Ceramics Workshop... Pinch pot

I attended my first session in ceramics/stoneware yesterday and I couldn't be happier! It was a nice small class...three adults and 2 youngsters. Our teacher, Ms Katti Sta Ana is a very good instructor. She toured us around the ceramics studio and we jumped right in to working with the clay. I love the the feel of the stoneware clay. It definitely has a different consistency compared to the polymer clay I am used to working with.

First we learned to prepare our clay for working, a process called Wedging.  We do this in order to knead the clay to get all the air bubbles out and get an even consistency.Then we wrapped the clay in plastic bags to keep them moist. We brought the clays to our table and started with our first technique/lesson...the pinch pot.

We started with a small ball of clay and pressed it in with our thumb. We continued to press the walls, feeling the thickness with our fingers while forming a little pot. We made several and combined the pots together until we formed a ball shape. Each of us was to make a pinch pot animal and since I love owls, it was my animal of choice. Our teacher made a puffer fish, my classmates made a cat, a turtle, a dog and a snowman. We also got to paint our finished creations with underglaze. Then we had to leave it to dry before it can be bisque fired.

We really learned a lot of things like how to make clay glue or also called slip, how to attach two pieces of clay together by scoring and adding glue, how to fix cracks on the surface and so much more. We each get to work with 2 kilos of clay every session and whatever we have left at the end of the session we can take home. I am excited to practice more today with the left over clay that I have...here are some pictures of our day's work...

This is my owl...the horns/ears looks a little funny and it makes him look like a devil...haha..

The two little girls in the class are quite inspiring to watch..they had so many ideas while working!!! Here are their pinch pot creations...a snowman and a dog...

Remember the owls...

Remember the sweet candy colored owls that I posted previously here..well some of them found a new home and don't you think they look so adorably sweet....

These lovely bracelets are made by Ms Melpha Laeda Tabunan! They're made of colorful abacus beads and polymer clay charms. They are available at her FB page (see them here)

It always makes me soo happy to see creations made from items from my shop! Its amazing how creative people can be! 

Get your own owl charms and owl molds at my FB shop here (Don't forget to add me up) - 

http://www.facebook.com/earthlyjewelsbeads?ref=tn_tnmn

Simply Owl (A Simple Yet Sweet Owl Charm Necklace)

This necklace features a sweet little owl charm accented by a gold glass bead and star charm. It's simple yet sweet.

Check out this listing in my ETSY shop - CLICK HERE!

Getting some work done

Finally getting some work done. Been looking after my little Charley puppy...every week he's getting his vaccines and medicated bath and every time, he seems to be lethargic. This week, though, it passed pretty quickly and he is up and about! So, the worried mommy that I am was able to relax a bit and get back to finishing some of the beads I started. Today I got to hand painting a few of them...and I liked how they turned out...

My favorite is the one most to the right...the blue one. The color is really pretty and I think if I give it a gloss, it may look like a ceramic piece. I'm thinking of giving TLS a try (transluscent liquid sculpey) for a glaze. I'll have to stop by the craft store sometime tomorrow.

I've also added a couple beads to my new Etsy bead shop 

Earthly Jewels Beads

Arnold the Owl

Sardinox Cabochon

As for the pendant swap, I'm still waiting for one more pendant to arrive via mail. It's on the way and should be here pretty soon. Once I have all of them, I'll be able to finally post pictures!!! Hopefully next time we can have more people joining. It would be exciting to have a bead soup party too just like Lori from Pretty Things hosts. She will have another party in August sometime and I am definitely signing up!!! Meanwhile I would like to have a local one too...will have to put some thought into it and maybe ask Ms. Lori for some input (I'm quite shy to ask though). 

I've  joined a local group for polymer clay enthusiasts and artist on facebook (Polymer Clay People Philippines). It just started and there's been a lot of interaction so, it's a lot of fun. It may be great to have all sorts of activities like swaps, giveaways, inspirational challenges with prizes (prizes can be donated and then the person donating can get a week exposure on the group), blog hops.... lots of potential here!

Anyway, the weather has been cooler the past few days since it has been raining here. Little Charley is really loving it and has been getting really comfortable in his crate....

Aww, what a sweetie! I love this little puppy!

That's all for now...have a great day!

New Beads Store on Etsy

I've been putting a lot thought about whether I should open another Etsy shop for my handmade polymer clay beads and other stones, findings and crafting supplies. Or if I should have my own website for it. Or even if I should just incorporate it in my existing Etsy.

It took some time but I finally decided to just open a separate shop. So, today, I set it all up....

EARTHLY JEWELS BEADS

I have so much to list..but, I just want to add a few listings per day until I can build it up to a fully stocked shop. I hope it all goes well...

Here's my newest....

Great Green Owl

Almora

Alorien Grey

Exensia

Nessie of the North

Yugi-oh Blue

I'm thinking of sending out a few of my beads to a bead artist so they can work their magic on it and create something. I'd love to see finished pieces with my very own beads. Should I make it something like a giveaway? I've seen a couple of sites that do this. It would be great exposure as well.

Tomorrow, more beads to be listed....

That's all for now...have a great day!

Owl Bead Craze

Yesterday I spent the day making owls and owl molds (and a couple of other bead focals). Trying out a few designs for a line of owl beads.    Here's the loot...

These owls still have to go in the oven... 2 owl heads and a full body owl (who i really like and think i'll call Oliver)

Some owl molds.... and a heart molded from a vintage button (a thrift shop find)...Oliver was molded from the  one on the lower left....

Hand painted owlies...the pink one still needs highlights and maybe a glaze of gold... 

  and some other floral cabochons and bead molded from a button and a swirly focal pendant...

I'm putting the etsy shop on vacation starting tomorrow until Easter Sunday. I'll be preparing food and stuff for a beach outing on Thursday and Friday. It's the perfect weather for the beach and I can't wait. Hubby's been very busy lately with deadlines so, it will be awesome to spend some time with him relaxing by the shore. Pictures to come!