Sunday, May 2, 2010

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Necklace from Polymer Clay

I remember the joy and  excitement of the fiestas that I experienced as a child and wanted to capture that feeling in a high gloss faux glazed pottery necklace.  Though difficult to capture the "glassy"shine in a photo, these beads are sometimes mistaken for Italian glass when I wear them. Actually, the beads and all the tiny, intricate designs are painstakingly handmade from artist-quality polymer clay.

The necklace features tiny appliqued butterflies, hearts,
bright flowers,
Dragonflies,

and Ladybugs.
To keep the weight of the necklace as light as possible the beads were constructed on a bead core base of Sculpey "Ultralight". Once cured,  a veneer of PREMO polymer clay run through an Atlas  Pasta Machine set on #3 (medium thickness setting) was applied using 2 circle cutter cutouts per bead and the bead was re-cured.

Various appliques of canes and tiny pieces of clay were added using "Kato Liquid Polyclay" as "glue" and the appliques were lightly cured to keep them in place with a crafter's heat gun. The entire bead and appliques was then coated with a thin layer of "Kato Liquid Polyclay" applied with a small paintbrush to mimic ceramic glaze and then cured. Six coats of Varathane polyacrylic varnish were applied with a slightly moist makeup sponge, each coat briefly heat set. Then a mixture of Varathane and Mona Lisa pale gold metal powder was applied with a "used up" ball  point pen refill to make the gold dots.

The spacer beads are PC tube beads formed around a narrow copper welding rod used as a mandrel, cured, sanded, buffed and varnished with Varathane, and cut apart using a heavy duty craft knife. My wonderful husband Sy, who has a great eye, is responsible for the eventual stringing design using the matching spacer beads. Feliz Cinco de Mayo! This necklace was featured at "Polymer Clay Daily".
http://polymerclaydaily.com/2010/05/21/brandons-faux-mexican-pottery/

Cinco de Mayo fiesta necklace shown being worn. 
 This Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Necklace is currently available for sale at: MelodyODesigns at Etsy





25 comments:

  1. I love it. So much work. But what a great result.

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  2. oh Anita, that is gobsmacking beautiful! It really does feel Cinco de Mayo! I bet it is wonderful to wear too!

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  3. What a beautiful pop of color! Your attention to detail shows. It is a lovely piece.

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  4. I had to come back for a second look as it is so lovely.

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  5. you captured a real Fiesta feeling !
    What a Happy Celebration of Beads !!
    This just makes my want to Party !!!
    m.e. :D

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  6. Absolutely stunning work!!! I´m amazed!!!

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  7. Anita, these are beautiful and the colors are so warm and vibrant! Every bead has so much detail...how long did it take you to make? I still think you ought to join our Arizona Guild. Our retreat is coming up in September in Prescott...not too far from your place. Oh, you can look at my creations on my Flickr account. Just scroll down and click on the Flickr link on my blog...it will take you there and the pics are not in a slideshow. Your necklace is truly a beautiful creation!

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  8. This is your absolute BESTEST work! I love this. It just makes me smile looking at it. You did GOOD! xoxoxo. Now I see how you made the dots. Did I tell you I was dreaming about trying to make some Anita beads last night? I can't wait to have a go at it. :) Such an inspiration, is you! xoxoxo

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  9. So beautiful! I would like some pottery that looks just like this in my kitchen... xoxo Janet

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  10. Your jewelry designs are beautiful!! I will visit again!

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  11. Beautiful! Such a riot of colour! I bet it makes many people smile! What are you going to show us next? Can't wait!

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  12. I love the look of the Mexican pottery, and you captured this beautifully with your polymer clay.

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  13. Oh I love your beads! They are so very Mexican with all those wonderful colors! Happy Cinco de Mayo to you too!

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  14. I am so glad that I found your blog. Ditto the comment above "your beads make me smile".
    Cannot wait to see what else you will unveil.
    You must open a Etsy shop FAST!

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  15. Anita,

    This necklace is simply amazing!! Wow! I love all of the detail (that dragonfly!) - each bead looks like a little treasure and it's apparent that you spent much time and care making sure each one was _perfect_.
    Congratulations on your PCD feature! You so deserve it....now off to find the 'morning glory' piece that Cynthia mentioned...
    hugs, jana

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  16. What a wonderful piece! You've really captured the beauty and spirit and then some of Talavera pottery. Brava!

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  17. Anita these are lovely--and the process you describe is intriguing..congratulations on your Polymer Clay Daily feature!

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  18. These are just gorgeous and very happy beads! They really do look like Mexican pottery! LOVE them!

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  19. What a colorful and vibrant piece!! It is perfect for Cinco de Mayo. Thank you for sharing your process too. It is always nice to learn some new tricks. Congratulations on being featured on the polymer clay daily site too.

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  20. Lovely colourful beads!!!!!

    I too refer to our medium as "poly clay" tho I tend to make it one word....seems a good name to me!

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  21. Gorgeous necklace!!!Wonderful colors...Your beads are so happy!

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  22. i am in awe of your talent! what work went into this necklace. i'd love to be "interested" in it when it comes up for sale but i know my budget wouldn't bear it. maybe someday this newbie will make her own...
    cheers,
    Corinne in Canada

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  23. These beads are so cheerful--I love the bright colors.
    Marylee

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  24. I love this pretty necklace, such a delicate work with its delicious beads as little treasures!

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