Jewelry artist Jane Adam creates simple shapes, rich textures and muted colors that appeal to my aesthetic. Her ability to make anodised aluminum behave like paper is a constant source of delight.

When I look at an artist’s work as a source of inspiration, I don’t study it in an effort to replicate what I see. There are aspects of the work that draw me in and my curious nature takes over, exploring how I can hold on to the quality that captured my attention. In the case of Adam’s jewelry, I found the subtle wavy edge and the paper-thin metal of the fluted bangle compelling. I was also struck by the way the components of the earrings pictured below appear to be dancing closely and speaking to each other in hushed whispers.

For months I’ve been experimenting with wafer-thin clay. How far can I push it? Which surface treatments lend themselves to clay this thin? Can I imitate the feel and look of textured paper? I’ve got a table overflowing with experiments in various stages of development, but none amount to a fully formed thought. Yet. I’m still in the peculiar place where excitement (oh wow, I can make the clay do THAT?) shares space with uncertainty (ok, now that I’ve figured that out, what do I actually want to make with it?) and I’ve been there for longer than I’d like.

Adam’s work and the paper art that I feature on PCNotes continue to influence me as I lose myself in the process of manipulating polymer clay. Incorporating the qualities that appeal to me regarding her manipulation of metal is an often-revisited starting point for me as I head into the studio.

More on my not-quite-fully-developed experiments next week. Maybe even a glimpse of my process.