New work....Boxer Sculpted Art Bead/Pendant/Ornament

And here's one more new sculpted dog bead - this one features a Brindle Boxer emerging from a deep blue base with genuine gold leaf throughout. He's on Ebay (but only once!) as well.

Jai

Chihuahua Sculpted Art Bead/Pendant/Ornament

And here is Mr. spiffy CHIHUAHUA! He turned out so cute! He's on Ebay if you would like to bid on him (only once though....I usually don't relist!)

Now I must go check on Mr. Boxer...he won't be ready to show until tomorrow.

These dogs are fun!

Jai

Show Report!

I forgot to post my show report! It was a BLAST! The crowd was small, but we sure had some die-hard jewelry lovers there and make some great sales! The music was provided by a flutist....it was just AWESOME.....food, drinks, and socializing were also wonderful. I saw several customers I met last month - they were back again to check out all the new goodies and that was a nice plus!

I was exhausted after the weekend ended - but no, I didn't waste any time before I got right back to work with my new focal beads. The chow is posted below, and I've just completed a Chihuahua focal bead and I have a Boxer firing now as well. Soon I'll have a new little family of 4-legged friends surrounding me, waiting to be snatched up by loving owners to head to their new homes. :)

People tell me I need to get some rest......I tell them, I'll rest when I'm dead. Until then, I've got a lot to do! :)

Jai

Chow Chow Sculpted Art Focal Bead

Here's some new work for you to gaze at and and even bid on if you are a Chow lover (it's only on Ebay once...). It's the first in a new line of bas relief sculpted focal bead/pendants I am creating. My design features the front view of this beautiful dog on one side, and his rear on the back! Yes, he is "emerging" right from the base bead. I used to raise chows, and this one looks like the one I had named "Candy". She was certainly not a sweetie though, despite the name!

Right now, plans are to do a variety of dog breeds, birds, frogs, and wildlife in this method - and possibly some landscape beads by making a slight alteration of the method. Each is an original, one of a kind artistic creation - it's like wearing a painting/sculpture on a bead. And making these incorporates a lot of things I like about working with polymer clay, including painting with the liquid form of it, sculpting it, and making jewelry/ornaments with it.

I've decided to go ahead and turn these into pre-wired pendants with accent beads. A buyer can simply insert a chain, cord or ribbon into the wire loop I've created at the top and wear the bead immediately. Or hook it to a purse as a charm (I have a sculpted focal I made into a charm and hooked to my own handbag and I love it!). A designer can remove the wire and use this bead in their own design as a centerpiece focal as well.

Fixed up like this with the wire and accent beads, these focals are large enough to be displayed as ornaments on a small ornament hanger or in various other ways as home and collectible decor.

Jai

Show preparations coming together!

I went down to the gallery this afternoon to deliver *48* new jewels for the show this weekend and BOY was I shocked when I walked in!

I must take a moment to say, Rachel Dickson, gallery owner, is AWESOME. She - with the help of other generous member artists - have transformed the gallery into a miraculous showcase for jewelry. The displays are AWESOME - the layout is AWESOME....what else can I say? Everything is AWESOME!

I am getting so excited about tomorrow night....I didn't hardly sleep last night, so if this keeps up, by Sunday, I will be totally exhausted. LOL

I will report back in on Sunday - hopefully with great news about what an outstanding show this turned out to be!

Jai

You're invited.....

To all those who have viewed my blog, supported my work, offered comments, encouragement and your friendship, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Here's your personal invitation to the Venus Soiree - I hope if you are in or around Jackson, TN, you will visit the show and say hello!

Sincerely,

Jai

And finally.....the last 2 pieces

And finally.....the last 2 pieces I'll be making this week, as now it's time to prepare all of the price tags and art cards for the items I'll be taking to the show this weekend.

Here we have "Wolf du Palais", the 4th piece in my wildlife series of sculpted pendant/necklaces.

And also "Rubiline Cross", a detailed cloisonne design featuring my original cross design in ruby red, with a glittering aurora borealis crystal in the center and a hand-chained, adustable necklace chain with ruby red and aurora borealis crystals alternating throughout the design.

All of these pieces can be seen in more detail and purchased on my website: http://www.michelejanine.com

Jai

And MORE jewels...purple & blues!

If you like purple and blue, you'll love these jewels!

The Blue Tears pieces remind me of a local band who developed when I was in college. They made a music video and I was one of the "extras" in the video. That's where I came up with the name "Blue Tears" for this design.

Jai

The Birth of Venus...More in the set!

And now the set is COMPLETE! I've made the Birth of Venus matching link bracelet, ring, and a brooch/pendant combo jewel as well!

Jai

The Birth of Venus

This set was specifically designed to wear to the Venus Soiree, a fine art jewelry show on Friday, January 27. It was designed with the theme of the jewelry show in mind, as well as to match the wine colored gown I'll be wearing that night.

I've named the set "The Birth of Venus". From the sea, Venus emerges on a shell which is driven to the shore by flying wind-gods amidst a shower of roses. As she is about to step on to the land, a nymph receives her with a purple cloak. In this special one of a kind necklace & earrings, I've attempted to depict this symbol of mystery through which this divine message of beauty came into the world. Color hues are soft, subtle, yet intense - layers are deep, never-ending, and exquisite. Beneath the translucent rose and black, dusted with genuine gold leaf, resides wine, purple, and royal blue hues - this enables a subtle inference of the colors to emerge depending on the color of clothing worn with the set. For instance, a wine colored dress will bring out the wine hues when worn; wearing the set with blue with enhance the blue undertones. This gives this set a unique, chameleon-like feature, making it a set which can be enjoyed with various attire. Settings are hand-soldered brass. Pendant has a brass tube support with goldtone, adjustable snake chain. Earrings are pierced with goldtone French ear wires.

For more information on this set, or to purchase, please click here.

Thanks for looking!

Jai

P.S. You can see the gown a couple posts below this one. :)

You're invited!

Click here for details!

2 Rings & A Pendant

And here we go - 3 more pieces photographed! Two rings and a pendant.

And the good news is, I've discovered - finally - the perfect color combo for my necklace and earring set I'm making to go with my gown (below). HOORAY! After 3 days of trial and error! Now I can solder my custom settings and actually make my set - It *will be done* by TONIGHT. Jai

TONS of new Jewels for the Venus Soiree'!

In an attempt to make a smashing color to match my wine colored gown for the Venus Soiree this Friday night, I've been making many "wine colored" jewels - the only thing is...the color isn't turning out right in any of the pieces as of yet! The reds range from an almost light coral to pinkish/purple colors and nothing is "just right". Sigh. Oh well, I'm getting a ton of work done to sell to others - just nothing to go in my custom settings to match my dress! Three days of this and I'm getting tired!

Anyway, thought I'd share my new work. All of the pieces in this post are new and available on my website http://www.michelejanine.com. The Wine and Roses sculpted bead is available on Ebay this week at this link. And I'm getting ready to photograph and put up 3 more designs - 2 more rings and a simple pendant. In the meantime, test piece #4,560 (haha!) is firing. I'll know shortly if it will be the "lucky one". :) Jai

Jai's 2006 Photos

Today I went shopping and found the PERFECT outfit for my jewelry show next weekend at the Dickson Gallery of Fine Art in Jackson, TN. You can click here to see the full size version of the photo. Now that you know what I look like, you'll know who to call "Jai" (pronounced "jay"). And yes, I got "cute" when my daughter was taking my photo. She sure does a good job with the camera! Caught my every move...LOL. Anyway, I do hope you will come by and say hello next weekend!

Jai

Owl du Palais, art necklace

Here's the 3rd necklace in the small wildlife series I'm working on - Owl du Palais. He turned out to be a real cutie!

Unfortunately this is the only piece I was able to complete yesterday - had some unexpected company who needed computer help.

Today I need to go shopping and find a dress or something smashing to wear to the gallery show next Friday night. So I might not be able to get back into the studio until tonight. I have plans for a sculpted owl bead. :) To read more about this necklace, or to purchase, please click here.

Thanks for stopping in!

Jai

Sweet Brandy Wine

Welcome! Check out my first sculpted horse bead! I am so pleased with how she turned out. I've been drawing and painting horse portraits since I was 13, but this is my first attempt at sculpting one.

She is modeled after the horse my daughter rides at her lessons each week - Brandy, a dapple grey and white mare. I like the "carousel look" on horse sculptures, so I added some red roses atop her head.

Sweet Brandy Wine is on EBAY this week - bid on her here!

I also completed this cute little tiger cub bead yesterday. I did some things a bit different with him, so he has a very "glassy" look to him. I think he's adorable! You can also bid on him on Ebay here.

Thanks for stopping in and viewing my newest work!

Jai

New sculpted art beads! Tree Frog, Macaw, & Fireball Venus!

I've been called a "fireball" several times during my life (which I take to mean I am loaded with vibrant energy and a zest and passion for life!), and I designed this next Venus bead with that in mind.

Below are two pieces I *really* had a blast with - one is the blue Hyacinth Macaw, whom I've named Jasper. The other is Jumpin' Jack, a red-eyed tree frog. Both of these are sculpted art beads designed to be placed as the focal beads in necklaces - although Jack is small enough where he could also be a bead charm.
All three of these pieces are up for AUCTION beginning TONIGHT. Click here to see my auctions and place your bid on these one of a kind art beads.

Thanks for stopping in to see my new work!

Jai

Venus Beads!

I was "challenged" the other day to come up with an art bead in the "Venus" theme of the gallery show...something along the line of my "diva" pendants I'd made which sold boom-boom-boom. So I came up with this sculpted art bead design - using a heart base (since I've been making hearts for the show...and it's Valentines...it seemed appropriate!).

This first bead is titled "Queen Bee" - and it's up on Ebay - visit the auction here. (I've been making so many sculpted beads and don't know if I'll have time to turn them all into finished pendants and jewelry items, so I thought I'd put some of the sculpted beads up on Ebay.)

This second bead in the Venus collection is "The Tigress". She is also up on Ebay - click here to place your bid.

I also plan to make some sculpted animal and bird beads, some frogs and turtles, of course my old favorite...florals...and who knows what else I'll come up with! It feels SO GOOD to be making the sculpted beads now that I have more experience with the medium. I'd made some sculpted beads in the beginning, but these also use my polymer painting techniques - so it's combining two things in one.

Well back to the studio for me.....after a few pieces of good ole French toast for Sunday breakfast! :)

Jai

Divinity's Cascade, Sculpted Pendant & Earrings Set

This is my newest sculpted set: Divinity's Cascade. The large focal bead is vessel shaped (which was quite a challenge to do, but I finally managed it!). The sculpture is floral, featuring blue blooms, leaves and vines, and grape clusters. The pendant and earrings feature amethyst crystal beads, as well as a complimentary turquoise blue crystal and freshwater pearl on each.

Another fun thing I did on this pendant is add a decorative vintage brass section of peanut chain, adding to the "vessel" look. Below are some close up photos of the focal pendant and earrings. To read size details and to purchase, click here.

Thanks for stopping in! Comments welcome!

Jai

Courier of the Castle & More Jewels!

Boy have *I* been busy! Here's 5 new jewels for your viewing pleasure...I am MOST proud of the Zebra, courier for the palace gems and jewels and second in the wildlife series I'm working on! Both of these necklaces can be seen and purchased here.


















And here we have "PoppyScotch" - that's what you get when you combine a poppy with a butterscotch yellow background! :)

Below are two other pieces I've completed today. All of these can be seen and purchased here.





As always, thanks SO MUCH for stopping in and viewing my work!

Jai

The mighty lion....1st in the palace wildlife series

First in a small wildlife series of art necklaces is "Lion du Palais" (lion of the palace). To read more details about this art jewel, please click here.

Next on the list in this series is the fascinating ZEBRA...I'll be working on that sculpted pendant today, along with a few more hearts for Valentines day. :)

Jai

Hearts, hearts and more hearts!

Love is in the air...especially with this array of SWEET heart pendants...they look like candy, and like glass, and are filled with the wonderful colors of a floral garden!

I'm on a roll now with these and more are coming soon!

And I wonder if I dare say what's next on the list...but I'll give you a clue...they have fur....

Keep watching! In the meantime, check out these latest heart pendant designs - read more about them here.


























Thanks for stopping in!

Jai

Getting Ready for Venus Soiree!

"Venus Soiree" is the name which has been selected by Rachel for the fine art jewelry show I'll be participating in at the Dickson Gallery in Jackson, TN on January 27. She has also elected to extend the jewelry show over into Saturday the 28th - woohoo! The official "soiree" will be Friday evening from 7-9, but I'll also be there on Saturday to visit with customers. :)


In preparation for the big event, I've been struggling with heart designs. I've FINALLY come up with a unique design - sculpted heart pendants with flowers and berries - all with genuine gold leaf sprinkled through the background. How COOL are these?

My inspiration comes from lampwork beads. I've worked all weekend on coming up with something which would be fun, colorful, different and unique. These don't take as long to create as the cloisonne pieces I've been doing, therefore they can be priced lower and I'll hopefully reach a wider market with my art jewelry. Above you see 2 of my first heart pendants I've completed yesterday. Click here for more details on either of these, or to purchase.

This design here is a vessel shaped pendant/necklace with accent beads, and matching pierced earrings. As you can tell, I was thinking GREEN and managed to get a really cool mix of jade coloring with the polymer. Click here for more details on this set.

This was a fun set to make - but then I feel that way about most of the jewels I create - what's the point in doing them if they aren't FUN, right? :)

If you'll be near the Jackson, TN area at the end of this month, I'd love it if you'd come by the show on the 27th and 28th to say hello! There is a map on the Dickson Gallery website.

Jai