I don't have "before" photos because it didn't honestly occur to me that anyone would be interested-until I had completed this project. However, I do have "afters" if the mood strikes you to change-up your display pieces. I was getting tired of plain old black; I also had a few white busts that I painted black, trying to bring some cohesion to my displays. Unfortunately after one use, packing, unpacking, repacking they had some spots where the white was showing through. It made it look shabby and not in the good way. So while I was digging around my garage (did I mention I could film an episode of "Hoarders" at my house?) I found an ancient dictionary. I don't destroy books without thought but this sad little thing was just old brown and the paper so brittle it was crumbling. Digging further (this time my studio,hahaha, in the basement) I found some Modge Podge the wonder glue, glaze and all around friend of the crafter. 
Dragging all my finds into the kitchen I tore, glued, and glazed new displays. After they sat overnight I gave them a light spray of Krylon sealer. I thought they were...nice, but needed something. Again digging into my hoard I found some stick on letters from when Sarah and I did altered books. It turned out to be just the touch needed to bring it all together. I love them and am now looking for more old pieces. Perhaps I might sell a few...

In my previous post I featured some funky, new beads I was experimenting with; in this post I have the finished product. For those of you that like your jewelry from Fred Meyer, just go on your way-this isn't your style. If, on the other hand, you like different, tribal, original styles this might be something you would enjoy. 
I tinkered with various ways of making a whole piece of jewelry from the dagger beads; the were so different that I couldn't just string them. I thought of copper wire chain and that didn't appeal to me either. Finally I visited the fiber gals in Loveland at the Loveland Arts Studio and found what I was looking for...recycled silk sari ribbon. It lent just the roughness I was looking for and still the rich dark color to complement the almost oil-slick quality of the beads.The jump rings are wire that I made into rings and patinated, finishing with a sealing finish. The clasp is bracketed by brass cones; the hook is one of my own hand made hooks. After a short test run I will be putting this up for sale on my etsy shop.

I always find it interesting where people find inspiration; sights, sounds, smells all evoke memories long hidden in the deepest recesses of our minds.
Artists in particular find ideas all over and some are rather obscure. As a child I found most of my inspiration for my fantasy life in the movies and tv serials (I seriously wanted to be the Lone Ranger). As I got older the darker side of entertainment appealed to me and I was introduced to all the early pulp mags with "strange, amazing tales". I particularly liked H.P.Lovecraft, who could give you goosebumps on the steamiest day of the year. 
Lately I have been re-reading some of my old, well-thumbed Lovecraft and I found it inspired me to experiment with some dark art. No, not the occult, but the darker side of polymer clay. I started out with beads rather than a larger project and found it just the thing for my mood.
These beads may have been dredged up from the shores of Dunwich or from some dark and nameless cave. 

The material I used here is polymer clay "mud". I make a slightly light, muddy mix that gives the color a darker look once I apply it. Then it is alcohol ink, acrylic paint and gilders paste. Pretty simple really, but the overall effect has me thinking of The Dark Ones..."striding against space and time."
Summer is bright, light shocks of color, but winter is coming soon and darkness falls early....