Friday, February 20, 2015

Build A Line Challenge from B'Sue Boutiques, Maria Clark of Sweet Willow Designs, Part Two

Welcome to Part 2 of the B’Sue Build a Line Challenge.  My emerging line combines brass stampings and filigree from B’Sue Boutiques and my own polymer clay faux soutache.  Faux soutache is a traditional fiber arts technique that uses colorful braided cords to make intricate and fluid jewelry designs.  I’ve interpreted the soutache in polymer clay which offers endless options for color and design.

I started by selecting a range of brass options that caught my eye and that I thought would pair nicely with the polymer clay.   I had leaves, flowers large and small, filigree and ornate brass plates.  Initially I was overwhelmed as I envisioned using three of the large flowers in a statement necklace.  

Luckily there are three other artists participating in the challenge that live in the Denver area, Lynda O'MaraAlexandra Sefton and Lori Prull Meyer.  Lynda got us all together to talk about what we were creating.  We each shared our progress and sought advice from the others.  This proved to be really helpful to me as the main advice from the others was to simplify my vision.  The relief was immediate.  I don’t have to create wild, large pieces – simple may be better for my style.  Finding myself renewed and inspired by meeting these artists, I was ready to go.


I’m starting at basic bracelets.  I used the brass ornate framed piece as my base, curving it into a bracelet shape.  Using silver Gilder’s paste I changed the color of one of the brass pieces to match a button I planned to use as a focal.








I sculpted directly on the bracelet blanks, cured them and used E6000 to glue the polymer clay to the brass.  The polymer clay does not adhere to the metal so lifting it off is a breeze.  The colors are a turquoise, gold and purple.



In the second piece I created I experimented with a two tone look by leaving the brass its original color and a silver button.  So far I’m liking the initial designs and am starting to generate more ideas for the next pieces.


For 2015 I planned to join several challenges and push myself to try new techniques and explore my creativity.  I’m not sure production work is for me though I’m glad to learn from the talented artists pushing themselves to create a jewelry line.  It’s fun to see where this takes me.

Please take a look at the other fantastic artists participating in the challenge by visiting their blogs below.


Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques

Marcia Tuzzolino

Jann Tague

Judy King

Linzi Alford

Cynthia Wainscott

Carole Carlson

Lynn Stinten

Marica Zammit

Catherine Shattuck

Michaele Collie

Mary Craig

Lee Koopman

Erin Whitacre

Monica Casady

Leila West

Cindy Peterson

Leila Belcher

Gloria Allen

Pamela Anger

Tammy Adams

Lynda O'Mara

Elizabeth Hildreth

Dana Hickey

Janet Calardo

Maria Clark

Lori Beekman

Jennifer Kroeger

Amy Jorgensen

Robin Reed

Ingrid Anderson

Louise O'Shields

Susan Killam

Mary Katherine Deis

Nike Bottalico

Susan Bowerman

Kristy Le

Jan Peters

Mitzie Crider

Gina Hockett

Linda Anderson

Alexandra Sefton

Melida Boman

Teresa Shurter

Melissa Latimer

Renee Hong

Nadine Edris

Lori Meyer

Jennifer Merrill Williams

Denise Lussier Poirier

Renee Allen

Autumn Adams

Elizabeth Owens

Kat BarronMiller

Sandra Ballard

Coral Law

71 comments:

  1. Love your sculpting. Bet it requires lots of patience :-)

    I also like the colors that you've used so far. Will be looking forward to seeing your finished pieces in our final blog hop.

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    1. Marica, thanks so much for your comments. This is a great way to tweak our techniques.

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  2. This is quite cool, Maria! I, too, am really looking forward to your finished pieces.

    Cheers,
    Susan

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  3. Maria, these pieces are gorgeous. I love where you are going with this and your blog was a wonderful read. Well done! I am really looking forward to seeing your line come together!

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    1. Susan, thanks for your kind words. Appreciate you stopping by.

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  4. Maria, your pieces are beautiful! There is amazing, organic detail and flow to each piece. I'm so lucky to know you and be your Colorado Connection buddy 😉. Sending love and light ! xoxo

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    1. Lori, thanks so much for stopping by. I feel glad also to have made the connection!

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  5. Oh my gosh Maria--these are just beautiful! I LOVE the mixed metal colors and the polymer soutache idea is classy to the max!!! So happy to be part of "The Fab Four" with you! I can't wait to see lots more pieces from you--and what a great idea to use that gorgeous lacy stamping as a bracelet!! Maybe you'll have some teals, magentas, greens eventually?!!! <3

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    1. Thank you so much for the kind words. So glad we connected!

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  6. Beautiful pieces so far and love the use of mixed metals. Great focals for your bracelets!~Ingrid

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    1. Glad you like the mixed metals, I think it's my favorite also.

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  7. You love your designs on the brass with the polymer clay is awesome and what a great idea you have going on

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  8. You love your designs on the brass with the polymer clay is awesome and what a great idea you have going on

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  9. Great blog post Maria and I have to tell you your jewelry is coming together beautifully. Love your use of polymer clay. Can't wait to see the finished line.

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  10. really excellent use of color clay, I love the little swirlys you are doing on the brass components!

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    1. Kat, glad you like the colors and swirls. My favorites also.

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  11. Soutache is really pretty and your soutache is every bit as pretty. I am really excited to see where this goes.

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  12. I really like mixed metals so I loved the two tone effect! Love them all and can't wait to see the finished line!!

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    1. Leila, I'm growing fond of the two tone also. Thanks for stopping by.

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  13. Pretty pieces, Maria! Love the color combos! I can't wait to see more ... ;)

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    1. Pamela, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it!

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  14. Gorgeous color choices and beautiful polymer clay work. Can't wait to see more.

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    1. Tammy, thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comments.

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  15. I like how you've used that B'sue piece, I'll have to try that one sometime. I love the complimentary colors and your refined techniques with the clay.

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    1. Renee, I wasn't sure how this would work, hope you do try the piece it's versatile. Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. ow, your creations are just gorgeous and i love your theme and color pallet my friend. here's to more happy creating can't wait to see the rest of your beautiful line. XOXO!

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  17. Great designs! I especially like the last piece with the silver and brass. Your polymer work is impressive.

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    1. Micheale, thanks for your kind remarks and stopping by.

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  18. These are really a WOW! Great color choices and that incredibly fluid work with the polymer is spectacular. Can't wait to see more!

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  19. Love your polymer pallet looking forward to seeing a finished piece

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  20. You are doing a great job with the faux soutache.

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  21. Maria, your soutache is amazing and beautiful!! Love the colors so far.

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  22. Maria your artwork is spectacular!!! It is always a great delight to read your blog and OMG I did not realise you are on YOUTUBE too! Woo wee you are famous just as I thought! Yes I am a fan for sure. Thank you for kindness as always and I can't wait to see your final reveal! ~Louise

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    1. The YouTube videos are so much fun and it is my goal to be a famous YouTuber ha ha. Thanks for stopping by and your encouragement Louise.

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  23. Great design elements. Love the clay and brass together. Can't wait to see the complete line.

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    1. Thanks Janet for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it.

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  24. What a lovely idea, so very original and looking good.

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  25. Hi Maria, I was sure I'd gotten on already & told you how much I love this method of interpretation of soutache jewelry, but I guess I muffed it. :) These are really coming together for you. Can't wait to see more.

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    1. Teresa, thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your comments and kind words.

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  26. Really lovely pieces and look forward to your collection~ I love your style! It has been wonderful to work with everyone in this class and to see how we all create~

    Best wishes
    ~nike

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    1. Nike, thanks for your kind words. I've enjoyed the class also.

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  27. Maria--I'm so glad that you're part of the Colorado connection. Your clay soutache pieces are amazing and I'm so glad I could meet you and see them in real life. Adding the brass components it really taking them to yet another level! Looking forward to seeing more of your creations and getting together again.

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    1. I'm so glad to have connected with you, Alexandra and Lori. I love having fellow artists so near by. Thanks for stopping by.

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  28. Beautiful and very intricate and time consuming!

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    1. Sandra, yes time consuming which makes me worried about production work. Brenda recommends limited editions which makes a lot of sense. Thanks for stopping by.

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  29. Soustache as a design elements has always intrigued me, making it with polymer clay is fantastic!!! Love what you have finished so far! Great Job!!! Have a Blessed Day!!!

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    1. Robin, thanks so much for stopping by and your kind comments.

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  30. WELL DONE.....and you know, it's really not so much about doing production work as actually being ABLE to if you want to. You do such gorgeous work, limited edition work---say making 2-3 pieces of a design and then not making it again for awhile, or doing the same design but in different color families, might really help you to expand. It's about being more efficient and being able---if you want to!---to make more money at what you already do so well. Thanks for all your input and I think you are doing a great job!

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    1. Brenda, thanks for your comments. I appreciate the perspective and have enjoyed the challenge. Thanks for this as I know it must be a lot of work.

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  31. Pretty pieces, anxious to see your line next month!

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  32. Love your polymer soutache! Looking forward to seeing the whole line in the final reveal . Linzi

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  33. I will try to post, Maria. I'm on WordPress and blogger is giving me a hard time. So hope this goes through! :)

    First, your work is amazing! Love the southwestern look as I'm from Denver as well. Hang in there! ~ Catherine S.

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    1. Catherine, it worked and I got your message. Thanks for the kind comments. I gravitate to the Southwestern look having lived in Arizona for a long time. Thanks again for stopping by.

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  34. Your soutache is gorgeous and the color mix jus fabulous. Im glad you took the ride, I am looking forward to the finished pieces

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    1. Gloria, thanks so much for your kind words and reading the blog. I appreciate it.

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  35. Your soutache is gorgeous and the color mix jus fabulous. Im glad you took the ride, I am looking forward to the finished pieces

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  36. Wonderful art! Can't wait to see the whole line!

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