{"id":6577,"date":"2009-11-06T03:19:14","date_gmt":"2009-11-06T10:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=6577"},"modified":"2009-11-06T10:18:37","modified_gmt":"2009-11-06T17:18:37","slug":"wire-work-polymer-clay-bead-making-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/wire-work-polymer-clay-bead-making-projects\/6577\/","title":{"rendered":"Enthralled with Her Wire Work & Polymer Clay Bead Making Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Polymer<\/p>\n

Spotlight:<\/span> “My interest turned to copper work and findings, as soon as I figured out you need a…” ~Melinda-H
\n<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today’s featured guest is someone who many of you are already familiar with… Melinda Herron. She must be keeping very busy with her polymer clay projects, because this is her third time in the spotlight. <\/span><\/p>\n

Back in July we got to see her first Jupiter Beads<\/a>, and then in September, her polymer clay jewelry<\/a> using faux raku<\/a>, rose beads<\/a> and more!<\/span><\/p>\n

What I love about Melinda is that she is the kind of girl that doesn’t waste time thinking about whether or not to try something new. She just gets right to work applying the techniques she learns. It’s also great to see that she puts her own little spin on things.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related links for today’s spotlight include: (1) Wire Bezel Pendants<\/a>; (2) Hammered Copper Findings<\/a>; (3) Pattern Background Fabrics<\/a>; and (4) Calla Lily Beads<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s What Melinda Wrote:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Cindy,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I wanted to share how you and your site and the wonderful artists sharing on your site have inspired me the last several weeks. My interest turned to copper work and findings… as soon as I figured out you need a “block” of metal to properly hammer I became enthralled with it! Of course my first task was to try out the copper book hooks! Using my jupiter beads I went to work [See Photo 3].<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Then while I was browsing your blog I found the posting for September 4, 2008<\/a> and I fell in love with the idea so I took it and made pendants using different techniques. The first ones I made I simply made a sheet of clay fabric using a neutral mokume gane technique and a flower cane. It’s the blue centered one [See Photo 2]. The back was just a sheet of translucent clay I put under my “fabric”. However, it didn’t take me long to figure out that it could be reversible so it wouldn’t matter much if the pendant flipped while one was wearing it. All the other ones are reversible [See Photo 1], and were made using extruded clay that was coiled, pressed, stamped and then shaved… rather like a mokume gane. I did this to both sides to make it reversible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The turtle necklace [Photo 4] and the large lentil necklace [Photo 5] were inspired by your tutorial on copper findings. I have seen many necklaces lately with front closures and I think they are very cool because they are easier to latch and it gives it a very different look. I’ve had that turtle around for months… looking at it, trying to figure out what to do with it and now I’m really happy with it… the lentil was made from the ends of a cane and I just love how swirly lentil beads can make almost ANYTHING beautiful.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And I just wanted to send you a picture of some of my calla lily beads [Photos 6 and 7]. They are some of my favorite pendants right now!!!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a side note… I wanted to give everyone my secret to the crackly effect of my Jupiter beads… after I ran out of old clay… I found that if you run the extruded snake of clay through the pasta machine as a thick setting it makes the crackled effect and shows the fabulous layers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

~Melinda Herron (Helena, MT, USA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

PS: <\/strong>I’m trying to cut down on my use of the word fabulous,<\/em> however visiting your site makes it very hard!<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"Polymer<\/td>\n\"Polymer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Polymer<\/td>\n\"Polymer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Polymer<\/td>\n\"Polymer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Your work and your attitude is fabulous<\/em><\/span> Melinda. Thanks for being such a valued member of the community. Please everyone show Melinda some love by saying something nice to her in the comments section below. As well, feel free to ask her questions about the techniques she uses. Betcha she’s got a few more tips and secrets<\/em> just waiting to be told :)<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

**<\/strong><\/span> If you have been inspired by my teachings and would like to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight Article<\/span><\/strong>, then please do write up something creative and email it to me along with a selection of your project pics. Make sure to send me high resolution photos that I’ll be able to zoom in on to show the details of your work. If you don’t already have my email address, simply leave a comment below and I will get it to you right away<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cindy\"Polymer<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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