Technique: Faux Tiger’s Eye necklace and earringsWin: Yes, finally Challenge:• To get better stripes in the faux stone Lessons Learned:• I need to find a better way to finalise my pieces that need a shiny finish• Buffing with my little battery-operated tool works, but not entirely• Using ultra fine sand paper also doesn’t give the … [Read more…]

Technique: Faux denim keyringWin: Yes Challenge:• To create a denim-look keyring• To add a flower on one side• To add a pocket with an initial on the other Lessons Learned:• I mixed my own shade of blue which turned out beautifully, even if it leaned more “fantasy denim” than classic jeans• I am still learning … [Read more…]

Technique: Faux Tiger’s Eye Take 2Win: Almost Challenge:• To create faux Tiger’s Eye Lessons Learned:• I am still not getting the lines right• The colours are tricky to blend to look realistic• Getting the lines by scraping a tool along the slab didn’t seem to work for me Even though this didn’t turn out quite … [Read more…]

Technique: Seascape PendantWin: Yes Challenge: Lessons Learned: Confidence Level: 9/10 This one felt like a tiny pocket-sized coastlineLess “miniature precision surgery,” and more “wandering barefoot along an imaginary beach with a pocket full of blue clay.”

Technique: Faux Tiger’s EyeWin: No Challenge: Lessons Learned: Confidence Level: 7/10

Technique: Simple dangle earrings with leaves and textureWin: Yes Challenge:• To create a simple circle dangle earring with contrasting colour studs• To create a stem and leaf design that matched the contrasting stud colour• To create a symmetrical set of stems and leaves without them looking too stiff or identical in a “factory clone” sort … [Read more…]

Technique: Homemade leather-texture clay pendantWin: Yes Challenge: Lessons Learned: Confidence Level: 8/10 Notes:

Technique: Silkscreen pendantWin: Yes Challenge:• To use a silkscreen to decorate a pendant• To achieve a clean, crisp transfer without smudging or overloading the paint Lessons Learned:• The silkscreen gives a beautifully sharp, almost “printed” look that feels very satisfying• Less really is more when applying medium—too much quickly muddies the detail• Adding small bead … [Read more…]

Technique: Sculptured dragonfly with translucent wingsWin: Absolutely Challenge: Lessons Learned: Confidence Level: 8/10

Technique: Texture Roller ChokerWin: Mostly Challenge: Lessons Learned: Confidence Level: 7/10 A tiny clay plot twist: the mica shift quietly exited stage left, but the texture roller wandered in wearing a beautifully quilted coat.