February 27th, 2011
Oh, Sugar Sugar (Skull)
A few months into the bitter chill of winter and I never want to see my heavy tweed coat again. I fantasize about wrapping it in plastic and banishing to the back of my closet for a solid 6 or 8 months! (Probably wishful thinking, but a girl can dream.) Today, the sun is shining, there’s a hint of warmth in the air, and I’m itching to break out my spring clothes. In celebration of spring I thought I’d share some colorful, sweet treasuries with you.
Sweet Sugar Skulls
Here’s a delightful collection of grinning handmade sugar skulls. You’ll find everything from punky baby accessories to jewelry and home decor here. Thanks, GracieBonesBoutique, for including my Marigold Sugar Skull Cha-Cha Necklace!
I created a few sugar skull pieces in October in honor of Dia de Los Muertos. I love the colors and images associated with this Mexican holiday. What a joyous contrast with melancholy Western conceptions of death – black, morbid, dark, eternal, foreboding. I think I like the idea of celebrating our dead with flowers, feasting, costumes, and parades much better. I used a gorgeous golden orange clay for this skull because marigold is a very significant color in Day of the Dead celebrations. Marigolds are thought to be the “flower of the dead.” Since their scent and color is believed to attract spirits, marigold petals are used to mark crosses and paths to show them the way.
Paint Me Punk
DragonsWood has curated a rockin’ collection of neon-bright accessories fit for a punk princess. She was kind enough to include my Day of the Dead Bracelet #3 – thank you! This particular bracelet has been sold, but I have more in the works. Contact me if you’d like a custom Day of the Dead Bracelet of your own.
I began with my own handmade polymer clay skull and bones. I used an ivory colored clay to shape each piece one by one. Then I applied various pigments and paints to create an aged look. My favorite part of the process, I think, was assembling the various brightly colored beads in glass, crystal, stone, resin, and silver. The chunky clasp is silver-plated.
Now I’m off to take advantage of this gorgeous day by taking the pup for a brisk walk!
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Hello… I make jewelry.
And I am a multifaceted beast! I currently sell my work under two pseudonyms. My Gearbunny line is where I express my punky, industrial, cute and morbid side. Here you’ll find polymer clay jewelry and accessories. I mainly focus on necklaces, charms, pendants, bracelets, and earrings, but I have been known to branch off into hair accessories and brooches. My inspiration comes from club and music culture and weird, quirky thoughts that pop into my head. I have been creating jewelry as Gearbunny since 2006.
My jewelry alterego is LapinJade (ooh la la, that’s jade rabbit, in French). Launched in April of 2008, it’s a newer endeavor. My LapinJade jewelry features sterling silver wire-wrapping and original silver pieces that I’ve forged myself using metalworking techniques. The versatility of silver is very inspiring. I also use various gemstones and precious materials. Overall this is a more elegant, classically beautiful line.
Gearbunny and LapinJade are both equally ME, so you’ll find updates for both on this site!
Currently I sell my work on Etsy, a fantastic virtual marketplace for all things handmade. Visit Gearbunny here, and LapinJade over here.