Aves Apoxie Sculpt artist Gay Isber was recently featured in a New York Times article titled “Bracelets for the Biceps.” Below is the excerpt about her work from the NY Times article.
Gay Isber
Austin, Texas
Big, bold and one-of-a-kind pieces are Ms. Isber’s specialty — or, as she wrote in an email, “handmade, sustainable jewelry meant to start conversations.” But not to weigh down the wearer, something that could present a problem when creating an armlet.
Her solution? “I use a few tricks,” she wrote. “On my desk was a cracked plastic drinking glass; as I was about to throw it away, I impulsively stuck my hand inside and a light bulb went off. The tapered shape was perfect for an armlet.”
The rest of the materials for her Golden Armlet ($650) were lightweight, too, she added. “I used only a thin covering of epoxy clay. Everything else is acrylic: The inside form (plastic cup), cabochons (vintage acrylic) and the gold-plated acrylic disks are as light as fingernails. I used gold micro powder on a white clay to create the organic bright gold look.”
Ms. Isber said that sometimes she added loops to accommodate elastic straps. And, she wrote, “I’ve had some that have a locking wire across the back, which they would have used in ancient times. I love classical jewelry from antiquity. I must have been a Roman way back.”
Making WOW Jewelry – Gay Isber’s Book and FREE Video Tutorial
Interested in making your own statement jewelry? Buy Gay Isber’s book on techniques and projects for making a statement. You can also watch her on our Make it Artsy show where Ms. Isber gives helpful tips on how to make bangles and bracelets with Apoxie Sculpt.
Great work ! were you able to slid the ‘ring’ off the plastic cup or did you have to leave the plastic cup under the apoxie sculpt?