Creative Material - ceramics

Love RingBraille in Teal Blue by MaaPStudio

Monika, the designer and the sculptor behind MaaPStudio says: My jewelry is made from Parian porcelain which, left unglazed, gives a soft feel to the ceramic pieces. Porcelain is a challenging material and requires a lot of patience. My aim is to extend its material possibilities in order to bring about unique pieces.

Large seawave ceramic platter by EMuuGallery

EMuu from EMuuGallery says: Ceramic is currently my favorite creative material. In my opinion ceramics is a craft while the real creation materials are clay and glaze. Clay gives me a huge range of possibilities. The multitude of techniques for forming clay objects, decorating and then firing them means you can’t get bored with it. I don’t have any particular favorite technique: I find so much enjoyment in clay for its versatile, almost limitless, possibilities. Glaze is an extremely important and fascinating material. On the one hand it is one of the basic materials used to decorate and secure ceramics: adds character, color and gloss. On the other, due to their chemical and physical properties, glazes are the link between glass and clay. The most intriguing thing about glazes – you may make them yourself. With some knowledge about chemical and physical features of the components, and with some understanding of the firing process one can create unique, new glazes. Another creative element then.

Blue ceramicbowl with swirl texture by Ozdonik

Kasia from Ozdonik says: Ceramic gives many possibilities and there's only a few non-breaking rules. In my opinion first and most important is "stay creative". There are loads of techniques and styles and each one gives a different and unique effect. The whole process despite its length (even 2-3 weeks before clay gets completely dry, than first - bisque - firing than glazing and second firing) makes me so excited, especially when I try new additions to glaze or when I mix glazes the way I haven’t before. Sometimes effects are really surprising and hard to repeat.

leaf veinshand pressed ceramic clay pendant necklace by CatHot

Kasia from CatHot: Since I can remember I've always wanted to try my hand at working with clay. As a little girl, I made dishes, beads and animals from the "clay" found in the front yard. I was very happy when the opportunity arose to participate in workshops with genuine clay, glaze and kiln. It's amazing how particles of the earth can conjure up a beautiful piece of jewelry, a mug, a jug or a plate. Working with ceramics really fascinates me. I learned a lot. This technique is time consuming and labor intensive yet you have to be very delicate and precise. I hope that I will have the opportunity to continue that inspirational experiment.

Agnieszka

Creative Material Soutache

Sol de Ibarra/soutache earrings by Hannah Studio

Anna Jaroszewicz from Hannah Studio: The use of soutache (Russia Braid) for ornamentation in clothing, uniforms or shoes was known already in ancient times and sucesfully employed through centuries until nowadays. We can find it in ancient Babylon, baroque France or Russia and in English representative uniforms. The technique of soutache embroidery in jewellery was propagated by israeli artist Dori Csengeri who over ten years ago bravely started up with her innovative project. In short, we could describe the specifics of soutache embroidery as stitching together braids and placing decorative stones, glass beads and other elements between them. Materials needed are: Russian braid, nylon thread, thin needles for beading, glue for textiles, beads made of glass, plastic and ceramics, Swarovski crystals, natural and syntetic stones. We will also need glue, impregnant, leather or felt for finishing the backing, and a few other tools like scissors etc. My first projects were done by intuition, because there were no information sources or practical instructions. For over half a year by trial-and-error I was getting to the technical perfection. Soutache embroidery is immensely facinating and unlimited in form. You can combine random configurations of flourishes and colours. You can also add elements created in other techniques like metal-work, felt, macrame, wire-wrapping etc. The finished project can give a surprising effect, because at the beginning you cannot predict what will be the final version. Creating in soutache embroidery requires quite a lot of patience and obedience, because it’s not easy to harness braids. It requires also high manual skills to shorten the time of accomplishment, so it wouldn’t bore us and put off. 

Purple Soutache Bracelet with Amethys by ArtStyleBizu.

Ania from ArtStyleBizu: My adventure with Soutache began two years ago and from the first moments I loved braids. Implementation of jewelry in this technique is very time consuming but the results are sometimes really suprising. The choice of colors and innumerable ideas for design are main advantages of this techniqe. Soutache jewelry is beautiful and very impressive, almost magical. The perfect combination of color, stones, crystals, glass beads and silver. Each set of my original jewelry is made with great attention to every detail.

Colorful bold trendy bracelet by MANUfakturamaanuela

Manuela from MANUfakturamaanuela: Soutache gives a lot of possibilities. Large range color of strings, beads in different shapes and sizes allows you to create unique works. My advice on technique - don't be afraid to mix and match colors seemingly matching! :))

Soutache/silver earrings by Antidotum

Alina from Antidotum: There are several reasons why soutache has become one of my favorite jewelry making techniques. One of them can be seen with the naked eye - it's fabulous colors, which can be a kick to create. The other, known for those who are familiar with this technique: the satisfaction you feel after many hours of tedious work when the piece slowly gets ready. In my case, it is also a kind of adventure, as I begin to work with just a sketch vision of what I want to do, then I give the lead to the materials :)

fall in the rokies earrings from KimimilaArt

Kamila from KimimilaArt : My adventure with braid began about 2 years ago - by accident I came across a post about this on the forum wizaz.pl. Lovelies  - I thought and I utterly fell in love. It was very difficult to find Russia braids. I live permanently in the United States and could not find anything that suited me. I placed an order in a Polish shop, the parcel went to my family in Poland and from there to Montana. And after 2 weeks I could take the first soutache trial. The beginnings were quite hard, I did everything by trial and error,  but somehow after a while I achieved  what I wanted. I like braids for the opportunity to create something combining the richness of European royal courts, ethnic jewelery and simple modern forms. And of course the endless color madness.

Agnieszka / bialaKura

Creative Material: embroidery

Ombre felt emrboidered earrings by Feltik

Magda from Feltik says: I use some embroidery in my felt jewelry and accessories. I love how it connects tradition and modernity. I hope to learn old traditional embroidery techniques and patterns and use them in modern items. I think it is important to pass this tradition for future generations and safe it from being forgotten.

Juicy blue brooch embroided with beads by Drycha

Karolina from Drycha says: Once I wanted to have something  to do on crafty meeting, something that does not take up much space so I took some felt, beads, sequins, needle ... Soon I had dozens of embroidered brooches because I made them  at every opportunity. That was it! It happend last January, since then the work has improved: instead of felt the eco-leather, sequins somehow relegated by the new  elements such as glass cabochons with my artwork, watch dials, etc. Once in a while I still try new things such as doing beaded beads. What I like most about embroidery? The stitching is relaxing (unless the thread gets too much messy;), besides the EFFECT! As a magpie I love the bright and sparkling gem!

Embroidered LINEN blouse by ZOJKAshop

Zofia and Anna from ZOJKAshop say: In our work we use mainly embroidery machine, but we do not use ready-made, pre-programmed patterns. For us, the stitch is another technique of art, a way to save the line, it’s like a drawing. It makes machine embroidery as unique as a handwritten drawing.

Agnieszka

Creative Material: Silk

Redcurrant Delicious linen silk Necklace by FiveOClock

Carol from FiveOClocks says: Like no other fabric silk has a unique pearly glow which emanates from within. Even as a small decorative element it is able to intrigue and attract your eyes with it’s shine and softness.  The greatest ancient cultures were fascinated by silk and the art of decorating it. Oriental floral and animal motifs printed and embroidered on silk always fascinated me. So I decided to weave always at least a small part of silk in my necklaces, as such, a small symbol of continuity in the art of handicrafts and a nod to old artists. This delicate fabric is for me a kind of bridge between the present and the history and art, which arose as a result of the human fascination with the silk tiny thread.

Grape Juice hand knitted lace stole by DagnyKnit

Dagmara from DagnyKnit: I use silk as a yarn and this is usually pretty thin thread: 1000-1500 yards/100g. But to work with it is not as hard as it may seem, it’s just as enjoyable as the use of the finished product.  Softness, lightness and a nice, cool touch, these are the features that distinguish this material. It is also a great alternative for allergy sufferers who can not wear wool and mohair scarves. Silk should be treated gently: hand wash and rinse in lukewarm water.

LAGOON GREEN Handspun art yarn by YarnAndFabricArt

Justyna from YarnAndFabricArt: I use silk for spinning and it’s  one of the strongest known materials in the world. Silks are different, it all depends on which silkworms are fed. The most desirable and most noble is the mulberry silk, featuring a beautiful sheen, creamy, warm color and a very high strength. You can spin silk solo or in mixture with other fibers: wool, alpaca or camel fleece. Silk adds yarns the shine and strength. When spun alone gives  a very thin thread. Silk can be successfully dyed and painted, it takes color beautifully and does not fade. Products made of silk are warm in the winter and cool in summer. Silk is very durable and easy to wash, it also quickly dries. Every woman should have something made of silk, because this material emphasizes the beauty and gives us light.

Nuno-felt shawl, blue flower by ArtMode

Bożena from ArtMode: I love working with silk fabric, it is an ideal base for my products. While felting I mix it with high quality Australian Merino wool to form an exquisite tapestry with a unique texture and an unusual pattern. With this fabric I create original clothes and scarves, whose main characteristic is not only an exclusive appearance, but also their unusual delicacy because silk does not irritate even a sensitive skin. All silk products can be successfully washed in lukewarm water using mild soap for washing wool. 

Olive green knit woman sweater with felted leaves by LavishKnitwear

Gosia i Agnieszka form LavishKnitwear: Silk, a fiber derived from the silkworm cocoon, is often used for the production of knitting yarns. It gives yarns a gloss, a smoothness and makes the thread so delicate and soft. In our work we use kid mohair and mohair from angora goats with silk. Each fabric made with silk takes on a very elegant and unique look  that help us can feel luxurious and comfortable.

Wedding Purse Green Pear and Orange Bunch of Flowers by AtelierEdytaLoukia

Edyta from AtelierEdytaLoukia: Dupioni silk is one of my favorite materials! Wonderful texture and countless colors encourage the creation of new forms. Silk is a natural material, get along very well and is extremely elegant.


Agata from MyLaceSpace: I use silk combined with wool and other natural fibers because it gives a beautiful shine and the finished product is durable and retains its properties (shape, structure).  

Summer Sand Dream luxury merino alpaca silk lace shawl  by MyLaceSpace

Agnieszka

creative material - felt

Beaded Chunky Necklace by DevikaFelt

Dorota from DevikaFelt says: for me it is very important to have a good quality wool to make my felted balls. If the wool is of a poor quality your felted balls will never look and feel nice, and it is also so much easier and faster to work with a good quality wool. I want my customers to see from the very first moment when they receive their product, that it was made of a good quality wool, it feels soft, the wool hair are not sticking out and it just looks good and elegant.  I love creating necklaces using not only my felted balls, but mixing them with other types of beads. My last series of multi-strand necklaces contain felted balls as well as wooden and ceramic beads and vintage style metal beads, and I really like how it looks together in the final product.

Polka dot beaded necklace by Feltik

Magdalena from Feltik says: I love using wool and felt as a material for my jewelry for many reasons. First of all it is a natural fiber, so it is eco friendly. Wool and felt are very versatile and plastic materials, there's almost no limits how you can use them. Felt and wool can be transformed into many items in various shapes and textures. It is also long lasting and durable material so if you take good care of your felt items (in my case jewelry) you will enjoy it for a very long time.

Needle felted cherry on twig brooch by CraftbyMaryla

Maryla from CraftbyMaryla says: I’m felting because it is the next step  in my long lasting fascination with natural materials such as linen, silk, wool. And felt is the best we can make of wool!  There are no limits to what can be created with it. That’s  I like most about it. It is amazing how beautiful it can be when combined with silk, linen or cotton, it can be durable, thick, structural, or very thin, delicate and airy. You can make very different things with felt. Functional elements of our wardrobe, including shoes or slippers, as well as jewellry and decorative household items. Felted things can be washed like other delicate materials such as silk, but only by hand in lukewarm water with a mild soap. It can be squeezed in a towel and returned gently to previous  shape. After drying, it keeps the shape given. Felt, wool is actually very creative material.

Women Felted Headband by Danfe

Danuta from Danfe says:  I use a nuno felting technique which is a wet felting technique that allows to combine wool material with a smooth one as silk or chiffon. Felted  wool completely connects with this material, which allows you to make very light and yet warm hats, scarves, slippers, bags. Wet felting technique gives me endless possibilities for creating fantasy art jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings. Color and warmth of felt jewellry makes it the perfect match for autumn and winter outfits.

Hand knitted felted bag by Albado

Dorota from Albado says: I try to learn something new every day, recently while making felted accessories I try to combine wool with silk or linen with interesting effects, felt becomes more delicate.  I also recently started to do larger forms ie. bags. I like that felted items are unique, OOAK, and that gets attention. Working with wool gives me much joy!

Agnieszka

creative material - recycling

bracelet from recycled plastic bottles by dekoprojects

Aneta from dekoprojects: I recycle many kinds of plastic bottles and containers in various colors. I like to use paper too: I make paper beads which I use in some of my works. As all upcyclers I also love extraordinary objects: old jewelry pieces, mechanical parts, buttons etc. I recycle because I hate wasting things, so when I've met with the idea of recycling trash into jewelry I just loved it and decided to try it. For me creating jewelry from ready parts makes no challenge nor fun, it's too easy! I love the fact I have more possibilities when working with trash than I would have if I used standard jewelry components. But it takes much time to recycle some things - and this is a great disadvantage, that sometimes makes me close to give up some projects.

Geometric Tangerine Earrings from DorotaKos

Dorota from DorotaKos: All the work is made using my own technique.  Jewelry is made from used synthetics. I do not like to produce waste and garbage but I like to use the imagination to create something with the seemingly unnecessary things. I think it is fun to do something out of nothing. That’s the way I live and work:)

Vintage Lace Earrings by modesign

Magdalena from modesign: In my jewelry work I use old lace. I cut it, paint it, and cover with some kind of glue to make it water resistant. I add sterling silver elements and naturals stones. That's all. Recycling old lace I give it a new life, enpowerig  it with color and silver, gemstones and shining drops -  elements of glamour... I love playing with color's tones!

Creased Arm Warmers by cutrag

Anna from cutrag: I sew from recycled clothing and vintage materials. This is my very small contribution to preserving our planet for all the small beings who will live here when we were gone. I would like to keep for them little beauty :)

Upcycled dangle earrings from magazine pages by BluReco

Alicja from BluReco: I try to use as often as possible the 3R principle (reduce-reuse-recycle) and what I make now is a result of this. I love the paper as the material, seemingly weak and unstable after appropriate processing is completely new, extremely strong and durable. Actually, regardless of what materials besides paper I’m using in my work, recycling is always a must:)

Set of three upcycled decorative baskets by BluReco

Agnieszka