Sprinkle Your Home and Self with Thoughtful Adornments

MCHs August featured metal clay artist is Lesley of Thoughtfully Adorned.

Lesley described herself as "a thinker and lover of beautiful words and sayings." Her jewelry are beautifully adorned by positive words, affirmations, and positive symbols -- which would inspire or touch you in a positive way.

Why did you pick the name Thoughtfullyadorned?
I decided to call my shop "Thoughtfully Adorned" because I love making pieces of jewelry or art that either inspires or speaks something for the person wearing it. I have always loved words, quotes, positive symbols and things that I can see around me to remind me that all is good and to breathe! Thoughtful pieces ... I liked that ... so I added adornment and it just kinda felt right to me.

When did you first become interested in Metal Clay? How long have you been designing jewelry using Metal Clay?
I have been working with metal clay since about May of last year. I had a book about it for a couple of years and I kept looking at it thinking I would try it some day. So, one day, I just decided to start the process. I started buying supplies slowly and some PMC3. My first pieces were supposed to be leaf shaped earrings -- "supposed to be" lol. I torched them to death! I did not understand the torch process. I finally learned to do it in a darkened room so I could see the orange and to move the torch around! I was so thrilled when I made a real piece of silver jewelry. It was a round pendant with a bird on it with the words "FLY" I made it for my mother as she works at the local tiny airport and actually took flying lessons in the past. She loved it! I used polymer clay first to figure out how to construct it!

What do you enjoy most about working in Metal Clay?
I guess what I love most about working with metal clay is that it is a clay and can be molded, shaped, cut and designed and there are hardly any limitations. I love all the processess and techniques that one can learn. I love cracking the code of new processes -- but it can take me a while to do that! LOL

Would you tell us your creative process?
My creative process starts with an idea and may stay in my head for weeks to months. I have a copper elephant right now that has been fired and is awaiting a silver overlay -- something I have never done. So, I get a little overwhelmed with a new process and I have to read about it-see videos-talk to other metal clay artists on line and get some courage. I'm not advanced at all in this medium -- I find it hard to find the time to learn everything I want to learn since I work full time as a Registered Nurse/marketer in healthcare.

What inspires you?
I am so inspired by the many artists that you can find on the internet -- not just jewelry artists but mixed media, photographers -- so many! I am inspired by heart warming stories of people who do what they love and love what they do.

Why did you design the giveaway piece? What is special about your giveaway piece?
I'm giving away the "FLY" pendant that is like the one I gave my mother. I hope that whoever wins it is inspired to take off and "Fly" and be free to do what they love and push on! Thanks so much for featuring me on this blog. All of the artists here just amaze me!!!

To enter the giveaway, here are the rules:

Every person is eligible to enter the blog giveaway with up to FOUR (4) entries. How can you get an entry? You can do any of the following and then let us know that by leaving a comment under this feature so we can keep track.

1. Follow our blog = 1 entry
2. Check out featured artist and post favorite piece on the blog = 1 entry
3. Heart featured artist’s shop = 1 entry
4. Follow featured artist on Facebook = 1 entry
5. Make a purchase = 2 entries
6. Refer a friend = 1 entry
7. Tweet about the giveaway using key word metalclayheads = 1 entry
8. Share the Metal Clay Heads blog giveaway link on FB (Go to http://www.facebook.com/MetalClayHeadTeam and click Share) = 1 entry
9. If you voted and commented on our last challenge = 1 entry

The giveaway will run for two weeks. We will announce the winner on August 29th. Good luck!