Monday, April 18, 2016

Jana Roberts Benzon - Polymer Clay Artist - Laser Cut Workshop

To see some amazing designs created with polymer clay check out Jana's website:

JRB Art & Design



Jana was the instructor for a 2 day polymer clay workshop hosted by the Central Mississippi Polymer Clay Guild on Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th.  Jana instructed the students on how to create her "Laser Cut" technique.  Each student working toward creating a pendant in this style.

The term "Laser Cut" describes the visual effect of this eye-catching technique with it's precise angled cuts, which reveal intricate, delicate designs.  Jana also shared many tips for using Kato Polyclay.  She generously shared a vast amount of knowledge in techniques and clay information with us.

This workshop consisted of learning 8 techniques to complete the front of a laser cut pendant.  How to form the bail.  And how to finish the piece to achieve your final results.

Here are 3 of Jana's Pendants created in the Laser Cut style.  The pendant bails are all on the bottom in this photo in order to share how she finishes out each bail.




Here are a few of the student pendants that were created.  These had just been baked to set the top of the pendants.  The only remaining steps left were to - shape them and set them with a slight bend - remove the tube that is extending from the bail - and add the final backing to the pendant and bake them again.

we ran out of time to add the backing and do the final baking on ours, but Jana did bake a piece and demonstrate how we should finish our pendants



my workshop pendant


This was my very 1st polymer clay workshop.  I can say that Jana was an amazing artist with a wealth of knowledge that she unselfishly shared with everyone who attended.  I hope we can get her back for another workshop next year.

Thank you so much Jana.

p.s., this is one of her pieces that I purchased at the workshop.  Beautiful.  I will love wearing it.


Friday, April 15, 2016

Wire Weaved Quart Cluster

This was my 1st official wire weaved piece of jewelry.  Watching YouTube videos and reading off the Net.  I made a few sample weaves using tutorials.

This quartz cluster was in the bucket of rocks and quartz that the husband and I got at a garage sale a while back.  There were not a lot of good pieces that can be used in jewelry.  But, I have several single quartz pieces and a few larger ones that I can use.  Mostly will have to use the other ones in mosaics.

When I asked my husband if he liked it he said "it's big".
So I said you don't like it.....dear Redneck said "it's big".
Men!  Well, I like it and that's all that counts I guess.


I free formed the wire piece on the left side and used it to hold the stone down on the copper wire frame that is under the stone.  It is also running up to the top to form the bail.

There are several coiled wire pieces running mostly toward the bottom of the pendant.  And lots of beads.

There is a smaller weaved piece running along the side on the right.


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Crystal Cave Charm - Nicole Hanna pattern

Nicole Hanna Jewelry website

Nicole Hanna is an amazing jewelry artist.  She weaves wire into unbelievable designs that are works of art.

She generously shared a free tutorial yesterday and I was able to make this pendant from that tutorial.  Of course, no where as beautiful as her work.  But, hey in my defense.....I'm new to wire weaving.

I started playing with wire last week.  I bought some and did a few patterns found on YouTube.  I did wire wrap a quart crystal cluster earlier this week.  I will show it later.

Now the question to myself is........do I want to make another one and use these as earrings?

Thank you so much Nicole.


p.s., I need to add the jump ring at the top to hang it from
p.s.s.  and I need to buy a ruler that has metric measurements on it.
p.s.s.s  and buy a magnifying glass :)







and here is the original piece from Nicole.