Usually I stay away from project books but "Clay Techniques to Dye For" is a treat, successfully combining artistry with how-to's.
The authors (Judy Belcher, Leslie Blackford, Kim Cavender, Donna Kato and Debbie Tlach) cleverly demonstrate how to use a number of Ranger products and Kato Clay in creative and fun ways.
It may take a while for the book to appear in your area. Check with the publisher (www.d-originals.com) or polkadotcreations.com to find a copy online. The earrings at right are a great new design from Judy Belcher.
Huichol artworks are made using an ancient technique. Seed beads are pressed into a layer of bees wax which has been applied to a form. As you can imagine, the sculptures are quite fragile on warm days or in the sun.
Deanna Moore (tigerpurple) demonstrates a new twist on the ancient art. She presses seed beads into polymer clay. Granted, it's a laborious process but quite clever and more stable.
Sometimes you find interesting techniques in the most unlikely places. Have a delightful weekend.
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I'm in a bit of a rush to get things wrapped up in Ohio so that I can head west on vacation (including two days at Ravensdale). Today's a bit of this and that. I plan to post from the road so that you won't miss a thing.
Facere Gallery in Seattle is exhibiting a polymer display that will accompany the Ravensdale conference. These bracelets from Sara Shriver are in the show.
These chocolates from Lindly Haunani's class won't melt even in this heat…and they look delicious.
Techniques that are such fun to create often become mind-numbingly boring. Take those square extrusions. A professor of fluid dynamics bought a bowl of mine that was inlaid with square extrusions. He excitedly explained the physics of how the colors merged and formed. I was fascinated. After a while, however, they all look the same.
Some artists take these techniques to another level. These "Klimt pins" photos from Donna Kato illustrate the point. She takes a simple technique, renders it in unexpected colors and then pushes it further. In this case, she gave the pieces interesting shapes, added pearls and accented one with a textured layer.
It's that second effort that makes these pieces different from the rest. We must learn to obey that inner voice that says, "Take it farther…keep going"
The Ronna Weltman article in ArtJewelry Magazine was nicely written (I just got my copy) and I loved Steven Ford saying that polymer clay jewelry is "diva jewelry." He's right, of course (his new site is working a bit better today). These colors and styles are not for the shy or faint of heart.
Here's a new name for me…Kristine Taylor from Knoxville, Tennessee. Thanks for the link go to Jayne Hoffman, who will be teaching her own techniques at Ravensdale.
Another young up-and-comer is Cynthia Gordillo from Seville, Spain. Interesting to see adaptations of Dan Cormier's techniques migrating their way around the world.
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