Organic Pattern Ceramic Jewelry Connectors

I was doodling one day and really liked one of my designs.  It was simple, organic, and I decided it could make a cool design for a new set of jewelry connectors.  So, I set to work making a stamp which I then pressed into balls of clay.  I wanted the pieces to be really textural but to lay flat, so I made them domed on top and flat on bottom.  I finished them off with wire loops.  Next, it was time to pick the glazes.  I've been really inspired by fall colors, so I decided to come up with a fall-inspired color palette.  I picked five colors (or color combos).  I was amazed at how each glaze, with its own characteristics, completely transformed the same piece into something distinctive.  Here is the whole array...

First I tried out a new color--a slightly matte turquoise color.  I used this specialty glaze on the largest of the connectors.  These look soft and organic. 

Then I used one of my favorite glazes, a dark blue/brown glaze.  The blue doesn't look very blue in these, but they are still dark and pretty.   These look old and worn.

On to a reddish brown glaze.  I was hoping that the design indentations would turn yellow like they did in the polka dot recesses of a previous bead I made, but they ended up being an interesting almost olive color.  Hmmm.  That's the great thing about ceramics is that it is not always predictable.  These look like confections.  Chocolate anyone???

I had recently picked out this salsa red glaze because it matched one of the fall color trend colors reasonably well.  It is a runny glaze, so it really enhanced the pattern.  These look busy so they would be great paired with solids. 

Finally, the smallest of the pieces got a two-tone treatment of some of my favorite glazes.  I used a yellow/brown glaze on one side and a sea blue/brown glaze on the other.  They blended beautifully.  I just put all of these connectors up on etsy and this two-tone variety got the first "favorites" status.   These look like a rainbow gone autumn.  While the design adds to the pieces, the color is the main attraction.  Pretty.

 

Well, I hope you've enjoyed seeing my latest jewels.  You can check out these and my other ceramic jewelry components at www.pajegoarthouse.etsy.com.  I'd love to see what new things you are up to.  Has fall inspired you like it has inspired me?  

Happy Creating!

--Kathy

Unbroken Pattern Birdie Clasps

As many of you know I'm most well known on etsy for making my birdie clasps.  I've historically made most of my clasps with headpins going through the bird to create the loop in back of the bird, but I've found that sometimes this doesn't show off the beautiful patterns best.  So, I've been trying out a new method where I've embedded wire loops into the back of the birds. 

Pros: Secure loops, I can easily glaze all sides of the bird, design is uninterrupted, bird has less wiggle room in the toggle
Cons: I lose the beautiful enhancement of beads/metal

Over all, I really like how the pieces are coming out.  I plan on making them both ways.  I'd love your opinions...

Here are some pictures.