Art Bead Scene: October 2013 Challenge

This month, the inspiration for the Art Bead Scene October 2013 Challenge came from a Woodblock Print on Paper by Japanese artist Ohara Koson (1877 - 1945) named "Owl on Gingko Branch (Scops Owl Under Crescent Moon)".



Owl on Gingko Branch (Scops Owl Under Crescent Moon) 1915 by Ohara Koson

 Last year, I made a steampunk heart pendant using metallic polymer clay with other metal findings.



Flight of fancy steampunk Heart pendant

 But I find the colors too safe and bland. So, for this challenge, I refinished it with copper swellegant and patina for the wings and swirls to give it more character. I included brass key charms to complete the look. Here's the final look of the Flights of Fancy steampunk heart necklace now:


Flights of Fancy Steampunk Heart Necklace


It has improved, don't you think? 

Visit http://www.flickr.com/groups/artbeadscene/pool/ for more entries from very talented artists.
 

New Steampunk Heart

Still reeling from our Guild's February challenge, I decided to make another steampunk heart. This time my inspiration came from the Greek mythology (I've been reading Rick Riordan's new book series..so that explains it a lot).


Hermes, the greek god with winged feet. The messenger of the gods.


Khloris, the greek goddess of flowers.


Hephaestus, the greek god of blacksmith and fire.


Put them all together and this is the result:

front view

Back view

Wing detail

Flower detail

This is listed on my etsy shop.

Hope to create more this week. :)

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild Steampunk Heart Challenge

To celebrate the month of love, the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild posted a Steampunk Heart Challenge.


But first, what is steampunk?
"Steampunk has always been first and foremost a literary genre, or least a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy that includes social or technological aspects of the 19th century (the steam) usually with some deconstruction of, reimagining of, or rebellion against parts of it (the punk)..."
  - excerpt from http://www.steampunk.com/what-is-steampunk/


This is my interpretation of the steampunk heart. Taking inspiration from Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. I called this "Kraken on Capt. Nemo's Heart Submarine".

Front Portion of the Pendant

I used a glass cabochon to simulate a ship's porthole with watch gears inside. Then added a blue kraken trying to attack the sub. I also incorporated some rusted screws to finish the effect.


I love copper patina! I tried to simulate that finish with mica powders, chalk pastels and inka gold.

Back Portion of the Pendant

I enjoyed this challenge very much and I can see myself be obsessed with this for the weeks to come.


Watch out for more claying adventures!