I love old dictionaries. The feel of the paper, the old book smell, the different fonts, the pronunciations in italics…. and I use dictionary text in my work from time to time. So when Jen announced the theme for February – I knew what I wanted to do…
I had ideas for book pendants, both leather bound and in brass book lockets. I envisioned scrolls with secret messages of positivity tucked into amulet vials. I saw stamped mandalas made of words of power, incognito as a talisman around one’s neck. And I hope to get to those soon. For now – I wanted to play with the evolution of an idea.
(polymer, text, resin and gems)
Six years ago I sent these mixed media talismans out to the team, as component of the month. Molded from an antique belt buckle, I chose words with intention; what I wished for each of my team mate friends. Since them I have made these, sold these, taught these…
I am very drawn to wearing a word – as a mantra, a hope, a dream, a goal, an intention. Words have power. So I am revisiting these “Word Mojo” amulets this month, and this Spring.
This new incarnation takes advantage go commercial bezels, which present a treasure hunt of sorts. What word will fit? How will the definition be cropped – too terse? too verbose? Are the neighboring words an interesting juxtaposition, or unpleasant? Does it create a found type of poetry as things are cropped and altered? The papers are sealed back and front, then glazed.
Another change is the absence of resin. While I still love the look – I don’t like the margin of error, the expense, the short shelf life…. so streamlining and simplifying the process! I am really loving sculpting the bezels themselves, so I am focusing on the process I enjoy!
Each one is completely unique, hand sculpted, detailed and modified. I have limited my polymer palette to metallics, which I find frees me up to add small color embellishments, and created a more versatile pendant…
Sadly I did not finish this batch, but its the first of many…
Please tell me – what would YOUR word of power be?
I look forward to hearing your words!
And my team mates and our guests look forward to your visit to their blogs as well!
Guests
Art Elements Team
Jenny (you are here)
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
I love so much about this post from you! I was able to be one of the guest contributors back when you used those pendants as the component of the month, and I adored getting that chance to work with your beautiful pieces. Now, you’re reviving them in a sense and that makes me a little giddy. I’m a sucker for dictionary text too. It’s one of the themes for my brand in a sense as I use it as background for so much. Thinking on what my words would be…you’ve already included Magic which is definitely one, but my name, Hope, is another for me along with Dream. Yes, those are simple, but I also love fun, fussy, silly words like Persnickety as well as simple reminder words like Kindness.
LikeLike
Thanks Hope! I couldn’t believe that was 6 years ago!
LikeLike
I can’t even. I love this idea so much, especially how you’ve taken mass produced bezels and turned them into something special with polymer clay and pigments for frames. What would some of my power words be? Definitely persist, which you already have. Also nope, as a reminder that it’s okay to say no and not feel guilty.
LikeLike
Nope! I love it! And thanks – I try to polymer outside the box! ( Literally and figuratively)
LikeLike
Oh Wow!! I loved your old belt buckle bezels with the text but these new ones are even more fabulous! Can’t wait to see them all finished. My favorite words are persist, imagine and magic!
LikeLike
Some of my fav words too!
LikeLike
I love how you added polymer clay to commercial bezel to make it very special and unique. My word would be kind. I wish everyone would be kind.
LikeLike
SO do I, Kathy, so do I…
LikeLike
Wow – I love your idea of taking the words and putting them in the bezels and then adding your polymer clay around them. They are such a wonderful piece of art.
I have to say I have three words I live by: Improvise, adapt, overcome. I have been using those words since I was in the military and they still help me today.
LikeLike
Ooh those are some good powerful words!
LikeLike
I love the sculptural look of the clay bezels. It reminds me of edicts in stone in palaces and temples. But I am curious, if you did not use resin, how did you seal the images?
LikeLike
Divya – the papers are sealed back and front with Mod Podge ( water based collage medium) as they go in the bezel. Then afterwards they get a coat of the more glossy, durable Diamond Glaze over top.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the information. I have personally never found diamond glaze durable as I live in a hot and humid climate. But yes, I have used MP as the final finish many a times. It does give a weightless feeling to the piece.
LikeLike
These are just wonderful Jenny! I think my words would be create or brave (I needed to prompt myself every now and again to do/be these things more often)! I love your statement “words have power” I think we forget this alot of the time.
LikeLike
Thanks Niky. Words are intense. SO often in this day and age of international’s, instant messaging, social media in all forms… people fire off words with no thinking. Words that aren’t their actual meaning, words that instigate, words that wound. And words that feel anonymous from keyboard to screen, that they would never use face too face. Its dehumanizing.
LikeLike
Adding the sculpted polymer around the mass produced bezel has genius! That are amazing. I’ve always loved your word pendants, and I love how you are evolving the design and the old dictionary and everything about them.
LikeLike
Thanks – trying to keep work fresh, but still create with meaning and intention. I feel more and more compelled for may work to SAY something lately.
LikeLike
I love your pendants especially the ornate polymer versions. Right now my word of power would have to be sleep!
LikeLike
Items made from words out of a dictionary are definitely captivating. I love your vision for the bezels – your pendants are, without a doubt, fabulous! I never gave it much thought, but I can see now how much care is required to incorporate these words in jewelry.
Wearing a word and being mindful of it would certainly make much difference in our lives. For me, at least for this year, ‘peace’ comes to mind – I’d like nothing more than to declutter my mind and reach a more composed state.
LikeLike