Playing with clay

This week I've been playing with polymer clay.  I've wanted to try this medium for a while now (bought the pasta machine and toaster oven ages ago).  I made a piece last week for geek e chic which I was happy with, but this week it's a different story. I've been through packets of the stuff and most results have ended up in the bin.  

This is the only piece I'm happy with - I love the way the vintage tin patterns work together with the beads. It's super colourful which is quite unusual for me.  


I made my first etsy sale (yay) also this week.  I have sold pieces before, but a first shop sale is very exciting and incredibly nerve wracking.  The buyer made some lovely comments but I'm biting my nails waiting for her feedback once she gets the actual piece in her hands.  I can't believe how stressful this is!!!   All the things that could go wrong - it could get lost in the mail ... crushed ...etc ... etc.  

Steampunk and Sun

The weather has been absolutely beautiful for the past few days - such a change and, hopefully, a harbinger of spring which is only a couple of weeks away (thank god).


On the down-side, sunny weather means that our dogs decide my studio (and in particular my chair) belongs to them:

A little over a year ago I helped found a social enterprise for Lifeline Gippsland.  Geek e Chic is sustainable jewelry made by volunteers from old and unwanted computer parts and other salvaged and donated materials (broken jewelry, textiles etc). The enterprise formally launched in June this year and pieces are on-sale in a few outlets around Gippsland.  I aim to make and donate at least a couple of pieces a week for Geek e Chic. All proceeds from the sale of the jewelry support Lifeline's counselling and suicide prevention services.  Because the salvaged  materials we get are quite industrial they do led themselves to a 'steampunk' look.  I love steampunk, but think its gotten a bit overdone and so have been reluctant to use this theme.  However, the pieces I made this week for Geek e Chic just naturally took on a steampunk vibe.  The pendant uses polymer clay for the disc focal - it's the first time I have used this medium and I must say I loved it.  I used a rust base and oxidising patina to give it an aged look.

The bracelet is made from an old hose clap which I have wrapped with bits and pieces.  I wore it for a day just to make sure it didn't irritate my skin.

Work in Progress

I had to change the background to this blog after having a look at it on my ipad. The black watermarks, which were nice and arty on my pc, looked like my ipad screen had the plague.  Hopefully, this works a bit better.

The patinated tin (some of it anyway) is slowly transforming itself.  I have remade this piece about three times so far and I'm still not sure where it's going.  I've also got an idea for a fabric bead choker necklace - I've been accumulating lots of textile bits and pieces and am dying to use them.

A New Space

My jewelry making has found a home at last.  I have taken over the fire room ie. the space used to house our wood fire.  Great in winter, but a little bit dusty and I have to share with damp clothes drying on the clothes horse.

Here's a bit of tin which has been patinated (I do love rub'n buff) awaiting transformation.  Not quite sure what it will turn into.

Here's all my bits.  I have developed an obsession with old tins as storage.  You have to unstack and open them to find out what's inside, so not so pracitcal, but I love the different colours and patterns.

I've just added my first four items to my new etsy shop.  I've discovered that I find taking the photos and writing the descriptions a bit of a chore.  I guess it's a learning curve.    I will try and find out how to link this blog to my shop.  Can't be that hard.