handmade jewelry. handmade ceramic | Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings

Once a month Art Jewelry Elements (AJE) hosts a giveaway and jewelry reveal. I am the hostess for June. Members of the Art Jewelry Elements team, plus three guest artists were given one of my garden themed ceramic components to use in a jewelry design of their making. I can’t wait to see what everyone has created!

Art Jewelry Elements Giveaway

Garden themed ceramic jewelry components

I decided to make two pieces of jewelry. First, I made a pair of earrings as a tiny “Thank You” to my ceramic mentor, Marion Pollmann. Marion has been teaching me how to work in clay. Without her offer to take me under her wing, none of this would be happening. I am so very grateful to her! ❤

Marion at work on one of her custom stoneware book covers.

Marion picked out a pair of rustic teardrop flower charms and I made them into earrings for her.

Rustic Flower Earrings

The earring charms were made in layers. I learned how to make a clay “slip” that, when fired, permanently attached the flowers to the teardrop shape. I did a rustic wire wrap and made my own ear wires with accent beads.

Ceramic flower earrings

Next up, I wanted to make a necklace for myself. It’s funny how infrequently I make something just for me. I’d been dreaming of getting my hands into clay for so long, that I decided I should make a necklace that would mark the realization of a dream come true. The medallion pendant was one of the first pieces I made and it was pretty much a collaborative effort between Marion and I. I love the colors in it and I know I will wear it a lot.

Green Medallion Necklace

I highlighted the pendant with some bone colored beads and two gorgeous premium Czech glass flower beads. The rest of the necklace is made of serpentine, three sizes and colors of fire polish beads, some size 6 seed beads and brass spacer beads. It is adjustable, with a self-made clasp.