ArtFire

This Orange Monarch Butterfly Necklace with Blue Morning Glories and Cheerful Ladybugs is an original design handmade from artist-quality polymer clay. It is constructed with an articulated design; made in overlapping segments that can move semi-independently of each other so that the necklace is flexible rather than flat and very comfortable to wear.

Though the flowers and twining vine appear to be delicate, in reality they are quite strong, flexible and are well adhered by both hand sewing and glue. I've worn my own personal necklace of this design a great deal over the past 10 years since I originally designed it and it's still in mint condition.

The collar style necklace is constructed on a hand-sewn lightweight macrame cording base. Length is 20" (50.8 cm) and comes with a 2" (5 cm) necklace extender at the back. Length can be customized if requested.

All the components of the necklace, with the exception of the collar, are entirely handmade from scratch using artist-quality polymer clay including the Monarch which is constructed from my studio-made polymer clay cane. It is adhered to an aluminum backing that allows the wings to be position-able so the butterfly appears to be poised ready for flight. The veining pattern on the leaves is made from real leaves from my garden. The charming handmade ladybugs (ladybirds) are my design and also made from polymer clay.

Caning is a labor intensive construction technique borrowed from glassmaking similar to making jelly rolls where colored rods of clay are laid horizontally forming a complex pattern from which a thin slice is cut allowing the pattern to be seen.

To read more about the construction of the butterfly please copy and paste the following URL directly into your browser: http://melobeau.blogspot.com/2010/04/monarchblue-morning-glory-necklace.html

The necklace arrives wrapped in tissue paper nestled in a colorful butterfly-themed recycled cookie tin and is then placed inside a padded mailer. Depending on availability, the design of the tin may vary from the one pictured in the listing photo.

This necklace was featured at "Polymer Clay Daily".

Much of my work is inspired by Mother Nature's color palette, especially the one in our garden. Blue Morning Glories and orange Monarch butterflies are two of my favorites. I set out to make a necklace that could be worn in the winter to keep the memories of the garden alive all year long.

polymer clay, macramé cording for collar base

NOTE: IN STOCK and Ready to Ship