Margo Nellisen from the Netherlands jewelry design fascinates me.

She regularly works with other artists, and in 2004 she collaborated in a project - Warchild -initiated by the Kunstcentrum Zaanstad on their 30 year anniversary.

She used scoubidou wires to create a sweet flower neck piece that reminds of childhood.

Soft and wispy, care-free and playful.

Today on Flickr

Malodora - D Wilder - had done it again!

She surprises and fascinates with her wonderful combination of known technique and her own unique use of color and texture.

Australian polymer clay guild

I had soooo much fun doing and exploring makume gane this month with my Australian friends of the Aussie polymer clay guild. Here are a few of my favorite creations...... sooooo wish I could have shown them all.

A neckpiece and earrings made my Mel

Esme's neckpiece

Amanda's tealight holders

and last but not least.... Kathi's focal.

Color

The colors of the Bo-Kaap

The Bo-Kaap is a picturesque area of Cape Town in South Africa formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is the centre of Cape Malay culture and culturally and historically one of the most interesting areas in Cape Town.

Inspiration

In 1975 Lady Susan Wood hired two Kenyan woman and started making beads in a shed on the farm of the former Karen Blixen(Out of Africa). She quickly realized that there were many more women who were in need of jobs and so Kazuri Beads (Swahili for small and beautiful) was created and began its long and successful journey as a help center for the needy women especially single mothers who had no other source of income.

Today Kazuri produces a wide range of hand made, hand painted ceramic beads and jewelry that shines with a kaleidoscope of African colors and Kenyan art that reflects a culture.

A true inspiration for every beadmaker!

This beautiful necklace made by Pamela Wolfersberger

Streetart

This past weekend me and my daughter participated in Taste of Troy - a celebration of art and food in our town.

The highlight of the day- to me - was my daughter's streetpainting...I think she did a wonderful job!

The theme was Celebrations:

Beautiful copper

I love the "your contacts" page on Flickr. Every day it's a small surprise packet filled with fresh delights.

A little while ago I found this gorgeous piece in my Flickr contacts. The warmth and softness of the copper cought my eye immediately.

A copper cuff bracelet.... folded copper and a lampwork focal. Cyndie Smith creates wearable art jewelry using primarily silver, copper and brass.

The perfect piece for fall!

In my studio

I had the perfect idea. The perfect pattern to make a beautiful cuff bracelet out of polymer clay and it all fell apart - at least the bracelet did.
Have you ever had that happen? You know precisely what you have to do, but the moment you start cutting away the layers it falls apart. The pattern that was in your minds eye just did not reflect on the clay.
The piece of clay was laying here for days and I walked past it, put it to one side and worked on something else, pulled it back again.... perhaps it's not that bad... perhaps I can make it work.
Then yesterday it happened. I suddenly saw the small little pieces in the pattern I could use and I loved it.... it was beautiful ....as a necklace!

Color inspiration

One of my favorite vegetables during autumn and winter are leeks. Related to union and garlic, but with a taste softer and more subtle.... delicious and beautiful!

A rich winter green color palette:

...and a yummy Leek confit to delight your tastebuds - served in scrambled eggs, pasta or on crostini with goat cheese.

1/2 stick butter

4 large leeks ( white and light green parts only) halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch slices

2 tablespoons water

12/ teaspoon salt

Melt butter in dutch oven, add leeks and stir to coat.

Stir in water and salt, cover and sook on low for about 25 minutes or till soft.

Serve warm.

Bonappetit October 2008

I prepared this recipe yesterday and the confit did not last long enough to make it to the table. Everyone grabbed a piece of toasted french bread, goat cheese and spooned leeks over..... buttery, soft and oh so yummy!!!

Miss Helen

Transforming your environment.

The house, and especially the backyard of Miss Helen's owlhouse always fascinated me. Walk with me through a wonderworld of sharded glass and sculpture......

In my studio

I just finished this neck piece.

The Australian Polymer Clay Guild's monthly technique is makume gane and I decided to work with my favorite colors. The biggest bead is about 40mm in diameter and the neck piece's length is 18".

Color

A feast of color from Africa

Jewelry - ancient Egypt

Kente cloth - Ghana

Young Masai woman - Kenya

Ndebele woman and homestead - South Africa

Inspiration

Artist Julia Turner combines African Blackwood from Tanzania , silver, gold and silk in these brooches and a pendant. Their beautiful simplicity tug at my heartstrings.

Rings and things

While browsing the Etsy treasury today this whimsical ring caught my eye. It's called Queen Ann's ring and is made from shrink plastic stamped with ink.

The collaboration between artist Jennifer Ackerman and her mother, Linda, results in unique wearable designs.

Allyson Bone of Iowa combines copper, laminate and polymer clay to create a lacy bunny ring

Etsy artist, OneElf, made a polymer nest ring with delicate blue eggs

A beautiful red-pink polymer clay and copper ring embellished with pearls and wood made by Marie of France.

You can find more of Marie's work here: http://www.mariesel.com/

In my studio

I am in sooooooo much trouble. We have an exhibition, Taste of Troy, in two weeks and I have nearly nothing to show and sell. So many times I've left a piece I have to make till the last minute. I ponder and dream and plan and....... till it takes shape and "happens". It takes it's own path, become it's own creation. I have a few sets of beads, the usual bracelets and a necklace or two, but on my worktable there are still these round makume gane disks. Like my daughter always say.... they will come to life. It better be in the next week:-)

I also have to cover the sugar spoons. They sold so well at the Festival of Nations and many people asked for more. Not my favourite thing to do (do not like covering stuff). I thought Donna Kato's big jellyrolls would work.... it just doesn't do it for me. Perhaps the black is to heavy. Will make another cane and see how it looks.

Color

Beautiful autumn colors to inspire.

Whimsical sculpture to make you smile:-)

Created by South African artist Elise du Toit

Inspiration

This necklace from UK based artist Gerlinde Huth

http://www.gerlindehuth.com/index_flash8.html

I see the possibility for beautiful beads ... something new for my polymer clay "to do" list.

The perfect teapot

"The discipline between form and function......" is what Antoinette Badenhorst is striving to perfect in the creation of her porcelain teapots.

Antoinette is a fellow South African that I got to know here in the US. I've never met her eye to eye, but the bond between us is unmistakable..... the love of creating something beautiful. Antoinette is light years ahead of me but she's always there to help, give advice and have long, relaxing chats on the phone with.

When I look at her work I always return to the teapots. Light as air, amazing artistry, perfect functionality.... a teapot to make teatime a dream time.

You can see more of Antoinette's beautiful work here:http://www.clayandcanvas.com/home.html