Okay enough introspection, last time I promised to actually talk about my artistic endevours. SO, lets start with that!
Polymer Clay: I came to polymer clay via a funny path. I was actually attracted at first to some metal clay projects by Lisa Barth. If you don't know her or her work check out this link: http://www.lbjewelrydesigns.com/shop/gallery-c-7.html. Not only does she do incredible wire weaving (more on that later) but she has the most fantastic metal clay projects. So, completely enthralled with her work and the possibilities, I decided that I absolutely needed to do this. Well, that was until I realized the start up and ongoing costs! But unwilling to give up, I started looking around and discovered polymer clay! Reasonably inexpensive, you can cook it in a household oven, and the potential--- wow! To be honest, it has even more potential I think the metal clay (although perhaps not as sophisticated...well not in my hands at least!).
So I started working with polymer clay. My first clay was Kato....a very well know, well liked clay. But I had a bear of a time conditioning it! After doing some investigation, I realized that what might be soft pliable clay at 70-75F was like a rock at 66F (the warmest temp that my house gets to in the winter). So, I switched to Premo and what a difference! Since then I've pretty much spent at least one day every weekend making beads from my polymer clay.
And well, I promised to show some pictures and here the first one is!!! So this is an experiment with translucent clay and alcohol inks. What you can't tell from this picture, is that at first these were DAY-GLO bright! Well, at least I thought so! You can see the one I like to call bubblegum pink second from the right!
But believe it or not, I was able to combine these with some other 'magic elements' and turn it into something I'm really proud of! I promise to reveal the final product in a future blog. I'm hoping to submit the item I made to an informal contest which means I can't show it here yet!
So let's go onto my next item!
Kumihimo: Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braiding technique that has been applied to modern jewelry making. I'm actually a big kumihimo fan. It's very relaxing (well except for the bead loading part)! The piece show below was made with Swarvoski pearls and bicones that I won from Rings and Things (www.rings-things.com). (It was the most awesome prize pack ever!)
I made this as a gift for my mom's best friend and I'm really very happy with it. You can't really see the 4mm bicones here, but in real life, they make the whole piece sparkle (but not in an overwhelming way...just small sparkles).
Sigh, I had no idea I was so verbose. I hope you aren't bored. (Of course, at this point, I don't actually think I have any followers...so I'm basically talking to myself.)
Last topic for the day!
Wire Wrapping: Okay, more backstory.....remember how I said I was totally in love with Lisa Barth's metal clay projects? Well, call me a fan-girl of her wire wrapping too. So once again, inspired I decided to learn wire wrapping and weaving and wire working. I had some tools (from my time doing chain maile...have I not mentioned that yet? Hmm...) so I gave it a try. And I fought with the wire and it fought with me.....and well I think it won. My fingers hurt and after many, many hours I had a not very lovely tiny wire woven bracelet. (What you want pictures? Nope, not going to happen.) So I gave up (well not really.....more like I put the wire in the time-out corner). Then on Facebook I read about a brand new site called The Wire Guild. Well, at first I ignored the evil siren call. Then finally one day while avoiding vacuuming, I decided to go check out the site. You want a website link? Sure thing: http://www.wireguild.com/blog. What you should know up front: This is a membership site that costs $6 a month. Now, I'm not a fan of membership sites normally. BUT this lady makes videos...really good (sometimes funny!) videos. And that woman who fought with the wire? Well not this time baby! It actually talked to me and I talked back! And I made THIS!
Okay, so its not a masterpiece, but then I made another one and it turned out even better. Plus, I need to oxidize these ...so more pictures later. The best part was, I really really enjoyed making this and that is the first time I can say that about metal working. I'm really looking forward to making more wirework! Yes, I have been seduced by the evil siren at all!
Well, next time I plan on talking about some of the links to the companies I've listed below. Stay tuned...
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