Tropical Fish Frame

Tropical Fish Frame, originally uploaded by divadea.

This is my latest polymer clay extravaganza. The fish and seaweed are made of cane work in spirals, squares and concentric circles, and are more texture-y than you can really tell in the picture. The "ocean" is made of "snakes" of polymer clay, each laid down one at a time to produce the wavy, flowing effect. I'm very happy with this project, and I have a feeling there will be a lot more fish showing up soon.

More pics and purchase info here.

feeling dark

Looking at my etsy shop, you might think I have to wear sunglasses while I'm creating...

But sometimes dark can be good. Black, even. Not to mention versatile. Here are a few dark items in my favorite medium. (In case you're just tuning in, that would be polymer clay.)


These black and silver earrings by StormyDesigns would be perfect to complement to a little black dress for an elegant evening or to wear with jeans when you're out and about. I love the versatility of polymer clay jewelry!
http://stormydesigns.etsy.com


This floral light switch plate by mosaico is stunning and would be an amazing handmade addition to any classy room.
http://mosaico.etsy.com (Pssst. Check out her etsy shop - I love her shop banner!)


This black planet bead by clayspirits would make a great focal bead for a necklace. Or I could picture it as the center of a big, fabulous collage.
http://clayspirits.etsy.com

Happy Monday!

tarot of the day

Tarot Card: Major Arcana, 6. The Lover
Character: Amy
Upright Meaning: Love. New relationship. Difficult decision. A struggle between two paths.
Reversed Meaning: Difficulty deciding. Internal conflict. Romantic separation. Postponing important decisions.
Questions: What are the choices being presented? Which choice will lead to harmony and which may lead to strife? Which is the better choice for you, not necessarily everyone else?
Advice: Use intuition for this decision. There’s more to it than you see on the surface. Recognize that your struggle is internal. Don’t give in to temptation to take the easy way out.

This makes me think of one of my favorite Amy conversations.

Buffy: How've you been?

Amy: Rat. You?

Buffy: Dead.

Difficulty deciding? Yes. For especially legitimate reasons? No. Hmmm.

to throw, to sew

Q: When is it time for an etsy artist feature?
A: When I come across someone who makes my day.

So, let me introduce you to Keith of khphillips.etsy.com. He's a self-proclaimed thrower and sewer, and is obvioiusly proficient at both.

Here are a few of my favorite items from his etsy shop.


Wonderful art quilt named "A Little Bird Told Me..." This has everything I like - asymmetry, a woman with fabulous hair, bright colors, interesting patterns.


and the French Butter Dish. Who doesn't love French butter??

Check out more exquisite and unique pottery items at Keith's web page, MudStuffing.

And here's what I purchased from this fab artist. It's a handsewn patch of the leeetle lock that's been known to show up on etsy forum threads where the peeps ain't behaving. Click the picture to view the listing and read the description. If you are an etsy forums addict like me, you will find this pretty fun.


By the way, I received the patch on the lower left, and I already know where I'm going to sew it. Sometimes it's the little things, you know?

Beautiful items, yes, but the actual reason this artist made my day? He makes pottery for the military.

No, your inner ears aren't clogged, I really did just say that. But here's the deal. He makes a special porcelain bowl used at an army munitions factory, charges premium but fair rates for these wonderful handmade beauties, and then donates part of the profits to a peace organization! And this, my friends, is what made my day.

Check out thepeacealliance.org to learn about the campaign to create a US Department of Peace.

It's time.

Thanks for the inspiration, Keith. Here's to throwing and sewing and giving peace a chance.

New Pendants

New Pendants, originally uploaded by divadea.

I took a break from cane work ( don't worry, it won't last) and made some very simple stamped pendants. I used a couple of different textured objects, but mostly I used on big bead which I can't imagine ever using as a bead, but which has a great pattern for stamping.

The pendants are intended mostly for give-aways at classes or freebies with jewelry orders, that sort of thing. A few are up for sale at my etsy shop.

bottles of hope

Bottles of Hope by clayangel

Bottles of Hope originated with cancer patient Diane Gregoire. The concept is quite simple, actually. These are small clay-covered bottles made with love and given to cancer patients and their caretakers. They symbolize hope and good wishes.



Bottles of Hope by NKDesigns

These are made from any little bottles now, but originally they were made from the small glass medication bottles used in hospitals. Sure, it's a little thing, but sometimes little things can mean a lot. The photos above are of bottles covered in polymer clay by a few of my friends at pcagoe.


My Bottles of Hope

For more information about the origins and the ongoing bottles project, visit the Bottles of Hope website.

Stay positive!

tarot of the day

Tarot Card: Page of Cups
Character: Darla
Upright Meaning: A romantic young person. A faithful lover or friend. A message of good news.
Reversed Meaning: A schemer given to lies and gossip. Bad news. Attractive on the outside, but worthless.
Question: Is this situation or person deserving of your loyalty?
Advice: You can see through the shallow deception and get to the truth. However, it may be wise to keep it to yourself and see how things unfold.

------------

Answer: No, not at all deserving. But there are other reasons.

Advice: Ah yes, I see. It's the "keep it to yourself" part I seem to have trouble with. Must. Work. On. Patience.

I found something fun!

I am obsessed, to say the least, with color. I always have been. Today I came across the blog of polkadotcreations, a fellow PCAGOE member, and she has a monthly color contest on flickr, all images of handmade items. Imagine my excitement.

This month's color is rose, and there are lots of really neat photos posted already, everything from jewelry to sweaters, clay to paper.

I posted my rose goddess pendant (which was just sold to a good home recently), a pink pendant, and my cindy rose neckace.

Thanks for this fun game, polkadotcreations! Click her name to go to her etsy shop full of fabulous clay and fabric items. Wow! Here's one of her items that I love love love!

Click the photo to see more pictures and information about this gorgeous pin!

like a hole in the head

I have a new blog. It's a game. A fun game. Name that tune meets Etsy. Come play!

http://etsysingalong.blogspot.com

All you need is love

The PCAGOE (polymer clay artists guild of etsy) February challenge is up and ready for voting. The theme this time is LOVE, and we have a whopping 43 entries! There's jewelry and sculpture and art and housewares - some really cool items. Personally I'm digging the love potion #9 entries and a certain Aunt Hildy. Check it out!



Please take a moment and vote for your favorite entry between now and Sunday, 2/3 at midnight. Everyone who votes gets entered into a random drawing, and someone will win this prize pack of pink and fun - all handmade items from PCAGOE members.




Prizes this time around were donated by (clockwise from top left) nanjodogz, silvergate, clayinaround, marciapalmer, nkdesigns, beadworx, divadea, and ilysaart. There will be more fantastic prizes by different pcagoe artists next month, so stay tuned!

Thanks for voting, and feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about the challenge, the artists who donated the wonderful prizes, or PCAGOE in general - admin@divadea.com.

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Here's my challenge entry The Lovers Tarot art. Read all about the making of it in these blog entries.





Listed at my etsy shop here.