Knightwork: Playing with Clay: Getting ready for fall

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Getting ready for fall

I've been in a polymer clay mood lately which is a good thing because even though we have had cooler weather than normal for this time of year the bugs have kept me inside. I feel like putting in for hazardous duty pay every time I venture out into the mosquito laden jungle that has become my backyard. I haven't pulled weeds or vines for weeks and the flower beds are overgrown. I do force myself to go out ever other day to water, a lot of effort and money went in to those flowers and I'm not about to let them die. So I screw up my courage, get on my battle gear.... the longest heaviest pair of jeans I own, a long sleeved shirt and a scarf around my neck.... I'm tempted to wear a ski mask and gloves but the neighbors already think I'm weird and I don't want them dialing 911. Even bundled up the last time I went out I ended up with 2 bites on my left hand, one on the palm below my thumb, I've never had a bite on my palm before, and a third on the back of my neck..... must have been a tiny space the scarf didn't cover. I read a note from my cousin Gina on Facebook that said "I'm thinking about laying in the grass so the chiggers can finish me off!!!" I know just how she feels.

This is my overgrown gazebo..... it so needs to be trimmed but will have to wait until cooler weather and the demise of the insects. It's saving grace is the Morning Glories that cover the top, they are indeed glorious.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

What really bugs me is I have plants in containers on my front porch, no mosquitos there... and I go for walks around the square, no mosquitos there..... it's just my backyard, I'm convinced it's a conspiracy.... all the mosquitos in town are congregating in my backyard. I'm going out again when I finish todays post.....wish me luck, if you don't hear from me in a day or two alert the authorities to send out a search party!!

Okay, that is out of my system... on to jewelry for Fall

I have been going through my bead stash looking for beads that match the Pantone 2013 Fall Colors

Asymmetrical layered & textured Heart beads strung on a hand made chain of colored wire and glass beads.

I used this cane to make beads and a large focal bead.

Here is the finished necklace and earrings.

I used the end piece of a border cane to make these beads.

I added "Hemalyke" beads and matching chain to create this necklace and pair of earrings. The raised dots on the large bead go well with the "Hemalyke" beads.

"Hemalyke" is a "look alike" for natural Hematite.

I made these oval beads some time ago and wasn't sure what to do with them. I set them out on my worktable with the mirror image focal bead and they sat there for days. Heather came along and added the Swarovski flatback crystals, I liked the look so glued them in place. Ar first I tired black glass round beads to make links then I remembered I had a small cane in matching colors.... my new method of cane storage paid off, I immediately found the little cane and made matching beads. I used black wire to make o rings and the hook and eye clasp.

This necklace hangs really well, so pretty on. I like the added bling of the crystals. This one may be a keeper.

I "painted" these textured chunky beads with a handmade finish of PearlEx & Future. I usually don't put finishes on my beads, just sand and buff if I want shiny. After they dried I stuck them in a 200 degree oven for 15 minutes to set the finish. I couldn't decide if I liked this necklace.....

.....I like it better after adding chain in the center along with another star drop. Much better don't you think?

I do like the matching earrings.

This is a reversible Mokume Gane pendant with a Scottie dog on one side.

and a fish on the other side.

I made o rings of olive green and dark blue 20 gauge wire then combined them with complimentary beads in blue and green along with stamped metal spacer beads to make the links and earrings.