My Valentine's day gift arrived !

I was so happy yesterday to received my Valentine's day gift from my husband. It is very rare that I want something in particular but this time I knew I wanted a piece of jewelry by a wonderful jeweler, Angela Gerhard.


I have been a great admirer of her work since I saw her work in Flickr. Her enameling pieces are spectacular, her use of color is impressive. As you may notice already, I LOVE HER WORK. She is not only a great artist but also a beautiful person.

Can you see how happy I am ?

(You will have to excuse my sad eyes, I am still trying to came back from a terrible cold that lasted more than two weeks!!)

©2009 Angela Gerhard

Thank you to my husband for this great gift and thank you to Angela for making this amazing necklace.

Finally my Creative paperclay is over.

I have been sharing with all of you my new passion with Creative paperclay in my last postings. I promise this will be my last, at least for now.
Working with this clay has been a great and fulfilling adventure for me and my creative life. I got connected again with my heritage and was able to create in a different way what my heart wanted to express.
Every piece I made was a learning experience because I made everything without having any knowledge. A lot of what I do is like that, I just follow my heart and play.


For my last piece (for now), I wanted to take more time and really make something that can also have my metal clay work in it. Finally my "CATRINA" was born and she is wearing a necklace made with PMC and a CZ.


Hope you have enjoyed looking at my new pieces and thank you for your wonderful comments.


This is just the beginning of a new adventure and collection for my work.

CATRINA
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Creative paperclay, colored pencils, acrylics, beads, PMC original and a CZ.
4.5 inches by 1.20 inches by 1.11 inches

CATRINA
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Creative paperclay, colored pencils, acrylics, beads, PMC original and a CZ.
4.5 inches by 1.20 inches by 1.11 inches

CATRINA
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Creative paperclay, colored pencils, acrylics, beads, PMC original and a CZ.
4.5 inches by 1.20 inches by 1.11 inches

 Here you can see all of them together !

©2011 Lorena Angulo

I am obsess with Creative paperclay ! I need an intervention !!!

Hola, my name is Lorena and I am obsess with Creative Paperclay ! 
I have to accept that when I approach a new technique or material I really get into it to the fullest ! Since I got my package of Creative paperclay I have not been able to stop !!
I still have one more piece that I am working on right now but in general I finished the whole package and I am feeling sad !!!


Are you the same way when you play with a new technique or material ? 


These are my latest pieces I made and I had a blast making them !!!

©2011 Lorena Angulo

VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Creative Paperclay, colored pencils and acrylics.
3.11 inches by 1.45

VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Creative Paperclay, colored pencils and acrylics.
3.11 inches by 1.45

ANGEL
©2011 Lorena Angulo
Creative paperclay, colored pencils and acrylics.
3.05 inches by 2.40 inches.

RAW(ring a week) Blog Carnival.

This is my first blog carnival for RAW. I really like the idea of writing about our experiences and this time I am going to write about what was my inspiration for participating in RAW.  


After having participated in RAD(ring a day) last year I new I could not missed the opportunity to join this group. 


Joining a challenge group is a great motivation and inspiration experience. I joined the first group because I usually did not make rings and this challenge gave me more confidence to do it.

Creating with different materials and techniques is one of my goals during this challenge. I also want to make more stone bezel settings and continue to be more confident about my work.
This group is formed by incredible talented artists from around the world and it is a great inspiration to see all their creations.

©2011 Lorena Angulo
January rings

©2011 Lorena Angulo
February rings

Please visit these incredible artists blogs to see their posts !
Marcie Abney - http://labellajoya.blogspot.com/
Joanne Harrill - www.jojobell.com
Thomasin Durgin - www.metalriot.blogspot.com
Amy Nicole - www.rubymtnbeads.blogspot.com
Janice - www.doxallodesigns.blogspot.com
Aleksandra Micic - www.micicart.blogspot.com
Lana Chu - www.ginkgoglass.wordpress.com
Evelyn Markasky - www.markasky.blogspot.com
Kerry Alice-Twigs and Heather - www.twigsandheather.blogspot.com
Kate Jones-- www.katejonesdesign.blogspot.com
Maria Apostolou- www.createjewelry.gr/blog
Sarah Small - www.bysalla.blogspot.com
Rebecca Bogan - www.Adobesol.com/blog
Elaine Luther - www.CreativeTextureTools.com/news
Rebekah Timlin Meddles - www.lunasadesigns.blogspot.com
Laura M (Zoeowyn)- http://zoeowyn.blogspot.com/
Kimberly (bahamadawn) - www.bahamadawn.blogspot.com
Erin Austin - www.metalmusing.blogspot.com
Catherine Witherell - www.happydayart.typepad.com
Michele Grady- www.michelegradydesigns.blogspot.com
Joan Furilla -http://jfurilla.wordpress.com/
Kathryn Cole- www.kathryncolejewelry.blogspot.com 

Playing and creating with a new material.

I have been working full speed with an amazing medium, Metal Clay, since 2006. I have enjoyed every minute of it and I know I will continue with my big love and passion for this incredible medium.
Lately I reconnected with another material that I have used to make core beads to form hollow beads for my silver metal clay work. I never made jewelry with this material before but after seeing the fantastic work by Jillian Palone, I was inspired to start playing with this clay.I was overwhelm by how gorgeous her work is.

This new material is Creative Paperclay and I was amazed at how easy and fun working with this clay is.
My first project was a ring I made for my RAW group. What makes this so fun to me is that this clay gives me the opportunity to create pieces with a big influence in Mexican Folk Art, one of my big passions. My Metal clay work has a strong influence in my culture and this paperclay gives my work another alternative.

My second piece with this paperclay is another ring, this time I made an angel. I collect Angels, mostly from Mexico and Guatemala and making this ring made me so HAPPY !!!
Now, I need to learn how to paint faces !!! :D I know my painting skills will improve little by little, for now this is what I can do.
Hope you like it !!

©2011 Lorena Angulo

©2011 Lorena Angulo

 ©2011 Lorena Angulo

ANGEL ring

Creative Paperclay, colored pencils and acrylics.

3.13 inches by 2.10 inches by 1.37 inches

Do you like to play with new mediums or materials? I will love to know what are you playing with !

Love,

Lorena

Having FUN with paper clay !!

I just finished making one of my rings for RAW with a material that I had not been using a lot lately. It was so much FUN to go back to this clay and just relax and play with it.
This is one of the great things about RAW, it gives me the opportunity to play with other mediums to create. This time I choose paper clay and colored pencils.
After getting sick almost a week ago, this play day with myself and paper clay was a refreshing and excited adventure.
I hand sculpted the ring and used colored pencils to give a bright and colorful finish to my piece.
The fist idea that came to me was to create a "Calavera" holding a sacred heart in her hands.

Here it is !  Hope you like it !!

 © 2011 Lorena Angulo

 © 2011 Lorena Angulo

LOVE CATRINA

©2011 Lorena Angulo

Paper clay, colored pencils and beads.

3.75 inches by 1.35 inches

Do you like to play with new materials and just have fun experimenting with them? I sure did !!

Love,

Lorena

Thank You Metal Clay GURU !!

I am very happy and honored to have this gorgeous video of my work in the Metal Clay GURU site.
He made this video with images of my work and I am very thankful for it.

And the "Queen of hearts" giveaway winner is.........

Congratulations !!!!!!

Thank You to all of you who participated !!

My heart is full of love and joy for all your kind words!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!!!!

Love,

Lorena Angulo

Steel Wire Jewelry Book

 I just received this wonderful new book by LARK books.

Every time a new book about jewelry making comes to my hands I feel eager to read it as fast as possible !! Knowing about new techniques and mediums is always refreshing and this great book is not the exception.


The book,Steel Wire Jewelry: Stylish Designs * Simple Techniques * Artful Inspiration by Brenda Schweder it is for sure an inspiring book. The foreword is written by another incredible artists, Keith Lo Bue, whose work I have admired for a long time. 


The gallery pictures from other artists are beautiful and creative. Some of the artists showing their work are Richard Salley, Deryn Mentock, Keith Lo Bue, Gary Schott, Robert Dancik and much more.


The projects Brenda Schweder shows throughout the book are easy to follow and have great illustrations. You will definitely be inspired to make them all.
In the book, Brenda has pieces inspired by the great sculptor and jeweler Alexander Calder. 
If you have not play with steel wire before, I assure you will love it! 
I will play with some steel wire and make something inspired by this wonderful book. When I have my pieces and pictures I will post them and give you a little surprise! 
Stay tuned !

Keep playing, keep creating !!


After posting this review I had to get my hand on my steel wire and I just finished making this ring !!

Love,

Lorena

Queen of Hearts Giveaway for Valentine's Day.

Hola my wonderful friends !!!
I am very happy to organize another giveaway and give the lucky winner one of my one-of-a-kind heart necklaces.
Valentine's Day is soon approaching and as a thank you to all of you who have supported me and my work I want to give away a mixed metals "Corazon" neck piece. 

MI CORAZON

©2011 Lorena Angulo

Bronze clay, PMC Pro, brass, sterling, red coral and pearls.

1.82 inches by 1.32 inches (heart)

I made this necklace with a hand carved bronze clay heart, after it was fired I riveted a hand formed and carved fired PMC Pro flower (silver) with a red coral bead. The piece was finished with a sterling chain, brass wire, pearls and more red coral beads.

MI CORAZON

©2011 Lorena Angulo

Bronze clay, PMC Pro, brass, sterling, red coral and pearls.

1.82 inches by 1.32 inches (heart)

The symbol of the heart is very strong in my work because I have a big admiration for "Milagro style hearts." Hearts (corazones) represent how we love, who we love, passion (for our jobs, family, etc), compassion, and health. When I give away a heart piece, I am wishing the receiver good health and best wishes in their life, love and family.

MI CORAZON

©2011 Lorena Angulo

Bronze clay, PMC Pro, brass, sterling, red coral and pearls.

1.82 inches by 1.32 inches (heart)

What I ask for you to be able to participate is to follow my blog and leave a comment. Tell me what symbolic meaning a "Heart" has to you. Please remember to include your contact information. 
Bonus points:  You can have more chances to win this necklace if you post my giveaway in your blog, Facebook page or tweet about it.  To earn the bonus points you must add another comment on my blog letting me know where did you post it.
If you have a twitter account,here is a link for you to tweet my giveaway:
Tweet


I will announce the winner on Valentine's day (February 14).

Good luck !!!

Love,

Lorena Angulo

Being sick is not FUN !!!

I have been sick for more than 5 days already. I can not believe how a simple "cold" has the ability to make me feel this bad !!!
I really do not like to get sick, it cuts my wings and drains my energy !!!
I am very lucky to have amazing kids and husband who have been taking care of me.
I took care of my daughter Veronica when she got sick a couple of days ago and as soon as she got better I was the one who got the bug !! ;-D
The other day she saw me laying in the sofa with a very sad face because I was feeling bad and she gave me this little note.

"Thank you, Mom. I Love You"

She made my day !!! I love her to pieces. 

I love my kids and husband to pieces!!

During these days I have not been able to work in my studio but I have been reading a lot. 

What do you do when you are sick and are not able to create or work?

Hope this bug leaves SOON !!!

Love,

Lorena

RAW # 6/52

I finished my first month of RAW (ring a week) rings. It was fun getting back to the routine of making a ring.

©2011 Lorena Angulo

RAW January 2011

Now I am ready for February and I started 

by making a very festive ring !!

This cork was my inspiration for this ring.

I chose to cold join this ring by using a rivet to attach 

the band with the copper base.

It was a fun ring to make !!

Lets Party !!

Love,

Lorena Angulo

My house smells like a bakery !!!!

My dear husband decided to bake bread Today. 

He loves to cook and bake but I think Today he got a little crazy !!! 

He is reading a book we got a couple of years ago.I think he wants to try every recipe this wonderful book has. I can see more days of bread baking in my future!

Sadly for me, I can not eat any of them. Jorge and my kids will enjoy them a lot !

Bread, anyone???