by Cynthia Tinapple on April 19, 2013
Photo transfers and polymer make a perfect match when you’re considering making mementos, charms and tokens. Of course transfers can go way beyond that as Tracy Holmes noted about this Polymer Clay Cubed entry for Synergy from Marty McGraw. Marty’s Matriarch Cube shows six women in her family revealed in 54 colors.
“I had not expected anyone to interpret PC3 in such a profoundly personal way, and Marty McGraw’s six-faced photo homage to matriarchs and matrimony was unexpectedly moving,” says Tracy, the project’s creator. “What a generous gift for a mother to give to her son,” she added.
Barb Fajardo’s Curly Cube solved the color problem with a delightfully tactile sculptural puzzle. The color cube project is ongoing (Tracy’s working out the next steps) and you can read more on Tracy and Dan’s Facebook page.
On a personal note, I’ll share this small polymer frame with twelve translucent photo transfers that hangs on the window screen above my sink. It provides a daily reminder of the women in my family. A Wendy Malinow faux birch heart hangs next to the frame and adds a rustic note to my nostalgic view. Enjoy your views this weekend.
by Cynthia Tinapple on March 14, 2013
On the Synergy display tables here in Atlanta I was flabbergasted by how much larger pieces were than I had guessed from photos.
Take this new brooch from Kathleen Dustin. I would have guessed it as moderately sized but it’s quite large. Look at these pictures to get a better idea of size. Note the care she has taken with the back, the submerged hardware and the additional loops that allow it to be worn as a pendant.
On the front the shapes are thick and the designs flow from textured in one block to smooth in the next with a fascinating interplay that teases your brain. Its size makes the brooch more imposing and causes us to rethink how size matters.
As an aside, Kathleen mentioned that she does not condition the translucent clay that finishes the foremost block. Her theory is that putting the clay through the pasta machine repeatedly introduces more air into it and she wants the thin top layer to be as bubble-free as possible.
Synergy is off to a great start but it’s late. Please visit tomorrow for more news. I need a bit of sleep.
by Cynthia Tinapple on February 12, 2013
PCD readers have been clamoring for information about the mysteries of translucent clay. Missouri’s Ginger Davis Allman took the challenge and has written a crystal clear comparison of clays from different manufacturers, in varying thicknesses, and baked at different temperatures (go to the bottom of her page for that revelation).
She uncovers a few surprises and gives several helpful tips. It’s a must read and we’re indebted to Ginger for her research. Ginger’s entire site is a good read too – well written, pleasantly organized and a nice place to spend some time. A shout out to Christine Dumont who first passed the link along.
Valentines Day in Nepal
Valentines Day is becoming popular in Nepal and for the ladies in the Samunnat project, the holiday has taken on a special significance that Wendy explains in her post.
The ladies and the Board are daring to dream as the possibility of a facility for Samunnat becomes a reality – thanks to your donations. CLICK to donate.
Can they include a small shopfront to sell their pickles and incense? Could they make space for a little beauty parlour? It’s a big business in the area. Understand that are no botox treatments in Nepali salons! Only henna coloring and eyebrow threading. Here I am getting a lovely mustard oil massage in Kopila’s home! They slathered me in oil from head to toe and let me marinate until morning. The mustard is grown and processed locally.
“You have no idea what your donations mean to us,” says Kopila, “We realise that we are not doing this on our own; we are connected to people who love and care and encourage and support us, and we have new reserves of energy and courage to keep going. Dherai Dhanyabad!”
by Cynthia Tinapple on January 21, 2013
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| Diane Keeble |
Margit Bohmer |
Lynda Moseley |
Diane Keeble has been playing with Lynda Moseley’s Controlled Marbling tutorial. So has Margit Bohmer. Then I spotted a few others. Do you smell a Monday trend?
Polymer artists will stampede whenever someone shows them how to make good use of the pile of ugly scrap they’ve accumulated. And Lynda’s write up mentions that her blending method includes using Pardo translucent (another trend, right). Keep your eye on these soothing stripes.
Wood and polymer
Da Muse shows Tatjana Raum’s wood and polymer sculptures in her Saturday post. Don’t miss it.
