Mermaid Bracelet from InArtStudio2 Six Mermaid Bracelet Designs

Each mermaid is from a different geographic location. And, what makes this mermaid bracelet collection so much fun, is that each mermaid comes with her own story. My daughter Marjory, is now making and selling a new collection of Mermaid Bracelets in her store, InArtStudio2. She calls her new collection "The World of Mermaids Collection". There are 6 different designs in this mermaid bracelet collection. Such cute and fanciful mermaid stories, some funny, some sad, but each story is entertaining. There is the Arctic Ocean mermaid and her adopted baby Orca Whale. The Maui Island mermaid who loves to tease the tourists. The Galapagos Island mermaid and Darwin. And while you are there, check out the matching mermaid headbands, they are so pretty. I love her designs. I think they will be a hit with mermaids of all ages. You can see all her mermaid bracelets for sale here:
Mermaid Bracelet Collection by In Art studio2 on Etsy

Mermaid Jewelry - The Importance of Color

One of the great advantages of creating resin mermaid jewelry, is the ability to color the resin. But, this ability can be a challenge or a headache. I am a perfectionist, and can not be satisfied until the color is perfect. I feel that color can make or break a design. No matter how wonderful the form and fit of a piece, if the color is not perfect, I am not happy with the piece. These imperfect castings are stored in a box labeled "Casting Misfits". I sometimes sift through this box, looking for ideas, remembering all my color blunders. Wondering to myself, "what was I thinking when I cast that awful color?"

Color is a big part of my design process. I can be out shopping or working in my garden, when I see a color that inspires me. I just have to try and reproduce that color in my studio. Or a particular color will inspire a new design. Color is one of the most important elements of my mermaid jewelry design. I believe that if the color does not catch your eye, the design will not sell.

Here is an example of one of my mermaid jewelry pieces in my top selling color. It's not so much a color, as a color effect. I know that the color is perfect, when I can not resist the urge to grab my camera, and start taking photos.


You can see all my mermaid jewelry for sale here: Mermaid Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Mermaid Bracelet in Iridescent Blue

This is my mermaid bracelet in a new color, my favorite color, blue. This color knocked my socks off when I removed her from the mold. I love it! It's an iridescent, transparent, saturated blue. The mermaid changes color from aqua to blue to lavender as you rotate her in the light. She would be wonderful as a necklace, IF, I can find tiny beads in this color of blue.


Available here:
Mermaid Bracelet with Dolphin in Iridescent Blue by In Art studio on Etsy

Mermaid Bracelet in Antique Ivory Resin with Octopus, Dolphin and Treasure Chest

I love old scrimshaw, so I wanted to make a mermaid bracelet that looks like Antique Ivory. I think it looks like a bracelet found in an antique shop or maritime museum, or a bracelet carved at sea by a sailor, on an old whaling vessel. Titled "Treasure" from my Iridescent Sea Series. Imagine this Saltwater Siren swimming around your wrist. Stunning!
This beautiful Mermaid and her sea life friends are a 3-dimensional jewelry sculpture cuff bracelet, full of detail, down to tiny scales on both the mermaid's tail and tiny pearls and crystals. The Mermaid and her octopus girlfriend are trying on jewelry from a treasure chest. The girlfriend octopus has gone "over the top" with a tiara and jewelry on each arm, and is reaching for more. A baby dolphin is getting in on the fun, and sports a pearl necklace. A school of tiny fish are hogging the mermaid's mirror.

You can see all my mermaid jewelry for sale here: Mermaid Jewelry by In Art studio on Etsy

Silver Mermaid and Dolphin Resin Bracelet

I love silver jewelry, and have made sterling silver jewelry in the past. Being familiar with good quality silver, I am very picky about the color and mirror like appearance. I have been looking for a good silver pigment, for years. But have not been able to find one, that gives a realistic silver look. They were always too dull, or too sparkley, or just plain blah.

Just recently, I was testing some color combinations. I do this a lot. To my surprise, one of my tests came out a beautiful silver color. I was so excited, I had to run down to the shop and show my fiancé. By mixing 3 colors, that should never have worked together, I came up with a gorgeous silver. The only way, to get a more realistic silver look, is to use sterling silver leaf.

Well, here she is, my new silver mermaid bracelet. You can find her listed in my Etsy shop.

Painting a Multi-Color Mermaid Resin Bracelet

I have been working on a process for "painting" my resin jewelry castings. This is my first large scale test of applying multiple colors of powered pigment right onto the mold surface before casting. Using a small artist brush, I applied each color separately to the silicone mold. Powdered pigments are hard to control, as the powder tends to fly around and stick where ever it lands. So I painted the rougher surfaces first, carefully wiping away any stray pigment with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Then I painted the smooth surfaces. The final step was filling the mold with clear resin mixed with gold pigment.

There was no way of knowing how the end result would look, until the next day when the bracelet could be removed from the mold. I was surprised at how well this worked. And how much fun it was to do. I took photos and listed her in my etsy store, and she sold the next morning. Thank you, Melissa.

Whoo-hoo! I get to make another one!

Mermaid Bracelet Gold Resin Jewelry 17- "Treasure"

Today, I tried casting my new mermaid bracelet design in gold pigmented resin. I then gave it an antiquing wash of black acrylic paint to bring out the details. I think the gold looks fantastic, and the details really pop! This medium can be frustrating to learn, but so much fun.

To read all the details, see more pictures or to purchase this bracelet, go to my etsy store Night Sky Jewelry by In Art Studio

Mermaid Bracelet Clear Resin Jewelry 17- "Treasure"

It's finally done! The first cast of my new mermaid bracelet design -"Treasure", and I am very pleased with the results. I think she turned out fabulous! The mold was a real bear to make, and required a whole day of post finishing, but it picked up all the fine details. My fiancé remarked that the octopus almost steals the show. So, I am thinking about making "Glamor-Pus" into a pendant. Today, I will try casting this bracelet design in gold pigmented resin.

I am already planning the next mermaid bracelet design. I'm thinking of a mermaid floating in a bed of kelp, sunbathing with her friends.

To read all the details, see more pictures or to purchase this bracelet, go to my etsy store Night Sky Jewelry by In Art Studio

Sculpting a Mermaid Bracelet Master - The Logo

I want to incorporate my logo tag into my new bracelet design, but, where to put it? I plan to cast this bracelet mainly in clear resin, but the metal tag I use, will show through the front. The first bracelet has the logo tag hidden behind a sea shell. But, this new design has no good place to hide the tag. So I have decided to just sculpt the initials NSJ into the right hand side of the octopus. Hopefully it's not too obvious, but it's there. I am just about ready for the final bake of the master.

Sculpting a Mermaid Bracelet Master - a Dolphin and Fish

Now for the final cast of characters. The design calls for a school of tiny fish, between the mermaid and her hand mirror. These fish are crowding each other, trying to get a look into the mirror, so only part of their bodies show. I try sculpting the fish individually, intending to stack them. I then realize there is a better and easier way. I take a small amount of clay the approximate size and thickness of the school and place it into position. I outline each fish, then start to carve and define each small head. Here is the result. They still need some refining and detail work, but, I like the look.


The last character is my baby dolphin. I imagine him to be inquisitive and playful, so he will be sporting a pearl necklace. I love adding dolphins to my designs. They are easy to sculpt, and add so much charm.


Well, the sculpture is almost finished. I still have a a lot of finishing work to do, before it will be ready for molding. The surface finish is important, as every little flaw will be picked up by the silicone molding compound. But I am very pleased with the design, and think it will look fabulous when cast.

Sculpting a Mermaid Bracelet Master - Sculpting an Octopus

This mermaid bracelet master calls for a figure on the right side. I have designed the layout to include an octopus. I have Googled pictures of octopus to get an idea of their texture. I want to make this a lady octopus with eyelashes and kissy lips. She is trying on jewelry with her mermaid girlfriend. Sound like fun?
Here she is roughed in.

I decided to change the arm position, and added the suction cups to her tentacles. And here she is with most of her jewelry on.


Next - a dolphin and a school to tiny fish complete the scene

Sculpting a Mermaid Bracelet Master - Sculpting a Treasure Chest

Now for the really fun stuff. The treasure chest is next. I have been thinking about this and I wanted a layered 3-D effect. But, because it sits behind the mermaid, it can not be too thick. The front and sides are twice as thick as the top, which is hard to see in the photograph. I want it to look like rough, old wood, like it's been under water for a long time. I added a lock and some strapping, for more detail. It's not finished, I want to make it look even more old, by roughening the corners and sides. But, you get the general idea. One of the benefits of having lived in the Florida Keys, was the opportunity of visiting the many treasure museums. I got to examine the items salvaged and collected from the local shipwrecks. I also had the opportunity to meet and get to know, the guys that did the salvage diving. What fun!



I've added hair to the mermaid and some jewels. The Mermaid's body is finished and soft fired, for 10 minutes at 265 degrees. She is not hard all the way through, but she is hard enough to scrape and sand, before adding her hair. She looks so much better with hair. Here, also, is her fancy little hand mirror. All the tiny pearls are glass, and will be fired and cast, right into the mold.




Next - Sculpting an Octopus

Sculpting a Mermaid Bracelet Master - Sculpting the Face

Here is where the fun begins. My design is complex, with a lot going on in a 7 x 2-1/4 inch area. On the left side of my design, is a full length mermaid reclining on her right arm. Her left arm is out stretched and holding a hand mirror. Behind her tail, in the middle of the design, sits a treasure chest, filled with jewels and jewelry. On the right side of the bracelet, is the mermaid's octopus girlfriend. The mermaid and the octopus are both trying on jewelry from the treasure chest. I have incorporated a baby dolphin, who has gotten in on the fun and has a pearl necklace draped over his head. My design also, includes a large school of tiny fish, that are so curious about their reflection in the hand mirror, that they are blocking the mermaids attempt to see herself. I want the mermaid's face to convey a combination of annoyance and amusement. This might be a hard expression to pull off.

I always start with the hardest part first, the face and torso. My design calls for a 3/4 inch long, full face, 1/2 head view. Matching the approximate size to the layout, I roll an egg shaped ball of clay, approximately 3/4 inch in diameter, and cut off the 1/2 back of the head. This is placed firmly on the glass, smooshing out any air pockets. The reason for sculpting on glass is I can see what is going on underneath my sculpt, like air pockets.

Next, I add clay for the neck, and upper torso. Again placing the clay over the layout and smooshing it firmly to the glass. I start with a lot more clay than I need, so I can carve the figure. Starting with less clay, means I will have to build up clay parts here and there, to add depth and dimension. I find it easier to carve away the clay to the desired depth and dimension. Either way works. It's just my personal working style.

Sculpting a human face and torso is my biggest challenge. If the proportions are not right, the mind will perceive that something is wrong. I might not be able to place my finger on exactly what is wrong, but I can tell that there is something strange looking about the figure. Our minds judge beauty as balance of proportion. If one eye is higher than the other, or one arm is longer than the other, the figure is out of balance, and looks wrong, even ugly. Getting this balance right, is the hardest part. This is where my digital camera is my best sculpting tool.

After hours of sculpting tiny details, my eyes start to get tired. I see all the little details, but loose focus of the larger picture. That's where my camera comes in. I set my camera to the Macro mode setting, and take close-up pictures from every angle. I then down load these pictures into a file folder on my computer, and take a break. Now, I come back and look at the pictures. I zoom in and look at the details my eyes have missed, but the camera has picked up. Zooming out and standing back away from the monitor, I look for balance of proportion. The camera gives me an unbiased critique. I keep these pictures, so as I refine my sculpture, I can pull them up, side by side, and compare the changes I have made.

Here is a picture of the mermaid's head. She has no hair yet, and is very bald. The shape of her head is not perfect, but, her long hair will cover all but her face. I will add the hair after the first "half-bake", so the hair does not interfere with sanding and polishing of the face and torso. She has tiny bits of fuzz, stuck here and there. But they will be gone, with the first sanding.

Amusement shows mostly in the eyes and mouth. The mouth and eyes need to both be "smiling". The lower lip needs just a tiny fix on the left hand side. And the right eye, lower lid, needs smoothing, but, in general, I am happy with her face.


Next - Sculpting a Treasure Chest

Sculpting a Mermaid Bracelet Master - My Sculpting Media

All of my sculpting experience has been with polymer clay. I have sculpted everything from jewelry and dolls to my full sized animal sculls with polymer clay. So, I know the media well, and always have some on hand in my studio.

"Balancing Act" Polymer Clay Figure

Best of Show Skull Sculpture, "War Cry"

Polymer Clay Free Standing Cross Sculpture

Polymer Clay Sculpture, "The Guardian"

Detail of Polymer Clay Sculpture, "The Guardian"

First Place Skull Sculpture, "Speedy"

"Wild Horse Turquoise" Free Standing Polymer Clay Horse Sculpture

For me, polymer clay is the perfect medium for creating a jewelry master. It has all the physical properties of a good sculpting media, plus, it has a long library life. I have masters stored away in boxes, going back 10 years, that look just the same, as the day I put them into storage.

My polymer clay jewelry masters have no compatibility issues with the silicone materials I use to make my molds. No mold release is needed, and any heat generated by the mold material curing is never a problem. This is a big advantage for mold making. Mold making, in it's self, can be a real headache. No need to worry about my precious master being ruined. In fact, with proper storage, the same master can be re-used to make countless molds.

Polymer clay sticks well to glass. I always sculpt on clear glass, so I can peek underneath and check for voids. Once "cooked", the sculpture is easily pried loose from the glass.

Polymer clay is cured by heating in a home oven or toaster oven. The clay I use, is fully cured by heating for 15 minutes at 265 degrees, for every 1/4 inch of thickness. One trick is to partially "cook" the clay for say 10 minutes, then progress to the next step and partially "Cook" again. This can be repeated over and over until the sculpture is done and ready for full curing. Did I mention that raw "uncooked" polymer clay sticks well to cured clay? That is another advantage. You can keep adding layer upon layer to your design with no adhesive required between layers.

Once cured, polymer clay becomes permanent and hard, and can be drilled, sanded, polished, sawed, glued, screwed and painted, just like a piece of PVC plumbing pipe. Because it is the same material. Polymer clay is Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with liquid plasticizers added to make it malleable and clay-like.

I buy my polymer clay at the local Hobby Lobby, for $8.00 per 1 pound box. Last week, I bought a new box, and the price had gone up to $12.00 for the same 1 pound box. But, considering how many jewelry sculptures I can make from a pound of clay, that's still not a deterrent. I buy Super Sculpey in the green 1 pound box. I am not concerned about the flesh pink color, since my jewelry masters are not the finished product. I am happy with the consistency, straight from the box. And I find it easy to condition, by hand, without the use of any mechanical devices. Polymer clays must be conditioned, by kneading for several minutes to soften and to distribute the plasticizers throughout the clay.  But, I just pinch off the amount I need, and start rolling it between my hands. It's kind of a relaxing Zen thing, conditioning the clay, while my mind is wandering through the design process.

I am sure there are other advantages that I have forgotten to mention. So, feel free to leave your comments.

Next - Sculpting a Mermaid Face (Getting down to the Nitty Gritty Details)

Sculpting a Mermaid Bracelet Master - The Design

I am currently working on a new mermaid bracelet master. Sculpting a new master is a long and tedious process, but it is my favorite part of jewelry design.

The idea for this new mermaid bracelet design came to me early one morning, before I had even had my first cup of coffee. That's when I grabbed a quick cup of Joe, a pencil and my design notebook. I started sketching, rough and quick, before any distractions could make me loose the vision in my head. Later, that day, after the the morning rush was over, I was able to sit down again and refine the design parameters. The total circumference, minus the cuff opening width, would be the length I would have to fit the whole scene in to. This left me with 7 inches. The height was my only loose variable, but, from experience, I know that 2-1/4 inches, is about the maximum height for comfortable wear. These dimensions allowed me to create a more detailed layout.

I scanned my pencil and paper layout into my computer, for safe keeping, and then printed it out to the exact dimensions. I always sculpt over clear glass, with the layout taped underneath. This keeps me from getting carried away, and within my dimensional boundries. The layout tends to get dirty, from the oils in the sculpting media that I use, and I can print out a clean copy as needed.

Next, I needed to find a clear glass jar with the exact diameter of the finished bracelet. With my dial calipers in hand, I rummaged through the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. Success brought me to a jar of  Smucker's strawberry Jam. The perfect diameter and adequate height, but I had to find a new container for the remaining jam. Viola! Rubber Maid to the rescue. My family is getting used to these kind of surprises in the pantry, and don't even ask anymore.

Next, More of The sculpting Process...... (or How to Loose Track of Time)

New Mermaid Bracelet Clear Resin Jewelry Sculpture

Is it a Sculpture? Or is it Jewelry? It's both.

This is the 1st design in a new series of cast resin cuff bracelets. I think she turned out fabulous! I have more mermaid and other sea life bracelet designs on my work bench, and will be blogging about the sculpting process. So come back, for more jewelry design ramblings.
Description:
Titled "The Find" Mermaid Sculpture Bracelet, from my "Iridescent Sea Series", this mermaid and her dolphin and fish friends are a 3-dimensional sculpture. Detailed down to tiny scales on both the mermaid's tail and the fish bodies. I sculpted this magical scene in clay, and then used this clay master to create the mold, and finally hand cast the bracelet in crystal clear, tough and durable, urethane resin. There are shimmering hi-lights, here and there, of iridescent blue, aqua, and golden violet.

Available for sale here: New Mermaid Sculpture Clear Resin Bracelet

Kelp Mermaid and Sea Lion Clear Resin Jewelry Bracelet

Buy it here Clear Resin Jewelry from Night Sky Jewelry
A colorful 8 inch long, hand cast Mermaid and her little seal friend are 3-dimensional and totally encased in water-clear resin. The young Mermaid's long black hair is highlighted with shimmering blue and studded with tiny pearls. She is adorned in lovely green seaweed. Her tail shimmers with iridescent color change pigment that changes from turquoise to blue to violet with Aurora Borealis hi-lights. Her little sea lion friend shimmers in black with iridescent blue. The background is highlighted with iridescent violet-blue and green-gold "seaweed", and tiny red starfish. The Mermaid and her little Sea ion friend both have Swarovski Crystal eyes. Stunning!

Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid and Dolphin Bracelet

Buy one like this here Huge Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid Bangle Bracelet
Description:

A colorful 8 inch long, hand cast Mermaid and her Dolphin friend are totally encased in water-clear resin. Her long black hair is highlighted with shimmering purple and studded with tiny pearls. She wears a crown of red coral studded with pearls. Her tail shimmers with iridescent violet and aurora borealis blue. Her Dolphin friend shimmers in iridescent color-change pigment that changes from turquoise to blue to violet. The background is highlighted with iridescent violet-blue and green-gold "seaweed", and tiny red starfish. The Mermaid and her Dolphin friend both have Swarovski Crystal eyes. Stunning!

Creating Arctic Mermaids and Orcas in the Summer Heat

It's been so hot here, that I work outside early in the morning and late in the evening, and work in my studio during the heat of the day. Tom is building me a new studio addition. I'm so excited! I try to help as much as I can, if you call my feeble attempts at building, help. I will try to remember to take some pictures today of the new room.

In the meantime, here is a a new Mermaid Bangle Bracelet I have in the works. She is an Arctic Mermaid, all pale and shimmering with ice crystals. Still trying to decide if I she needs something special in her hair, maybe an ice crystal crown. Her little Orca buddy is almost finished. A bit more painting and then his eye. I need to dig and see if I have any tiny, jet black Swarovski rhinestones. Something about creating Arctic Mermaids and Orcas in the summer heat makes my studio feel cooler.

New Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid Bracelet

Huge Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid Bangle Bracelet

This is a new clear resin cast mermaid bracelet. I think she turned out great, for my first one. I have more of these in the works. This bracelet took 5 separate castings to make. I kept my fingers crossed, that I would not mess up the last cast.
Description: A colorful 8 inch long, hand cast Mermaid and her Surgeonfish entourage are encased in water-clear resin. Her blue-black hair is studded with tiny pearls. Her tail shimmers with iridescent color that changes from turquoise to blue to violet. She is about to pluck a large pearl from a shell she just found. The background is highlighted with iridescent violet-blue and green-gold "seaweed". The Mermaid and her 5 Surgeonfish friends all have Swarovski Crystal eyes. Stunning!

This is a HUGE-WIDE bangle bracelet.

Height is just over 2" at 2 5/32",
Inside Diameter is 2.55 inches,
Inside Circumference is 8 inches,
Outside Circumference is 11 9/16 inches,
wall thickness is 9/16 inch.
Weight is 189.7 grams or 6.7 ounces.

This is my first time making and uploading a video. I tried to keep it simple. Just in case it does not work, I included a picture.