polymer ponderings. . .

beads beads beads.....

i was asked by a jeweler to make some classy beads...

well, i don't know about the classy, but this one turned out quite well, i think. i made a fuschia/purple blend, cut a circle and placed it on a light bulb. then i carved out the dragon and baked the bead. then i covered the whole surface with liquid clay with gold pearl ex mixed in -- thinking what a lot of sanding i would have -- making sure i filled every carved area well. baked that and was surprised that the sanding was not such a chore and went from 180 up to 2,000 grit then buffed. the small light shape at the top is a reflection, i found it very difficult to take a photo without any reflection, even in a light box, as the surface was quite shiny.....




this bead is also a lentil over a light bulb, but the design is based on a sheet of blended clay with small flowers inlaid. then baked.
the dragon is a combination of paint and liquid clays drawn on and then baked and then several layers of very thin liquid clay were added and baked between each layer. the last layer was also heatgunned for maximum clarity.

a few sparkles were added before the last layers of liquid clay.

i have been playing with making clay fabric lately, and this is just one way i have used it.
i am not a jewelry maker, but i am having lots of fun making beads. stay tuned for more variously shaped beads and new surface treatments. after all, beads are really very small sculptures!!!