Georgia’s Cynthia Gougian-Fisher can’t resist new technology. That doesn’t mean she’s leaving polymer behind.
She cut these wooden earring frames on a laser cutter and then gave them pattern, color, and shine by inlaying polymer. Lots more on Instagram.
In this week’s StudioMojo you’ll watch Texas’ Paula Kennedy hand sand her bowls to a smooth, satiny finish. And you’ll learn how shoe paste wax and face cream are part of her brilliant process.
Australia’s Belinda Broughton (polymerbelinda) could have stopped right here. She applied pan pastels to a sheet of polymer. Then she scratched through the top layer of jagged triangles (technically sgraffito) to make an even more dynamic design.
Pop that baby in the oven and hang it on the wall!
I saw a painting but Belinda had earrings in mind. Either way, it was fun to watch and may make you reconsider pastel possibilities.
Have you got a “thing” for dots? Join the crowd. Slovenia’s Petra Volavšek (oceana_jewelry) is one of us!
She gathers her dots into many configurations, making them collide in an unending array of patterns. Monochrome or multicolored dots in a variety of sizes cluster to form jewelry with soothing patterns that look like they may have escaped from a chemistry lab. Let’s see where she takes her experiments next.
Did you draw tulips like this as a kid? Me too. Which may be why Seattle’s Anne (from Baublehaus_) is so absolutely right today.
Slotted shapes of leaves and flowers are slipped together to bring simple tulip blooms and leaves to life in polymer. What could be better?
Seattle’s Anne Dofelmier (baublehaus) loves woman’s best friends in the form of earrings that are a tribute to Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, Pit Bulls, Greyhounds, Standard Poodles, Toy Poodles, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Labrador, German Shepards, Australian Shepards, Cocker Spaniels, and Schnauzers. Her love is obvious.
Anne admits that she entertains herself in the studio by singing dramatically. “The problem is I often forget that you can see into the studio from the street,” On more than one occasion someone walking their dog has stopped to watch the show.
That show extends beyond dogs to atomic and retro designs in kitschy colors.
She’s dramatic and passionate snd great fun.
The latest batch of earrings from Cyprus’ Arieta Stavridou have a distinct folk look. These earrings will match the long embroidered skirts and fancy headgear of the village dance troupe.
Maybe these are for the trendy tourists. They have a strong ethnic vibe.
Arieta says making these earrings is play for her. She’s ventured into polymer painting and vessels. She carefully lays small pieces of color on black surfaces to build up patterns. Similar color palettes and designs run through all her works. Here she is on Facebook.
This polymer look into the future is more positive and inspiring. New York’s Lauren (Maedbymini) has deployed all the colorful liquids and powders in her studio for this slab – inks, paints, sparkles and glows.
She’s anxious to whip up an other-worldly collection of earrings for the new year.
Lauren’s first baby is due any day so it’s no wonder that her current perspective is cosmic!
New Jersey’s Megan of MakerMegan turns cutout capsule shapes into very perky Christmas trees.
She stacks the shapes with the top one hanging over slightly so that she can attach the star and jump ring.
The colors are very 2022 (have you checked out new palettes from Pantone? Looks like it’s our year!
Is your workspace littered with earring parts? My collection of “possibilities” was getting impossibly large as it outgrew snack, sandwich, quart, and gallon baggies.
Finding the pairs among all the parts was soothing. But the steps after that became less and less interesting. Finding findings. Finding reading glasses and pliers. Assembling. Are we done yet?
Punching cards and mounting, labeling, pricing. My back hurts. This is tedious.
My hat is off to all who repeatedly grind through these chores, particularly at this time of year. Keep it up! I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines. A blog, a newsletter, and a few bowls a year are all I can manage.
I’m just showing off while I can. I feel your pain.
Remind me again why we do this. Oh yeah, colors, patterns, shapes. That part never loses its appeal.
I laugh when I watch jewelry appear with a finger snap on TikTok. Mountains of packages disappear under a shower of digital glitter. In your dreams.
Anna of Hong Kong’s Bi.Clay illustrates for us how brass circles embellished with polymer clay are having a moment.
The wreath shape makes a beautiful ornamental earring.
You’ll see half-circles, succulents, flowers, vines, and much more added in polymer. The trick is to make the design cling sturdily to the thin brass. Very trendy.
Speaking of trendy, you’ll want to check out the cherries picked for this Saturday’s StudioMojo. We’ve sussed out the best classes, newest designs, coolest findings – all coming to your inbox every Saturday.
