Tequila Sunrise

Recently, I decided to play with my clay extruder, which had been sitting unused at the back of my supply cupboard for several years. It’s summer and I was drawn to warm sunrise colors — oranges and melons leaning a bit toward rose. I loaded them in and started to crank. You never know exactly how the extruded clay will look, because the colors blend as you press them down the tube. These skinny ropes were practically pulsating! I arranged them diagonally on a slab, with some ropes at 90 degrees to the others and cut 11 pairs of beads. But I wasn’t finished. I blended the scrap clay to make the final five pairs of earrings, which have a glassy resin top coat. The finished beads are vibrant, just like a Tequila Sunrise.

I also created this same design in a different colorway. If you like soft cool colors — greens, purples, melon, and aqua — have a look at the Pipiwai Collection.