Spirits come in all sizes...

Exploring a new medium takes me back to uncertain places and feelings I'd sometimes like to forget. Lately, I find myself on auto-pilot while sculpting a polymer clay face for a bead embroidered brooch while thoughts of larger spirit entities swarm around in my head. I finally had to bite the bullet and sink my hands into wet clay. The test is in the firing...will it come back in one piece? It feels personal...trial by fire!

When to quit...

When a project is coming to a close, I often have to leave it alone for a couple of days in order to have a clear perspective.  When I've been working for hours at a time, I go down that rabbit hole and become so involved with the piece that I feel like it is me and I am it.  So much so, that I honestly can't see it objectively anymore.  I have learned over time and after some major mistakes, that it's best to take my time as I finish a piece and try different ideas rather than just stick with the plan.  Actually, my pieces don't have "a plan" but there's always that moment when I think I know the direction I'm going and I just plow ahead.  This is usually when I find out that the direction I've taken is a dead-end and no matter how I tweak it, it just isn't right.  I'm feeling happy with this new Goddess but only after ripping out a few different ideas first.  It chewed up some time but I think she's worth it!

I've been wanting to use these Keshi pearls for a very long time and this sweet face just begged to be surrounded by them.  Our trip to Maui in November, greatly influenced the color and flavor of the piece.  I see the ocean in her eyes and the hear the sound of the beach when I bead around her headdress.  

Alese...

The Light Bearer

…also known as the Soul Healer, has the ability to infuse her radiant light into the shadows allowing the healing process to begin.



(Alese in German means beautiful soul)

Amets...The Dream Weaver

A Basque name meaning "A Dream"

Amets has the ability to mix reality, desire and potential in order to create the dream the "dreamer" is ready to manifest

Made with polymer clay, glass seed beads, semi-precious stones, pearls and Shibori Ribbon.

Shibori Ribbon

While this piece has been completed for quite some time, I haven't been able to find the photos I took to show the progress until today.  Working with the ribbon added another dimension to the process and one I want to try again some time soon. 

Shibori Ribbon

I found a wonderful Shibori ribbon pin by Ann Ricotta soulshine-studio.com which I purchased on her Etsy site.  I was intrigued with the design and could easily see how I might be able to incorporate it into one of the wearable art brooches.  I started a new "Day Lady" pin and as I play with the ribbon, I like the way it creates unexpected opportunities as well as a bit of mystery as it surrounds the face.  Can't wait to give it a try once I finish embellishing her headdress!

Finally...

I've decided that my chief job as the artist is to "listen" carefully as I am constantly reminded that my ideas are only suggestions and the less I hold on to a specific outcome, the more likely I'll like the end result.  

Changing Direction...

I've given up on the wood beads; I hate giving up but the fact is the face is really the one who decides and she just wasn't having those irregular, organic things around her head.  Even though she looks like she's been dug up out of the sand, she has this air of "bling" in her essence that must be satisfied.  I'm starting to like the feel of it so I guess I'll just keep heading in this direction and see what emerges!

OOPS....

I thought I had the perfect bead to surround this face but no matter which way I turn, nothing works.  I love the wood beads; irregular and organic in nature they seem to complement the face AND the frame in which it will live.  But as hard as I try, no other bead wants to live with it - making the ability to design the rest of the piece almost impossible.  Sooooo.....it's time to start over!  But what to do????

Nope...not quite; looks a bit too contrived.  She wants something unique but I'm just not getting the picture.  I think the wood beads are going to have to go - just can't seem to make them work.  DARN!