This month at Art Elements, Jennifer challenged us to be inspired by “pods”. See pods, organic shapes, to me, very symbolic of potential and growth. I have been a pod collector for years – and inspired by their myriad forms and interiors!
Yesterday I wrote about the humble eucalyptus, a favorite of mine. I am using its structure to stamps ceramic charms. These “organic ceramic” pairs will be ready for Bead Fest!
Ceramic eucalyptus charms on the bead table!
In revisiting pods, I happened across a few hand held sculpted pods in stoneware clay. I had never glazed or finished them in any way… so what better time? These two are painted in multiple light layers of acrylic paint, in washes and some dry brushed texture. The pod on the right does spill forth a full hand full of individually rolled seeds.
These older stoneware pods finally (cold) finished.
But as to new ideas – I turned to polymer. And seeds, and pearls. These are large-ish statement pendants. The red seeds ARE seeds – and that pod was finished with resin to keep the seeds in place. The other pods, incorporating pearls, are connected to the raw clay with head pins. These pendants are drilled at the top for stringing. Should I make more?
Pod pendants available at online FB show: “One Sweet Bead Market” August 6th. And at Bead Fest Philadelphia – Aug 17-19th.
The final pieces are still works in progress. The goddess figures are inspired by votive figures found the world over, across thousands of years and all cultures. This goddess icon and the pod are fused. The figure on the left will be filled with pearls. The figure on the right pairs two contrasting clay bodies and will be glazed to accentuate that contrast.
The smaller pods are a eucalyptus, my frequent muse and a smaller pea pod style that will also hold pearls. I will have these and more like them at Bead Fest as well.
Fresh from the kiln
I hope you have enjoyed this plethora of pods – please take a look at the other participants!
Guest Artists:
Art Elements Team:
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
I have been waiting eagerly since yesterday, I’m in awe of your pods, I especially like the idea of having seeds spilling out. They are beautiful
LikeLike
What a diversity of pod ideas, truly amazing, especially the goddess! So glad I don’t have to pick a favorite, I love them all! And that seed spilling pod is so very unique!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful pods!! I too love that pod that’s spilling the seeds. Nature is a great inspiration.
LikeLike
OH. MY. I love how you finished your seed pods that had been waiting in the wings. Love their organic look and colors. Your new polymer ones are so lovely with the pearls & seeds in them-just wow. BUT I am reallly gonna need one of those goddesses with the seeds-spectacular idea and design. Can’t wait to see it finished……
LikeLike
First off, BONUS points for the use of the word “plethora” in your title. LOL I really love your sculptural pieces that are filled and spilling out. Such a great look of abundance. Combining the image of the goddess with this seed theme is genius. I went “OF COURSE!”. I can’t wait to see that finished piece. I also love the green pod that is only partially filled but has the depressions inside it. SO great! Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved learning about the eucalyptus and how it mimics the quatrefoil! Very cool! And your other pods are amazing, love the goddess ones! And I can’t wait to see what Cathy makes with one of them, I think it’s going to be amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore all of these. The seeds spilling out? OMG! Anything interactive is so cool. But I cannot wait to see the goddess completed. I love her already!
LikeLike
I absolutely love your pod pendants and what I really like is that you used pearls in them. I love pearls and pods together!
LikeLike
That was a wonderful variety of creations! Love the colors, and there’s so much texture from all the seeds.
LikeLike
Love those pod pendants they are so cool!! I too am rather taken with the pod spilling all its seeds.
LikeLike
The spilling seeds!!! It made me smile! I love all your different versions of seed pods and the stamps you created (also with your post on AE) are so cool! I can’t wait to see the small pieces and the goddess figures finished!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous! Gorgeous! Everything! The Goddess with her ‘seeds’ … what an idea!
Of course, she’s my fave, even if I do love all of your projects.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful interpretations – love the colours and textures and the goddess is just fabulous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so cool to see you use the same red seeds (Jambei) that I have but in a very different way
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many lovely things! The eucalyptus charms look great and the goddesses are going to be amazing (these make me want to make goddesses) but I really love the seed pod with the seeds that spill out, I love the shape and the fact that the seed come out make me want to play with it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of your pod creations are glorious, especially the goddess forms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love all of your work, but especially the polymer pieces. I saw them on IG while I was on holiday and they blew me away, they’re stunning! Love how they’ve evolved in to your goddesses.
LikeLike
Funky and fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person