New Work Report

Hi Everyone
Another week gone by .......... , I know it's not very original but this occurs to me most Fridays when I'm writing this blog. Not sure what that says ?

My day yesterday, was quite productive ! I did lots of 'production organising' as well as moving on each element of the Gray collection. To help organise my collection images I've organised a Pinterest Board for the Gray Collection and will add images of the pieces as they are completed. Take a look - you can use the link on this blog.

As with all these things, The Collection has grown. Yesterday, I completed the broach element and made another as a by product. I like the new broach - it's a slightly different take for the Gray Collection and moves the surface design into something new.






I used the magnet idea again. The texture on the broach was made with a texture plate which Ive had for ages and never used. I can see it's got lots of potential. Here it is :



I've never used texture plates and I really like the effect and will be looking out for more.

There was a little bit of clay left from my broach work, so, I made a new bead.
I used two small, coloured bits and textured both with the new plates. I hadno particular plan but they worked out well. I sandwiched them together and recoloured/baked them with blue acrylic. My plan is to string this bead onto a short necklace.


The bead itself is quite small, probably the size of a 5p although twice as thick.











Perhaps, a custom eye pin can be made to attach the bead like a charm to my necklace idea.

Have a great weekend.
Thanks for reading.

Magnet success

Hi Everyone
I had a busy day with family stuff yesterday but managed a little work with the Gray Collection. There seems to be 15 elements to date - not sure how that happened ? For some reason, I need more to round it up to 20 ! I think an extra broach would be good - not sure what else ?



I also managed some work with crimps. I had wanted to use crimps with one of the necklace designs. My initial idea was to cover the crimps with a bead, hoping the crimps would give a secure finish to the leather string. I have a range of size crimps but they were all too small. In the end, I glued the leather into the covering beads. Not entirely satisfactory (for me) although it does seem secure. I need to continue with my search for the perfect crimp style idea for this job.
Here is the necklace so far.






Ive also been wearing the basic broach item for the Gray Collection all day. I used a magnet 'pinning' idea and wanted to know if it would stay in place. It's brilliant. I forgot that I was wearing it until going to bed. The broach does still need a final design but I'm thrilled with the magnet. I will definitely be using this technique again.
This is how the broach started (6)


I added some acrylic paint and rebaked - here it is now with the magnets.
The magnet is baked into the clay so is not going anywhere.



The broach front has been textured and the paint highlights the effect. This is a close up but I'm not sure what to do now ? I like some of the texture and had intended to add additional clay shapes. The current effect looks a bit 'dirty' rather than artistic so may just polish it out. There is something attractive about the simplicity. Will ponder this for today.


and here it is on me (firmly secure on my dress)


Thanks for reading.

What about crimps ?

Hi Everyone
Guess what ? - my work schedule has gone out of the window. Yesterday, the weather was also wet and dry every 10 mins. I'm blaming the weather on poor production !!!

I managed to do nothing at all in terms of work - other than looked in my production box and noted what I need to do next. It's quite empty at the moment.



Top of my list is a few experiments with crimps. Crimps are not something Ive got lots of experience with and I would like to understand how much they could help with elastic bracelets as well as the obvious necklace use re securing fastenings/ threading.
I recently read a tutorial suggestion from Bead Shop Scotland. I'm not sure where on the site the advice is but it suggests :

1)Measure on your own wrist to check fit.
2)Add a crimp. Don’t squash it yet!
3)Keeping the strung crimp on your forefinger,
stretch the elastic threaded through it and pop
the other end through the crimp to make a circle
4)Draw the ends together so that the beads are
tight but the elastic isn’t stretched.
5)Using the chain nose pliers squash the crimp
firmly flat
6)Trim the ends with scissors.

I'm not entirely sure about third instruction but will give it a go, I will let you know how I get on. This site has a few free jewellery tutorials and very useful tips. Take a look.
PS - I'm not on commission !

Thanks for reading

Hair bun chat etc.

Hi Everyone
Well - life on the deck was very short lived yesterday - after a very brief shopping trip the rain started and that was that. However, I did manage to do my Make Art Monday on Monday ! - a first for me. Here it is :



The point of the Make Art Monday project (for me )is to generate new ideas and begin to experiment. So far it's working to a point - I think, I will start to use the experiments to plan new larger/detailed paintings and incorporate ideas that work.

I want to get my Gray Collection organised this week and am concentrating on making sure the elements are all there. I mentioned yesterday, the need to organise the photo shoot for the Collection - this will determine if I need more pieces and/or any other work. So today, that's what's going on. I was hoping the sun would come out and help me organise something on the deck ! The jury is still out - it's early so there's still time !

Other news - Ive put together a very quick 'hair bun' board on Pinterest. I'm still not sure Ive got lots of options for myself - my hair is long but lots of the styles need much thicker hair and little or no wind ! I do like the 'messy bun' approach but this is my favourite style, it's not the messy bun and I'd need a hairdresser to make it work.



Sometimes, the messy bun works but often it doesn't. This is the messy bun :



When my hairs clean and freshly washed the whole thing drops. I'm trying out some ideas Ive found from Pinterest . Ive long been thinking about hair jewellery and it's the perfect opportunity to develop something for the messy hair bun. Watch this space.

Thanks for reading

Need another coffee ?

Hi Everyone
It's been a whole week holiday and now it's over ..... can't quite get going - this is my usual problem after every holiday, so no surprise there. I'm hoping to ease myself into 'real' life again ie life as I know it ! We've had a lovely week, built a new deck (the third) just outside our dining area and it's fantastic. We've been talking about doing this job for several years but eventually it happened last Wed/Thurs - we also have new garden furniture, after putting up with the last stuff for 25 years - what a difference - it's changed my life ! Fortunately, the weather has been half good so we've been spending lots of time outside and actually eating most meals on our new deck. I'm hoping to move out here most days. This morning it's a bit damp (overnight rain) but warm and so lovely. Birds are singing and there's a light breeze. Breakfast tastes so much better outside.

Back to 'sort' of work - I'm hoping to finalise all the Gray collection items and get them ready for a photo shoot. I think they will be off to several publications later this month - will keep you posted. My Make Art Monday for last week was a bit of a struggle. I really enjoy doing this project and each week I look forward to seeing my offer in the Gallery. I'm quite disappointed if it's not made it online. However, holidays make my routines disappear and things for me tend to 'not happen'. Anyway here it is :



I had an idea but it didn't really happen as I'd like. The whole colour thing is a bit drab unfortunately. I will try again this week and improve my offer. This weeks word is PURE. I have some ideas around using white and shades of. I hope to make a start this morning. I know it's called Make Art Monday but I usually don't finish until at least Friday. Maybe this week will be different ?

As it's summer, I'm looking for different ways of tying up my hair. I have quite long hair and in warm weather I need it up from my neck. Co incidentally, this morning I was attracted to a blog photo which took my eye. Here it is :



I subscribe to this Bloglovin newsletter and often find interesting features. Anyway, the article is OK but as far as I can see its one or two 'buns' beautifully photographed from various angles. It's prompted me to start a Pinterest board about getting hair up in some way. That's my next job. To facilitate, I need another coffee to get my day going.

Thanks for reading.