Stoneware Ceramic Charms by Mary Harding
Since we are without any colorful signs of Spring here in very Northern New York state, I have made a box full of colorful charms to bring in the better, warmer weather. Actually these charms were made in the last week to send to Heather Powers as I am partnering with her Bead Cruise this year, as I have done many times in the past. I have to say that I had a wonderful time making these pieces and they have helped free me from the gloomy grip of this long gray winter.
Although the shapes of these charms are mostly hearts and diamonds, there are no two that are exactly alike. That is I how I work best, I think. Below I am going to show you some pictures of how they evolved in my studio.
Dehydrator Tray of ceramic charms drying before they are bisque fired
Ceramic beads are usually fired 2 times. Once at at about 1900 degrees F. and then again at a much higher temperature after they have been glazed.
Ceramic charms glazed but not yet fired in the glaze firing
These beads above have been through the bisque firing and are now glazed and ready for the final firing. 
Final product Ceramic Charms after the glaze firing which is over 2100 degrees F.
I saved the 6 charms above for myself from the batch of over 100 charms that I made this last week. Some are firing in my kiln as I write this post. So I have plenty to have a Giveaway. I will be giving away a set of 5 charms to the lucky winner. Please let me know what you would like to make with one or more of these charms in a comment below and you will automatically be entered to win. I will draw the winner’s name with the Random Number generator on Thursday April 5 and post it here at Art Bead Scene Studio. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you with your comment.
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I look forward to seeing you next month.
Mary
www.maryhardingjewelry.etsy.com
baymoondesign
March 27, 2018 at 7:44 amI would love to put one of your sweet charms on a bracelet. Thanks for the fun giveaway.
Katherine T Barn Burd Designs
March 27, 2018 at 8:19 amI would make a simple sweet necklace for myself because I keep the best things for myself!
cynthiariggs58
March 27, 2018 at 1:40 pmI think I’d use them on a sweet “charm necklace”. Thanks for the chance to wine some of your fabulous art!
Lin Standke
March 28, 2018 at 7:15 amI would make a”my heart is full” pendant with beads of many colors and sizes wire wrapped as connectors to small lengths of assorted chain.
Sarajo Wentling
March 28, 2018 at 6:45 pmSo pretty! I suspect that I’d use the hearts as pendants on fairly petite necklaces… depending on the size, the teardrop might be fun as a charm on a bracelet.
jules
March 29, 2018 at 3:54 amLove your charms! I see 3 of these charms as the dangle on a lariat necklace. Don’t know how big the charms are….but 2 might be the right size for a pair of ‘statement’ earrings. 😉
bairozan
March 29, 2018 at 10:37 amI’d make a collar gypsy style necklace with the charms and other single beads, hanging at different lengths.
BHClaysmith
March 29, 2018 at 10:20 pmI would love to combine these with some of my Wasserglas ‘hangies’ and use them in a necklace and a pair of complementary earrings.
earth and rust designs
March 30, 2018 at 6:14 pmHi Julie leake here! I would make a dainty as ever heart necklace with seed beads dripping down all over!
[email protected]
Thanks for this chance. As always I sure love your art Mary!
Claymaker48
April 3, 2018 at 8:33 amSince there is a color theme going on, I wouldn’t split these little gems up but incorporate them into one piece of work, probably using some interesting links and chain!
MaryHarding
April 6, 2018 at 1:38 pmFrom Jean who wrote several times that she was not able to get onto this site. Here is her comment: I especially love the two blue bottom ceramnic pieces and would use them with some beautiful corresponding/coordinating bead colors for a pair of earrings to also include the other top pieces in a beautiful necklace and accompanying beads and pieces to show their outstanding colors to the fullest! I would be so honored to win them in your Giveaway offer…
Book Review:The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair – Art Bead Scene Studio
April 24, 2018 at 1:41 pm[…] On a more personal level, I have used this book to look up colors I am using, and at times, to find out a name for a color. For example,I looked up the some of the oranges I used in glazing the leaves in the drops on these wonderful earrings BHClaysmith made with two of my ceramic charms that she won last month from my blog post HERE. […]