Guild Swaps:
It's All Black and White

Recently the South Texas Polymer Clay Guild challenged themselves by having a black, white and gray bead swap. The rules were simple: use black and white clay with any resulting gray and make five beads. There were no size or design limitations and the five could all match or be different.

Here's the result of my endeavors to design with such a wonderful assortment of beads. First of all, when I got home, I spread them out on my bead board and just admired all the beads. Such a wonderful variety of size, form, texture and finish. Some were matte, some were sanded and polished and some were glazed. Soon, I discovered that I had a certain number of beads that matched and by adding 4 mm black and clear crystals I was able to create a symmetrical strand of beads. (I'm a Libra, so balance is important to me.)

But I still had all of these other beads, each unique in form and size and they just didn't look good if all strung together. Finally I got the idea to make each one more important by placing them on head pins with more of the black and clear crystals and using the same for the spacing an to make it longer. I had tried Bali silver earlier and it was too busy.

Using Beadalon 49 I strung the two strands of beads, finishing with a 3 mm silver bead and two silver crimps to attach to the recently purchased silver clasp. Before I closed the crimps, I had added two tiny charms on which one I had stamped my initials and the year. All that was left to do was to complete the earrings with the same black and crystal beads and the two triangle beads I had set aside to use.

I proudly wore my new creation to the San Antonio Polymer Clay Guild meeting and was pleased with the reaction. Since they are doing the same challenge next month in June, they were able to see the results of another Guild's efforts. Also, I was teaching the art elements and principles of design and this example gave me lots of ways to explain many of those aspects. We also covered various findings and tools used in making jewelry.

Members from the South Texas Polymer Clay Guild who participated in the swap were: Margaret Hoelscher, Dianne Fredette, Ruphia Peche, Linda Jones, Nancy Schultz, Claudia Gomez, Nancy Pettaway and me. We each made five beads either alike or different for everyone in the swap plus an extra set for our bead jar. Just think, in August when the raffle is held to commemorate our Guild anniversary, someone will win another complete set!!

I'm looking forward to next month when the San Antonio Polymer Clay Guild has its swap. I'm participating in that one, too. It promises to be as great a design challenge as the first one, and I believe it will be as much fun. The wonderful advantages to being a member of more than one guild. Try it. You'll like it!

Patty Barnes, Vice-president
South Texas Polymer Clay Guild
President, San Antonio Polymer Clay Guild