Saturday, May 29, 2010

Back in the Studio

Now that our vacation is a fading memory, I'm back in my studio working on some polymer clay and beadweaving.



A few months ago, I made this first attempt at a polymer clay picture:



It was a good first attempt... I liked it. I kept it out on my worktable so I could work out the mental puzzle of how to use it.

I started by gluing the clay oval to some ultrasuede and beaded around it. Pretty!



A simple spiral rope with sterling silver end caps and clasp is the finishing touch.



I'm delighted with the finished result - bright Spring colors, and the toned-down browns of the rope balance it nicely.



This little beauty is currently listed for sale in my Etsy shop.

copyright 2010 Shibori Girl

Friday, May 21, 2010

Wanderlust Satisfied

Every few years, Marble Man and I get the itch to hop in the car and drive to some far-off point yet undiscovered by the two of us. When Pooch got so ill, we had to put that desire on the back burner because we couldn't travel together. Pooch has been gone a year now, and we spent the past couple of months planning our road trip. This was the challenge: we'd be gone 15 days, traveling in a two-seater convertible with a micro trunk. How to pack? We did it, but had to do laundry every three days.

My dear Uncle Tom requested a visit last year which we were unable to do. He was first on our list for this trip. We drove to Rochester, NY in time to see the lilacs in full bloom in Highland Park.... Gorgeous.



Since we were so close, we took a day trip to Niagara Falls. I was there as a teenager and Marble Man had never been, so it was a must-see destination.


Canadian Horseshoe Falls, Part 1


Canadian Horseshoe Falls, Part 2


American Falls (shot from Canadian side)

Man, that's a lot of water! This was surely the highlight of our trip.

The rest of our travels took place in the Northeast:
Poughkeepsie, NY
Riverton, CT
Scarsdale, NY
Hopewell, NJ
and we finished up in Philadelphia.

We visited many friends and family who haven't seen us in lots of years... it was great to see you all.

Since so many folks on our itinerary hadn't seen us in eons, I brought a box of my recent jewelry pieces to show. I had no idea I'd be selling pieces left and right! I feel like I littered the Northeast with sparklies. Now that Katie's Traveling Trunk Show is finished, I need to get into the studio to make more of everything. All the polymer cuff bracelets went, as did some of the clay tile bracelets and earrings, and more than half of my new polymer clay pendants! Thanks to everyone who bought pieces. I really did bring them just to show. :)


copyright 2010 Shibori Girl