Have a Smooshers Halloween!

Mummy Pin by Fantasy ClayNow that that summer is coming to a close, my thoughts turn to Autumn.  The changing color of the leaves, the crisp bite to the air and, of course Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday,  In pagan religions, it is the time when the this world and the next is thinnest, allowing departed spirits to visit this world.  for those that fear those spirits, mankind has come up with all kinds of spooky, scary items to scare the visiting spirits away.

Here are some of my favorites from the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire.  Some are scary, some are cute and others are just plain goofy and make you laugh.

Hope you enjoy my choices.

Here's a pair of Skull and Crossbones Earrings from Michelle of Creative Critters.

This frighteningly adorable  Mummy Pin by Fantasy Clay 
makes me want to grab some old bedsheets and makes myself a mummy costume!

This spooky, funky Halloween Octopus by Creations-In-Clay
is a real imagination in its subject.

I thought it would be easier to find Halloween items from the Smooshers but I think I've chosen some fun and funky ones to highlight.

Goodsmith.com

So I joined a new selling site a while ago, Wyvern Designs on Goodsmith.com and finally set up my shop the other day.  I, also  list on Art Fire and I have an Etsy shop, although I've let everything expire there and I'm not sure if I'm going to keep my shop open.

Goodsmith.com is fairly new and there are still some bugs that need to be worked out, such as the fact that the photos of some product get cut off at odd places.
Niamh the Forest Fairie

The second photo in the listing is cut off at the head and the knees.  It makes it look like I'm selling doll body parts!

But they are working on a fix and they've posted some tips on how to deal with the photo problem until they they fix it.  

They seem very responsive to sellers needs and questions and hopefully the good communication will continue.

There are no listing fees and until sometime in 2013 the fee once you sell something is 2%.  It will go up to 2.5%  in 2013.

I would recommend this site, especially to those who want to try selling on line but don't have the cash to start their own website or pay a monthly fee.

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/Wyverndesigns 

Caty Ann's Creation - Featured Artist

 Cathy of Caty Ann's Creations started designing jewelry for fun.  Her early pieces were mostly for herself, her sister and a few close friends.  Some time after beating stage III breast cancer, a friend sent her a link to her new website where she was selling her own handmade jewelry.

Cathy decided to do some research towards opening her own on line store.  After a week of research, she decided to market her designs on line.  She started with an Art Fire shop, then added Zibbet to her sales base.  After a few sales on her basic accounts, she upgraded her shop to premium and was on her way. 

 She recently added crochet items to her Zibbet shop as she recently rediscovered her love of crochet.

 I love these  Lollipop Swirl Earrings

Purse Charm

Luscious Lime Delight Also has a swirl element.  I'm sensing a trend here.

She also has a place to store your earrings.  Jewelry Frame

Besides Art Fire, she can be found here at her blog  Caty Ann's Creations

 Her website  Caty Ann's Creations

http://catyann43506.wordpress.com/

Swirls and Whirls in Polymer Clay

I love the swirl effect that you can get working in polymer clay.  I found a tutorial on line for making swirl lentil beads but, as my husband just installed a new operating system on the old PC, I lost all my bookmarks and, for the life of me, I can't remember who the author was.  I guess I'm having a "senior moment".

I have seen some wonderful swirl beads.  I haven't quite mastered the technique so that the beads come out as I expected every time.  But as we all know, when working with polymer clay, even "mistakes" can be beautiful.

Here is a gorgeous Swirl Necklace with Leaves and Flowers by Creative Sisters

 
Here's another pendant by Dream Weaver's Designs
This one reminds me of the vibrant color of Autumn leaves.

Here are some Iridescent Swirl beads by Prescence

This unique state shaped necklace by Harrison Hollow Designs
features stamped swirls on a Mississippi shaped sheet of clay.

Swirls in polymer clay are both versatile and lovely.  These are just a few of the examples I found while searching the Smooshers Guild on Art Fire.

Creation-In-Clay Featured Artist from the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire

For our weekly blog roll post on the Polymer Clay Smoosher Guild on Art Fire, I've chosen to highlight Creation in Clay. 

This talented artist makes the sweetest creations from that magical element, polymer clay.

 She has always been drawn to creating whether it be drawing, painting or a multitude of crafts but she seems to have found her niche with polymer clay.
She says that she loves working in polymer clay.  " From clay I can make beads, jewelry, bowls, sculptures, and even holiday ornaments. Or, I can even cover old jars, recycle junk store finds, decorate pens, and make drawer pulls. The ideas and designs are limitless."

This adorable Tea Pot From The Land of Ollie was a flea market find that she covered in polymer clay.

The Halloween Octopus with glow in the dark skull

is a unique and whimsical use of an oyster shell as a Halloween decoration.

This creative Tea Light Votive Holder or Trinket Box
would be lovely in your backyard.  (You even get your first tea light for free!)

She also has a series of My Little Angels
This one is named Stephanie

Creation in Clay can be found on Art Fire http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/creation-in-clay

And here at Creative Polymer Clay Ideas  http://www.creative-polymer-clay-ideas.com/

Kottage Kreations Featured Artist on IBH

Like most artists, the talented creator of Kottage Kreations admits to waking up in the middle of the night with a new and wonderful idea,  But she also admits that she often starts a piece of jewelry without any plan at all, simply letting the beautiful beads lead the way.

Her pieces are both simple and elegant, as evidenced by this Etched Agate Chrysocolla Necklace  that evokes visions of the South West.

These little Copper Heart Earrings
are so sweet in their simplicity.

These Rose Quartz Moonstone Crystal Quartz Earrings  would be perfect for a bride to wear.

This talented artist is also interested in gardening, crocheting, sewing, creating beautiful gemstone jewelry designs and pretty much any and ALL crafts!  And like most of us is always learning new crafts and techniques.
Kottage Kreations can be found on Art Fire Kottage Kreations
Blogging at http://kottagecreations.blogspot.com/
On ETSY http://www.etsy.com/shop/kottagekreations
Twitter  https://twitter.com/kottagekreation
And on Face Book http://www.facebook.com/kottagekreations

Judy Cogo Featured artist

 

 Judy Cogo of Judy Cogo Designs  is a self taught Canadian jewelry artist.  She started out making jewelry for herself to feed her fascination with fashion and to have the right accessory to go with her clothing.  Then she started to sell to friends and relatives which led to selling at craft shows, local stores and finally to selling her creations on line.

When she retired from a career in financial services, she decided to pursue her passion for jewelry making full time.  Her creations incorporate semi-precious gemstones, wire wrapping, and bead crocheting.  And like most artisans, she loves learning and mastering new techniques.

 

 She is a lover of the outdoors and nature.  Some of her hobbies include gardening, crocheting, knitting and reading.  

You can find out more about this talented artist here:

Judy Cogo Designs 

Judy Cogo on Pinterest 

Face Book

 

 

Here are a few pieces I particularly like.

 

 Free Form Slice Amethyst Pendant 

 

 

 Botswana Agate Gemstone Pendant

 

Wire Wrapped Green Dolomite Cabochon Ring

Graveyard Point Plume Agate Pendant