When I find myself stuck on a photo, I stop and ask why it’s captured my attention.
That’s what’s happening with these rolled-up earrings from Prague’s Jana Honnerova.
Narrow strips of clay in blended colors are rolled up. But look at those cracked edges! And how does she control the color or is it random? You start drilling down into Jana’s methods and it makes you think about her skill, her tricks.
But on top of that is the elegance of these little gems simply stacked on a headpin. Sweet! And that’s what it boils down to. Do your designs make people take a second look? That’s the real trick.
When Monday chores won’t allow you to work on your clay, following another artist’s process can be very satisfying. That’s why these step-outs from Washington’s Kristi Thorndike-Kent and Jen Young (GoInsideandclay) are enticing.
The straight strips of color overlap slightly for a beautiful bend. The vibrant blend thins out and then stacks up into sporty stripes. Kristi and Jen share how they arrived at these cutouts that are just a few steps away from finished jewelry.
They make it look so easy! See the in-between steps on their Instagram.
I went way back into PCD archives to pick out my 2020 Ron Lehocky valentine.
This is an early Ron though I’m not sure what year. Maybe he can tell us.
The background dots are black on color. They frame the dimensional heart whose dots reverse to color on black. It’s loose and carefree, probably from before he set his goal of 50,000 hearts.
Ron can make beautiful hearts in his sleep now. This playful version still sings.
Ron will probably reach his goal this year. That’s $500,000 raised for his Kids Center Heart Pin Project. Who better to feature on this day of love?
Kansas’ Carol Beal (beadunsupervised) was an illustrator and greeting card designer for Hallmark for many years.
If I’m reading right, Carol painted acrylic on polymer for these beauties. They’re loose and fluid. I can’t quite picture how she combined her illustrating skills with polymer to achieve this effect but I love it.
Carol’s hearts are a refreshing and romantic departure from canes, blends, and kaleidoscopes. There are many ways to speak of love.
Lindly’s fundraising campaign has put me back in touch with artists who usually lurk quietly in the background.
What a treat to get reacquainted with Maryland’s Margaret Polcawich. Her vessels and wall art have a delicate sensibility….reeds blowing in the wind, small tiles thick with color, vessels with spindly legs.
They trigger some part of my brain that says, “Yes…let’s try that!” Visit her site if you need to walk on the wild side.
Slovenia’s Marijana Grubic heads us back to Valentine’s Day with these shapes silkscreened with love and topped with teensy hearts. Here she is on Facebook.
By combining two veneers bisected by a band of silver on domed shapes, Marijana makes an unusual pendant and earrings beyond the usual hearts and flowers.
It was all about love and caring as we began our fundraiser for Lindly yesterday. Didn’t you feel proud of your art community as they turned out to help Lindly without hesitation?
Keep spreading the love. Thank you for your generosity!
Lindly Haunani has been gravely injured in an accident and we’re raising money for her care. The other driver was jailed and it looks like a very long and complicated road ahead for her.
She has upcoming classes at Clayathon which Maggie Maggio is covering. Lindly also organizes the Shrine Mont retreat in May. She’s a vital part of many events and the community is rallying to fill her very big shoes.
Please trust that any class reservations and finances will be sorted out. Lindly has to put all her energy into getting well. Contact Arlene Groch about Clayathon and Hollie Mion (via Messenger) who will have some Shrine Mont information. Lindly cannot be contacted for these matters right now.
We have set up a GoFundMe for Lindly. You can read details of the accident and more about her circumstances there. We have a generous global community and we are aiming high. Please share the link and donate now.