Larger Sculpted Pieces

Well, I guess I've been busy making things the past couple of months!  It's true that you do what you love and I'm always inspired to experiment with new ideas for my beads and jewelry.

I decided that I make some average and smaller size beads, but I wanted to make some really large items.  You can see the colors look quite a bit different and I used a brown and black striped blend for accents that look like southwestern textiles.  I made a stamp with a sun sign on it and that is what is pressed into the earthy colored clay in the centers of the pieces.  The swirls also make me think of Sedona which is a beautiful town in northern Arizona.  The red rocks and scenery up there is stunning.

I used a different blend of stain on these as well and the matrix area is darker on these than the beads I posted just before this.  I wanted the matrix to look more blackish to dark brown here.

I will be making a necklace or wearable rosary with the large cross.  I made a double cobra paracord bracelet with the larger, oval bead.

Thanks for looking!

New Sculpted Pieces with Heshi Beads

I had seen Native American bracelets many years ago that had actual heshi bead strands wired into them.  I can say that for a long, long time I have wanted to try this with polymer clay.  I cut various pieces of the turquoise, coral and ivory blends.  I did string the heshi beads on wire and set that into the clay before baking it.  It was a bit of delicate work and took a steady hand... not to mention some patience as well!  After baking, I had to be really careful when sanding these beads in order to not nick the heshi beads.  These pieces were stained to give them a nice, rustic look.  All of my beads are sanded and buffed to this nice shine.  I've been busy stringing necklaces and making bracelets with these beads.

Liberty and Jagermeister Bottle Koozies in 550 Paracord

I've now figured out a pattern for Liberty/Sigg and Jager bottles!  I've made the Jager bottle in a foliage color, but I prefer the koozie in the black 550 paracord.  A person wanted me to make a Sigg bottle cover and the 32 oz. Liberty bottle is pretty much the same size.  The bottle koozies/holders are made from one continuous piece of mil spec paracord.  I have also added a draw string that can be adjusted with a nice loop on one side with knots and the plastic clip on the other side.

I had first seen the Liberty bottles at REI and they have really nice art work on them.  I have recently discovered that Sportsman's Warehouse is now carrying the Liberty bottles!  They are made in the USA of recycled aluminum.