Meddle Not In The Affairs Of Dragons....

That quote is the first part of a bumper sticker I saw some time ago.  The rest is "For you are crunchy and good with ketchup."  Every time I think of this quote, it makes me smile.  It is definitely something a dragon would say.

I am in love with dragons.  I have a dragon mailbox base from DesignToscano. 
I have other indoor and outdoor dragons and gargoyles.  I have a dragon in flight that I made from muslin then painted, complete with veined wings and long tail. Even the name of my on line shop, Wyvern Designs, reflects my love of dragons.

So, it should come as no surprise that when I went to make a collection on Art Fire this morning I picked dragons as my subject.

The collection can be viewed by clicking this link: Art Fire Collection

Although, I love all my choices, these are some of my favorites!

Bat Earred Sap Dragon by Eire Wolf 










Baby Shower Invitation by Jojo Larue

 

Beauty And The Beast ARt Print by Turtle Dove 

Baby Dragon Pendant by Feel-Good-Treasures

 

Dragon Pendant by Kabi Designs

Jessie Barnhouse Of Sparkles And Mud

Jessie Barnhouse is the creative genius behind Sparkles and Mud on Goodsmiths.com.  She started her company in 2010 in Alesa, Oregon. She lives tucked away in the coastal mountain range with her Army National Guard husband, her two boys, a step daughter who visits from time to time and a giant dog who doubles as a foot warmer.  She pulls her inspirations from nature but also from modern industry and is a master at combining both, as evidenced by her work.  She has been creating art for as long as she can remember.  She comes from a creative family, including her sister who is a talented quilter.

Like most creative people, she admits to creating in uncontrolled chaos, devoting only 1% of her time to organizing her work space.  Out of that chaos comes work that is dramatic, whimsical, and her use of different materials enables her to create pieces that are both dramatic, striking and eye catching. 

She has been making jewelry for so long, she couldn't say when she made her first piece.  After she learned to sculpt with clay, she decided to include scraps of clay from her sculpting into her jewelry pieces.

This  Lovely Layers OOAK Porcelain Pendant   is a wonderful example of her talent and attention to detail.  The two different sized porcelain disks have been impressed with different textures  and glazed, then accented with an antiqued  brass center, bail, chain and lobster claw clasp.

 Impressions Of A Winter Fern  is another wonderful example of her work in clay.  The impression was taken from a live fern, then glazed and given a brass chain, bale and clasp.

This talented artist doesn't confine herself to one medium.  She is an amazing metal artist, as well.  These earrings caught my eye when I was browsing her shop on Goodsmiths.com

 They are called Alternate Personalitys Earrings  They are disks of aluminum that have been embossed, then given a bronze patina.  Golden fresh water pearls and nickel free brass ear wire complete this fun and funky pair of earrings.

These Organic Geometry Aluminum and Brass Earrings would be a whimsical  addition to anyone's earring collection

 Jessie from Sparkles and Mud can be found on Goodsmiths.com:
Sparkles And Mud

Sparkles And Mud Website:  Sparkles And Mud

Face Book:  Sparkles and Mud On Face Book

I hope you enjoy wearing

Black Is Black

Black as night, little black dress, black as my soul, these are expressions using the color black.  The color black, when used in polymer clay as a medium sets off other colors, making them more vibrant and vital.

I have chosen some pieces made by members of the Polymer Clay Smoosher's Guild on Art Fire to highlight this.




Night Fire Polymer Clay Pendant by Valerie's Stuff

The use of black in this pendant by Valerie's Stuff really shows off the flame pattern in this striking pendant.

Polymer Rainbow Swirl Adjustable Copper Ring by Flower Child's Art Jewelry

The black clay used in this adjustable copper ring by Flower Child's Art Jewelry brings the other colors to life, giving them an added depth. 

Black and White Raw Polymer Clay Cane by Blue Morning Expressions

The black in this raw cane by Blue Morning Expressions, provides a vivid contrast to the pattern.


Black Bear Polymer Clay Charm Necklace by Black Dog Jewelry

This adorable black bear necklace by Black Dog Jewelry shows a wonderful use of black polymer clay in the bear figure.


Black and White Kaleidoscope Earrings by Amazing Designs

These earrings by Amazing Designs, again shows how black contrasting with white can make a simple pair of earrings, striking.

OOAK Cat Sculpture by Creative Critters

And Creative Critters talented use of black for her cat sculpture brings back memories of some of my favorite kitties.

All in all, I think the color black draws our eyes to a piece of jewelry the way no other color does.