Doodled polymer ornaments

Filigree meets mosaic meets polymer in these ornaments from Jael Thorp. The dark reds and bright accents add richness, hinting at traditional patterns and including canework then veering off into more contemporary doodles in clay. Their meandering intensity winds around to weave a complex story.

This style started when Jael was doodling with clay as she made a batch of inchies. Read more about how she got carried away in this post and on her blog, on Flickr and Facebook.

Steampunk angel

This polymer steampunk angel represents a departure for Rome’s Marina Lombardi who excels at romantic, lyrical jewelry. She’s a whiz at mixing polymer with filigree.

In this stylized angel she’s mixed watch parts and metal gears, metallic powders and stamped impressions on outstretched wings. Marina’s creative engines roared through this holiday season and this mechanized angel marks the end of her work until February.

Mojo Freebies/Holiday Giveaway

My recent trip to teach in Nepal has reminded me how important it is to be gracious and generous. In honor of the my generous hosts, I’m offering a complimentary one-year subscription to StudioMojo to 5 lucky people.

Post a comment on one of the freebies I’ve posted at StudioMojo.org and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing (so be sure you’ve typed your email address correctly). Check your email on December 24 to see if you won the drawing.

Which came first?

Which came first? The jewelry or the outfit?

This is a question I am often asked and the answer isn’t always the same. As my polymer designs have evolved over the past few years, color and shape have become more important and inspiring.

Of course, inspiration is everywhere, but for me as a costume designer, textiles have always been a huge source of inspiration. After falling in love with this beautiful silk jacket, I rushed to my studio to combine just the right colors in this fire rose pendant.

Sometimes the outfit comes after the jewelry, but either way, creating a complete ensemble is always a joy!

I am now wholesaling most of these designs in galleries across the US, you can see more colors and designs at www.wholesalecrafts.com/visitor. Artist #23846, guest password- jpclay. Or at my regular site, www.twocanclaydesigns.com.

guest post by Janet Pitcher

Simple shapes

Ontario’s Karen Pasieka specializes in simple polymer shapes and subtle details which is perhaps a result of her training as an architect. These ice blue hydrangea baubles are constructed on filgree cores and hung from wire loops. Pale crystals add sparkle to the delicate earrings.

There’s no fuss to her rosebud bouquets. The soft shades of the groupings give them sophistication. Even her Christmas trees (yes, she keeps them up year round) have an architectural feel to them, relying on color and shape rather than fancy pattern tricks.

Schwarzenberg’s filigree winner

Lynne Ann Schwarzenberg, winner of the Bead Dreams 2010 top prize, sent in a picture of her winning entry. Lynne layers floral cane slices over filigree to achieve her “Beautiful Baroque” effect. You can see more recent examples of filigree work on her Facebook photo page.

As Lynne tells it, “I discovered polymer clay in college, when a friend brought over a sampler pack of clay and wanted to make beads to sell as she traveled the country following her favorite band, the Grateful Dead. We made beads together that afternoon, and she left the clay at my apartment when she left on her trip. I was immediately taken by this wonderful, colorful substance, and it’s been a love affair ever since.” Have a lovely weekend.

Morris’ bohemian beads

Mixing polymer clay beads topped with delicate 3D petals and leaves, New York’s Jennifer Morris crafts romantic jewelry. She adds vintage findings, filigree, rhinestones and fabrics to heighten the retro effect.

Jennifer gives her pieces playful poetic descriptions that win you over to her bohemian worldview. What a romantic way to begin your week.

Stroll through her Etsy and Flickr sites.

Fresh looks from Europe

Looking for a little “April in Paris”? Here are a couple of fresh european (France and Belgium) sites for you to explore.

On the left we have Cecile (no last name) whose posts are filled with consistently good work and lots of experiments with a flair (many of them inspired by Nanetta’s book).

On the right we have Adaya’s bracelet, polymer pushed through filigree metal which was inspired by Susan Rose a while back.

Adaya’s site contains a treasure trove of links and great stuff. Susan Turney is responsible for our travels today.