Labyrinths: December AJE Component of the Month

December 30, 201225 Comments

Labyrinth collage

What a whirlwind December has been! I hope it finds you all content after holidays spent with loved ones, filled with festivities and frolic. Today – New Year’s Eve – has us standing on the cusp of a new year, a new journey. For myself I can say that 2012 was full of challenges – some fruitful and some very taxing. I will be thrilled to begin a fresh start… ( To read more about labyrinths, here is my original post. )

And those thoughts of the journey were in my head as I was designing a piece to incorporate my ceramic labyrinths, this month’s Component of the Month over at Art Jewelry Elements. Here is what I came up with…

Welsh amulet

My “Journey” necklace – polymer, copper, ceramic labyrinth cabochon, aventurine, kyanite.

(The text is in Welsh – the words reading journey, health, strength. These speak to the challenges I faced in 2012, and the hope for the new year as well.)

Welsh amulet necklace

I wanted a halo of copper to frame the labyrinth, as I love the celadon glaze paired with copper’s warmth. A staple is embedded (hidden) in the polymer, and that secures the copper piece. The cab is set with tabs, and a dot of glue as a safeguard. This style is a new configuration I am experimenting with, and the tabs are a bit short… I did work on two others. Thoughts?

amulet fronts

amulet backs

Thanks to all who participated this month! Joining the Art Jewelry Elements team has been one of the shining moments of 2012! I look forward to a bright future working with these wonderful women. But for today, please join me in “hopping” to everyone’s blogs! There will be diversity and creativity abound – I can promise that…

And a most Happy New Year!

This months guests of honor:

Emma Todd

Lee Koopman

Jess Green

And participating AJE team members:

Jenny Davies-Reazor, your hostess

Snowflakes!

December 18, 20124 Comments

Just a quick note to announce the winner of the snowflake earrings! Lucky #8 is Saraccino!

(I asked Random.org, but asking the 8 Ball is a fun flashback! The image above is linked to a virtual Magic 8 ball, btw!)

snowflake earrings

I will send the snowflakes to you! Just email me with your address!

On a different note – thinking of snowflakes… I saw this over coffee this morning: Snowflakes for Sandy Hook.

cutting flakes

diagram

flakes

What a lovely idea, to cut snowflakes and send them to show our love and support to the community. Now where are my scissors?

Spirit of the season…

December 14, 201237 Comments

My hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by the tragedy in Connecticut. And at this time of year, let us remember the season is one of love, family, and friendship. Hold your loved ones close, and remember to breathe…

It seems like ages ago that Sally of The Studio Sublime sent out a call for participants – the 2nd Annual Ornament Swap. I worked on mine and sent it away before Thanksgiving – that also seems like so much time has passed… ( My original partner was unable to participate – so I will be sharing what I made. Sally adopted me as her second partner, and I will be sending her something along these lines in the very near future. Sorry for any confusion. )

And so it begins

My idea started with a tiny vial of snow, of ice, of crystalized winter. I prefer to do seasonal motifs, as everyone’s beliefs are personal and varied… I set up the polymer oven – as I have been doing more and more of late. Polymer is versatile and immediate. Earthenware and stoneware have such a long process time: dry, fire, glaze, fire… For something like this polymer suits the bill nicely.

Comes together

The swap brief said to include an artist bead. Although I am creating the entire piece, I wanted to be true to the challenge, and created these snowflake charms. You will see them again…The bird and tree are stamped and hand painted onto ivory polymer. Here it is all together:

Winter wonder

Ornament reverse

And my partner/friend? So sweet! Sent me this …I may have to keep this up in the studio all winter!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Ooh! I love the flame patina on the copper, the SueBead with silver, the accents of olive and aqua! Its so lovely…

Light and shadow

So – those extra snowflake charms… They ended up here:

Snowflake earrings

Two pairs were already sent on their way to lucky winners of another challenge. I think I will save one pair for my MiL… So that leaves YOU dear reader. If you want to be entered into the give away – mention that in your commment! ( And it would be so easy if you were willing to leave your email as well…) I will pick a winner Monday afternoon!

So – thank you all for celebrating and hopping with me. Here are my friends and fellow swap partners. Happy Holidays!

Happy Krampusnacht!

December 4, 20121 Comment

Be wary if you are out tonight. Should you see a devilish dapper beast abroad – you would be well aware if you met Krampus on Krampusnacht! Could it be the devilsih appearrance, cloven hooves and horns? The lascivious grin? The bundle of switches or the basket on his back – from which muffled cries of kidnapped naughty children can be heard? What gave it away?

Krampus

Krampus travels abroad this night – searching out naughty children. He might switch them, rattle his chains, scare them witless, or stuff them in his basket to take home to torment. But he usually returns them on the morrow – and they are most often never so naughty again! Krampus is the companion of St Nikolas – who’s feast day is celebrated tomorrow. This is the St Nicholas ( aka Sinterklaas) who leaves delectable treats inside your wooden shoes left by the fire; oranges, chocolate, peppermints…

St Nick and K

Mischief!

scary one

But as scary as some images of Krampus are – I find the cheeky Victorian era postcards the best! Naughty takes on a whole new meaning…

While Santa Claus expanded shop and sold products in mid-1800s America, the holiday card craze exploded in Europe.In Austria and other parts of Europe, countless season’s greeting cards featured Krampus, often emblazoned with the phrase “Grüß Vom Krampus” (Greetings from Krampus). While the lurid images are suffused with a modern sense of the comic and the surreal, they still resonant with mythic power and primordial horror. And with Krampus representing the naughty side of the season, the sexy subtext is hard to ignore in these often very cheeky cards. A century later, the brilliance of these magnificent works of pop art is now gaining global recognition. (Krampus.com)

Krampus devil

Saucy Krampus

So however you decide to celebrate Krampusnacht – be you naughty or nice… Enjoy!

And please check out:

my friend Grace wrote a great post on her blog Domythic Bliss!

Ten fun facts about Krampus

Krampus.com

St Nikolas’ array of diverse companions