To paraphrase, Necessity is the Mother of Distraction…. I first tried polymer clay in September 2004. I needed “really big” turquoise buttons for a valance idea I’d had, but couldn’t possibly afford real turquoise, so I bought some Polymer Clay. I managed to make 3 of the 20-plus buttons needed before getting distracted at the holidays making snow globes, bookmarks, etc. for family and friends. My windows are still unadorned….
My wall plates came from being a Design Consultant for custom home builders. My clients and I were frustrated trying to find Southwestern styles, by the outrageous prices of the few (mass-produced) available, and by the even fewer choices in the lovely, big rocker light switches so popular here in Arizona. I’ve (so far) created these lines: Saltillo (Mexican pavers), Mesquite, other rustic Wood, and Tooled Leather.
My bottle stoppers and glass charm sets came from shopping with a dear friend who was looking for a new stopper. She noted the limited creativity and poor quality of mass-produced items. It occurred to me that I could make stoppers – for a bit more than at the import store, admittedly, but with a lot more panache. It then hit me that, by combining stoppers with glass charms into a thematic set, and adding a magnet, the set could be kept easily available rather than lost in a dark kitchen drawer, and Voila! – functional Fridge Art!
My containers – boxes, business card holders, tins, etc. - are primarily a way to experiment with new techniques – and, I just love containers! It is an endlessly creative challenge to combine form and function.
My jewelry is very personal. It is influenced by my Scandinavian aboriginal heritage, “hippie youth”, and love for natural materials. Long before moving to Arizona, I admired Southwestern native jewelry - hand-made simplicity, symbolic intricacy, and artist’s soul, woven together into beautiful pieces. It may seem ironic to reproduce natural materials via a man-made substance, but I see it as exploration of “what is available” – the infinite creative spirit.
My true passion is mixed-media sculpting, particularly in miniature, trying to capture the essence - the beauty, whimsy and value – of desert life. And, as a long-time collector of Fridge Art (refrigerator magnets), it has been fun to add my twist to this miniature sculpture art form.
I show my work at local (southeastern Arizona) art fairs, thanks to a good friend who creates beautiful jewelry and who is most generously mentoring me. And, I am most grateful to my best friend in the world, Janet, owner of this eBay Store, for the opportunity of a wider audience, on-line. I am very honoured that she is willing to offer my work alongside the superb Amish items upon which she built her business.
If you like my work, please bookmark this eBay store. If you sign up for the Beautiful Bug Newsletter, you will be informed when new items are listed. And, I am always happy to discuss Custom Orders or Commissions, which can be arranged through Private Listings.
Thank you for taking the time to read About Me, and for browsing my listings!
Beautiful Bug, AKA elo (e-lo)
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