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Fulgorine

~ My adventures with polymer clay

Fulgorine

Tag Archives: artisan bead

Sample Challenge update

27 Tue Apr 2021

Posted by fulgorine in 24oz Polymer Clay, beads

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

24ozPolymerClay, artisan bead, handmade, mokume gane, polymer clay beads

I am still working through my 24 one ounce blocks of polymer clay. Here’s the next stage of my progress.

My primary reason for doing the challenge was to give myself a starting place to get making beads again. Unfortunately I was finding that trying to record the steps as tutorial videos was hindering my progress, particularly when the children were home due to lockdown (again). They are very noisy during the day so I’d have to wait till the evening to begin and by that point I wasn’t feeling very sparkly for chatting while I make. Also it was discouraging me from just experimenting as it’s hard to explain what you are doing when you don’t know yet!

Instead I have decided to crack on with the making and show you my progress as I go. If you are really interested in any of the beads I make, let me know in the comments and I may try to do a dedicated tutorial for that. I have at least one video still to edit, so that will turn up eventually.

  • I started with some mokume gane lentil beads made using the offcuts from my kaleidoscope cane together with dark brown and copper polymer clay.
  • These tab beads feature some of the mokume gane shavings placed on a plain background.
  • More tab beads, this time with gold polymer clay edging.
  • I used the offcuts from the mokume gane sheet to make Natasha beads. The thin layers from the mokume sheet give an effect that reminds me of wood grain with some hidden colours.
  • I was playing around with some tiny scraps of clay which resulted in these cute “riveted” cube beads.

I’ve got more beads to show you but I’ll save those for another day. I hope you are well and making progress with your projects.

P.S. If you’d like to set yourself a sample challenge, here’s my earlier post with the guidelines I’m using.

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Icy beads fresh out the oven

22 Fri Jan 2021

Posted by fulgorine in beads, Inspiration

≈ 2 Comments

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.

Firework Earrings

21 Tue Jul 2020

Posted by fulgorine in Art Bead Scene, jewellery

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

abs02, Art Bead Scene, artisan bead, ceramic, earrings, fireworks, handmade

Having finally finished my bracelet I was inspired to look at what the current Art Bead Scene challenge is. The inspiration this time is fireworks.

I made a pair of earrings using ceramic charms made by Sharleen Newland from Shaterra. (I’ve been hoarding these for a few years now and it looks like she now works with leather rather than ceramic.) Also, although you can’t see them, the jump rings are also significant because they came from a goodie bag of components sold to raise funds for Breast Cancer on behalf of Liz Welch who sadly passed away a few years ago.

Firework earrings with handmade ceramic charms

These were pretty frustrating to make with lots of undoing and redoing. I’m not entirely convinced that the earrings show off the charms to best effect. I think the tassels obscure rather than enhance the sunny burst, but within the context of the inspiration image they work tolerably. After I was finished it occurred to me that there might be more pop if the beads at the end of the tassels were gold instead of blue, but I didn’t have the energy to start again (again).

Anyway, I hope you like them.

Orange components listed

13 Fri Mar 2015

Posted by fulgorine in 2015 Polymer Clay Challenge, My work

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

artisan bead, etsy, handmade beads, orange beads, polymer clay

It’s nearly a month late, but I have finally been able to list all the orange polymer clay components I made in my Etsy shop.

Orange components by Cate van Alphen

I have been slightly distracted by our new baby who is over 200 years old and made of stone. We *finally* completed the purchase of our new house just before the end of orange. 😉

Name the bead

09 Mon Mar 2015

Posted by fulgorine in My work

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Art Deco, artisan bead, bead, Cate van Alphen, handmade bead, patchwork bead, polymer clay, retro

I rarely make the same thing twice, however I have found myself going back to these polymer clay beads a few times. They are quite fiddly to make so I find them a good way to relax.

Aqua champagne patchwork beads by Cate van Alphen

I think of them as patchwork beads, mainly due to the process I use to make them. The name sort of works when I use a mix of colours like in these earrings.

Patchwork bead earrings by Cate van Alphen

Patchwork bead earrings by Cate van Alphen

But when I use more homogenous colours it doesn’t really describe how they look.

Green beads by Cate van Alphen

Gold beads by Cate van Alphen

Yellow brown beads by Cate van Alphen

I can’t quite think of how to describe them. They aren’t really geometric enough to be Art Deco. Retro? Nouveau Deco? What do you think?

Polymer clay challenge week 6 – beads

12 Thu Feb 2015

Posted by fulgorine in 2015 Polymer Clay Challenge, My work

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

2015PCchallenge, art beads, artisan bead, Cate van Alphen, handmade beads, humbug, orange, orange beads, polymer clay, retro

This week I made orange beads again. I made a set of orange pinstripe tetrahedrons. I think of them as “humbugs”.

Orange pinstripe humbug bead by Cate van Alphen

Orange pinstripe humbug bead by Cate van Alphen

I drilled them through the centre of the straight edges rather than from the base through the apex. They were fiendishly difficult to photograph.

Orange pinstripe humbug bead by Cate van Alphen

Orange pinstripe humbug bead by Cate van Alphen

I also made another set of my retro beads in a different colour combination.

Retro beads by Cate van Alphen

Retro beads by Cate van Alphen

Without planning it I found I had used each colour only once for the different parts of the bead. I wonder if I can resist the final colour combination in the sequence?

Big Bead Little Bead

07 Mon Jul 2014

Posted by fulgorine in Inspiration, My work

≈ 1 Comment

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.

owl beads

Polymer Clay Verdigris Owls by Claire Lockwood

Green pendant

Cancri Handmade Dichroic Glass Pendant by Annie Stapleton

paper beads

Paper Beads Green Glitter Oval by Spoon

decoupage beads

Pair Pink Gold Decoupage Pendants by Eryka Garbutt

bird beads

Emily and Ellie Handmade Lampwork Bird Beads by Marcy Lamberson

yellow swirl beads

Odd Banana Handmade Lampwork Lentil Bead by Carole Hughes

blue and yellow polymer clay beads

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

So, go forth and buy beads!

ABS July wishlist

03 Thu Jul 2014

Posted by fulgorine in Inspiration

≈ 1 Comment

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

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

Olive Shimmery Swirlies Lampwork Glass Bead Set
genschi
$22.50
Green Sea Horse...Raku, Artisan, Pendant

Green Sea Horse…Raku, Artisan, Pendant
ZestyFrog
$14.43
SEA MINTS...10 tiny sea glass pieces, white blue aqua green, glass beads, jewelry supplies

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

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

Moogin Beads- Floral oval focal bead- Lampwork glass- SRA
mooginmindy
Sold
Two Labradorite Series Mini Beads

Two Labradorite Series Mini Beads
bashabeads
$24.00
Turquoise White and Gold Genuine Sea Glass and Polymer Clay Primitive Window Bead / Pendant

Turquoise White and Gold Genuine Sea Glass and Polymer Clay Primitive Window Bead / Pendant
PoorLittleLamb
$9.50
Faux ceramic polymer clay  beads handmade beads

Faux ceramic polymer clay beads handmade beads
hillovely
$8.00
Patina Bronze Nautilus Clasp

Patina Bronze Nautilus Clasp
edenartglass
$12.00
Sea Horse Perfume Bottle with two sea horses

Sea Horse Perfume Bottle with two sea horses
Glassnfire
$126.00
Organic lampwork focal bead - Emerald Pools

Organic lampwork focal bead – Emerald Pools
inlovewithsaturday
$14.00
Organic bronze pendant, sea urchin pendant, Handmade urchin, Artisan bronze sea urchin - 1 pendant

Organic bronze pendant, sea urchin pendant, Handmade urchin, Artisan bronze sea urchin – 1 pendant
THEAElements
£8.50
Lampwork Mermaid Focal Bead - Pearl

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

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

Sterling silver toggle clasp – Japanese illusion shell – handmade
McDaddio
$18.00
Grungy wheels. Large textured polymer rings.

Grungy wheels. Large textured polymer rings.
fancifuldevices
$11.00

Powered By Toastie Studio – Etsy Tools

Rose Garden Treasury

11 Tue Feb 2014

Posted by fulgorine in Inspiration

≈ 2 Comments

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 by Paul Klee

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

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Fulgor, n.
Dazzling brightness; splendor.
Fulgorine, n.
One who creates that which dazzles.

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