#polymerclay – Sticks-a-GoGo

Putting It All Together

The last few weeks, I’ve been re-exploring polymer clay and various surface design techniques. Prior to beginning my self-directed discoveries, I made a list of surface design techniques I wanted to explore. Adding texture using various tools before applying acrylic and Lumiere metallic paint is my favorite.

The elements on the right and left are from the decorated sheet detailed in my last post, Pulled Pork and Polymer Clay, dated July 31, 2015.

I decided to decorate the surface of beads by applying elements from the various decorated sheets. You may ask, “Why do you like this particular technique?” I like working with metallic decorated sheets because the metal adds a specular reflection (like having little pieces of mirror on the surface) quality to the surface of the polymer clay. I find the dimensionality visually interesting, which emphasizes my free form approach.

Pulled Pork And Polymer Clay

Earlier in the week, my husband decided to try his hand at smoking a five pound pork butt. He loves barbecue and would like to tour the south and go on what he calls, “A Q Tour.” So he fired up the Traeger at 7:30 AM, and began cooking a North Carolina Style pulled pork.

While he was tending to the smoked pork butt, I explored adding texture and applying acrylic and Lumiere metallic paint to the surface of various polymer clay sheets.

Letting the paint dry, I built a stack for a Mokume Gane block. Seeking inspiration from Ellen Marshall’s, Polymer Clay Surface Design Recipes, my intention was to combine different textured sheets into a “finely decorated clay sheet reforming it, or adding pieces of it to pieces from other sheets.”

I decided to share the elements and incorporate them into other pieces.

At the end of the day, I experienced a savory bite of pulled pork with spicy coleslaw, while looking at the beautiful adornments I’ve added to my collection. It was a good day!

Mokume Gane Inlay

My self-directed studies of surface design on polymer clay has opened up an array of options. I’ve always wanted to apply oil/acrylic on canvas, but realize I lack an innate talent for drawing. With polymer clay as a canvas, investigating the use of different mixed-media techniques satisfies my desire to paint.

Blog post, On The Grid, dated July 7, discusses applying texture and paint to the surface of a Mokume Gane enhanced sheet of black clay.

I looked at the piece for a week trying to decide what to do with it.

Early Bird Catches A Beautiful Sunrise

Yesterday, I started my day with a beautiful sunrise. I’m usually not an early riser, but lately I’ve realized the importance of solitude. Time to myself for myself.

Pictured above is the result of an early morning Mokume Gane technique co-mingled with alcohol ink and foil. I’ve started experimenting with jewelry bezels and resin with polymer clay.

The piece grouped with the bezels is a practice piece. I dropped blue alcohol ink on variegated foil placed between two sheets of white translucent clay. After the piece was processed, I added sliced elements from a Mokume Gane block and processed again.

Nowadays, it’s all about practice and experimentation.

Finishing Touches

For awhile, I’ve wanted to explore the use of Lisa Pavelka’s, UV resin Magic-Glos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSQZQXp5L1k and polymer clay. The pieces discussed below were cured in the sun.

The above piece details the use of elements from a Mokume Gane block which consisted of three different types of polymer clay. I especially like the effect of white glitter polymer clay.

The next piece shows the effects of working with ink dye and metallic leaf. I plan on doing another layer of resin on both pieces tomorrow.

Three-Eyed Crocodile

Summer is definitely here on the West Coast. A time when I don’t conform to a schedule or a list of “have-to’s.” It’s a time for staying up late, sleeping in, reading, and doing whatever. I continue to knit, but my choice of fiber changes from animal fiber to plant fiber.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about exploring polymer clay again. In the 1990s, I sold my designs at various trade shows, local yarn stores and had a “pinch me” moment during a trunk show at Nordstrom. How did I get the opportunity at Nordstrom? In retrospect, I’m still amazed every time I think about it. I walked in and basically told the jewelry rep, “I have unique objects of adornment, which you need to see.”

Time passed and my direction changed. I found my way back. Have I come full circle or just visiting for a moment? Is this a Deja vu moment?

Using various tools imprinting designs in polymer clay replicating the Mokume Gane technique. A technique that does not require perfection, keeping in mind the importance of negative space.

Imprint designs are sliced with a blade, and applied to a polymer clay stack.

Each time I work with this medium, a surprise element appears.

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