Art Bead Scene Blog: January Monthly Challenge

Art Bead Scene Blog: January Monthly Challenge: Lois Mailou Jones.

Neckpiece created with my own clay canes for a challenge sponsored by The Art Bead Scene Blog.  

I just love making polymer canes, and this winter break I had plenty of time to clay.  We were snowed in for a week!  My husband made more snow with boiling water!  

The Art Bead Scene challenge this month features the art of Lois Mailou Jones .  I've been collecting photos of her work with links to articles on a new Pinterest board.  What an intriguing adventure it has been to learn of Dr. Jones.  

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-monthly-challenge.html

I began this by noting that the colors in the ABS challenge piece were very vibrant and matched the new Pantone color palette as well.  I had to make myself avoid the greens that I'm so fond of, and here is the result.   

  

This is a variety of canes all lined up neatly in my simple slicer.  (I love my simple slicer!)  

If you are wondering how to go about making polymer clay canes, there is a new group on Facebook. Each week there are links to tutorials and everyone posts their new creations.  

I added my canes to some skinner blended clay beads here:

Then I cured, sanded, polished and  put it all together with some glass and wooden beads and leather cording.  

A tiny butterfly made from a cane dangles from the clasp for a touch of fun.  I did love the time off to clay, but you can tell I'm dreaming of summer already, right?!