Polymer and Wire - Laura Tabakman Jewelry

Over the years, Laura Tabakman has developed
a broad range of polymer jewelry including
pieces that are geometric and architectural
along with some that are more relaxed
and organic in style.

My favorites are her

hand-sculpted floral necklaces featuring

delicate-as-tissue-paper blossoms.
 

Created using polymer and wire

these particular floral designs

look like gently-brushed watercolors.

 

 

Some of these pieces remind me

of work created with glass, especially

when it seems like light

is traveling through them.

See more of her work at

Laura Tabakman’s website.

Layers of Dimension & Texture - Betsy Baker Jewelry

Betsy Baker interprets in polymer clay

 various smooth and textured surfaces of

natural materials like marble, rock, sand, linen

and paper, using numerous mixed-media

surface techniques. Once that portion of her work

is done it's then combined with a focal point of

hand-forged fine and sterling silver.

Her meticulous attention to surface effects allows

for a wide range of patterns and textures, as well as

investigations of color, dimension and geometric forms.

These forms blend harmoniously

with those tiny focal points. Each embellishment is

protectively placed into a recessed opening

 reminiscent of a window or portal to

another enchanting dimension.

 

There is a lot to admire and to enjoy in her jewelry. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One's attention is continuously drawn to 

multiple levels of distinctive

dimensional and textural effects. 

It's not easy to select a favorite.

 

Be sure to visit Betsy Baker's website
to see all of her work.

 

Fun and Colorful - Liz Hall Jewelry

 Colorful jewelry created by Liz Hall

makes me think of fun every time I see it.

Her work is recognizable yet most of it

is one of a kind.

Creating her elaborate work with PMC

and embellishing it with stones, polymer clay,

 glass, or whatever other found objects

 may catch her eye, this artist

has a wonderful ability to translate her ideas

into delightful and intricate compositions

of ever-changing patterns and sequences.

It never gets dull.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a whole lot more to
see on her website.

 

Polymer Treasures - Judy Kuskin Jewelry

There is no doubt that
Judy Kuskin has a

strong, recognizable style

With roots in metalworking, she

combines traditional metalsmithing techniques

with contemporary techniques in
polymer to create work that is

as noteworthy as it is beautiful.

Her one-of-a-kind pieces incorporate
a soothing use of natural earth tones.

 

 

I especially appreciate her asymmetrical
yet balanced designs.

She creates intriguing displays of

dense richness and complexity.

To see more of her work

visit Judy Kuskin's website.

Mixtures of Materials - Celie Fago Jewelry

There's so much variety in the jewelry
created by Celie Fago.
She works with both precious metal clay
and polymer clay and highlights
everything with metal work.

The best parts of her work
emerge whenever she creates
unique textures. By layering
multiple processes and multiple materials
 upon one another she constructs pieces
that push creative and technical boundaries.

This pendant provides an example of
her focus on texture.
And I love the delicate calligraphy.

Again, texture is the

predominant effect.

Mixing polymer with metal produces

subtle colorations with striking effect.

Her work evokes a marriage of superb

quality and creative design.

Every piece provides a broad

range of visual interest.

The polymer work is exceptional.

The metal clay work is exquisitely designed.

The overall effect is amazing and inspiring.

And one of the best things about her
artistic journey is that she is willing
to teach all she has learned.

For more images and information
see Celie Fago's website.

Zen Inspired Beauty - Tish Collins Jewelry

There is alot to experience in the zen-inspired jewelry created by Tish Collins.

Whether in her polymer work or her metal series, most of her pieces depict a tableau of images and words that seek to describe universal experiences and emotions.

Her colorful and thought-provoking designs are based on shape, color and pattern. Her use of her collages within her jewelry evoke symbols and imagery from various cultures.

 

Her metal pieces are hand fabricated from etched, patterned and oxidized metals, and each component adds so much to the overall effect.

Each piece is an experience to enjoy.

For more images and information about her work, visit Tish Collin's website.

Floral Delights in Polymer - Elvira Lopez del Prado Jewelry

Elvira Lopez del Prado's jewelry

is captivating.

She has several collections but it's her

 Whispers in White collection

that really catches our eye.

Created using polymer and wire

these designs are dreamy and feminine.

The multitudinous swirls and loops

evolve into rings, necklaces and bracelets
that are punctuated with blossoms

that appear so realistic they

seem to have been plucked

 directly from a garden.

This particular necklace called

is made with polymer, copper wire,

anodized aluminum wire and gold sheet.
The creamy flowers seem freshly

gathered.

Most of her pieces have strong textural contrasts

that keep one's eyes

moving throughout the piece.

This next piece also shows continuous movement

as the tendrils curl and dance throughout the ring.

 The wire helps guide the eye around

the various and contrasting shapes.

Here's another view of this ring.

Each twist and turn adds life to her design.

This graceful neckpiece utilizes polymer,

copper wire, and silver sheet.

Malleable wire combined with floral elements

created from polymer combine to

become dainty and delicate pieces of jewelry

that look incredibly realistic.

These delicate and tender blooms are so lifelike

you almost think you're smelling their

 sweet fragrance.

For more info you can visit her website.

Exhibition - "Souvenirs" - Tory Hughes Jewelry

Acknowledged internationally as an innovator

and leading polymer clay artist and teacher,

Tory Hughes is one of the preeminent

polymer jewelry designers.
 

Over the years her techniques have

helped pave the way for

many current polymer artists.

The hallmarks of Tory's creative style are

precision combined with extraordinary imaginativeness.

It's her attention to detail, her masterful use of color,

 and the intricacy of her designs

that always distinguishes Tory's work.

 Her work is currently on display

during the month of August

at a local coffeehouse in her hometown

of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Conveniently located in the central plaza of town,

the Santa Fe Plaza Starbucks Gallery Space

is exhibiting

‘Souvenirs - Tangible Memories, Wearable Imagination.‘

What makes this exhibit so enticing is not only

the fact that it is a relaxed way to see her work

but the coffeehouse is within strolling distance

of her studio and gallery, where you can see more

of her work and actually

get an opportunity to meet her.

 

Here's an example of some of the

work on display.

This one called, Au Printemps Necklace,

is a homage to Paris and a building that

is known for its vast stained-glass roof

and historic detailing.

 

And, of course, the reverse side of this piece

 is equally beautiful showing

hand-painted silk coverings on the

back of each floral cup.

Another piece featured is called, Moorea,

uses a technique that is an adaptation of one her

 imitative techniques: imitative rayskin

 

One of her legendary imitative techniques

is making polymer look like agates,

as in this piece called,

Agate Disc necklace.

and this piece called Santa Fe is

aptly named for the

layers of multiple cultures and beliefs

that symbolize the town of Santa Fe.

Approachable, friendly and down to earth,

Tory is an artist who is accessible and unpretentious.

Working as an artist, writer, teacher and

creative consultant, Tory keeps herself busy.

Very busy. Yet, here she is making her work

accessible in so many ways.

For anyone who would like to see her

work in a casual setting

this exhibit is the place to be.

It runs through the month of August.

You can get more information

about the exhibit, on her website at

‘Souvenirs-Tangible Memories, Wearable Imagination.’

On a different yet related note,

this casual exhibit serves as a delightful prelude to the

upcoming exhibition that is planned at

the Racine Art Museum

in October where many of the polymer field’s

creative pioneers will have work on display.

"Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads"

will be on display

October 21, 2011 – February 5, 2012.

Among the artists that "Terra Nova" will showcase

(there will be 34)

the focus will be narrowed down to

spotlight 8 artists who are considered

"Boundary Breakers"

- recognized within the polymer field

for their accomplishments and contributions -

and Tory is one of the

8 Boundary Breakers.

For more information about the

exhibit at the Racine Art Museum

you can visit their website.

Micro-Mosaic Polymer Techniques - Cynthia Toops Jewelry

Cynthia Toops is known for her polymer

micromosaic pieces.

Each of her intricate works are the

result of a painstaking process

where uses tweezers to place the tiny

threads of fired polymer into

a matrix that holds her designs.

Each time consuming piece is a delightful to see.

She has new work on exhibit

at Facere Jewelry Art Gallery

where each of the brooches are created

with her signature techniques then

set in sterling silver.

The exhibit is called, "Subtle Set"

and runs from August 10 - 31.

We love the whimsy in her pieces. 

 The amount of work involved is

rather mindboggling.

Each of these pieces measure a mere 1.25 inches

but there is an astronomical amount of

mosaic elements involved.

You can see more of her work

on her website.

Joyce Fritz Jewelry

Lighthearted. Whimsical. Playful.
Jewelry by Joyce Fritz provides an
enormous variety of fun and delight.
One doesn't expect to wear insects
and other creepy-crawly things as adornment
but each piece created by this artist is more
delightful than the last.
Smiles erupt whenever her jewelry appears.
Both the wearer and the viewer share
the enchantment.

Her designs are based on the world of bugs -
some are patterned after real insects and
are incredibly true to form,
while others are designed in her imagination
and are wonderfully creative.

Every piece of her jewelry is handmade in polymer
with detailed embellishments of glitter,
metallic leaf, wire, and glass beads.
Color and pattern are pivotal for this artist's process.
The intricate designs are not painted on; they are
an integral part of the polymer
and are created with an ancient technique,
also used in glass, called "millefiori,"
an Italian word meaning "one thousand flowers."


Let's look at some of our favorites.


We are inspired by the color effects in this brooch.

We love the elaborate, detailed mosaic effects

in this piece.

It's easy to forget that it's a bug.

This little fellow might become

our newest best friend.

The color choices on this piece
make quite an impact.

This little bug is just so adorable.

Playful. Pretty. Pleasing.
We really can't stop admiring them.
What do you think?


Enjoy!