by Cynthia Tinapple on March 31, 2009 · 7 comments
Today I kept bumping into polymer clay swirls and spirals. They struck me as colorful, modern interpretations of ancient, elemental designs. One idea is from Portugal and one from Slovenia.
Alexandra and Teresa (Xana and Te) have momentarily moved away from their flowers and polychromatic palette with a necklace made of Skinner blend double spiral beads. The matching bracelet makes quite an impact as well. Here’s an earlier post about the duo.
The spiraling shell pendant is a repeating theme in Milica Bubanja’s work. She lives in Slovenia and says of her work, “I love a challenge. I love the process. I love the results.” See the dazzling dark reds on her Flickr site.
by Cynthia Tinapple on March 30, 2009 · 7 comments
I was looking for polymer clay hints of spring to start your week and the daffodils from “SilverPepper23” fit the bill. Her innovative combination of wire, ribbon, seed beads and polymer blooms is impressive.
Problem is, my translators aren’t giving me much more info than the pictures provide. I don’t even know what country we’re looking at. Any help out there?
Israel’s Marcia Tzigelnik (MarsDesign) has a facility for flowers and a reputation for her remarkable rose cane. Her Etsy shop and her Flickr photos are full of inspiration for the season.
by Cynthia Tinapple on March 27, 2009 · 6 comments
When metalsmith Gabriel Craig took to the streets of Richmond, Virginia to acquaint people with handmade jewelry arts, he used polymer clay to introduce the concept.
His guerrilla marketing techniques earned him a story in the current issue of American Craft magazine and it’s an interesting read about the value and meaning of handmade items. Click on the bottom picture to see the video.
You readers have long understood the popular appeal and immediacy of polymer clay. We don’t necessarily see it as a gateway drug to metalworking however. For us it’s a daily vitamin that we appreciate as an art medium in its own right as demonstrated by the works of so many artists on this site.
Thanks to Elise Winters for the link. Have an inspired weekend.
by Cynthia Tinapple on March 26, 2009 · 2 comments
Take a look at Germany’s Andrea Will’s (VarUni7) recent flights of fancy. 
When I can’t play in my studio, I like to study the work of other artists who are fearless experimenters.
Andrea’s organic shapes from leftovers, pebbles suspended on memory wire and transfers from shells jump out at me as clever ideas to continue exploring (and to try myself).
Here’s her first work that caught my eye.
