New Things

I have been wanting to try new techniques and revisit some ideas I had a few years ago.  I was first introduced to polymer clay in the 90's and wasn't too interested.  I guess in my mind I always thought polymer clay to be "cute," and I don't do cute.  I try to go for something classic and different with an edgy twist. 

Most, if not all, of my pieces have a vintage element, not just vintage-inspired, and polymer clay is most definitely not vintage.  So what could I add to it to keep it true to my aesthetic and stand apart from others'?   I looked around at my entire vintage supply inventory and came up with the idea to merge the old with the new in an entirely different way:  petite polymer clay frames surrounding vintage Scripture, music score, and solid brass crosses under a "glass" of resin.  Miniature Masterpieces. 

In the process I discovered that I LOVE WORKING WITH THE POLYMER CLAY! Probably more so than the etching.  I love that the results are more predictable than etching and the forgiving nature of the clay allows me to smush something that doesn't look right and start over.  With etching, once you actually start the etching process there's no going back. 

There are a lot steps/details that go into making these pieces, but I hope you'll agree with me that the end result is totally worth the effort:

 

 

 

Vintage West German Crystals

 

 

I also set Vintage Scripture in old solid brass bezels I came across and used them and some old rhinestone to embellish vintage copper coated lockets I have been holding onto for a while:

 

 

All of these pieces are listed in the shop.

 

I will never give up etching the solid brass, but I so enjoy trying new things and incorporating the techniques seamlessly into my exiting line. 

 

I will be at the Hyde Park Art Show this Sunday.  Hope to see you there!

 

Sara

Art Off Pike

I will be at the Art Off Pike Art Show tomorrow, September 29th, from 11-5 in Mainstrasse, the historic district of Covington, KY.  Over 80 urban artists will be participating at this juried show, and it is receiving lots of publicity;  it looks to be a really good one.  I hope to see you!

Enjoy your weekend,

Sara

Fall Sale

It's Fall, y'all!  To celebrate, all current In Small Spectacles pieces listed on Etsy are 20% off!  Enter code FALL20 at checkout. 

Enjoy shopping,

Sara

Earrings, Earrings, and Earrings...Oh My!

I LOVE to make earrings.  There are so many possibilities with these small pieces of jewelry.  Most women wear earrings, so it's a pretty safe bet to give them as a gift.  I made these earrings a little while back and am just now getting the opportunity to list them in the Etsy Shop.  I found these fabulous solid brass sacred medal reproductions cast from vintage originals in a size perfect for earrings.  I wanted to keep each pair edgy, so I purposely mismatched them.  I love pairing the warmth of brass with some of my favorite semi precious stones traditionally reserved for cool, silver tones:  turquoise, pyrite, hematite, and emerald green jade. 

Vintage W. German Crystals
 



Emerald Green Jade

 

 

 Hematite and Pyrite

 

 

Smoky Quartz and Pyrite

 

Vintage Bohemian Crystals

Opal Jasper

 



 

I have already received several inquiries about my Christmas inventory.  As the Holiday season approaches, I will be listing more and more pieces every day.  In addition, I have some really outstanding local art shows in my schedule, So be sure to check the blog right side line for my updated show dates. The next one is Art Off Pike September 29th in the historic Mainstrasse neighborhood of Covington, KY.  I look forward to helping you check off your Christmas Gift List!

 

Enjoy your week,

 

Sara

 

2013 Indie Craft Market

I wanted to let you know I will be at the Indie Craft Market on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati from 5-11 pm.  There will food and live indie music as well.  All of the new etched pendant necklaces will be there and some bracelets I made recently with vintage chain and these very cool vintage brass Indian bells I found his summer.  I've been wearing one the past month and LOVE the sound they make~incredible:
 

 

More "Fully Loaded" pieces on deck as well as some with smaller etched pendants I am making in the next few days.  I am really excited about those!  And as always, lots of comfortable earring designs to choose from:

 

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Sara

 

 



Happiness is....

...new etched pendant necklaces embellished with vintage mother of pearl tiles, rhinestone, solid brass vintage crosses, mirrors, old brass keyholes, and antique brooches and earrings. I applied splashes of warm colored patina glaze to this batch to add another layer of interest. The necklaces have vintage W. German beads, carnelian, wood beads, and solid brass vintage beads with aged rhinestones. 

Coming to the Etsy Shop soon!

Sara