Art Bead Scene Challenge – June

Tags

glass nugget, macrame necklace, MAY ABS, pendant, polymer clay

I’m pleased that this month I have completed a necklace for the Art Bead Scene monthly challenge. Here’s the inspiration painting:

“Literary Poster for the Century Magazine”, 1896 by John Louis Rhead
Original Lithographic Poster Printed in Colour with Letterpress

I made the pendant from polymer clay and a glass nugget. The sculpted spiral at the bottom reminded me of the roses in the image.

I picked up the olive-green colour in the cords I used. I decided to form slightly meandering macramé as a reference to the organic stems in the image. I added a scattering of gold pearls and bronze beads to echo the colours of the pendant.

It’s quite a short – nearly choker length so I have added an extender chain to ensure it will fit.

Advertisement

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?

Fairy Door Swap

Tags

fairy door, glass nugget, polymer clay, runes, virtual retreat

I made these fairy doors back in February for the Virtual Retreat swap. I wanted to give them some time to reach their destinations before I showed them on my blog. Then I got distracted, and now it’s May!

Fairy Doors by Cate van Alphen

The doors feature a glass nugget as an inter-dimensional portal, a little bell to call the fairies, and protective runes so that only friendly fairies can come through.

Back of Fairy Doors by Cate van Alphen

I surrounded the doors with natural things like wood, stones and plants made from polymer clay. I had to stop myself from endlessly adding bits of moss and flowers.

Fairy Doors by Cate van Alphen

I experimented with different reflective surfaces behind the glass. I tried foil, glitter and silver acrylic paint. They each resulted in different effects each with their own appeal.

Significant Birthdays

Tags

birthday gift, glass nugget, labradorite, pendant, polymer clay

As soon as I got back after Christmas, with two significant birthdays in January, I started making birthday gifts.

21st Birthday Pendant by Cate van Alphen

21st Birthday Pendant (back) by Cate van Alphen

This pendant (for a 21st) has a glass nugget backed with foil and is what finally started me working with wire. I wanted a little silver key to go with it and I haven’t dared try PMC yet.

Labradorite and polymer clay pendant by Cate van Alphen

Labradorite and polymer clay pendant by Cate van Alphen

The next pendant (for a 40th) is a beautiful piece of labradorite embellished with polymer clay and glass beads.