Work Table Wednesday

After the craziness of the holidays, I am trying to get back into a normal schedule of blogging.  My friend Star at ColtPixy.com had the great idea of restarting Work Table Wednesday with her blog and I am joining her in the process!

The first picture I'd like to share with you is my 3 Leaf Clover Itty Bitty Cthulhu.  He is nearly finished and only needs a base and some glaze to protect him from any glittery leprechauns!  There are several other Itty Bitty Cthulhus in progress, as you might notice from the background!

If you look carefully, as several friends and fans on my Facebook page did, you will see a suspiciously Vulcan Itty Bitty Cthulhu.  After hearing the news about Mr. Leonard Nimoy passing away on Friday, I immediately sat down and started working on a tribute Itty Bitty Cthulhu.  He will not be for sale.  

He is the first Itty Bitty Cthulhu that I have made for myself.  He still needs a final round of curing, before getting a glaze and base of his own.  Star Trek has contributed a major influence on my life and Mr. Spock was one of my favorite characters.  Mr. Leonard Nimoy was an amazing actor and man, whom I enjoyed watching in many projects.  He will be missed.  LLAP.

Happy Fall!

This past weekend was a welcome break from all of the hustle and bustle!  We had lovely weather and I was able to start decorating my front porch for Halloween!

In honor of the approaching fall, I started playing with some clay and these little guys rolled across my table!

I love pumpkins...almost to an obsession, which has been commented on more than once by friends, families, therapists...  Pumpkins just make me happy and I have a hard time passing a large pumpkin pile without adopting at least one, much to the chagrin of those shopping with me as I run squealing towards a pile.  (Mind you, I'm not a squealer, so it does come as a shock to my friends when I burst out of quiet conversation into a hyper child!)

These little pumpkins are just beginning their journey and will soon be part of something larger, so stay tuned to my blog or my Facebook page to updated project pictures!

Also making it's way across my work table is Cat-hulhu!  He likes souls, he likes yarn, he will purr all types of madness into your ear!

This little guy has been vying for attention for quite some time.  I finally managed to get him into a form that I really liked.  He was inspired by one of my friend's cats and makes me giggle every time I say his name, "Cathulhu!"

Ten Days and Counting!

I think that one of the most stressful times can be the last stretch before a show.  This will be only my second one and I'm excited, as well as nervous.  Be sure to check out my Facebook page, which I am updating more frequently with work in progress (WIP) pics and mini-updates!

Last year was amazing and I was able to share a booth with Yarn Twisters, two fabulous ladies, who make the most awesome knitted nerdy items!  This year, we will continue the nerdy fun together, so stop by to say hello!  Go to their Facebook page to check out some of their wonderful designs!

I am hoping that we will have some gorgeous weather, but it is always a challenge in the autumn!

Yarn Twisters and myself have some new designs and layouts that we will be showcasing at this festival.  The first few people that come by to say hi to me on each day will receive a free goody! Just mention this blog post or my Facebook page!

Check out the Central NC Pagan Pride Days Festival page for more information on the festival.  You will find schedules of events, vendor info, raffle pictures and much more!  Be sure to register for the Blood Drive in advance and score a swag bag!  I have donated thirty-six handmade bead pendants for the bags, along with a magnetic business card.

There are so many awesome raffle prizes donated each year!  I always buy tickets myself, since we are located very close to the raffle announcement booth!  It's so much fun to see what everyone is donating, fund raise and have a chance to win something amazing.  I have donated an Itty Bitty Witchy Cthulhu for this year.  Check out some of the other donations here!

Hope to see you at the fair!

What's on the Work Table?

I showed you one of my projects that I have started to play around with....the miniature koi pond pendant.  I'm going to work on a few more this upcoming weekend, or at least that is the plan.

Here are a couple of other projects that you might have seen on my Facebook page:

This is a Tree of Life inspired pendant....I carved the tree into the clay prior to curing it.  I was aiming for an etching style...then finished it with clear resin to cause the colors to really pop.

This is the pendant before resin was added.

This little guy was inspired by Cthulhu...I was trying to go for an old relic discovered, but that didn't really work out for this pendant.  Obviously, not every project is a success or even comes out remotely like you envisioned it...but that's all part of the process.  I'm not displeased by him, but I have ideas on how to make this piece better. 

This probably involves not giving Cthulhu freckles in the future...when texturing goes horribly wrong :P

Work Table Wednesday

Remember the miniature koi pond that I made last fall for the state fair?

With the tiny koi, all three of which fit on a single dime?

Well, I couldn't stop just there...I had to expand...or...well, miniaturize!

Three little koi, swimming on a dime...

Three little koi, swimming in their pendant pond...

 

Three little koi, having such a fun time!

This is only the first of a few koi pond pendants that I plan to make...I am testing out some techniques and finding what looks just right.  I also have a few other ideas, but one project at a time! ;)

Work Table Wednesday

Here is the commissioned piece that I was working on for most of the weekend.

It's the Triforce from Zelda.  My friend wanted to give it to her daughter as a gift.  I'm so excited for her daughter, who will be starting pottery class this spring.  :)

Work Table Wednesday

The final touches have been added to the Santa Cthulhu and he is getting ready to travel to his new home.  Hopefully the snowballs won't melt, considering how warm it is here at the moment!

As I finish up a couple of more sculptures, I will be embarking on a new project..trying to mesh a couple of techniques into one item.  As it progresses, I will post pictures along the way for you to see.

When I came home tonight, I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me!  Star from Coltpixy.com and I did an exchange recently...I sent her a miniature koi pond, hermit crab with betta fish and a snail necklace...in return, she sent me this gorgeous black and white mosaic keepsake box that she created using multiple techniques, including Sutton Slice, stamping and sculpting. 

It's absolutely amazing and pictures cannot do it justice, because it is so beautiful.  And let me tell you something...working with white clay is probably one of the hardest things to master...the fact that she was able to blend white and black polymer clays in such an elegant fashion continues to amaze me!

If you haven't checked out her blog or her Etsy shop...you really should!  She is one of the most talented artists I have the pleasure of knowing and I am honored to call her a friend.

 

 An even bigger surprise were these three little treasures tucked safely inside of the jewelry box!  A tiny, miniature mask that is just gorgeous in detail, a bunny booty pendant, which she is a master at making and a gorgeous tiny glass bottle that she created.  I have collected mini bottles and vases since I was young..Star did not know this, but she has sent me something that immediately reminded me of my collection and happy times. :)

Pirate Crab!

So, my dad requested a special sculpture from me for Christmas. He wanted a pirate blue crab that had taken up residence on Blackbeard's sunken ship.

After baking, before painting:

We brainstormed for quite awhile on all the different options before settling on a crab with an eyepatch and missing claw that was replaced by a fishing hook, of course!

After baking, painting and giving:

Argh...I'll guard yer parents' kitchen table with me broadsword!

Seriously, I forgot to take his picture before wrapping him up and traveling home for Christmas.  So, enter beautiful green tablecloth backdrop :p

Oh, and did I mention my Dad also wanted an oyster..."with attitude"..this one turned out more like a muppet...

But, he had such a hilariously cute expression, I couldn't bear to smoosh him back up into a lump of clay.  That happens sometimes..what you start out creating, might not turn out like you envisioned him...but maybe something better.  He even got a pearl!

Day after Christmas Shopping!

Even though I am writing this post ahead of time, I am going to hazard a guess that we will be partaking in the day after Christmas shopping.  Last year, my mom and I raided Michaels for leftover Christmas trees...I ended up with two great small ones.

This year, I really don't have anything on my list for after Christmas shopping, but I'm sure I'll find some clay or paint that I "cannot live without." :P

Here is a summary of all the necklaces I made for holiday gifts.  I still have a few holiday gifts to show you, but those will be next time.

Holiday Gifts, Part 2

I am so excited for this evening!  A friend and I are going to see the Nutcracker Ballet!  I have always wanted to see a live production of it and have watched it for years on the public broadcasting stations while usually wrapping gifts.

I am giving her this as a surprise for her holiday gift.  She has made me three beautiful mugs in her pottery studio and she loves cats, having two of her own, so I thought she would like this design.

Surprisingly, it was very hard to get a good picture of this piece.  There are so many colors incorporated, but pictures definitely do not do it justice.  I used multiple watercolors and mica powders to add color to the scene of this cat looking out over the sunrise (or perhaps sunset)? 

What's been on my culinary table...

So, I'm alternating between my clay table and my kitchen.  This week, I've been making candies and goodies for presents.  I love making things for others, whether it's with clay or dough, chocolate or stones.  There's something about putting your heart into a gift and seeing it received with joy.

Now, for my utter geekdom.  I bought the Han Solo in Carbonite Ice Cube Tray from ThinkGeek for my boyfriend's birthday last month. After stumbling across it the other day while going through some of my candy molds, I had a "EUREKA" moment.

Yes, it's Han...in chocolate.  Actually, it's Han in Peppermint Bark!  Hey, just because you are frozen in carbonite does not mean that you cannot celebrate the holiday season.  I mean, seriously....who wants to miss out on winter peppermint goodies??

Han, in festive winter packaging!

Other goodies that I worked on for my co-workers included pumpkin spice cookies with white chocolate drizzle and soft peppermint sticks dipped in dark chocolate, followed by white chocolate. 

I cannot get the smell of peppermint off of me.  At all.  The cats won't stop following me around the house...help!

On the worktable...

I have been so busy with sculptures, I keep forgetting to take really good pictures of any of my current projects.  Toss in the fact that a lot of them are gifts and I really don't want to give away any good surprises too soon!

But, here's one that I think is safe to share....

Work Table Wednesday

I have a lot of things on my work table right now!  The holidays are fast approaching and I find that I have a project every single evening for the next two and a half weeks, if I am going to stay ahead of the game and have everything done in time for the holiday parties.

My grandmother's birthday is this Sunday, so I sent her a package today containing some cute jigsaw puzzles, which she loves, as well as these goodies...

She is receiving a wall plaque I made out of polymer clay with pearlized powder, a beaded bookmark and two sets of earrings, including some gorgeous blue lace agate from CrysallisGEMS that I made into simple drop earrings.

Santa Cthulhus' are finished and drying with their shiny metallic sheen.  Maybe they should get candy cane staffs ;)

Our dog, Kallie, has not been amused by all of the frantic creating or holiday shopping.  She would rather take a nap.  So would I....she is a very smart doggie.

Packing for the holidays

If you have ever tried to pack up any of your craft/hobby/art supplies for a trip, then you can sympathize with how much of a hassle it can be.  Do I take this set of tools, or that one?  Should I take these beads to work with, along with my crochet...or should I just focus on one project?  What if I have a bunch of free time and wish I had brought X?  What if I don't work on anything at all and just dragged these supplies around for nothing??

Such was my dilemma at 1am this morning.  While a pumpkin cheesecake was cooling on the counter, I was rifling through my clay and trying to decide what projects I might want to work with, what was absolutely essential to take with me and what I realistically would have time for, if there is any time to spare.

Enter: My new organizer.  This is the one I was drooling over at Jerry's a few weeks ago and fortunately, I found one (the last one) in a store closer to me.  I had a coupon at the time, so I just went ahead and picked it up. 

Squee!  It makes me happy every time I look at it.  The handle is round and does not dig into your hand.  The lid has a flip open section for storing small items, such as tools or other essentials...*ahem*

Don't judge me.  In my line of work, I never get the opportunity to paint my nails, so I thought I would toss these in just in case I have "more time." :P

Open the lid completely and you have a great drop in tray that stores a LOT of clay, or anything else you would like, for that matter.  My tool case that my boyfriend gave me for my birthday this summer also fits nicely in there, so it's the perfect compartment.

The bottom is the standard, empty toolbox bottom.  I did not want the clay to react with the plastic, so I lined the bottom with tinfoil and using some spare foam, I cut it to size and wrapped it up as well, creating a divider.  I have shells, armatures and miscellaneous on one side and finished projects will rest on the other side.  In time, I think I will probably divide this into three compartments and maybe put a secondary shelf.  The box is deep enough to allow that.

This will be it's maiden voyage.  I'm curious to see how it holds up, if I'll actually use it and whether it will be a better stay at home storage tote or if it will be ideal for traveling.  I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!  Will you try to tackle a project or will you take it easy and focus on more...culinary projects? :D

Work Table Wednesday

Well, this cute little guy was on my worktable this past weekend...

Now, I am spending today, while trying to get rid of a really bad cold and migraine attack, how I am going to replace him.  See, I found out the hard way on Sunday evening that UV resin and glass do not necessarily mix.

So...my cute little betta...

is now encased in yellow resin in a cracked bowl.  I do not have a picture of this...it is too depressing :P 

But, that is how it goes sometimes...you never know until you try!  I will be making another betta very soon and hopefully, I can figure out how to make him properly shine!

Work Table Wednesday

I was able to move forward with the next step of one of my projects, as well as start another hermit crab!

I now have three hermit crabs, patiently waiting on me to start painting.  I think they feel a bit naked, even with their shell ;)  The little creation below is also in the beginning stages...I am hoping it will turn out nicely.  You will have to check back to see how it progresses!

March of the Snails

Well, I was going to have pictures of a necklace I made last weekend...or possibly some of the earrings that I have finished.  But, I forgot to take pictures AND I promised that I would show you the amazing work of ColtPixy again!

Meet Vadoma, the fortune teller snail.  Watch as she reads her tarot cards and gazes into her crystal ball (stored safely in a mushroom cap).  She will only have good things to tell you and will bring good fortune to all who seek her guidance.

ColtPixy has reached 100 snails and she is doing a giveaway of Vadoma to celebrate!  And it is also her Birthday, so head over to ColtPixy's blog to find out how to enter and win.  While you are there, wish her a Very Happy Birthday!

Then, after you enter, check out her Etsy shop for the latest fabulous snails that she has added for this special occasion!  These would make the perfect gifts for those you love this holiday season!

And many more!

Oh, and this is a sneak peek of what's on my work table. It just came in the mail yesterday and no, I won't tell you what is in these adorably cute boxes...but it's going to be contributing to my next project. :)