Polymer Clay Bead Beauty
Filed in archive Beads by Victoria Tillotson on December 21, 2007
Lori Mendelhall makes beautiful polymer beads. As a lover of beads but a complete ingenue, I am struck with the glorious, swirling colors as well as Lori's whimsical shapes, like this abstract heart above. The smooth, chunky feel of this bead along with the integral copper bale (read: hook for the chain) make it not only a treat for the eyes, but for the hands as well. Her beads are like a big yummy piece of candy...only unlike a sticky candy necklace or lolipop, they last!
Lori is a New Yorker moved-to-Cali
who began making clay beads about three years ago. Intrigued with the process, she's found two techniques that she particularly loves: the Japanese technique of mokume gane (which deserves its own post, gentle readers) and swirling. She lauds the latter, saying: "
It's quite simple yet the results are fabulous. It all begins by creating a small ball of clay comprised of two or more colors. Complicated cane slices can be added for extra interest. The ball is then rolled using a flat tile on top until a bicone shape appears. Once the bicone forms, the colors will begin to swirl together. Once the swirl is to the desired point the bicone is flattened into a disc shape. At this point the bead can either be left as is or formed into an number of shapes...". Here you can really see the swirly goodness in her bracelet Galaxy:
Lori transforms her beads into other beautiful shapes as well as the traditional. I fell in love with these Cala Lily earrings - the form is organic and very true-to-life and then with the unusual colors, they are really striking...and also very wearable!
Beautiful beaded jewelry by a beauty herself, Lori's line is aptly called Sparklebee, and can be bought on her own website, as well as on Etsy. You can also email Lori at lorimendenhall@cox.net.
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beads fused glass dichronic glass necklaces bracelet earrings rings
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