Polymer Clay Daily

Tips and Tricks

Yes, you can

Gosia's bright collaged earrings challenge us on PolymerClayDaily.com

“I could never wear these,” is what you’re telling yourself, right? I’ve been adding progressively larger earrings to my stash to get over my fear of being too old, too short, too whatever.

And you know what? I’m getting comfy with in-your-face, I’m an artist, deal-with-it earrings.

These colorful collages from Poland’s Gosia (Malgorzata Wawrzynczak at Moiko) are my current favorites. She’s in the silkscreen biz so I’m guessing that’s part of her process. Are they bits of collaged silkscreened veneers or are they canes? Who knows?

Earrings that don’t match? Really? Yes, really. It’s a thing and it won’t hurt you to try it. It’s time to (carefully, gently) drag our scaredy-cat selves out of the house and into the roaring 2020s.

Little touches add up

Myranda Escamilla adds flirty touches to her earrings on PolymerClayDaily.com

These joined circles from Texas’ Myranda Escamilla (shapeandformstore) are trendy with some twists. The carving on the lighter circles reveals a flash of hot pink beneath. And the speckles in the clay add another element of interest.

Add to that, the slight twist, like a flirty turn of the head, as the circles link.

And who can resist the juicy dark purples? Lots of care and quirky personal touches will add loads to the allure of your work.

This week’s StudioMojo brings you a conversation with Kathleen Dustin who’s cutting back on her shows and production work. But from the sound of the new classes and projects she’s dreamed up, she won’t be binge-watching tv anytime soon. Join us for the complete scoop.

Graphite for business attire

Natalya Volkova's designs visually stretch the neck on PolymerClayDaily.com

Russia’s Natalya Volkova relies on the shimmer of graphite clay to create these statement earrings which she says, “Visually stretch the neck, especially when worn with a shirt or dress with a deep triangular neckline.” Nice concept, right?

Natalya’s Instagram tantalizes us with her experiments and exercises but she doesn’t reveal much more online.

She looks all dressed up for the office on a Monday. Remember those days?

Fashion and polymer attract crowds

Dayle Doroshow's panels and polymer take flight in Florida on PolymerClayDaily.com

Florida’s Dayle Doroshow was surprised at the success of her solo show at the end of 2020.

The show was held at the library, during a pandemic, after a year of disappointments and too much Netflix.

Dayle doubted herself, felt uninspired, and grieved the loss of a summer in France.

But by December over twenty fabric panels up to 5′ long filled the library atrium. A wearable polymer element was integrated into each design. The birds on her Take Flight were big sellers in the jewelry cases.

In a chatty 10-minute StudioMojo video this Saturday, Dayle shares her motivators and the self-care she had to employ to get her works finished and sold. Ready for a good story with a happy ending? Subscribe and join us.

Forced blooms

Nancy Nearing forces spring blooms on PolymerClayDaily.com

Rather than wait for real blooms in her Connecticut yard, Nancy Nearing grabbed a 36″ branch lying in the melting snow and created some polymer blooms.

She reinforced the stick with Apoxie sculpt and wired on caned leaves and delicate translucent blue blooms. Lights may be next. She has just the spot above a corner window in her studio for her touch of spring.

PCD is getting ready for spring too and will post only two or three times each week. I’m cutting back and clearing my schedule to make time for more art and adventure. If you need additional inspiration, please sign up for the weekly StudioMojo newsletter that arrives every Saturday full of tips, talks, tools, and other juicy bits.

Build-a-bug

Watch Wanda Shum build a bug in 3 minutes on PolymerClayDaily.com

Sometimes watching an artist’s hands is so instructive and calming.

That’s what Canada’s (BC) Wanda Shum does in this 3-minute bug-building video. She’s in control, she knows what she’s doing. Sigh! Relax and watch.

Wow, that bug’s got a lot of wings! Who knew?

Wanda uses the littlest bits of canes to build an extravagant creature. Lots of wild variations crawl around on her site.

Hearts in tatters

Anita Kennerly's hearts are in charming tatters on PolymerClayDaily.com

Georgia’s Anita Kennerly creates tattered heart earrings for the season. The frayed dark polymer edges frame her earthy cutouts and make a bold outline. The cutouts hang from a baked-in wire loop.

Anita’s hearts have a childlike charm that overrides the tatters and makes us see love and beauty.

Meme mittens

Glass artist Terrill Waldman does a quick polymer trick for a meme on PolymerClayDaily.com

One more last minute, seat-of-my-pants, meme-themed post. Maine glass artist Terrill Waldman (TandemGlass) found the immediacy of polymer irrestistba for making a quick pair of mitten earrings.

I don’t know the whole story but I sense that Terrill has picked up a trick or two from fellow Maine artist, Bonnie Bishoff. Her quick tutorial was too cute to pass up.

Pursuing primitive polymer

First, let me say that Chicago’s Marina Rios (FancifulDevices) is not a child. Or a chipmunk. She sped up the video to give us super fast look.

Marina Rios show us how to go primitive on PolymerClayDaily.com

Marina gets messy and there’s not a liquid or powder that she won’t try in pursuit of the grungy, primitive, gypsy look that she loves to give her polymer. In this one minute session she pulls out paint, alcohol inks, crackle, eye shadow, and more in pursuit of just the right vibe.

We benefit from her experimenting without having to stain our fingers or clean up after her. Thanks, Marina.