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…
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.)
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?
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!
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
I love your design Jenny – very serene and balance. I think I might have to have a go at using some PC in my work in 2013. Thanks for the opportunity to take part in this challege.
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Thank you Lesley! It is still new enough to me – seeing my pieces travel and become finished pieces – I find it all very exciting! And your piece… I love it. Its like you looked into my head. Happy New Year!
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Wow – I love the look of the 3 mediums together! I would never have guessed how you connected these pieces together – this is a keeper for sure! I have to say – my favorite part is the stamping in Welsh on the polymer – such well chosen words. And your coordinating chain – love the gems. Really beautiful work!
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Thanks Patti – you know me, I like to include words, but I often “hide” the message in other languages. Keeps it my secret message, unless I share, you know? I love the theree materials together too, and will play around with more ways to integrate them. If I did it over, I would make this clay thinner. The piece is a bit chunkier than I planned…
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You make me really wish I had taken the polymer class at ArtBLISS! I thought the back component of the focal was faux bone!! Beautiful necklace!!!
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Thanks Sally! My first thought WAS to use faux bone. But the FB sometimes if harder to shape, and I love the polymer color options… so this evolved. I still like FB but polymer is more of the “go-to” lately!
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I adore this piece – every little detail is just right. The colors are perfect – love the mix of metals and the different mediums. Just perfect.
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Thanx for hosting this great hop. You did a wonderful job on your pendant with the layers& tabs.
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I love this idea! I have to tell you this, Jenny, I had planned on ordering more of these labyrinth components but could not make up my mind about color. This hop has shown me how beautiful all the colors look with different beads and chain. I can’t believe this is polymer clay that you used. Learning more about polymer is one of my goals for the coming year. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter this challenge/reveal.
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Thank you Lee! Its exciting to see the pieces of mine in so many new designs and new pieces – others creative visions! Let me know what colors you want… even if they arent listed, I can glaze some for you! Polymer changed for me when I took a class with Christine Damm. Stopped using colors, switched to ivory and paint applications. It takes me back to painting in art school. Another full circle moment, you know?
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What a gorgeous piece, Jenny! I love how you incorporated the elements. In hindsight, I wish I had chosen a different hole configuration and gone out of my comfort zone with this one.
That celedon glaze is so pretty! Thanks for hosting this challenge!
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And thanks to you Melissa! Can’t wait to see yours, headed there now! The CoM alwayss makes me challenge myself, its really refreshing to do!
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Thanks for hosting the AJE component of the month. It was a huge success! I loved seeing how everyone used your components. I absolutely adore your design and how you use polymer is so different and clever than what I have seen before. You def make it your own.
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Thanks Jen, that means a lot I really try to follow my own vision. Its lovely to be part of the community of jewelers, beaders… in a way it keeps me on my toes. You see what others are doing and I personally strive to keep things fresh, and very much my artistic style. CoM is great, love the diversity. Your piece rocks, btw!
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I really love this necklace, I am a total green-freak and that is a perfect color green and the copper just adds to the earthiness of this piece. LOVE IT!
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I hear the green love! And second that! Thank for your kind words!
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Thanks for the inspiring components this month Jenny! Also, great job on the piece you made. I really love the combo of the ceramic, metal and polymer!
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Jenny that piece is stunning! All the things work so well together. I love labyrinths and the words you used just make it so special!
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Thank you for hosting this month, Jenny, you know I love your work, and I love your polymer as well, with the welsh words, so perfect! Really cool design, I would love to know how the “staple” works.
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Sue, thank you! I will see if I have any in progess pix and post them on my Biz Fb page….
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That is really beautiful! I love the earthy feeling the copper and polymer bring in line with the earth that’s already there of course.lol. I’m a bit late in making the tour, but oh what fun to see everyone’s take on your beautiful design. Thank you so much for letting me play along and opening my eyes to new ideas.
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Thrilled to have you! And i look forward to seeing more of your work in the new year!
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Jenny, such inspiring pieces and I love the way you integrated the polymer with the copper! The mix just makes the piece so eloquent and interesting– it really “tells a story”. Linda Larsen has some great ideas on her blog for working with tabs and also Josie Cirincione’s books. And of course, Bob Dancik or Richard Salley. Isn’t it fun when you get to try out new ideas? SO glad you got so much out of our class together.
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Oooh! Such gorgeous work Jenny! I love the way you’ve layered the pendant, and using tabs to hold it all in place is a great idea. Thank you for hosting the challenge this month! I really enjoyed using my labyrinth.
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Thanks Jo! Tabs – I am a little obsessed. There will be many more in the future! Glad you liked the labyrinth; looking forward to more challenges and camaraderie this coming year!
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