Free Form Purple Sea Sediment Jasper

Sea sediment Jasper is gorgeous and even a little mysterious. I searched Google for a definition to include here and while there are a few comments to say it is apparently not jasper, there is little confirmation of what it actually is instead.

I don't mind not knowing what stone it is because I love the mottled veins, spots and detail. Each piece has its own personality which is why I found these free form beads particularly individualistic and pleasing. Sea sediment Jasper comes in a variety of dyed colours and shapes usually highly polished focal beads are more widely available. A departure from blue I had great fun creating these.

Did you know that like orange and silver no true word rhymes with purple?

But I digress, the bold patterns of the focal bead have small flecks that the liquid gold glass and copper accent beads compliment. Teamed with antique toggle clasp to complete the rich colours reminiscent of Byzantine jewellery.

 

PMC first attempts..... in at the deep end

There are many beautiful things made by clever and artistic people using PMC Clay.
I also enjoy learning new skills so I put myself on a PMC course. One of my biggest downfalls is that I am interested in so many different crafts that I never really concentrate on one. The exception to this has been glass, it is one craft that I have really stuck to over a few years now and still get a thrill creating lovely glass items.
However PMC has caught my attention and I have loads of ideas milling about. I have to acquire sufficient tools of the trade though and I am going to need to involve the Assay Office if I want to sell anything over 7.9g.
If there is any business to be in, it is that of the Assay Office - they are the only official method of getting your work stamped and prices are not for the faint hearted!
With all this in mind I also have a specific area I wish to work in and that is creating jewellery with Biblical blessings written in Hebrew.
So this is the task I set myself....... to make PMC dress rings, in a foreign language with 'stand out' writing rather than impressed characters. It really should be called 'How to jump in at the very deep end'.
The task is achievable if you have already mastered PMC and are able to make photopolymer plates, but as a beginner it is probably a step too far.
Nevertheless I am undeterred and this remains a goal. However I am going to start with pendants, earrings and cufflinks for which I have loads of ideas.
Here are my first attempts......
The one on the left I didn't make but did create the photopolymer plate with the blessing on it - I am really impressed with how fine the writing has turned out. A ring like this with detailed sides could be oxidised to really show up the lettering.
On the right is my work, it is much more chunky and heavy although will need to be bashed to make more even edges and of course they both need to be tumbled to be super shiny!

Art Gecko

My son made a gecko at school that is very cute and we are going to hang / place on the wall in a corner like just as a real gecko would sit (kinda).
Here is the one my son did ..... it is clay, has been fired, vandalised, fixed, painted and varnished. Several works from the class were hacked by an unknown vandal and this is at Grammar School urgh! There is only one 'injury' still visible but this poor guy lost his head and all limbs.
I think he has recovered very well though.....I love the shape of gecko's and other creatures so it got me to thinking I could do one in glass..... OH didn't say a thing. Afterwards he told me he scoffed and thought 'Dreamer' but was pleasantly surprised - I am not sure which way to take that but never mind!

and here is mine before it went in the kiln - I took a pic in case it didn't turn out so well (OK so I didn't have masses of faith in me either)
I drew an outline on a piece of shelf liner and then cut bits of black glass and pieced them together a bit like a puzzle only with no guiding picture! Once I had the basic gecko I then decorated him.....
He had lovely long fingers and toes at this stage but they reduced during firing, next time I will make sure his toes stay long.
The first trip through the firing process was partly successful but he clearly needed some 'work'. Lots of lessons learned!
I didn't really like his body colour so I cut out the middle, changed it, then back to the kiln......
He STILL had some gaps where the glass had shrunk back to reveal a rather poorly front right arm and a hole in his head which can't be good for his health so I added some more black glass, refired him and here is the end result.
Until now I have only made glass jewellery pieces which are small and easily manageable.
This is my first attempt at a free form art glass sculpture, I think he turned out okay! What do you think?

OH coined the phrase 'Art Gecko' to which I groaned but it has stuck, just like an annoying tune, so Art Gecko he will stay.
I have been working with crinkilized dichro and will have some pics in my next post ......

A few new designs and a fox

It's afternoon now so no more April Fool's jokes please! Here are some new earrings I have made. I have been experimenting with different ideas for staging and photography, would love some feedback - good bad or indifferent!These 2 pendants I made last week, this style is always very popular - the first one has already been sold. I have tried to show how beautifully they sparkle in the sun.

On the home front 'our' fox has been treated, they named him Terry, he had severe mange and the Fox Project delivered a trap to my home to enable me to catch him. Once caught they took him away, treated him and here he is being released. Although he still looks grim he has no mange and his fur will grow back. Now there is one less animal in pain and less chance to pass this misery on.
Foxes are territorial, it is important that they go back where they came from. I know not everyone is keen on foxes but I would much rather feed them than throw any leftover food in the bin to rot. They are here whether I feed them or not and I love watching them in the garden. Mange is a mite that burrows into their skin and causes untold suffering and eventually death unless treated and the Fox Project is doing a wonderful job. Please support them if you can.

I love it when a plan comes together!

My jewellery trolley, picture below, arrived in time for me to pack it up and take it to the fair!!! It looks so very nice and while looks aren't everything, it stands perfectly on its own which is a great space saver and is so easy to move when out and about.
The fair was in Tunbridge Wells and although not a great success in terms of customer footfall it was a lovely group of people and I totally enjoyed myself. I will definately do another one with Helen.

First Step into Blogland

Hi all,
My first blog entry! I have seen so many fabulous blogs I can't hope to compete but you are welcome to follow me - in fact I would love to have some followers!
I make dichroic glass jewellery as well as other pieces but mainly items consist of glass or glass beads.
I have recently started looking at fairs a bit further afield and am busy making stock for those I have over the next 3 weeks. I also do parties, which I love and have a few regular customers who like me to make pieces to match their outfits.
This is a piece I donated as a raffle prize at the SANDS fair last week in Tunbridge Wells. The bail is sterling and although I don't know who won I hope they like it!

I have finally succumbed to getting SatNav as getting lost on the way to a fair was getting stressful.
My aim is to update twice a week, probably Monday and Thursday.
Thanks for taking a look!
Terry
xxx
Here are some recent pieces. I do like blue!