Usually when my muse goes South, I can look through my stash of Art Jewelry and Architectural Digest magazines and find something to fuel my creativity, but lately, not even that has worked.
So, last Thursday night, for my guild's weekly Clay and Play session, I decided to go back to the basics and do some things I haven't done on a large scale in awhile, like faux finishes. I pulled out a couple of books and decided to try faux jade and faux bone and faux turquoise. I didn't quite make it to the faux turquoise because I got so absorbed in the faux jade.
I did some research and discovered there are six colors of natural jade: Black, red, green, yellow, white and lavender. I wanted to try a batch of each, but only got as far as green, yellow, red and lavender this go-round, but I intend to do some more. I haven't had that much fun claying in ages.
I am really pleased with the results of the green and yellow. The red, which my research source says can range from reddish brown to orange, looks a little too orange to me, but hey, how about faux carnelian? The lavender turned out too gray, but not black enough to be black, so I need to experiment some more with those colors.
Then I decided to do a quick batch of faux bone. I deliberately left the beads in the cooker for longer than I was supposed to (don't try this at home unless you bake outside) because I wanted a darker striation. My neighbor saw these and thought they looked more like wood. I'll try to cook them like I'm supposed to cook them next time, but I love these, too.
All in all, a very good weekend. Now if that truckload of translucent clay I ordered would just get here, I could do some more.
Dark Green "Jadeite" Faux Jade - Architectural Detail and Gingko Leaves
Medium Green "Burmese" Faux Jade Raised Koi Fish - Pendant
Medium Green "Burmese" Faux Jade - Chrysanthemums and Lotus Blossoms Pendant
Medium Green "Burmese" Faux Jade Pendant/Brooch - Koi Fish
Light Olive Green East-West Faux Jade Focal Bead - Koi Fish
Reddish Orange Faux Red Jade Asian Waves Pendant
Yellow Faux Jade Floral Carved Cylinder Bead
Lavender Faux Jade - Asian Letters Pendant
Faux Bone Pendants
13 comments:
Wow, Lynda - those are great! If you didn't tell me they were "faux" I'd believe they were real! Great job! Going back to basics is a great way to get your muse back! I had to do that too (I think it's this winter and the economy and everything that's getting everyone down) and ended up coming up with my focals that I have been making - I really like how they have been turning out!
You - muse = better than me :( lol
These are beautiful!
Terrific - I think I'm going to follow you down the faux highway. Not sure it'll be jade, but a few in the Guild of late have been producing some lovely "stones" and I must try my hand!
:)
me<><
These are spectacular! I've been gleaning little lessons from the gem dealers here in Hong Kong...about the difference between jade (from Burma) and jadeite (from China), coloring, etc. But I learned more from your exploration in faux techniques! Fabulous. I can't wait to play with the idea once I advance. (Still a baby clayer.)
Thank you so much, everyone!
Sue, I went to your site yesterday, and I am loving the new focal beads, girl! We need to talk!
Polly, you are so sweet, thank you, but you stick with PCAGOE and you will learn more than you can imagine!
Cindy, go for it! I'm going back to the drawing board with the jade, but I love faux bone and I'm determined to get some faux turquoise done for our "Faux" challenge coming up later this year!
Jenn, this is a super easy technique. I'd love to see what you do with it. Come back and show me pictures, okay?
Thanks again, ladies! Happy Claying!
Hey these beads and pendants are very pretty :) Love the colors, looks natural!
These are beautiful, Lynda! I would have never believed they were faux jade! I would like to try making faux jade, if I get gutsy enough to try it. Is it difficult? Since it is done with translucent...you probably have to watch the oven pretty closely.
These are all wonderful. I especially love the green leaves! Your work is so beautiful. Bev
Thank you, Lupe and Bev!
And thank you, too, Zarah! :)
Very nice, I really liked the Reddish Orange Faux Red Jade Asian Waves Pendant !
Thank you very much, Muse! I love your blog! Very informative. :)
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