07 Friday Aug 2015
Posted in My work
I have just found and listed this orange kaleidoscope pattern pendant in my Etsy shop.
Orange kaleidoscope pattern pendant by Cate van Alphen
I made the cane earlier this year when I was working with my orange colour palette, but in all the confusion of the impending move this pendant slipped between the cracks.
18 Saturday Apr 2015
Posted in My work
Tags
art bead, boho, bronze, Cate van Alphen, gold, handmade, lampwork beads, necklace, polymer clay beads, purple
I had so much fun making my Oddment necklace, I made another one in slightly different colours. This necklace includes polymer clay beads made by Rebekah Payne which I won back at the start of 2014. Can you spot them?
Bronze and Gold Oddment necklace by Cate van Alphen
I also included polymer clay beads that I made myself, glass lampwork beads and filigree metal beads which I reclaimed from jewellery that I found in the charity shop.
Oddment beads by Cate van Alphen
Here are a few more photos since the necklace looks quite different depending on the rotation around the neck.
Bronze and Gold Oddment necklace by Cate van Alphen
Some of the beads I used to make this necklace are currently available in my Etsy bead shop.
Bronze and Gold Oddment necklace by Cate van Alphen
I’m collecting up a few more stashes of beads so I expect there will be more of these necklaces soon 😉
25 Tuesday Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap, My work
When I was 18 I left South Africa to travel the world. I was independent, optimistic and ready to fly! At the time I thought I should get a tatoo of a peacock feather so I would always remember that feeling of freedom and power. I never got the tatoo, and now with two small children and a mortgage I feel a little… otherwise.
As soon as I saw the theme for this year’s Art Charm Swap was Soar, I knew I wanted to capture that lost feeling of lightness and optimism.
“But a peacock is not really good at flying.” I told my muse: “It sort of flaps and hops. Eagles and vultures SOAR.”
“Good point, but a vulture feather is not really as aesthetically pleasing as a peacock feather. How about a phoenix feather?”
“Ye-es, I like the symbolism of the phoenix – that there’s always an opportunity for a new beginning. So what does a phoenix feather look like?”
“Um… sort of like a peacock feather but in fire colours – red, yellow and gold.”
“I see. But does a phoenix soar?”
“Of course, it stands to reason, with all that fire there’s bound to be thermal updrafts. Maybe that’s the reason for all the fire?”
…
And so that is why my polymer clay charms feature a phoenix feather :).
Phoenix Feather charms by Cate van Alphen
I used a polymer clay cane but I have individually shaped each one, so they are all slightly different. Just in case you missed the internal monologue and were wondering why I’d done a golden peacock feather…
Phoenix charm by Cate van Alphen
The other side features the actual phoenix. If you dare, you can seize the feather and soar with the phoenix into the open blue sky.
Phoenix Art Charms by Cate van Alphen
Finally it’s time for YOU to be involved in the Art Charm Exchange…
Firstly you can enjoy the blog hop, and have a look at all the talented artists who have taken part in the Exchange. The * indicates the artists whose charms I received. I will do a separate post soon to feature my hoard ;).
Jennifer Cameron: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog
Alenka Obid: http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
* Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca
Andrea Glick: http://zenithjade.blogspot.com
* Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk
Cassi Paslick: http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
–> Cate van Alphen: https://fulgorine.wordpress.com <– You are here!
Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
* Chris Eisenberg: http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins: http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
* Elisabeth Auld: http://www.beadsforbusygals.com
Genevieve Gabbert: https://www.facebook.com/MasuDesigns
Jami Shipp: http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor: http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jill Bradley: http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak: http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com
* Lee Koopman: http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Lennis Carrier: http://www.windbent.net
Lesley Watt: http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger: http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle McCarthy: http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Moriah Betterly: http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com
Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogspot.com
Nancy Smith: http://wirednan.blogspot.ca
Niky Sayers: http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Perri Jackson: http://ShaktipajDesigns.com/blog/
* Renetha Stanziano: http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Shai Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
* Sheila Prosterman: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Susan Delaney: http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com
* Susan Kennedy: http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Terri DelSignore: http://artisticaos.blogspot.com
* Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/
Most importantly, if you can, take part in the AUCTION which is to raise money for Beads of Courage.
25 Sunday May 2014
Posted in Art Bead Scene, Challenge, My work
Tags
Art Bead Scene, art beads, bracelet, gold, handmade beads, necklace, periwinkle blue, polymer clay, rococo
Last month I didn’t manage to make an ABS monthly challenge piece because I was working on my Bead Soup*, so I’m pleased to present one this month. The inspiration painting is from 1741, the Rococo era.
Capriccio Padovano, 1741 by Bernardo Bellatto
Oil on Canvas 19.3″ x 28.7″ (49 x 73 cm)
For my colours I used the periwinkle blue of the sky and, in place of the yellow ochre of the brickwork, gold (because when I think Rococo too much gold is not enough). Then I thought of the Rococo interiors and I made a pattern like fossil rich marble.
I made a polymer clay focal that also functions as a toggle.
It comes together as a necklace.
But since I seem to get lucky when I make bracelets for the ABS challenges it can also be worn as a multi-wrap bracelet (cunning eh?).
I can’t wait to see what they have next month as inspiration.
* I’m giving away a set of beads as part of my Bead Soup Blog Party reveal, entries available until the end of May.
12 Thursday Dec 2013
Posted in My work
Hang on to your jingle bells, it’s the ABS Ornament Blog Hop! Here’s my polymer clay hollow puff star ornament.
I made two puffed star shapes (along the lines of the hollow doughnut but without the backing), and stuck them together with a piece of wire inside. Then I added a bead and a wrapped loop. I also used gilding wax in various shades of red to highlight the bumps and a coat of gold acrylic paint (wiped off) to fill the gaps.
But wait, there’s more! Get yourself a cup of chai and a mince pie and see all the other lovelies in the hop.
Wishing you peace and happiness.
