Morning Glory - Yukata #1 Necklace

Artist: Cynthia Toops
Materials: polymer clay, glass bugle beads
Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.0 x 0.15"; pendant necklace length is 30''

Artist Statement: I selected the fabric because I liked the simple shapes of the morning glory flowers. I remember the purple ones grew wild in Hong Kong and were quite abundant everywhere.
The first piece I worked on, I did mosaic work on one side and drew with micron pens on the reverse.
The second piece was entirely drawn with micron pens.
Both pieces reflect my bead heritage --- the use of bugle beads in the first, and a big "bead" in the second. I also first came across polymer clay in Hong Kong, so this is another link to the past.

Artist Bio: After a BA in Biology and a BFA in Printmaking, I was introduced to polymer clay in 1986. As a struggling artist, the low cost of equipment and setup was what attracted me to the medium. The lack of history and rules of this emerging craft material was liberating. The versatility has kept me immersed for almost 40 years, making beads, micro mosaics, rolodex bracelets and other forms of jewelry.

However, woman does not live on polymer alone and I occasionally work with glass, felt, paper, metal, various plastics …

For my aesthetics, I prefer quirky over beautiful, worn and repaired over new and glossy, irregular and distorted over perfect symmetry. I normally work within a fairly muted palette. As an artist/craftsman, working in non-traditional materials, I am fortunate to be part of the long tradition of jewelry making but also bring into it something new.

Fabric Motif: The morning glory flower symbolizes both innocence and unrequited love in Japan. It is a common gift between young lovers.

This piece was part of the Yukata Inspired 2024, a collaborative exhibition between Okan Arts & Danaca Design featuring metalwork and collage. Learn more and view the entire collection HERE.