A Little Mixing It Up Is Good For The Soul

I finally have gotten around to snapping a few pictures of my new work...kinda grungy, but I like them in gypsy-ish, woodsy kind of way!  Not my usual sort of work, but I like branching out, and attempting new ideas.  Granted, there are still kinks to be worked out...and they are time consuming...so...we'll see where this path takes me!

"Brass" polymer clay bee hollow medallion with brass chain and findings and mysterious aqua faceted stone (I have no clue what it is...I *think* it might be candy jade) and aqua shell spear dangle & robin's egg blue ceramic round charm.

Close up of the bee.  Many, many layers of patina...it started out as a grayish brown clay.

Honeycomb "brass" polymer clay lentil

Carved (completely by accident, as I was trying to shave of the roughness and my knife slipped & decided to go "whole hog" on it) clay toggle clasp.

Fleur De Lis pendant.  this one is still in the works...just not happy with the finished look of the necklace.  Hollow polymer clay "brass" lentil with teal cut glass and peach marble accents.

Closeup...it's missing something...I just can't put my finger on it yet...so it's hanging out (literally) in my view while I mull it over.

Stamped polymer toggle.  Aged & distressed.

Silver hollow polymer ginkgo pendant.  Pearl & Swarovski charms.

Carved & distressed toggle clasp.

So, while it's a far cry from a PMC finished piece...it'll occupy my creativity...for now!  And because I have an addictive personality, I just ordered 10+ patina colors!!

What?? No Swarovski on Tuesday???

I love the look of PMC (precious metal clay) and it's versatility, and have wanted to branch out from strictly working with polymer clay for quite some time.  I've spent my spare time (HA!) in the last week researching, and, well...right now it's just not a feasible option for me...financially, that is.  It could be a viable option if I could find an appropriate second hand kiln...but then I face the dilemma of where I'm going to put the darn thing!  I've read that you can also fire PMC with a torch, but again...with 4 kids in the house, it's a house fire waiting to happen!

But, I wanted to share with you the possibilities...endless...

Silver Wishes

Dream Some

Shannon Dee



See why I'm so enamored??  Do a quick search on Etsy for PMC and you'll find many talented artisans...the above are just scratching the surface of amazing talent and creativity.  So, after rechecking my bank account, pants' pockets in the laundry basket, and even under the couch cushions to no avail, I set about creating a "poor man's" version! 

I worked endlessly today on this little project of mine.  While, by no means does it look even remotely close to the exemplary models above...I think I like it.  It's polymer clay, meets PMC, meets metal work.  A 180 degree about face from my usual dainty, sparkly pieces that I've become too accustomed to making.  But, while talking to my dear friend Kim, she brought up a great point..."that some would never wear Swarovski on a Tuesday!"  Pure blastemy we both agreed...but she may be on to something. 

My demos need a little tweaking before I share, but I may just have something I'm happy with....stay tuned and hopefully I'll have picture worthy pieces by the week's end!

Window Shopping

I love to spend hours of my life perusing Etsy, sometimes with a specific genre in mind, other times I just wander.  It's window shopping at my fingertips!  And when you live in a town where the only shopping experience is Dollar General...well...you get my point!   Here's where my wandering lead me today (while I should of been in the studio):


Love, love, love this leather cuff!! 

From:  CJohannesen

I'm all about some ballet flats, and these look SO comfortable...and vegan to boot!

From:  TheGeneration

Painters fascinate me...which could probably have a lot to do with the fact, that painting (even walls) is definitely not my niche!)  I want this hanging in my house!!!!

From:  MamaPainter

Lampwork beads.  Enough said!

From:  ModernTrails

This would look great in my teal, orange & gray schemed bedroom, that I've yet to get accomplished!

From:  TheHomeCentric

And I'd have to have an orange one to go with the teal, right?  This fits the bill.  I love to mix dainty, frilly, girlie things with more organic/rustic items...

From:  LivyCreation



That concludes today's window shopping excursion....







You Know What They Say About Opinions

As usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short. 

Photos of our booth at The Heart of Virginia Festival this past weekend.  Please excuse the shoddy photography.  I was snapping quickly, so I could finish setting up!

Hadn't quite finished setting up when my husband proceeded to wallop his head on the corner of my sign.  It was promptly relocated to a safer location...it's position in the picture.  While not the best spot to advertise...it was better than Chris knocking some sense into him all day!

Still not finished setting up...

I've got to do something about the sheerness of my table coverings...

Now...after alot of thought...here is my PERSONAL review on the festival...take it for what it's worth.

1.  The crowd was great!  We received compliments hand over fist throughout the day...not only for our products, but also for our booth presentation.  After quickly perusing other vendors later in the day, it seems that most just didn't care about their first impression.

2.  It seemed that although this was classified as a "juried" show, that rule didn't apply to some.  While I don't have any issues with non juried shows, please make me privy to that beforehand, and may I suggest a separate section for them?

3.  Evidently it was bad form for me to introduce myself to neighboring vendors...non jewelry at that...who knew?

4.  Music and activities kept the crowd hopping, and upbeat...we had a to die for space directly across from one of the stages, and they kept us entertained the whole day!

5.  Wooden pop guns should be banned.  End.  Of.  Story!  This also includes said pop gun vendors! :)

6.  I despise my tent!  :) LOL!  It is the first thing on my list to be replaced!!  It's not that it's hard to put up, it just gives me a complex that I akin to not keeping up with high school fashion.

All in all, I had a great day!  Profit wasn't what I expected, but I learned a lot, and had a great time!!



Table For Six, Please...

I have to share my husband's new found hobby.  Upcycled vintage (late 1800's - early 1900's) silver plated flatware...some polished to a high shine, while others tell a story with a well loved patina.

Sometimes not only do we share studio space, we also share ideas...

Silver plated hollow knife handle upcycled to a whimsical brooch.  Polymer clay flowers, crystals, feathers and tulle complete the bouquet.

Silver spoons given a second chance as a bracelet.  Clay flowered center.

Vintage upcycled silver plated spoon bookmark.  Mark your place in style!  Polymer clay center.

They'll hear you coming in this vintage silver plated hollow handle knife bell.  It really does chime with a single fork tine.  Accented with a black crystal.

Silver plated flatware spoon bracelet. Accented with wish charm and white quartz stones.

Beautiful early 1900's upcycled silver plated spoons given new life as a bracelet.  Accented with AB stone  silver plated bead caps.

Vintage 1960's reclaimed spoon ring, accented with shades of blue.

This is for all the wine lovers.  Antique silver plated spoon handles accented with an "old world" style winery plaque.  Completed with silver wineglass charm.

Sterling silver upcycled teaspoon brought back to life in this wrapped ring.

Lots more to come soon!