Art Bead Scene Blog: September Monthly Challenge

Art Bead Scene Blog: September Monthly Challenge

This necklace is my response to the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge.  The focal beads are made with polymer clay using two of my favorite techniques: the faces and flowers are canes and the swirls were made by texturing and highlighting with metallic paints. The findings are my own wire work and I added a variety of seed beads from my stash of vintage glass, shell and metal.  

Here are photos of my raw clay design:

I tried to echo the lines in the inspiration painting, "The White Rose and the Red Rose" by Margaret Macdonald 1902:  

To continue the theme of the inspiration I chose rectangular shapes that are elongated more than my usual style.  I tried to keep the colors muted  which was a bit out of my comfort zone.  Normally I love rounded shapes and darker hues.  

On the back of each of the beads I added some of the rose canes along with some very heavily textured clay.

What a treat is is for me to explore an artist I had not heard of before this month.  I love how the Art Bead Scene bloggers give me this sort of opportunity.  What a wonderful resource to all of us with a passion for art and bead-making.