I have been of fan of Michele Gabriel’s beads and pendants since I first found etsy.  Michele’s work has a unique feel of mystery and story-telling conveyed in each little creation.  I love her mix of painterly and sculptural effects, making her pendants works of art.  She’s been featured many times on the Art Bead Scene blog and here too!Â

Visit Michele’s Etsy shop to view her gallery of creations: Michele Gabriel Studios
1. What was your first polymer clay project?
My first pc project was jewelry, of course! I was having difficulty finding beads
and pendants that I really liked, so I decided to make my own. It was a necklace
of square tiles that I embedded glass beads into, textured and wired together with copper wire. I was/am intrigued by the jewelry of ancient civilizations; I was trying to create my own antiquities. Hmmm….maybe I need to revisit that idea, 20 years later!

2. Besides a pasta machine, what polymer clay tool can’t you live without?
I can’t live without my collection of sticks. I use chopsticks, knitting needles and skewers for everything from shaping and carving to holding the projects in the oven while they cure. I also wrap wire around them to make my own jewelry findings.

3. What inspires your polymer clay creations?
I have to say initially my inspiration comes from nature. I’d rather be outside most of the time, usually lying about in the grass. Our weather changes with the seasons, so there is endless inspiration just beyond my front door. My family is also full of opinions as to what my next project should be. If I feel the least bit uninspired, I just talk to my son and he puts me on course again. Clients’ requests offer inspiration, too. When striving to bring someone’s idea to fruition, I’m encouraged in new directions.

Would you share a color recipe with us?
I would gladly share a recipe if I had one. I tend to just start mixing colors for each project, I’ve never written anything down. I’m my own worst enemy that way, sometimes I want a color again and have to stumble around until I get it right.

Read about Michele’s creative process and inspirations on her blog.