It is a very warm and dry summer here in sunny California, which means I am trying to spend as much time indoors trying to stay cool with the critters. I have been cleaning house, donating a lot to local thrift stores and our local senior center. Now that I am making more room I am finding art supplies I had forgotten about. What I did not give away I am now making some great new summer jewelry pieces.

First on my list is my recent obsession with fruit polymer clay canes. I found several blocks of lovely orange polymer clay, I just had to make some orange slice pendants and beads! At first I wasn’t sure what beads to place with them, but after sorting through a “Boss Bag” from Fire Mountain Gems, I found the perfect findings. After some rummaging through my stash of beads I was able to make up some really cute and summer time necklaces.

Handmade polymer clay orange slice beads, glass beads,  gold toned findings and bead caps.

Handmade polymer clay orange slice beads, glass beads and gold toned findings.

Handmade polymer clay orange slice beads, glass beads,  gold toned findings and bead caps. I used beads caps to simulate orange blossoms. 🙂

Next in my series of summer jewelry is my “Ice Cubes” set. I live off of ice water in the summer so anything that makes me think of cool water and relaxing makes me a happy camper. I found these lovely irregular lamp worked beads, no two were alike but they all had a silver foil on the inside that reminded me of ice. Add some silver chain, more findings from a “Boss Bag” from Fire Mountain Gems and voilà!

“Ice cubes”, silver chain, findings and lamp worded glass beads.

Next clear glass beads and findings (again “Boss Bag” from Fire Mountain Gems) make a piece that I call “Blue water, golden sun”.  I wanted to make a piece that would be reminiscent of the beach of clear blue waters with a gold sun in the sky.

“Blue water, golden sun” pressed blue glass, gold beads and gold findings.

Last but not least, “Cobra tears”. I always keep an eye out for hand crafted artwork and love to support artisans in their craft. The lovely hand carved coconut focal piece is made by artisans in Sri Lanaka. The carving is of Mucalinda, a snake-like being in the form of a cobra, who protected Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment. I buy these lovely hand carved pendants from my friend Kim McWhorter who makes sure the artisans get 100% of all money from the sale of the lovely creations. Kim is the the Associate Executive Director of Animal Venom Research International an organization that’s goal is to alleviate world-wide suffering caused by animal envenomation by bringing the technology of antivenom development to countries in need.

Crystals, carved coconut cobra, silver chain and findings.

Stay cool in the heat and keep crafting!

Until next time safe travels!