Welcome to our B.O.C. blog. Learn about the world of handcrafted ceramic beads, buttons, pendants & components.

Jennifer Heynen's Ceramic Bead Jewelry Book


A couple of days ago I received a copy of Jennifer Heynen's book Ceramic Bead Jewelry, published by Lark, in the mail from Amazon. I was really surprised to be sent a copy before the official publication date which I thought was June 3. I had preordered to the book at least a month ago. So I want to give everyone a chance to learn about this wonderful new book and how to order it. Of course you can get it from Amazon.com for a very nice price. I also have the book listed on my website in my favorites category and if you click on the title there it will take you directly to Amazon.com.

This is a wonderful book and especially so because of Jennifer's friendly and enthusiastic voice which comes through on every page. Her excitement about working with clay is catching.

The book covers all the basics of making clay beads and will be a a great help to anyone starting out in ceramic clay. I found the directions easy to understand and was pleased to learn some new things myself. I was especially happy to find a very easy way of making molds and plan to try it this week. Her directions for making bead shapes is also easy to follow and had some new ideas for me.

The second half of the book is devoted to making jewelry. She has 30 different projects for the reader to make. Again the directions are simple and easy to understand and the jewelry is original and looks fun to wear. I especially like the Multi Strand Bracelet and the Square Bead Bracelet.
I hope all of you who are new to ceramic bead making will take a look at this great book which is the first major publication on the subject.
Congratulations Jennifer. We at BOC salute you and your achievements.
You can read more about Jennifer on her blog at her website and her Etsy Store
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Natalie Gillihan - Lake Quinsigamond Pottery

(Taken from her Etsy Profile)

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Natalie Gillihan lives on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts. Originally from Indiana where she received a B.A. in Ceramics from Ball State University, Natalie also spent time living in Chicago and studying art at Northern Illinois University. It was as an undergraduate at Ball State that the she began keeping a visual file of favorite images, including line drawings from ancient folk cultures. It took several years for these ideas and images to find their way into the artist's work. Natalie now creates handmade ceramic pendants with designs inspired by the arts of different cultures throughout the world, adapting the images to fit her vision. These images focus on birds and other animals, the human figure, and mythological stories. A small story card accompanies each pendant to give the charm's new owner a sense of the history and meaning contained in that small and unique piece of wearable art.


This limited edition piece was designed and created exclusively by the artist's hand. The image was inspired by an 18th c. English slipware dish of a hunting scene with hounds and a fox. Indeed, dogs were first domesticated for their keen ability in hunting. However, they have grown to become beloved companions and guardians. With their unbreakable bond to their masters, dogs were often affectionately included in portraiture. The famous painting of the Arnolfini Marriage by Jan van Eyck in 1434, shows a dog at the feet of the wedding couple, symbolizing their affection and loyalty to one another. Made from glazed red earthenware clay, the back of the piece displays the artist's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery (LQP). 1 3/8 inches high.


This turtle pendant was designed and created exclusively by the artist's hand. Its shell bearing an intricate pattern, it swims through wavy lines of water. In a traditional Native American creation story, the world began with only water and water animals. All of the animals brought earth up from the ocean floor and piled it on the turtle's back. The dry land grew until it became one country and then many until the whole earth was formed. To this day, the turtle still holds up the land. Made from glazed red earthenware clay, the back of the pendant displays the artist's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery (LQP). 1 5/8 inches high. Be sure to specify a color from the color chart and to add a cord or chain to your shopping cart if desired.


This limited edition piece was designed and created exclusively by the artist's hand. The figures are inspired by the art of Papua New Guinea. In Papuan art, stylization of the figure in different ways can express either group membership or individuality. The three figures together here are part of an intimate group-- perhaps friends or a family, or a teacher caring for children. Whatever their relationship, they are deeply connected to one another. Made from glazed red earthenware clay, the back of the piece displays the artist's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery (LQP). 1 5/8 inches high.



Natalie draws inspiration from her numerous scrapbooks of ancient and ethnic designs. She transfers her own drawings to plaster and then carefully carves the plaster to create a mold. Each piece is created from that original mold. Once the mold wears out, after a hundred or so uses, the design is discontinued. Favorite themes may find reincarnations, but the original design is gone forever. While the clay is still moist, each piece is stamped on the back with Natalie's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery. The piece is then sanded, fired, glazed with multiple layers of glazes, and fired again. The piece is then ready to be incorporated into finished jewelry.


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Mystic Spiral

(Taken from her Etsy Profile)

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Andi became interested in jewelry as a form of artistic expression because of the inherent intimacy of small scale work. She finds that a pendant invites the viewer to come closer, to turn it in their hands, and to explore it in a way that larger scale pieces might not. Her interest in decorative surfaces and finishes encourages her to explore innovative techniques such as pit firing in order to achieve fresh and varied effects.


"I love making these little faces. I started making them for art dolls but couldn't resist putting them on my bronze shawl pins."

Andi attended Wright State University and received a BA in art with extensive coursework in art history. Her interest in art and its past and present context grew out of her extensive international travels as a military dependant. Her early works spanned a variety of media including photography, drawing, printmaking, sculpting and metalworking.


My fascination with tiny vessels dates back to my art history studies in college. In the ancient world, perfumes and potions were precious. The containers made to contain these exotic fluids were amongst the most prized possessions of pharaohs, kings and emperors. I often find myself returning to my art history studies and my interest in ancient civilizations when seeking inspiration for my work.

Since graduating from college, I have explored aromatherapy for migraine relief, stress reduction, and relaxation. I have also developed a strong love for artisan fragrances by creators like Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs. Search Etsy for “Aromatherapy” or for “Fragrance” and you will find artists whose creations are intended to appeal to the most forgotten of our senses.

My handcrafted pendant vessels are perfect for aromatherapy or fragrance oils. They are hand-formed with meticulous attention to detail. The interiors are glazed to prevent excess absorption of your precious potions.

The beautiful dark brown stoneware is so beautiful that it is left exposed, accented with a wash of warm black glaze that has been buffed of the surface so that all that remains are traces around the rich surface texture. The final effect is beautifully reminiscent of ancient cast iron.

Measuring in at 7/8 inch (22mm) wide by 2 1/8 inches (53mm) tall, this pendant vessel is large enough to attract attention without being overwhelming. A 2mm stringing hole runs horizontally across the back to allow for a wide variety of stringing options.


A small ceramic heart securely wired onto a bronze shawl pin. The pins are sharp and light weight, perfect for use on an overcoat or handwoven scarf even if you don't wear shawls. "I would no recommend using them on fine woven fabrics (i.e. your favorite silk blouse) as the pin will likely leave a hole...)"

Andi Fasimpaur is a Dayton, Ohio ceramic artist, focusing on the creation of miniature works of art and the continuing relationship those works have with their creator and audience.

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NKP Beads

(Taken from her Etsy Profile)

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One day while throwing bowls on the pottery wheel, I was planning a particular jewelry design which required an opaque bead. Suddenly I realized that the bead I was thinking of could be made out of the very clay I was working with. Needless to say there was no visit to the bead store that day. Instead a love of small sculptural objects took shape and has steadily grown.



This pattern is one which I lifted from a button and applied it to a stoneware clay.













I love how the glaze breaks over this particular texture.











This bead was glazed a minty color then a creamy white was applied in a random pattern.









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Chinook Designs

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I find the act of taking a piece of silver or clay and transforming it into wearable art to be incredibly fulfilling, especially when I receive the wonderful comments from my buyers telling me how happy it makes them to wear my pieces.


A pretty square ceramic pendant with a pattern inspired by Italian architecture. Approximately 1 1/2 inch across with a single hole at the top. Glazed in a beautiful rich avocado green.


My goal is to make distinctive, beautiful jewelry that will complement the wearer as well as remain stylish indefinitely. I pride myself on my attention to detail and the quality of the materials I choose.



A pair of Earthenwood Studios charms, a cute little blue bird and her nest match beautifully with a bright aqua cut out window pendant from Chinook Jewelry Designs. The charms are under 1 inch each and the pendant measures 1 1/2 inches across. This combination was featured in Stringing Magazine Spring 2008 in a terrific project, a necklace by Michelle Mach. The little nest fits as a dangle within the window and the bird can hang from one of the three accent holes along the bottom of the pendant.



A ceramic pendant embossed with a design inspired by saris from India then glazed in a gorgeous magenta berry shade. The pendant measures about 1 1/4 inches across. As my glazes react differently each time I fire something in my kiln, each pendant has unique features. These pendants look wonderful on leather, suede, cord or in wire wrapped designs!

If you see something you like but would prefer it in a different color, shape, stone, or have seen a style somewhere else that you have in mind, just ask! I would be happy to work with you to create something to fit your vision.
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My Little Chipmunks

(Taken from her Etsy Profile)

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You will find a wide assortment of carefully hand-crafted jewelry items. All my jewelry items have been carefully digitized, photoshopped and machine/hand cut and glazed onto ceramic or porcelain tiles.



Images are kiln fired to 800 degrees Celsius to produce a fully fused image onto the ceramic or porcelain tile, making the image water and scratch resistant.


I love custom orders! If you do not see the image you'd like, send me a Etsy "convo" (conversation) or use the Request Custom Item button to inquire if I am able to reproduce your image.





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