Polymer Clay Explorations and New Jewelry

I've been dabbling a bit in polymer clay with the goal of making my own beads and having another way to add color to my jewelry (because I'm a jewelry control freak and I want to make everything myself!)  Now I know that there are REAL polymer clay artists out there making crazy amazing stuff, so don't scoff at my sad little beads, but I do like the color combination possibilities they open up.  Here are a few samples, soon to be available in my etsy shop! 

Etsy Shop is Open

A Jewelry Geek's Reading List: Victorian Jewelry Design by Charlotte Gere

 

I have a natural inclination to geekery.  I was a band geek in high school.  I like to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Now that jewelry making is one of my many jobs, I find myself descending further into jewelry geekery.  It started with reading "On Divers Arts" a medieval manual on metalsmithing and other arts by a monk named Theophilus.  Did you know if you keep a goat in a huge jar and feed it nothing but ferns, its urine will be ideal for quenching your metal?  Now you know. 
Anyway, I'm continuing my jewelry geek educaton by reading "Victorian Jewelry Design" by Charlotte Gere. For those of us interested in the history of jewelry design the Victorian era is an especially interesting period, when jewelry designers were inspired by a wide range of historical and archeological sources, and increases in mass-production significantly changed the way jewelry was made and sold.  Published in 1972, this book is text-heavy, with a decent number of illustrations in black and white.  Definitely for serious jewelry geeks only.

Art From the Heart Deadline Approaching!

Wisconsin crafters, there are still a few days left to apply for the Art From the Heart Valentine's Day craft fair to be held on Feb. 9th in Madison, WI!  More info an an online application form here

Holiday Shopping: New Items and Free Shipping!

Keep an eye out for new items in my artfire shop and at copperheartdesigns.com. I'll be adding new items every day. Use code JINGLEBELLS on artfire for free shipping now through Dec. 25th. Happy holiday shopping everyone!

Call for Vendors: Art From the Heart Valentine's Day craft fair

Hello all,
I'm pleased to announce that applications are open for Art From the Heart, a Valentine's day craft fair to be held at Union South on the UW-Madison campus on Saturday February 9th.  The fair will run from 10:00-5:00.  Booth fee is $50 and includes a 10' square booth space, meal card and parking.  We're looking for artists and crafters making unique and original work in any medium.  Apply online and join the fun! 

Artfire Shop Now Open!

Hi everybody!  I just started up a new Artfire shop.  Check it out at http://copperheartdesigns.artfire.com.  And, as always you can shop online on my website, http://copperheartdesigns.com.  I'll have lots of new items coming soon- just in time for holiday shopping!