Inside the Studio

Inside the Studio with Mary Harding

Stoneware Ceramic Charms by Mary Harding

Since we are without any colorful signs of Spring here in very Northern New York state, I have made a box full of colorful charms to bring in the better, warmer weather.  Actually these charms were made in the last week to send to Heather Powers as I am partnering with her Bead Cruise this year, as I have done  many times in the past.  I have to say that I had a wonderful time making these pieces and they have helped free me from the gloomy grip of this long gray winter.

Although the shapes of these charms are mostly hearts and diamonds, there are no two that are exactly alike.  That is I how I work best, I think.  Below I am going to show you some pictures of how they evolved in my studio.

Dehydrator Tray of ceramic charms drying before they are bisque fired

Ceramic beads are usually fired 2 times.  Once at at about 1900 degrees F.  and then again at a much higher temperature after they have been glazed.

Ceramic charms glazed but not yet fired in the glaze firing

These beads above have been through the bisque firing and are now glazed and ready for the final firing. 

      Final product Ceramic Charms  after the glaze firing which is over 2100 degrees F.

 

I saved the 6 charms above for myself from the batch of over 100 charms that I made this last week. Some are firing in my kiln as I write this post.   So I have plenty to have a Giveaway.  I will be giving away a set of 5 charms to the lucky winner.  Please let me know what you would like to make with one or more of these charms in a comment below and you will automatically be entered to win.  I will draw the winner’s name with the Random Number generator  on  Thursday April 5 and post it here at Art Bead Scene Studio. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you with your comment.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I look forward to seeing you next month.

Mary

www.maryhardingjewelry.etsy.com

 

 

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12 Comment

  1. baymoondesign
    March 27, 2018 at 7:44 am

    I would love to put one of your sweet charms on a bracelet. Thanks for the fun giveaway.

  2. Katherine T Barn Burd Designs
    March 27, 2018 at 8:19 am

    I would make a simple sweet necklace for myself because I keep the best things for myself!

  3. cynthiariggs58
    March 27, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    I think I’d use them on a sweet “charm necklace”. Thanks for the chance to wine some of your fabulous art!

  4. Lin Standke
    March 28, 2018 at 7:15 am

    I would make a”my heart is full” pendant with beads of many colors and sizes wire wrapped as connectors to small lengths of assorted chain.

  5. Sarajo Wentling
    March 28, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    So pretty! I suspect that I’d use the hearts as pendants on fairly petite necklaces… depending on the size, the teardrop might be fun as a charm on a bracelet.

  6. jules
    March 29, 2018 at 3:54 am

    Love your charms! I see 3 of these charms as the dangle on a lariat necklace. Don’t know how big the charms are….but 2 might be the right size for a pair of ‘statement’ earrings. 😉

  7. bairozan
    March 29, 2018 at 10:37 am

    I’d make a collar gypsy style necklace with the charms and other single beads, hanging at different lengths.

  8. BHClaysmith
    March 29, 2018 at 10:20 pm

    I would love to combine these with some of my Wasserglas ‘hangies’ and use them in a necklace and a pair of complementary earrings.

  9. earth and rust designs
    March 30, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    Hi Julie leake here! I would make a dainty as ever heart necklace with seed beads dripping down all over!
    [email protected]
    Thanks for this chance. As always I sure love your art Mary!

  10. Claymaker48
    April 3, 2018 at 8:33 am

    Since there is a color theme going on, I wouldn’t split these little gems up but incorporate them into one piece of work, probably using some interesting links and chain!

  11. MaryHarding
    April 6, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    From Jean who wrote several times that she was not able to get onto this site. Here is her comment: I especially love the two blue bottom ceramnic pieces and would use them with some beautiful corresponding/coordinating bead colors for a pair of earrings to also include the other top pieces in a beautiful necklace and accompanying beads and pieces to show their outstanding colors to the fullest! I would be so honored to win them in your Giveaway offer…

  12. […] On a more personal level, I have used this book to look up colors I am using, and at times, to find out a name for a color.  For example,I looked up the some of the oranges I used in glazing the leaves in the drops on these wonderful  earrings BHClaysmith made with two of my ceramic charms that she won last month from my blog post HERE. […]

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