Polymer Dogwood Flower on a Vintage Silverware Pendant [Gallery]

Dogwood Flower Pendant“As though it was
plucked from an ancient
Dogwood tree, this rustic
sculpted flower pendant
is…” ~Cindy Lietz

 

The beautiful thing about polymer clay is its ability to become whatever the artist wants it to be. I am constantly amazed at how a tiny lump of lifeless plastic clay, can be molded and sculpted into something so natural and beautiful looking… such as this rustic Dogwood Flower mounted on a hammered vintage silver spoon bail.

As you may have noticed from today’s featured Gallery post, as well as from previous ones (see Vintage Rose Choker for another example of a recent Gallery feature), these photo spreads are included here at the blog to provide you guys with creative jewelry making ideas and inspiration.

Please use the comment section at the bottom of the page, to discuss the items presented… or to let me know what other projects you would like to see and learn more about.

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Sculpted Polymer Clay Dogwood Flower, Mounted on a Vintage Silverware Pendant (circa 1953) and Chain:

Dogwood Flower Pendant
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As though it was plucked from an ancient Dogwood tree, this rustic sculpted flower pendant is the perfect unique jewelry piece for the artistic girl in touch with her earthy side.

The vintage feel to this piece is enhanced by the antique finish given to the flower and the rich patina of the real tarnished vintage silver spoon on which it has been mounted.

The spoon itself is special in that on the handle is a crest telling us it is a 25th anniversary spoon for a Co-op celebration in 1953… which makes this silver plated spoon 58 years old, today!

Measuring at approximately 2 1/2 inches (6 cm) in length and 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) wide, this pendant is just the right size and weight to be hung from your own chunky Silver chain or rubber cording… and look amazing!

Price: $45 (US) Dogwood Flower on Vintage Spoon (chain not included) – If you are interested in purchasing the piece shown in today’s gallery post above, then please send an email to let me know. Be sure to include your full mailing address so I can work out the shipping cost and get back to you with payment instructions.

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** Did You Know… Members with current subscriptions to the weekly tutorial videos are always entitled to a 10% discount when purchasing 6 or more back issue packages in a single transaction. If you are interested, let me know which back issues you would like, and I will send further instructions on how to complete your order.
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Cindy Lietz SignaturePolymer Clay Tutor

 

  1. Phaedrakat, 04 April, 2011

    You must really love dogwood flowers, Cindy! :-) I’ve seen you create both sculptural & cane versions of them in the past. Always beautiful, of course. This vintage spoon flower pendant is really cool…love the rustic look!

    [BTW, love your Dogwood Cane, too!]

  2. squash, 04 April, 2011

    Oh, this is a very beautiful and exquisite piece, dear Cindy! It looks so organic and… woody, if I may say so. Your flower is just perfect. You are such an ispiration to all the clayers.

  3. Gayle Thompson, 05 April, 2011

    Great pendant, Cindy. I love your pendants in antique spoons! So elegant!

    I’m not trying to be critical but just wanted to mention that Dogwood Blossoms only have 4 petals. They are supposed to look like a cross and the shaded dents on the tip of each petal represents Christ’s blood. This flower looks more like a Magnolia blossom. Still very beautiful!

  4. Lawrence, 05 April, 2011

    @Gayle Thompson: Thanks Gayle, but the dogwood Cindy refers to and is in her photo is the Pacific Dogwood and is our Provincial tree, protected under law. The flower can have four to six petals on the flower depending on the variety and is presently in bloom here in our part of the Pacific Northwest.
    bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/forest/dogwood.htm

  5. pollyanna, 05 April, 2011

    I learn something new every day…..tks, Lawrence. No matter how many petals, it’s still beautiful.

  6. DJ, 05 April, 2011

    What a pretty pendant…I love that it is kind of earthy as well as the richness you’ve achieved too. Thanks Cindy and Doug, these photos are so inspiring (as always)!

  7. pattw35, 05 April, 2011

    Cindy -such genius ! It is even close to one of the Patone Spring 2011 colors -russet. Fashionista ! The Dogwood is a very interesting flower. It has 4 petals ( in Texas) and colorful history. What a earthy type of pendant . Your brain is in constant motion- and we love you for that

  8. Cindy Lietz, 05 April, 2011

    Thanks Guys! I love the Dogwood Flower. I grew up with them in my yard as a kid and my neighbor has one I can see from my studio window. As Lawrence mentioned, the Pacific Dogwood is our Provincial Flower and is protected by law here in British Columbia, Canada. It is a little different than the four petaled Dogwood that Gail and others speak of which is also a stunning flower.

    You may not know this, but like many flowers, the Dogwood Flower has a special meaning, which is… “Love undiminished by adversity”. Isn’t that the most beautiful thing? Especially in times like these!

  9. Phaedrakat, 05 April, 2011

    @Cindy Lietz from Dogwood Flower Cane: No wonder you’ve featured this flower often — what a great meaning it has! Love it~ :D

  10. Jocelyn, 06 April, 2011

    Cindy thanks for the time, hope this symbolic piece of art goes to Korea.

    Great message from dahdah DAH, the good godmother as wedding gift. Begreat to see in, they are a strong but divided culture.

  11. Cindy Lietz, 06 April, 2011

    @Phaedrakat: Thanks! I think the meaning really speaks to what many of us are going through here and around the world. That a strong love for each other will make all the difference in our lives. :-)

    @Jocelyn: I am so glad that you decided to purchase this pendant as part of your Goddaughter’s wedding gift! Knowing the story behind who it is going to and why… makes it even more special. It’s the perfect symbol to take with her over to Korea as she begins another chapter in her life.

  12. Ken H, 06 April, 2011

    Truly beautiful pendant and I like the picture of the actual tree (thanks Lawrence), here in the east our dogwood is “Cornus Florida” and is the four petaled verson, they should be out very soon here in Philadelphia. Hopefully there will be a tutorial someday (like you don’t already have enough ideas to play with).

  13. Rebecca Chisenhall, 06 April, 2011

    For those of us in the Eastern United States, I think this tutorial could be adapted to portray our 4-leaved variety of dogwood so loved here if we want. I looked at the Pacific Dogwood variety pictures online–is it closely related to the Chinese dogwood? Need to read more about it, I suppose. I have a Chinese dogwood and a Cornus Florida dogwood in my backyard. The Chinese dogwood flowers after the leaves come out, the Cornus Florida before the leaves emerge. Interesting.

  14. Becky C., 07 April, 2011

    Oops, not a tutorial–sorry, Cindy! This is such a gorgeous piece, I guess I was hoping! Looking forward to the metal-wrapping tutorial, though!

  15. Jocelyn, 08 April, 2011

    LOL, sure will make an ideal money clip for a special gift, will report back on Cindy’s packaging and impressions when receive in mail. Goodie!

  16. Phaedrakat, 09 April, 2011

    @Jocelyn: Oh, Goodie! I’m glad you got it, Jocelyn. A gifted money clip, huh…really? LOL Please do report back — I bet you’re gonna love Cindy’s fantastic pieces! Her work’s impeccable…enjoy!

    @Becky C.: Hi Becky…in case you didn’t see/remember it, Cindy already created the metal tutorial — a video for Silver Spoon Bails, like the one she used in this pendant. The link to the “preview video” is in the article above (I’ll add it here, as well.)

    Cindy also has a Dogwood Flower Cane video (Vol-016-4.)

  17. Becky C., 09 April, 2011

    @Phaedrakat: Thanks, kat, I saw that belatedly, lol, but thank you for the reminder!

  18. Jocelyn, 12 April, 2011

    Cindy, I was thrilled with the packaging, just perfect and fancy (burgandy foofee) enough to recombine and send along in a bigger box where your piece of art goes to Korea, to be made apart of the household.

    Saving money and saying no is hard, especially when born and bred to serve.

  19. Cindy Lietz, 13 April, 2011

    @Jocelyn: I am so glad that it arrived safely and that you liked the packaging, Jocelyn! (You sure do love interesting packaging, don’t you.) It is exciting to know that it will be living in a new home in Korea. I wish them a wonderful life together!

  20. Jocelyn, 14 April, 2011

    Yep, for some reason, I find your packaging stimulating, LOL!

    The gift is perfect, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.

  21. Dorothy Hurkett, 30 July, 2011

    I just found Krista’s book in the Library…. I love her work.. just found this site and cant wait to get into it…I am a late bloomer in polymer so need a lot of help to catch up as my 75th birthday is right around the corner.
    Got to go to The Farmers Market and help spread the word for Time Banking.
    I’ll be back

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