London’s Rebecca Thickbroom created this “Spikey Isle” bracelet for weaver Camilla Thomas.
Rebecca picks up the subtle colors, designs, and shapes of this fiber artist for Camilla’s commission. Even the findings could have been washed up onshore. It’s a combination of ancient coasts, quiet colors and modern patterns.
Explore the two artists’ sites to see how their aesthetics mesh.
Italy’s Monica Rotta features family members in this mixed media framed keepsake.
Black and white photos are transferred to pastel-colored polymer and then carefully textured and embellished. She backs each with a contrasting layer and mounts them on a painted page.
The Rumi quote that illustrates the piece reads, “Love is from infinity and will remain until eternity.” There’s a powerful story here.
The loving and thoughtful touches that Monica has added assure that this assemblage will become an heirloom.
We’ll be talking on StudioMojo about the power of doing what you love as Monica has clearly done. How do we go about finding and following that thread of deep interest? We’ll talk about a couple of upcoming events that center on just that. Join us!
Small volcanos threaten to spew color all over the place on Lindsay Locatelli’s latest cuff.
Painted spouts rise up and give the piece a weirdly satisfying dimension. Then just when you’re creeped out by the spitting spouts, you notice the sumptuous gold leaf on the interior. This cuff delights on all cylinders.
Lindsay’s toddler doesn’t seem to have slowed down her creative output. She’s teaching a 4-day class in Wisconsin next weekend. Don’t miss her spiky earrings on Instagram.
Australia’s Katie Long (Hellotherecheeky) wakes up your Wednesday with this in-your-face color palette.
You’ve probably noticed how fond the Aussies are of what they’re calling “Slab Polymer” (google it). Lay down a base slab of clay and layer on tiny pieces of design. Flatten and cut out shapes you can use. They’ve become masters at it.
It’s the punchy, fearless colors and layers of abstract elements that set off a big YES in my gut. Katie adds a coat of resin for shine. She’s on Instagram here. This collection is called “Brooklyn”…gotta love that.
The first version of this necklace was suspended from a hook in my studio for years. I liked it but I just wasn’t sure. “Too simple? Too spare?” I asked myself (it’s here on my Instagram)
This year I thought, “I really like that necklace.” I pulled if off the hook and every time I wore it someone commented. What held me back?
I’m betting that you have pieces in your studio that call to you and deserve a second look. What holds you back?
The tubes are extruded polymer and the dots are added in a “tab and slot” step. This is my 2019 Colorado version modeled here by Katie Way’s daughter, Taylor. My mind is buzzing with upgrades.
“It’s the joy of riotous color and pattern that drives me to create my work. It is my way of sending happy out into the world,” says Florida’s Pamela Carmen.
Nothing better than a bird of happiness to fly into your Monday. Can you picture the supply of canes Pamela must have on hand to feather her large menagerie? See her creations on Flickr.
Her entry in a recent show called Woof, Meow, Chirp, and Slither: Artists interpret the world of pets earned a top award from Florida CraftArt. When you send happy out, some of it returns to you.
This pile of brooches from Florida’s Lynn Yuhr (theflyingsquirrelstudio) exudes a mid-century sensibility. They look like tv sets from the 50s.
Lynn has been exploring and pushing the boundaries of using colored liquid clays on polymer.
I watched Lynn in action and persuaded her to share a few of her discoveries on this week’s StudioMojo. You’ll be surprised at how she uses the liquids and what she’s found about how they behave on raw clay.
See why she keeps a “puddle” on her worksurface and how she dips into that puddle for surprising effects.
Loretta Lam says its all about organizing your design information into a visual hierarchy and she’ll be teaching that at Creative Journeys Studios in Georgia November 1-3.
The fabric-like textures, juxtaposed lines, and somber colors dangling from a chunky chain caught my eye. Yours too?
Learning how to do this intentionally is the trick that Loretta will be teaching.
The smooth rounded rock shapes on this necklace from Australia’s Michelle Sansonetti (Zedemee) have a Zen-like quality that appeals. Her swirls seem to calm in contrast with the weather maps that threaten.
Michelle credits Spain’s Fabi Ajates for inspiring her in a 2019 class. Isn’t it marvelous how polymer ideas bounce around the world? No boundaries, no weather disturbances, no politics. Hang on to that thought today.
New Jersey’s Donna Greenberg prepares us for fall with her 18″ Carnival, an explosion of colors and shapes.
“After months of working in controlled somber tones, it’s just what the doctor ordered to lift my spirits going into Fall,” Donna says.
Polymer, paper, pencil, and paints.
Zoom in to experience the lush layers. What does Fall look like in your work?
