MKOTOBOS

I’m sure that the title of this piece confused a few folks at WisCon’s art show over Memorial Day weekend, with people wondering what the word meant and what language it was. Actually…it’s an acronym. I live with a big Danny Elfman fan and his compositions influenced this piece. Hence, the necklace was dubbed “Mystic Knights of The Oingo Boingo Outragous Shiny” or MKOTOBOS (no official affiliation or endorsement implied, obviously). This piece did sell at the convention.

Five turquoise dyed howlite skulls are combined with black and white swirl lampwork glass coin beads and scarlet resin roses, all linked in a rosary style chain. The piece closes with a silver plate toggle clasp that echoes the raised dot borders of the glass beads.

Mother (Of The Invention)

Sure...Frankenstein's bride gets all of the attention, but what about his "mother"?

Since Mary Shelley could easily be considered one of the originators of the literary genre of science fiction…and likely the first woman sci-fi writer at that, I thought it was more than fitting to create a jewelry tribute to her to send to WisCon. The piece sold in the convention art show this past weekend.

Mary’s portrait was printed on shrink polymer and fused to sheet copper to create a focal. This pendant was then suspended on a rosary style strand of freshwater pearls and faceted crystal beads and hand linked copper chain. I created a accent piece on one side of the strand using antiqued copper bracket findings and a trio of fuses. The necklace closes with a toggle clasp created from an antique skeleton key and filigree copper ring.

*Squeee!*

Just a few more days until Bead and Button Show! I've been a-saving my nickels for this!!! This year I'll be able to go to the registrants only shopping hours on Thursday.

Dusky pearls and cinnabar

Just posted on Etsy...

A 1 3/4 inch square of black cinnabar hangs from an 18 inch long beaded rosary style chain of black wire, teal glass pearls, and aurora borealis finished crystals. Black enameled toggle closure. I am able to extend the chain by up to 4 inches per buyer's request. Please notify me at the time of the order if this is desired.

Being Koi

(Sold this weekend at WisCon) I had this black agate carved koi fish for a while, but when I found these white and orange agate beads a few weeks ago, I knew that I had to combine them. Goldfishy-fiffic!

Copper patina (verdigris) recipe

Want to "age" copper to that great grey-green verdigris patina quickly? Here's a simple recipe:

-2 parts white vinegar
-1 1/2 parts non-detergent ammonia
-1/2 part non-iodized salt.

Clean your copper/remove any lacquer with steel wool and rinse thoroughly with water to remove any residue.

Mix the above ingredients together in a misting bottle.

Lightly, but thoroughly, spray the mixture onto the copper and allow it to dry 1 hour. Reapply to any areas that you may have missed. Allow to sit overnight to develop. Brush a bit to remove loose particles before sealing with clear spray lacquer. If you want a bit of the bright copper to show through, sand raised areas before sealing.

Adjusting the salt ratio in the mixture will affect the shade of the patina. More salt=more boldly green. Less salt= more greyish.

Image via www.123rf.com

Atropos

One of the pieces that went off to WisCon.

In Greek mythology, Atropos was the oldest of the Three Fates (or Moirae), and was known as the "inflexible" or "inevitable." It was Atropos who chose the mechanism of death and ended the life of each mortal by cutting their thread with her "abhorred shears." She worked along with her two sisters, Clotho, who spun the thread, and Lachesis, who measured the length.

(Forgive the less-than-stellar photo quality. I just wanted to get a quick shot before the con, should the piece sell this weekend.)