Social Distancing with Emma

 I have a new journal kit in my Etsy Shop. There are fifteen pages included. Pop over to www.wondrousstrange.etsy.com to see the kit. This image shows all fifteen pages. Perfect for journaling or adding ephemera. 

 This combination is altered from a wonderful old turn of the century book. I removed the story text and added some images gleaned from The Graphics Fairy site. My ultimate go to source for ephemera.

 More digital combinations from site.

I am printing mine as I write. I'll share my journal as soon as it is completed. Hope it pleases you and makes you smile:)

I have also offered it for free on my Patron site if you become a Patron:) 

Please stay safe and healthy all you incredibly special folks!! 

Come gather 'round people

Wherever you roam

And admit that the waters

Around you have grown

And accept it that soon

You'll be drenched to the bone.

If your time to you

Is worth savin'

Then you better start swimmin'

Or you'll sink like a stone

For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics

Who prophesize with your pen

And keep your eyes wide

The chance won't come again

And don't speak too soon

For the wheel's still in spin

And there's no tellin' who

That it's namin'.

For the loser now

Will be later to win

For the times they are a-changin'.

excerpt from Bob Dylan Song "The Times They Are A Chaining"

Crow's love to collect sparkly items...

Raku Crow's Passion Assemblage Dangle Earrings

Crows love to collect sparkly items:) So I have included crystals, safety pins, beads, baubles, coral and silk ribbon. The raku crow skull is topped with a raku textured cap and one of my eye of newt pieces. All are attached to strong thin wire and crimped into place. Stirling silver ear wires complete the earring. Fun to put together:) They dangle approx. 4 inches from top of ear wire...3 inches assemblage piece.

This was such a fun piece to put together:) All kinds of creepy Halloween fun:)  Listed in my Etsy shop today.

The Raku Kiln is heating up again...

Perfect to hang out side or near a window to show all the colors  iridescence in the changing light during the day. Large ornament measures approx. 5 1/2 inches tall x 4 1/2 inches in width. Copper glazing on back. It would be pretty with chimes or feathers dangling from the bottom and hanging by your kitchen window:)

Wondrousstange Raku Star Cabochons. Two stars in varying textures. Sizes  2 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch.

Raku is an ancient Japanese glazing style that has been tweaked by modern potters to give wonderful colors and textures. Once a piece is glazed, it is fired to1850 +/- degrees, pulled from the kiln at that temperature and quickly placed in a reduction chamber filled with combustible materials. Immediately the blazing material is starved of oxygen by placing a top on the chamber and left to rest for a determined amount of time. When the top is removed...the treasures are revealed:) Every firing is different in the revealed colors, each piece uniquely different. Because humidity, daily temperatures, my quickness in getting the work in the reduction chamber all contribute to the final result...no two firings are alike. Opening the reduction chamber is always like opening a present at Christmas...never know what you are going to get...sometimes a diamond, sometimes a flannel shirt...but always a treat:)

 I chose a really cold day to work again, but the intense colors are worth a bit of cold:)

What Does A Beach Girl and a Bolo Have in Common?

  Viki inset the raku cabochon  into a polymer clay base with a twisted frame. The clay has been cured and a light dusting of gold has been applied to it. The primary colors are metallic green, blue, and gold.

They have a lovely Etsy shop in common, that's what:)  Viki's shop pages begin with shells, then move to beach related items, jewelry, and finally her art and clay products. I know you will enjoy your browsing time!

 I am partial to this piece of course because its focal raku piece is one made by my little hands:) I love the simplicity and power behind Viki's creation.

I hope you will take time to stop by her Etsy shop at www.thebeachgirls.etsy.com for a summer time treat with sea shells and clay delights:)

Health, Happiness and Abundant Creativity to you all!!

If you love raku...many of my favorite raku artists are included in the Art Bead Scene post today

Click the link just below to go to the Art Bead Scene post featuring some amazing raku artists. I am so honored to be included in this talented group!

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2015/07/ceramic-raku-art-beads.html

 Here are a few of my unusual little treasures ...

Some of the softer colors from a firing done this spring. These pods are actually pendants. They each have a hole in the top to add to your project. Love the pale pinks, blues and metallics. 

 

 

 

Finished Pendant using raku pod.

Another finished piece using an on the edge spear. The raku glaze is only on the edges of the pendants...turned sideways to add more dimension.

Raku always has a mind of its own:) I was hoping for soft blues and metallics but was offered this wonderful earthy mixture of color. Reminds me of an ancient patina bronze. It is always a surprise when I open the kiln!

Because of the randomness of the raku process and the requests I get to repeat a color combination...I have been playing around with a faux raku technique. I am using Gilders Paste and other vivid high pigmented washes and achieving some rather interesting and colorful results. I am quite pleased so far with the experimentation:) I sometimes have a hard time distinguishing which is which and have to turn to the back to see if it is smoke black or natural:) It also helps that I can work in the comfort of air conditioning and can binge watch my favorite TV shows:) Faux Raku is fast becoming one of my favorite past time activities:)

This is my faux raku version of the pendant from above. Which is which??

With the faux raku I can create vivid color on both sides of pendants. That helps if the piece will be seen on both sides as in dangling earrings.

Thanks so much for visiting. Please do visit the Art Bead Scene blog to see amazing raku work from some of the best around:)  As always...Health, Happiness and Abundant Creativity to each and all!!

The Eye of Wadjet is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, royal power and good health...

New in the shop. Wonderful Raku colors:)  The Eye of Wadjet is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, royal power and good health Raku Pendant/Connector  https://www.etsy.com/listing/209653753/85-the-eye-of-wadjet-is-an-ancient?ref=shop_home_active_1

Here's to longer daylight hours and warm Spring days!!

Life is Sometimes a Blur

Life is Sometimes a Blur with all the demands we put on ourselves. Hope you can take time this weekend to enjoy family and friends and memories of loved ones gone. Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day holiday!!