Freeform Friday: Organic inspiration. Natural sculpture. Pods.

Hi. My name is Jenny and I am a pod person. 

No! Not THAT kind... this kind:

Mystery pods from my collection, including the essential acorn and something cypress. 

Eucalyptus, lotus, magnolia, Something from San Diego, milkweed. My personal collection... 

Its no secret that I find continual inspiration in Nature. Both the world around me, the turn of the seasons, the tiniest details. I have been in love with pods, leaves, fronds... as long as I can remember. ( And comparable water treasures: shells, seaweed etc.)

I discovered the work of Karl Blossfeldt in my college years. He was a German photographer, sculptor, teacher, and artist who worked in Berlin, Germany. He is best known for his close-up photographs of plants and living things, published in 1929 as, Urformen der Kunst. He was inspired, as was his father, by nature and the way in which plants grow. He believed that 'the plant must be valued as a totally artistic and architectural structure.' (Thanks Wiki) 

Image credit: Soul Catcher Studio

Medley of images from ASX

Very early piece of mine. Stoneware, maybe mid 90's. Influence seems obvious. 

Sculptural pods. A variety of finishes: smoke fired, glazed, reduction fired... All are handheld.

In the cyclical nature of things, I feel like making pods again. But I am in a different place now, and want to make small pods. Wearable pods, one of a kind carved pods, rustic stoneware pods... 

(This is where I am supposed to show you the pods I am sculpting. Oops. They are all still in my head. I tease you with all the pretty pictures, but I have been immersed in teaching clay camp and not in sculpting mode lately. Stay tuned!)

So I will grow these plans, nurture this idea - and hope to harvest the pods in time for Beadfest. (Too many plant metaphors?) Off to the studio with me... 

What is your favorite "old is new again" inspiration? What motif do you return to, time and time again? Talk to me! 

Jenny
www.jdaviesreazor.com

Blossfeldt books on Amazon: Many are reasonable priced and a treasure trove of beauty, awe, inspiration! 

June Component of the Month Reveal!

What a whirlwind this month has been! I have been up to my elbows in clay - teaching an intensive pottery "camp" for teens and young ones. Whew! I hope to settle in and make a few pretties for Beadfest Philadelphia before too long!

Are you ready to see what the team and our special guests have created?

This is what I made:

And away we go: 

Guest artists: 

Leah - http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com

Elisabeth - http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com

Jean - http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com

Sarajo - http://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

The AJE Team

Jennifer Cameron -  http://glassaddictions.com/
Jenny Davies-Reazor  -  http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog (that would be me)
Susan Kennedy  -  http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/
Linda Landig -   http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/
Melissa Meman   -  http://melissameman.blogspot.com/
Rebekah Payne  -  http://www.treewingsstudio.com/
Jo Tinley  -   http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/
Lesley Watt  -   http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/
Francesca Watson  - http://www.francescawatson.com
Diana Ptaszynski   - http://www.vintagebluestudio.typepad.com/
Kristi Bowman -  http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com
Kristen Stevens  - http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

I am thrilled to have so many people trying these "organic ceramic" charms! I cannot wait to take a look! Thanks to one and all for participating in the AJE Component of the Month this month!

Jenny 

www.jdaviesreazor.com

June Component of the Month and ... a giveaway!

News Flash: 
June is right around the corner. Hello Summer! And this month's CoM is... 

... earrings pairs!

April/May issue

I am thrilled to share these with everyone - for a few reasons:

• My kiln was broken for 2 months. My friend Marsha helped me trouble shoot causes, order parts, and taught me elemental repairs. ( Kiln humor - we replaced the heating coil elements as option 1). I am very happy to have my bestie up and running again - this was her first glaze load! 

• These organic earring pairs were included in Step by Step Wire magazine this past past issue. 

• I will be expanding this line to porcelain, and high fire glazes in time for Beadfest in August!

My pieces and Suebeads below. 

And you have heard that we are in the midst of a fabulous 52 week earring challenge, right? With a Pinterest board and all that. Here are the details if you are late to this... 

So without further ado: 
Organic ceramic earring pairs.

Hand stamped, from organic forms including star anise, poppy and eucalyptus pods!

Here's how the giveaway, challenge, and blog-hop will work (please read all the information carefully!):

• I will give away 1 earring pair to each of 3 winners selected randomly from those who leave comments below this post. 
• Please include your EMAIL address in your comment so that I can contact you ASAP should you win.
• Please (PLEASE) only leave a comment if you can commit to creating a finished piece and blogging about it on the reveal date.
• I'll choose the color, so you'll be surprised!
• The names of the 3 winners will be announced on May 31st in the evening so I can get international packages out if need be!
• The blog reveal will be Sunday, June 30th!

I am excited to share these with you! Do you want in on this organic ceramic goodness? 

Jenny

www.jdaviesreazor.com