New Stoneware beads

                            Mid Range Buff ceramic clay and colored glazes by Mary Harding Jewelry
I  have been experimenting  lately with using colored glazes on a buff stoneware clay that has also been stained with iron oxide.  I have wiped back the stain to some extent and then applied the colored glazes selectively.  I wanted these kinds of beads for some free form peyote stitch necklaces I have been making.  I was pleasantly surprised that the colors would be as bright and clear as they are, over this dark background.  I am very encouraged by the results.

Some "gesture" beads from mid range buff clay and colored glazes

Another view of the mid range buff ceramic clay beads seen above this picture.

I also tried this approach on some "gesture" beads, ( see pictures above)  as I call them, as they are made with one tool and spontaneous movements, once the rounded bead is formed.  I have a necklace in process with some of these kinds of beads.  See below.

Peyote Stitch Necklace in progress with new buff stoneware clay beads

It is a beautiful summer day here where I live so I'm off to be outside for awhile.  Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mary

Spring is Inspiring Me

                         Ceramic Flowers in Porcelain and  Stoneware by Mary Harding

It is 5:50 AM and it is already fully light outside, the temperature is almost 50 degrees and the grass in our pastures is so green  it looks fake.  The willows down at the river are breaking out into a lovely light green, the birds are signing and the frogs are playing their banjos, slowly, deeply and woeing me into a state of Spring Fever.
I have been in my studio quite a bit lately and often without the heat turned on.  I though I would share some new pieces with you created with the freedom that comes when the air warms up and the stress of cold and ice is no longer a concern.  I have probably also been especially inspired this Spring because I missed out on this time of year studio time last April, May and for even long due to my ankle injury.  It just feels so good to be free to walk around on soft unfrozen soil and breathe in the warm fragrant air.  I am so grateful to be here.

Stoneware Clover Pendant by Mary Harding

Stoneware Pendant of Small Daisies by Mary Harding

Stoneware Daisy Head Pendant by Mary Harding

Small Thistle Pendant Stoneware by Mary Harding

Golden Flowers Leaf Pendant Stoneware by Mary Harding

Stoneware Lavender and Green Wild Flower Leaf Pendant by Mary Harding

Stoneware Flower and Hollow Bead by Mary Harding

I made  most of these pieces for the Artisans Create Together Trunk Show this last week.  I want to thank all of you for you enthusiasm, kind and inspiring feedback and purchases.  It was a wonderful event made possible by Janice Everett and her Co Admins Lesley Watt and Karen Vincent.

I  hope that wherever  you are  you are having a great Spring or maybe it is a great Fall, thinking of friends in Australia and that part of the world.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mary

Inspired By Reading Book Club: Where Did You Go Bernadette?

                         Where Did You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple   Close up of its book cover

Just a few days ago, the Inspired By Reading Book Club had its 4th Birthday.  I  have enjoyed being a member since day one but have to admit that I have not participated much in the last year.  I wanted to post for the March selection, partly because it was my choice for one of the books this year, and also because I just loved reading this book and was inspired.  My inspiration came primarily from the part of the book that had to do with Antarctica.  It was my favorite part and the landscape I knew least about.  It seemed so surreal and so very QUIET.  During this time I had come across a ceramic blue glaze that I thought was the perfect color for Antarctic ice in sunshine.

.  I checked out some pictures and there it was that ice cold beautiful blue in the water around this iceberg.
                                       I made the beads out of porcelain ceramic clay.

                                         Iceberg blue ceramic beads by Mary Harding

The story of the rest of the inspiration for this necklace is rather long but I will keep it short. My fellow team mate at Art Bead Scene, Michelle McCarthy  of  Firefly Design Studio came up with a challenge last month based on a necklace designed by Lorelei Eurto in the book she co-authored with Erin Siegel: Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry. You can see that post HERE. I was intrigued and purchased some ultra white peanut beads and some white O rings. Then the light went off: I could use them with these blue beads and create a cold antarctic atmosphere. I more or less did that. I changed up Lorelei's design by making some handmade chain with soldered links that looked ice like as well. When I put it all together, I folded the necklace in half to intensify the juxtaposition of the icy elements and here is what I got.

In case you noticed the two toggle clasps, that could be an error or it could be a nod to the zaniness of Bernadette, the main character  in the story!!
Where Did you Go Bernadette is a fun and heart warming read.  I hope you will try it out.  You can check out the other creations this month in the Inspired By Reading Book Club Facebook page HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mary

New work this week.

 I have been busy this week making new work and loving working with stoneware and porcelain.  For the first time ever, I tried out some  underglazes on the toggle clasps seen here.  I was so pleasantly surprised how they turned out.  They sold very quickly but more are in the works and will be ready in about a week or so.

These two stoneware heart charms  were also made using some underglaze

This set of connector and feather is made from porcelain ceramic clay.  I love the creamy translucence of this clay body.( no underglaze on these.)

An up close picture of the connector bead in this set.  It is like looking through a glass bottom boat--one of my peak memories of childhood in California.  There seem to be some of these memories that I am always seeking to reproduce in my jewelry components.

Set is also made from porcelain clay.   I like this color combo. These sets are not yet ready for parting from me.  But I will attempt to make more soon.

A porcelain leaf that is handbuilt by me.  Also sold fast but more coming after  next week.

                           Another porcelain leaf in steamy fall colors.  Still available in my Etsy shop.

 Stoneware Toggle Clasp in Green and Rose in my Etsy Shop as of today.

       Stoneware multi color toggle clasp.  Love the way the colors floated and mixed together.  Sold

Another stoneware multicolor toggle clasp   just listed this morning in my Etsy Shop.

1850's Barnwood in Stoneware.  Stained. A really woody texture.  In my Etsy shop now.

I will be preparing for participating in this cool event at the Remington Museum this week so I won't be posting mush on the net.  Wish you could visit me at this show.

Thanks so much for stopping by here today.
Mary
www.maryhardingjewelry.etsy.com

Inspired by Art Bead Scene's January Painting by Egon Scheile

Egon Schiele  Field of Flowers

I am so excited about this month's inspiration painting on the Art Bead Scene blog that I made this flock of daisy flowers seen below.  They are gesture images that express the fresh air and sunshine of summer.  Currently I have two of these for sale at Artisans Create Together Alumni Trunk Show (update sold) and one on my Etsy Shop (still available).

                                         Wild Daisies   Inspired by Egon Schiele's Painting

                                                          Wild Daisy by Mary Harding

                                                    Wild Daisy  by Mary Harding

And sort of in the same vein I made a few more porcelain leaves:

                                                        Porcelain Leaves by Mary Harding
These colorful leaves are hand built by me out of porcelain clay.  Each one is a unique piece as I do not use a mold to make them.  There are still a couple available  On the Artisans Create Together Trunk Show ( ending at Midnight today, 1-26-17, but I will be adding 2 more later today to my Etsy Shop from my current kiln firing.

I hope you will stop by the ArtBeadScene blog and participate in this month's challenge.  Follow this LINK for all the particulars. There are still a few days left.  The deadline is Jan. 30.

Thanks so  much for stopping by.
Mary

And The Winner is.....

And the winner of a signed copy of Maya and The Turtle A Korean Fairy Tale is ....
                                   Carol Shull
                          Congratulations Carol!!

Thank you all who participated in this celebration on Soma Han's new website.  You are all so appreciated!!!