Ornaments and a Product Review

by Staci Louise Smith

Every year I make ornaments from polymer clay.  This year I was sorely behind.  I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do.  Last year I made my usual styles into ornaments, and did a run of Blue Moons to commemorate the blue moon that occurred in December.

This year, nothing was coming to me.  I thought, how can I commemorate this year?  Its been quite a year, with the election and all the great singer songwriter poets we have lost.

And then it hit me.

I wanted to make some ornaments to embrace peace, love, and acceptance.  

First I decided to honor Leonard Cohen, and make something inspired by his song Anthem.  I love the line, "there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in".  The other part of that inspiration was Karen's post that included a picture of this sculpture by Paige Bradley, which I LOVE.

So I decided to make a heart, with gold shimmer in the cracks, and wire wings.

I added the lyrics and dated them as well

Then I made some star ornaments, to honor David Bowie, aka Ziggy Stardust, aka Starman

On the back I wrote "turn and face the strange" because I think it really fits for every single day of our lives. They are also dated.

 I also wanted to make something to do with Peace.  This election has caused so much chaos.  So I made a new design, a peace sign, with wooden textured parts.  It was really fun to make.  On the back, trying to stick with lyrics, I wrote, "Imagine all the people living life in peace".

So, my ornaments are finally done and listed in my destash group. (How my destash group workds: just click that link, ask to join if you are not a member, and then claim items in comments.  I invoice you for them and ship)  

Better late then never, right?  (on top of the normal holiday rush and business, I have had sick kids.  I am so behind).

Anyhow...................since I made a new ornament, I had to make a mold for it!  Thus, the review portion of this blog....

I have been wanting to try that molding plastic, the one that you put in warm water and mold it.  I thought it may capture detail better, or yet, last longer then my typical two part silicone molds.

I purchased this brand, InstaMorph, from Amazon.

I followed the instructions carefully. 

I used water that was 150 degrees as directed and poured in some of the little white plastic balls.  They are supposed to congeal into one piece.

But they never lost their ball shape textures.  So I started again, because the cool thing is, you can re use this product over and over again

 I heated the water again, this time making it between 160-170 degrees

These looked a bit more transparent this time and congealed.

 So I smooshed them together and tried to make it as smooth as possible, but it was hard to get the ball texture out of them

I went ahead and covered my peace sign anyway, hoping that it would smooth out by applying pressure

 While that was setting, I tried again and went a tad hotter.  It did get much more moldable- however, the work time is quick, by the time it cools enough to handle it, and you begin to work it smooth, it begins to harden.

When the plastic was cool, I tried to remove my mold.  it stuck to the polymer a bit, and it did NOT make a smooth mold at all.  As you can see- it never lost that ball like texture- and the sample I did in polymer on the lower right side is terrible

 So, even though I think this is a cool product, and it is amazingly strong, not a fan of it for molds.  I will find a use for it, but it was way more trouble then it was worth.  I ended using my good old trust two part silicone molds.

I actually have an article in the current issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry on making molds with two part silicone.  

(I am also honored to be the Designer Collection in the current issue).  So grab it if you want to have a copy of my mold article- or take a peek at the issue because I was so happy with the pieces they picked to be showcased in the
Designer Collection (12 pages of my jewelry!  squeeee!).

You can pick up the current issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry here, or at some local art and craft stores as well as Barnes and Noble.

I know I haven't been blogging much lately, so I hope you don't mind that I crammed like 3 blogs into one!!!!

Christmas is in 3 days, and I know everyone is just mad busy!  I truly hope you enjoy your holiday, no matter what you celebrate, may it be filled with love, and family and friends, peace and wellness.  

Getting Published

by Staci Louise Smith

I think I can honestly say that one of the most exciting things you can experience as a jewelry designer is to get published and see your work professionally photographed.

The upcoming Summer issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry has three of our very own contributors in it.  

Karen McGovern has two pieces in the gallery section....don't you love how they photographed them?  So beautiful.

Then I was flipping through and saw a great article by Carol Deckle Foss, who is soon to be our newest member at Love my Art Jewelry.

And I got this issue because I have two different polymer clay articles in it.  

So, how did we manage this?  Who did we have to know?  What strings did we pull, or hoops did we jump through?  

None.  We just submitted, and we got accepted.  

Now, every magazine is a little different in how they like things submitted, and when they are due.  Different magazines take different types of jewelry making techniques also......so, the best thing you can do, is to find the magazine you think your work would best fit into, and follow the instructions they have for submissions.  

Submit a project, and then wait.  Don't get discouraged if you do not get accepted.  Most magazines take submissions for EACH issue. So,  say you submit a bracelet, they may already have enough bracelets for that issue.  You can always take your piece and submit it again to another magazine.  

If you do get accepted, make sure to ask questions if you aren't sure what is expected of you.  Having a good relationship with the editor is important.  However, keep in mind, they are VERY busy as well, and may take a little bit to get back to you.

So, if you have been wondering how you get your work published, that's it, just put it out there.

I will add that it may not be for everyone.  You may need to take step by step photo's of your process for the article, and you have to write detailed instructions, with measurements and resources for your supplies.  This comes easier to some then others.  I would still encourage you to try it, at least once, to see if it is up your alley.

Most magazines also pay you for your contribution.  So not only do you get recognition for being in the magazine, your name and work in there, and a link to your website, but they pay you too.

Another added benefit, is that people get to see how you make things.  You may worry that this will hurt your business, but I think your customers will value being able to see how handmade your pieces are!  What better way to show the work that goes into your art?!

I think its a win win all around.  The magazines want an influx of new artist to feature, so they have variety, you want to get your name out there.  No one loses.

Here are some links to submission guideline pages for some jewelry magazines just to get you started!

Bead Design Studio

http://www.beaddesignstudiomag.com/resources/submissions.shtml

Bead it Today

http://www.bead-it-today.com/submityourwork/index.shtml

Belle Armoire Jewelry and Jewelry Affaire

http://stampington.com/submissions

Stringing

http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/inside_stringing_magazine/archive/2013/05/10/now-accepting-winter-39-14-jewelry-stringing-submissions.aspx

Step by Step Wire

http://www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/content/StepByStepSubmissionGuidelines.aspx

Bead Style

http://bds.jewelrymakingmagazines.com/about-us/submission-guidelines/2003/08/beadstyle-contributor-guidelines

Do it.  Just do it.  You don't know until you try!