365 Days of Lip Service

A Chill in the Air

     

While we have yet to see snow where I live, I know it's been no stranger to many parts of the country. We seldom get snow in town (only on the mountains located less than an hour away), there is a decided drop in temperatures. I'm a hot weather person myself and love snow, when it appears in photos. I can no longer ski and tolerate heat better than cold, but there's no escaping the reality of weather. So, making the best of things while I await the return of beloved Spring and Summer, this is the first of a few frosty themed lids that will make their appearance before the end of the year and the project. I made the snowflake by cutting out the shape from Pearlidescent foil coated polymer clay and the small snowflake cutter coming soon to my product line (see other cutters here). SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS hotfix crystals were pressed along the snowflake's arms. A crystal encrusted heart adorns the center.    

Hearts Aflame

     

This is an avante garde take on the motif of flaming hearts. The color palette is cool, with polymer clay flames of purple and blues. Each "flame" has a SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal nestled down in the cupped opening of each one. These flare up around the lid which features a checkerboard base. Atop of the clay pattern is a millefiori cane heart with two layers of Magic Glos resin, with a domed cabochon finish.  

Inverted Elegance

     

A made this faux dichroic triangular focal piece using my clay/crafting foils and two layers of Magic Glos UV resin. This is showcased over a textured layer of black polymer clay. Gold, metal leaves fan out from the sides and top edge. A bamboo style ring frames the lid. Glitter in complimentary tones cover the rim, finishing off the piece. 

Under the Sea

     

This ocean scene was made using polymer clay millefiori cane slices of fish, twisted gradient green strips form the "seaweed". A tiny starfish was made from clay as well. I used a ripple blade to cut strips of blue clay in graduating lightness for the "waves" along the rim. Tiny iridescent air bubbles were set onto the textured gradient background. These were created by putting tiny drops of Magic Glos (tm) UV resin on the back of Pearlidescent clay/crafting foil, cured and then pulled off. I mixed beach sand with Magic Glos(tm) for the ocean floor. I applied the sand mixture along the bottom of the scene and cured it for a few minutes. I then covered the entire lid with a self-leveling layer of Magic Glos with a rounded cabochon finish.  

Peacock Persuasion

     

The colors from male peacocks are the inspiration for today's lid. I found this interesting vintage, glass disc that has colorful spots that mimic some of the colors and irridescent tones found in peacock feathers. AB (aurora borealis) finished SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystals are placed in between matte, metallic nail heads and in the center of the glass focal piece. These are all set over black polymer clay. The rim features narrow polymer clay stripping.  

 

Ring Around the Crystal

     

I created a montage of cane slices and cutouts on a white base layer of polymer clay with a Pop effect. The rim is textured blue clay. Black glass beads were glued along the rim and SWAROVSKI ELEMENT flatback crystals were glued over the openings. 

Filagree Fantasy

     

An enameled filigree heart from JHB International (#00263) is the highlight of this jar. It is set over Crystal Clay, epoxy clay. Tiny SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS chaton crystals are set into the open areas. Around the perimeter of the heart, "Red Velvet" clay/crafting foil was applied on the raised areas of the textured epoxy clay, leaving a random pattern of highlight clay. The rim design is a fancy filigree border made by applying Tiny Tat Waterslide transfers over red polymer clay. Lastly, I removed silver, metal leaf dangles from elaborate chain and pressed them onto the epoxy clay in a scalloped pattern around the rim. Sets my heart pounding!

Crystal Constructs

          

An angled SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal cube component is affixed on a layer of holographic foil. A textured silver ring frames the lid. Flatback crystals were set onto Crystal Clay epoxy clay in an alternating pattern, creating a checkerboard style effect along the rim for stunning sparkle.  

 

Giving Thanks

     

Most Americans are enjoying a meal of turkey and all the fixings today with family and friends. This is one of my favorite traditions, steeped in folklore of how the first pilgrims celebrated religious freedom and their passage to the "New World." Although many have established personalized traditions of what dishes they make, there is some similarity for most people who celebrate the holiday according to long-standing tradition. I made a miniature scene of a roast turkey and veggies on a platter using polymer clay. This rests atop a polymer clay "table cloth." The turkey's glaze is made using a thin layer of Magic Glos UV resin. The tiny leaves that surround the rim are punched out of a very thin layer of polymer clay. I applied gold, copper and red clay/crafting foil to the clay before baking and cutting out the leaves. These were glued onto a base layer of clay. I so appreciate all of the amazing and wonderful people in my life. I have blessed with so much and appreciate this wonderful life. While I try to be conscious of my blessings each and every day, today is a wonderful reminder to be aware and always have an attitude of gratitude.    

"Over the River...

     

...and through the woods to grandmother's house we go!" Many people including my oldest son are on the road today for the Thanksgiving Holiday. I'm sad that the entire family can't all be together this year due to personal and work conflicts, but I'm happy to be with at least some of the ones I love. I made this lid as a whimsical tribute to a favorite holiday for many. The "tire" rim was textured using a wheel from a toy truck. After baking, it was colored with ink and paint. The top of the jar is covered with a piece of paper map. MIniature figures, a car, fencing and road sign complete the effect. Here's wishing that everyone traveling for the holiday arrives safely and without delay!