by Cynthia Tinapple on September 21, 2009 · 6 comments
You may be used to making polymer clay buttons to match fabric, here’s an idea that turns the tables. The picture isn’t great but the concept is terrific.
Enterprising polymer clay artist and seamstress Jema Hewitt has begun using Spoonflower, a print-on-demand fabric company in North Carolina, to make fabric from photos of her polymer clay canes.
She explains that, “I just took a photo of my polymer clay slab, tweaked it and cropped it in photoshop and saved a 300dpi jpg. The polymer clay is on the left, the fabric on the right of the photo!” Click on the picture and look closely to get the full effect.
The UK artist is considering producing a line of corsets or waistcoats from her polymer-inspired companion material. While corsets were certainly not the first items that popped into my head, Jema has 20 years experience in the theatre, bridal and costuming business and after a browse through her sites (Kindred Spirits, Steampunk Jewellery, Etsy and her blog SparklyJem) you’ll see how it’s a natural next step for this designer.
It’s an exciting concept to consider at the start of your week.
I’m not sure that I could successfully integrate the bits and bobs from the corners of my junk drawer into polymer clay jewelry but that’s what Christi Friesen aims to do with her new “foundpunk” line of brooches. Her impulse for reusing and recycling may be just right for our times.
France’s Christine Alibert (Xtine) combines fun fibers with her polymer brooches.
If, like me, you’ve admired these yarns but couldn’t envision a use, Christine’s work may have you heading to your fiber stash.
Combed polymer clay beads like Christine’s and this second one by Spain’s Ana Belchi have grown in popularity recently. I created combed polymer faux tiles for my stairway years ago and am happy to be back in fashion.
by Cynthia Tinapple on February 3, 2009 · 4 comments
Illinois’ Karna Erickson’s polymer clay charms and sculptures are more Mad Max than Steampunk. Her robot assemblages include nuts and bolts, found items and erector set leftovers. 
Under the names of EanyMeany and Cocoon Designs, Karna pieces together a collection of brightly colored sculptures made from recyclables.
Her soft villages are made of a material hodgepodge that includes recycled sweaters, vintage buttons, yarn and more. She uses polymer to create the creatures that populate the villages and to give found objects exciting second lives.
by Cynthia Tinapple on January 12, 2009 · 6 comments
Kimberly Hart of MonsterKookies in Toronto gives an edgy twist to her polymer clay cookies and hearts. I’d been admiring her anatomically correct heart pendants and this realistic steampunk version (My Heart Doesn’t Beat, It Ticks) is inspired.
The piece sold as soon as it was posted on Etsy. There will be more to come. You can keep track of Kimberly on her deviant site, her web site, or on Etsy.
Attaboy/girl
Two weeks into the year and you all seem to be ticking items off your lists. Grant Diffendaffer has his Etsy shop up, Gera Scott Chandler has dusted off her blog, and Maggie and Lindly’s new color book is available for pre-order. You go, girls and boys.
You may be used to making polymer clay buttons to match fabric, here’s an idea that turns the tables. The picture isn’t great but the concept is terrific.
