Saturday, December 1, 2012

My entry for the Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop


The time is almost here‼!  Back in late October I heard about something called an Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop. In checking further, I learned that this is the third year that Art Bead Scene has hosted this Ornament Blog Hop.  I was intrigued so I investigated further and learned that to participate I would design an ornament using an art bead.  My first thought was I love making Christmas ornaments.  My second thought was what exactly is an art bead – so I went to the Art Bead Scene website and learned that: 


An art bead is a bead, charm, button or finding made by an independent artist. Art beads are the vision and handiwork of an individual artist.
I clicked on some of the links and saw that art beads range from very simple to very complex and can be made of just about anything!  But my best discovery is that I make art beads‼!  Who knew????  Since I do make beads of all sorts, sizes and forms from polymer clay based on whatever project I am working on at the time, I decided that an ornament made using an “art bead” would be a great challenge so I signed up!

Now the time is drawing near for my Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop entry to be revealed.  It’s been an interesting and productive challenge and involved working through several prototypes before I was happy with the end result.  The creation of my art bead involved working with alcohol inks, gold leaf, metallic paint, custom mixes of polymer clay, deeply etched rubber stamps and a handmade mold. 

The inspiration for my ornament goes back to a polymer clay cruise I took in August with a group of  polymer and metal clay artisans. Each artisan was invited to make charms to exchange with everybody else.  One of those charms was based on a Lisa Pavelka design that involved using two elements that were independent of each other so that they could “spin”. 

 My ornament is unique in that it hangs flat but it also spins!  To quote Lisa Pavelka, “If it’s a spinner, it’s a winner!”  Check back on December 4th to see if you agree. 

9 comments:

Lisa Pavelka said...

Arlene, this is so stunning! I'm totally flattered to have inspired you in any small way. Love this!!!

Charis Designs said...

How pretty! A polymer clay cruise? If that's what you learned, I'd love know more details :)

Unknown said...

No Charis Designs, this is not what I learned on the cruise. But a cruise is the way that I really got started with polymer clay. I had been struggling along with it on my own then went with a couple of friends on the 2008 Polymer Paradise cruise with four great polymer clay instructors. It was an absolute eye-opener and such a great boost to my polymer skills.

The skills that you see in my ornament are the result of four years of working and growing those skills. The designs and elements are a cumulative process and I really struggled over how to get this to work in reality the way it did in my head! But I do love a challenge.

TesoriTrovati said...

This is a beautiful bead. I love the finishing effect of the frosty white. I am and always will be a novice when it comes to polymer clay but what I am most inspired by is that it can morph into so many different things and each maker's hand brings out something different. Thank you for joining us on this hop! Enjoy the day. Erin

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Beautiful bead! Looking forward to seeing the results.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous bead...love the colors!

Line said...

Arlene, great bead but it's just a peek. Can't wait to see the finished ornament. Let me know when you post it.

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

What a beautiful ornament! Love the colors, design and also that it is a spinning style.

glòria said...

Beautiful. It feels so Xmas!