by Barbara Bechtel
Over the last few weeks, I've been working taking simple forms from my sketchbook and translating them into stamps for my beads and pendants. This marks a change in how I've been working. While cleaning out my studio, I went back through my older sketchbooks and saw the way I used to work out ideas in my head, specifically for a painting. I realized this is not the same way that I work with polymer clay.
I decided to try and work the same way and I would if I were working on a painting.
I took this simple shape and drew a design to be reproduced in a hand carved stamp.
Here are some of the stampings in progress. While I'm carving, I periodically test out the stamp, to check where I need to remove more material.
Here is one pendant that has been baked but not finished (left) and one on the right that has been finished. (right)
This marks a poignant change in the way that I've been thinking about my process as it relates to bead-making. I'm really excited to see where this takes me.
Have a great Sunday!
Barbara Bechtel is a bead and jewelry designer and mixed media artist residing in Merritt Island, FL. You can read more about her at her blog, Second Surf.
6 comments:
barbara, these are wonderful! and it seems like such a natural way to work... you make it look simple... though i know it is far from that... those lotus shapes are beautiful as well...
Thank you Barbara for sharing your creative process. It is fascinating to me. I have not been trained in the arts, rather have been trained in the law, and one of the things I would like to learn to do is break down what I do into more basic steps. I don't know if that is even possible for me to do.
I love that! I love the rustic yet colorful fee that the pendant has. So fun!!
MaryAnn
I think you are really onto something. they are wonderful and have a good feeling to them. I really like how you use color. You have a gift for it.
Wow! I love hearing about the process on how you are creating your new pendants! They are so beautiful! Keep 'em coming!! xo Genea
LOVE all the color!! I tend to work in neutrals, naturals, earthy, rustics.... my sister is ALWAYS telling me "color will NOT hurt you" :)
Beautiful pendants!
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