Another beautiful Sunday means blog time.
I collected my favorite fall colors, mixed them and swirled them. Once baked they are just beautiful.
But, darn it! Where are the holes??? Guess I'll have to wire wrap. I could drill holes now but I like the look of the holes made from wet clay instead of those made when drilling after the clay is cured. Next time I'll remember, "punch the holes!".
Quick Instructions
Condition the clay
roll into logs & lay side by side
flatten evenly with roller 'til clay fits thru largest pasta maker setting
keep rolling thru smaller settings 'til you blend a pleasing pattern
.
On Thanksgiving Day I reflect on my life and what I have accomplished. Some things are good, some bad.
Today, I helped out Union Station in Central Park, Pasadena, CA by setting up chairs/tables and cutting pies. I have been volunteering my services on Thanksgiving mornings/afternoons at Union Station now for about 5 years.
Using 14 gauge wire, a steel block and hammer are all that's needed to create beautiful clasps. I plan on using these clasps on some jewelry I've been working on for an upcoming craft fair.
Although copper is an inexpensive metal to purchase, I need to start looking into where I can purchase it in bulk. I believe I'll start visiting the home centers and plumbing shops in my area. Hopefully, these shops will carry copper at a more reasonable price.
This project was a lot of fun. I'm making my own finding now. I use a hammer and steel block to flatten different areas of my pieces.
I am currently making necklaces through wire wrapping the stones, adding chains and topping them off with a homemade clasp finding. Guess my next step will be to hit the flea market.
Selling to friends has turned a nice profit but it's now time to expand. Since I live by the Pasadena Rose Bowl and they have a flea market every second Sunday of the month, that's where I'll start.
When artist block overrides the senses and the creative juices cease to flow how do you recharge your imagination?
Sometimes I just walk. I find walking through my neighborhood leaves my soul uplifted and my mind refreshed.
I bring my camera along and snap photo's of plants, flowers interesting people and landscapes. Basically I'll snap anything I find beautiful.
During my last walk I snapped some photo's of my walking trails. Today, I'm posting a couple of those photo's.
The second photograph is the end of the walking trail. Next time I will take some photographs while it's raining. The scene during the rain is stunning.
A couple ways I've found inspiration,
One of my clay suppliers had a great sale on black & white. I decided to purchase a pound of each. When it arrived, I thought, "Now what? What do I want to start with?" Then, I decided to make some basic canes and apply them to some of my scrap clay.
Even though I'm ready to start creating, my clay isn't. It's warm and soft. Cutting soft clay distorts the pattern. Oh well, after an hour in the frig the clay will be ready to cut. Guess that's it for now.
Coffee Break over.
