susan Kennedy made adorable birdy charms. Have a look at her blog, http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com, to see them in other colours.

“Shooting Star on the Wings of Love” by Toltec Jewels

“Fly Well” by Toltec Jewels

I received TWO charms from Toltec Jewels, each one with a wonderful story and featuring artist made beads. Have a look at her blog, http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com, to read all about her inspiration.

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Remember Art Charms by these artists, and more, are still available to buy at the auction, and there are even more charming blogs to look at in the hop. Also check out my giveaway to win one of my phoenix charms.

Rustic stack beads

Tags

beads, earring, free tutorial, gradient, handmade, necklace, polymer clay, rustic, Sonya Girodon

I was inspired by Sonya Girodon’s necklace “Skeleton Coast“ to make beads by stacking layers of polymer clay.

I was quite pleased with my efforts at the time but unfortunately now that I look at them in comparison to hers they look horribly juvenile. Or maybe it’s just because I’m having an “everything I do is horrible” day? 😦

Gradient stack bead earrings by Cate van Alphen

Earrings with dangle by Cate van Alphen

Anyway check out Sonya’s work, she even shares a tutorial for making beads similar to the focal ones in the necklace.

Big Bead Little Bead

Tags

art bead, artisan bead, BBLB, big bead little bead, bird bead, handmade bead, lampwork, owl bead, paper bead, polymer clay, polymer clay beads

I’m happy to announce that some of my handmade polymer clay beads are now for sale at Big Bead Little Bead online bead shop. This is a UK based site which in addition to a wide selection of beads and findings, also features vintage and artist made beads. Here are some of my favourites from the Artist Made section.

Polymer Clay Verdigris Owls by Claire Lockwood

Cancri Handmade Dichroic Glass Pendant by Annie Stapleton

Paper Beads Green Glitter Oval by Spoon

Pair Pink Gold Decoupage Pendants by Eryka Garbutt

Emily and Ellie Handmade Lampwork Bird Beads by Marcy Lamberson

Odd Banana Handmade Lampwork Lentil Bead by Carole Hughes

Polymer Clay Blue Patchwork Bead by Cate van Alphen (me!)

So, go forth and buy beads!

ABS July wishlist

Tags

ABS challenge, art bead, artisan bead, bead, clasp, etsy treasury, glass beads, handmade components, JUL ABS, lampwork, Mermaid Art Beads, metal clay, polymer clay

I’ve made an Etsy Treasury inspired by this month’s Art Bead Scene challenge painting. Enjoy the eye candy 😉

The Little Mermaid, 1911 by Edmund Dulac
Pencil, pen, black ink and watercolour with scratching out on paper
12¼ x 9 7/8 in. (30.8 x 25.2 cm.)

Mermaid Art Beads

Inspired by the July Art Bead Scene challenge painting “The Little Mermaid” by Edmund Dulac. I’ve chosen a selection of sea themed artisan beads and components.

Olive Shimmery Swirlies Lampwork Glass Bead Set genschi $22.50	Green Sea Horse…Raku, Artisan, Pendant ZestyFrog $14.43	SEA MINTS…10 tiny sea glass pieces, white blue aqua green, glass beads, jewelry supplies madeforfun $9.00	Ceramic donut and snail shell matte moss green teal green opaque cream black speckled OOAK organic large hole craft supplies jewelry making PiasGotSupplies $7.00
Moogin Beads- Floral oval focal bead- Lampwork glass- SRA mooginmindy Sold	Two Labradorite Series Mini Beads bashabeads $24.00	Turquoise White and Gold Genuine Sea Glass and Polymer Clay Primitive Window Bead / Pendant PoorLittleLamb $9.50	Faux ceramic polymer clay beads handmade beads hillovely $8.00
Patina Bronze Nautilus Clasp edenartglass $12.00	Sea Horse Perfume Bottle with two sea horses Glassnfire $126.00	Organic lampwork focal bead – Emerald Pools inlovewithsaturday $14.00	Organic bronze pendant, sea urchin pendant, Handmade urchin, Artisan bronze sea urchin – 1 pendant THEAElements £8.50
Lampwork Mermaid Focal Bead – Pearl judeldeebeads Sold	beaded thread Silk ribbon Embroidery thread seed bead sequin thread purple olive green green quilting thread beaded yarn embellishment NellsEmbroidery $20.00	Sterling silver toggle clasp – Japanese illusion shell – handmade McDaddio $18.00	Grungy wheels. Large textured polymer rings. fancifuldevices $11.00

Powered By Toastie Studio – Etsy Tools

Rose Garden Treasury

Tags

art bead, artisan bead, etsy treasury, floral, flower, lampwork, Paul Klee, pink, polymer clay, purple, red, rose garden, spiral

This month I have made another Etsy Treasury inspired by the Art Bead Scene monthly challenge painting. I loved the colours and the repeated spirals of the roses.

The Rose Garden, 1920
by Paul Klee
Oil on cardboard

‘ABS February 2014 Wishlist – Rose Garden’ by Fulgorine

Icy Floral Lentil Winter Hol… moonrakerbeads $10	Pink Hollow Glass Beads. Han… NadinArtGlass $24	Raspberry Pink Lampwork Spac… LoriBergmann $12	A set of 4 bicone beads, but… Shygarshop $8.5
Hand Dyed Silk Ribbon Garden… flowerseedpape… $4.5	Glass Headpins – Dotted tear… IcedMoments $5.7	Polymer clay buttons purple … Cofanetto $8	Dusty Red Fabric Roses Handm… BizimSupplies $15
SERENAS BLEND ROSES Unique A… SerenaSmithLam… $16	Polymer clay orange/pink fau… SpottedFrogDes… $3.99	a translucent red purple & y… PolychromeBead… $23	Glass pendant by Andrew Gron… AJGglass $30
Destash Polymer Clay Beads F… beadhappilyeve… $12.95	Handmade Lampwork Bead Set (… SilverReflecti… $37.5	Fantasy flower pendant in pu… APolymerPencha… $22	Embroidered Roses Garden Bro… GalinaPerova $42

Happy new year off to a good start

Tags

beads, honey, horse, orange, polymer clay, Rebekah Payne, win

So my Happy New Year is off to a good start – I just found out I won one of Rebekah Payne’s giveaways. 🙂

“Honey Orange and Wild Horses” by Rebekah Payne

I love the evocative title: “Honey Orange and Wild Horses”. Delicious!

Unfortunately it will be a little while before I have anything interesting to show here on my blog – I need to finish my tax forms by the end of January, and then I’ll be working on secret wedding items…