Polymer artists like Kansas’ Christina Butler (Polygolems) are using the new faux aged metal finishes so well that my job has gotten harder. Is it metal? Is it polymer…or something else?
You’ll have to look closely to figure it out. Christina makes it even harder by mixing real metals with her faux. The small pieces are copper – I think.
There’s more to oggle on her Facebook pages and in her Etsy shop.
polygolems ,
Cynthia,
Thanks so much for your kind words, and for featuring my work here at Polymer Clay Daily. It sure means a lot to me! And yes, many of the smaller pieces are copper or brass domes that have been heat oxidized!
Christina Butler, artist
Polygolems
Luann Udell ,
Christina, you’ve inspired me to try the new powders! Your work is lovely, and I look forward to seeing you go further with these techniques.
Linda Warner ,
Please, more information about the “new faux aged metal finishes”. I note that Luann Udell refers to them as powders, but I must be more out of the loop than I thought, because I don’t know anything about them. Thanks for the info.
polygolems ,
Linda,
See my response to Randee below – I’ve linked to a couple of websites where I buy my products. 🙂
Christy
Randee M Ketzel ,
It’s so swellegant!!! Or at least that’s my guess. Beautiful, however you get there.
polygolems ,
Randee,
Yes, some of the products are the same products that are in Christi Friesen’s “Swellegant” line. I love the oxide dyes. However, many of the patinas I use are directly from Sculpt Nouveau (www.sculptnouveau.com), and are not offered in the Swellegant line.
There’s also a line of products called “Sophisticated Finishes” (www.patina.com) that is very similar to the Swellegant/SN products. Their metallic surfacers are reactive to acid patinas, as well. I particularly love their dark bronze metallic surfacer.
Cynthia Tinapple ,
Thanks for the links. I ordered a Swellegant kit after feeling overwhelmed by the selection on the other sites. I needed a starter package. So much for my Christmas money.
polygolems ,
Such great products, aren’t they? I just love the metal surfacers, and I’m fascinated with the acid patinas – but I’ve ALWAYS, since the very early days, been interested in making polymer look like metal – and making it look like RUSTED metal? Just icing on the cake! 🙂
Linda Warner ,
Many thanks, Christy. These Aged Polymer pieces are gorgeous, and I love the addition of oxidized copper. Great work!
Linda
polygolems ,
Thank you, Linda!
Randee M Ketzel ,
AND—if you can find them locally in higher end paint (house) paint shops, the Modern Masters line of true metal paints (as opposed to the mica-based) is beautiful and affordable–and they come with patinas. (the Swellegant patinas and dye oxides work on them too). How can you tell if a paint is metal based? If the label says non-tarnishing, it’s mica–which will not react with patinas.
Merry Christmas, ya’ll!
And Christy, I must say, your intricate layering of the colors is what makes these so striking. Your Etsy shop is full of bargains.
polygolems ,
Randee,
Ohhhhhhh – I have to check those out! I found 10 retailers in the Kansas City area that carry this line, and online I see that they carry a 6oz size. (I can’t hardly imagine I could use a gallon before it goes bad – especially as I’m looking over the stock of paints I already have here!)
They have a variety of BEAUTIFUL non-reactive metallic colors, as well – and I’m reaalllyyy interested in the invisible fluorescent paint. I’d love to get my hands on some of that.
And thanks for your kind words – you all are good for my ego.