New Technique - "Crackly Goodness"

Greetings, Polymer Clay Peeps!

I have here, what I believe is a new polymer clay technique which I will call "Crackly Goodness."

or maybe BFCG?  We'll see if anything sticks ;o)

The look is similar to mokume gane but the layered effect is created with alcohol inks only...no colored clay at all.  I also got a great crackle goin' on, which happened entirely by accident.  Love that *serendipity stuff!

I'll be teaching this new technique at workshops and hopefully will get a tutorial written soon for CraftArtEdu.  If you'd like to get a better look at what I'm describing here, go to my Flickr account where you can enlarge the images and really enjoy the "Crackly Goodness."  I've used this technique on my Mandala Beads which you can see there as well.  Email me if your group is interested in a one or two day workshop.

*ser·en·dip·i·ty  [ser-uhn-dip-i-tee]  noun  1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident

My Kaleidoscope Tile Pendant Tutorial

 Hey all.

I've been thinking of getting this tutorial back up for a long while now.  I originally had it on my old website, and wanted to put it here on my blog, which gets quite a bit of traffic :o)  Hope you like...


Barb Fajardo Kaleidoscope Article

Few and Far Between

It does take me time to feel that what I'm thinking or doing is worthy of a blog post.  I work on my art nearly every day and almost always post photos of my work on Flickr (where you can really zoom in and see the detail) and Facebook.  So why blog too?  My blog is followed by you (I mean you're here aren't you?) and you deserve an occasional update :-)

I still love my Mandala Beads...generally I work and work on a technique until I feel that I just can't go any further with it. It's right about then that your muse decides to show you something.  Low and behold, I accidentally "crackled" some beads and the result is very cool.  Guess there is more experimenting to be had...

My first "Mandala Beads and More" weekend workshop was back in January with some wonderful peeps right here in Albuquerque (Annie, Cynde and the gals).  Tomorrow, I'm headed to Lenexa, Kansas to spend time with Kim, Donna and their group.  I'm sure it will be fabulous!

Anyhow, this workshop in Kansas is coming at a great time.  I've had a few health issues to deal with since the beginning of the year and things are beginning to get back to normal.  Can't wait to get out of town and active in the community again.  

If you'd like to learn my technique for creating "Mandala" crackle beads, drop me a line.  I'd love to come to your city too.

BOO! Scared ya, didn't I?

Two whole blog posts in one month...what a treat!  Or a trick??  Pretty clever how I worked Halloween into this post isn't it!

Just want to show you a couple more of these textured beads.  Although I'm spiritual and not really religious, I've always loved images of crosses and churches.  Here in New Mexico, there is much religious art and culture, especially during the holidays...and I can't help but be influenced by it.  Also, instead of adding alcohol inks for color, I'm going the acrylic paint route.  These have just a bit of turquoise paint mixed in with the burnt umber, so it's going a bit green.  I like the color though.

I've been on a pretty long kick with texure, since I started "Texture Doodling" and made my CraftEdu tutorial "Textured Tile Tessellations." 

I love what I've seen from Roberta Warshaw after taking the class.  She's been experimenting with texture on lots of different shapes!

Happy Halloween everybody!

Concho Beads, Snowflakes, Whitewashed Tin...or what?

These really remind me of the type of pieces that are used in sterling silver Native American concho belts.  I find it interesting that I'm subconsciously influenced by designs and colors that I've grown up with living here in the Southwest for 40+ years (shhh...don't tell).  Or it could be that I'm just looking for these styles in my work because I like them so much.  Either way...I'm going to continue experimenting with my textures on butterfly shapes and ovals too... and hey, maybe I'll even make a belt.

By the way, please visit Artybecca's blog (aka Rebecca Watkins) and Flickr site.  I recently shared a work table with her and was very impressed at her creativity.   That woman is a bead maker extraordinaire!

barbfajardo.com and new shapes

Yes, it's true, it's true...I do neglect this blog.  You know how it goes...there are so many other things that demand attention in our lives.  I won't bore you with mine, at this very moment..let's save that for *another* long awaited blog post ;o)

For now, let me just post a picture for you of some prototypes that I'm working on.  I continue to be fascinated by shapes and alcohol inks.  Today, I'll be trying some birds...

And for those of you who have known me for some time and have my old site linked (the old swirl lentil tutorials...that by now, everyone knows how to make), you may want to link to my new site barbfajardo.com.  Please look around, there is some info on teaching and also some earrings for sale on the purchase page.

Hope you all are enjoying your summer, we can feel fall in the air here already!  Toying around with the idea of weed pulling since we have gotten some nice rain the past few days...or maybe not...

Rose from Escondido

Rose from Escondido purchased Swirl Lentils from me years ago and decided to look me up since she was visiting family here.  She sent a nice note that she had really enjoyed working with my beads and that she would like to take a class from me.  Rose is a very talented jewelry designer, but she felt that it was time that she created her own beads instead of purchasing them from another artist.  

 

We decided on a 4 hour class (which quickly turned into 6 and could have easily gone another 2) and then she told me that she had never worked with polymer before.  Uh oh...  But actually, I thought...this is perfect.  Just last week I got an email from a Bead Society that was interested in my class.  My first thought was, I wonder if someone with no experience with polymer would feel comfortable taking this class?  The world works in mysterious ways...

Turns out the answer is yes... I would even venture to say that a pasta machine is not even necessary.  Rose was my very first student for my new class and she helped me more than she knows.  I took notes as she took notes.  I found out some things that students will definitely want to know, things that I take for granted.  Rose was very happy with her class. She said she learned so much and that I was a patient teacher.  Yay :o) 

Midway, we took a break and chatted out back by my shady Purple Robe Locust Tree.

I made us some guacamole with blue corn chips, orange slices and graham crackers.  Pretty fancy huh?  

Thank you for a great day Rose from Escondido!

Happy Earth Day and Happy Easter to you all!