Polymer grackle

Sarah Wilbanks uses images of maps, photographs and ephemera that she transers to polymer clay and sets in silver. “I just love finding images with history, story, line, color, texture and putting them together to create narrative,” she says.

The grackle is perched in herĀ bird-themed gallery.

Sarah’s pieces are made of recycled sterling silver in her Seattle studio/apartment. She’s unveiling her new production line at her first retail show November 23-24. Her work is also at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) store and she’s opened an Etsy shop. Her Facebook page offers the best spot for browsing through her studio and her new line.

Upcycled polymer

Debbie Jackson upcycles t-shirts with striking ethnic polymer beads.

Debbie was wearing this version and she shows us how she turns her thrift store finds into fashionable, no-sew necklaces that can be wound around and worn long or short. She also makes a bracelet version with a toggle clasp.

Debbie and I both live in Ohio but we escaped the political intensity and headed to Kentucky last weekend. Thanks to Debbie for sharing her design and for rescuing the camera I left behind.