SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
July 2006

Our featured designer for this month is Sera Pinwill.

I began my journey with polymer clay and beads by picking up some brightly coloured polymer clay from the craft store here in Australia about 12 years ago. My first attempts at buttons were embarrassingly ugly and poorly constructed, however the material is very forgiving and I soon found myself churning them out by the dozen. One day I looked around and decided I had enough buttons to cover an entire cushion - and so I did. From then on - there was no looking back.

After I found the internet, my passion, commitment and skill increased considerably. I found websites dedicated to polymer clay and beads - best of all, online suppliers in the US that I could buy the things I couldn't get here in Oz at that time (like Soft Flex®!).

I now have a spare room FULL of beads, buttons and decorative frippery, hence the name of my business. I teach classes in polymer clay techniques here in Sydney, Australia, as well as being a full time family therapist.

Details of pieces:

This piece is a divergence from my usual style of jewel tones, bright colours and metallics! The larger green beads are constructed from polymer clay that has been cut and injected with an indigo dye to create a veined appearance. Hematite, fancy agate and lapis nevada, are combined with bali silver spacers and emerald Swarovski crystals to create a look of understated elegance and tranquility.

This necklace is constructed from handcrafted polymer clay lentil beads in a mica enhanced gold. Millefiore designs contrast against the luminous gold background. Freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals complete the piece are spaced between each lentil bead. A gold filled peridot encrusted clasp completes the design. This piece uses .010 Soft Touch beading wire. Despite the large size of the polymer clay beads, their light weight means that I can take advantage of the fine Soft Touch wire and its extraordinary suppleness.

I made a similar lariat for myself - and got so many comments that I decided to make some more in different designs and colours. This one is long enough to go twice around an average neck - or to be loosely knotted in front. This is where the suppleness and non-kinking ability of Soft Flex® .019 beading wire is really important. The length of the lariat is composed of amethyst chips, polymer clay round beads, seeds and bugles in varying shades of purple and gold, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals. Also included are heat sensitive 'mirage beads' that change colour from blue, through green and gold, to purple. Polymer clay scarab beetles in a deep, mica enhanced royal purple and highlighted with gold are dangling from each end.

This bracelet is constructed from fine silver (PMC) tags, made my me and stamped with inspirational words and embellished with lab created gems. The tags are joined with double twisted sterling silver jump rings. The clasp is a sterling silver clasp encrusted with blue topaz gems. It is joined to the rest of the bracelet with .019 Soft Flex® beading wire, upon which a silver freshwater pearl and silver japanese seed beads are threaded. Using the .019 wire means that I can be completely confident in the strength of the bracelet. The necklace is a double stranded piece also made using soft flex .019 beading wire, silver seed and cube beads, sterling silver spacers and silver freshwater pearls. The fine silver ( PMC) pendant - also made by me - is stamped with the word "faith" and embellished with a lab grown gemstone. I used Soft Flex® .019 beading wire, along with Soft Flex® crimps to ensure a strong bond that does not sacrifice suppleness. The 'drape' of a bracelet is important for easy fastening.