A Variety of Ornaments

Less than a couple of weeks 'til Christmas!  Can you believe it?  I've been making some different types of ornaments this year and it's been quite fun!  These are all polymer clay over glass, with pearl ex powders and Swarovski crystals.  I've also opened an Etsy shop, though some of the ornaments shown are already slated as gifts or have been sold. :)  I quite enjoyed making the mini poinsettias and actually made a bunch for my clay guild's ornament swap.  Those are only about 1-1/2" in diameter!! 

Mini ice cream cones, slippers and candy lollipops!

Earlier this year I started exploring making some minis...ice cream cones, slippers (or "slippahs!") and some other little things.  Now, these are not dollhouse scale or anything, but they were fun to do and make into pendants or earrings.  And since I don't really have too much of my work posted here, I thought I better do so!

What I've noticed is that Premo clay can get awfully soft when you're working on something small...and gee, these are not even as tiny as all the work done by polymer clay miniaturists!!  How do you guys do it?? I'm wanting to try my hand at making actual dollhouse scale minis, but for now I'm enjoying making these. 

Santa Fe

This past weekend we took a road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  What a fabulous time we had!  The shopping! The eating! The galleries upon galleries upon galleries! There was certainly no shortage of things to do there. Wrestling between shopping overload and food comas, we came away with a sense of rejuvenation and a longing to return soon...very soon!

So as Georgia O'Keefe reminds us to "take time to look..." I leave you with some memories of Santa Fe.

 

Sugar Skull masks - Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead

Sugar Skull mini masks

This spring, I participated once again in Sarajane Helm's polymer clay mask swap.  If you aren't familiar with a "swap," I'll explain.  Basically each swap participant decides how many groups they want to be in.  For this one, we could choose 1, 2, or 3 groups.  You then make 10 masks for each group you're signed up for, and these can be identical masks or a particular theme.  For mine, I decided to do Sugar Skull masks...made with a Sugar Skull candy mold.

Sugar Skull masks - group 1

 The mold I used had 3 different skulls on it which worked out great, since I ended up doing 3 groups (some people may not be able to finish for whatever reason, and I had been on a list in case they needed someone to fill in for a group or two).  I first saw the candy molds in Taos, NM, but was able to get these in Colorado Springs from La Fuente Imports.  They also have larger ones available!

Sugar Skull masks - group 2

If you've ever participated in a swap, you probably know all too well about procrastination and how you start off with a lot of enthusiasm but quickly run out of steam.  I think I would've added even more detail and embellishments if I wasn't under the stress of having to get these done and sent in.  When will I learn??

Sugar Skull masks - group 3

With the first group, I thought of adding some gold teeth...and that just stuck for the rest of them.  I kind of like that little bit of "bling" and think it adds interest and fun!  Here are some other pics of the masks...