Inside The Studio with Heather of Swoondimples

Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive, we offer a prize each week to encourage you to use that keyboard and tell us what you think. The following week a winner is chosen at random from all eligible entries. Here are the results from last week!

This week's winner is Gloria Allen. 

Congratulations Gloria! You have won a goody bag from the Curious Bead shop! 

Please contact Rebecca to claim your fab prize!

This week is my turn in the studio & I am stoked about it! I have been having a HOOT creating little wee polymer clay owls. A BIG thanks to Rebecca & Heather for encouraging everyone to create with the Pantone colors of the year, Serenity and Rose Quartz. Granted, I was a little disenchanted at first because these hues remind me of nursery decor and candy coated almonds. I do not like candy coated almonds, which speaks volumes because I will eat pretty much anything. I love food, especially sweets. However, once I read the reasoning behind why these colors were chosen, my heart was swayed. I can totally embrace Serenity & Rose Quartz. 

Plus, the colors remind me of the most brilliant bed linens my parents had when I was little. In the late 60's, cheerful florals were a huge trend and hues of Rose Quartz and Serenity blue were abundant! 

style sixties

Now that I was in a nostaligic mindset, I began to reminisce of all the things I loved about growing up in the 70's. Pyrex dishes, macrame plant holders, and owl everything! I am pretty certain that my affinity for owls & birds is imprinted in my DNA via my mom. 

My inspiration for creating with the new Pantone colors was settled and I started experimenting with forming owl beads and pendants. My first batch was strictly Rose Quartz & Serenity and I was surprised at how complimentary the colors were together. They each exude unique & plumpy little personalities.

By the second batch, I was using an array of colors, combining minty hues with earth tones. (Funny, how truly naked they look before the patina transforms them)

Step 1 | Create & bake a large family of owls

Step 2 | Slather each owl with patina

I love this step as they remind me of petrified wood and I adore the deep earthy tones

Step 3 | Give owls a nice warm bath and gently exfoliate them

(It's spa day)

Step 4 | Massage each owl with shoe polish

Step 5 | Coffee time & glue Bails inside owls that will be used as pendants

Final Step | Tada! Give each little plump cutie a name

There you have it. Inside my studio this week - where owl production is in full effect! 

Hip Hip HooHoo Ray! Please swing by my shop and meet the whole family.

This week, I'm offering a $25 gift certificate to a lucky winner. 

Simply answer my question and comment below in order to be eligible to win.

"If you chose the Pantone color of the year, what would you choose and why?"

Good luck!

Heather Millican - Heather is an artist who strives to offer hope to those who may need encouragement. She is a lover of words and has a grand heart for the ones who feel too deeply, the brave, and those that find beauty in the mundane. Heather is a Savannah College of Art graduate and currently lives in Florida with her husband, 4 young boys, and boston terrier, Ollie.