Strings of polymer

These polymer pieces from Russia’s Victoria Mkhitarian are probably extruded strings. Either way, you’re going to enjoy a trip through her Flickr site to see her earthy colors tinged with an updated ethnic vibe.

In her Polymer with Spices necklace Victoria makes a Natasha bead look like a folk museum piece. Natasha beads are fun but they are rarely put to such good use.

Wednesday extrusions class

Only one more day of my rant about extrusions. There’s so much to pack into one online Craftcast class that I had to enlist the help of friends to give a bunch of techniques a try.

I had no idea that these longtime polymer artists were extruder newbies and it was fun to watch them “get it.” Still time to reserve a good seat (and of course you can download and watch later too).

Blazing new polymer paths

Sandra Trachsel’s works will have you squinting and scratching your head. How is that kind of precision possible?

Sandra (ST-art-clay) explains that she combined an illusion quilt pattern from Caryl Bryer Fallert and Dan Cormier’s matrix cane idea. For her mud cloth bracelet, she credits Donna Kato for the cane ideas and Dan Cormier for the forms.

A trip through Sandra’s recent work shows that while she’s been inspired by great teachers, she’s veering off on her own path which we’ll happily follow.

Polymer snails

This Snails 17″ necklace from Madrid’s Silvia Ortiz de la Torre shows us bright new ways with extruded polymer. We’ll have to guess how the coiled strips reveal their hints of other colors. Are they mounted on a backing or baked as a single unit?

Admire more of Silvia’s works on her blog and in her Etsy shop. Learn easy and time-saving extrusion tricks in my Craftcast class next Wednesday…I’m adding more to wow you.

Have a great weekend!

Extruded sunset

Libby Mills assembled this polymer collaged 4-inch tile as she quietly worked at our table at a recent conference. Backed with a Skinner blend, the tile combines a layer of ripple blade slices, swirled extruded strings and dabs of solid colors and textures in a fall palette. Her goal was to produce a series of decorative compositions for a wall.

This snapshot of Libby’s work popped up as I prepared samples for a class next Wednesday. (It looks very Santa Fe sunset!) My new extruded disks are now on sale on the Kazuri West site and I’ll be teaching extruder tricks (like perfect polka dots).

Extrusion is an enjoyable technique that we can use as another nifty tool to cover large areas and to produce consistently-sized elements. Ok, I have a thing for extrusion, do you?

Space girl polymer

PCD was happy to rediscover Tammy Durham, a polymer illustrator who now lives in Fort Collins, CO. (We last saw her in 2010.)

Her Space Girl on a Mission panel is complex and cheery and she shares the details of her process on her Facebook page. See how she sketches and plans and tries to keep a dust-free workspace. Tammy also keeps an archive of her earlier work on FB.

Tammy’s art appealed to me as I immersed myself in editing and uploading video for my upcoming Craftcast class on extrusions next Wednesday. We can all identify with Space Girl.

River polymer

Wednesday is the last day of Gesine Kratzner’s epic exhibit, River Without End, at Albina Press coffee shop in Portland, Oregon. Gesine and artist Sarah Hall installed a 300-foot paper river around the shop’s eight walls. They mounted boats, animals, bridges, sea creatures, mermaids and dragonflies on the river.

The polymer, paperclay and epoxy characters tell a story that flows around the room. Each of the mounted characters was for sale…and sold briskly. Great idea! See all the photos of this imaginative show here.

Gesine is an illustrator, sculptor and animator (featured here on PCD). She also sells from her Etsy shop, Blobhouse.

Maggie Maggio and Laurel Swetnam told me about the show where they each bought pieces like this Father and Son.

Extrusions everywhere

Sherri Kellberg’s earrings from polymer extrusions jumped right out at me. They’re subtle, simple and clever and her site is full of similar examples with fine finishes (she offers a tutorial for that) and appealing color. This Florida artist also offers a tutorial for faux lampwork that is tempting. Here’s her Etsy shop.

I’m working on my Craftcast extrusions class for November 13. You know how when you’re focused on something you suddenly see it everywhere? Be prepared for extrusions this week.

Stepping out in polymer

Eve Lynch create the perfect accessory for your Day of the Dead outfit with these polymer-covered shoes. Eve is a Florida mix-media mosaic artist who gleefully mixes polymer bits among her glass. Here’s her Flickr page for your browsing pleasure.

Look out! I googled polymer clay day of the dead and squandered my computer time today. No time for further research, you’ll have to go and explore these wonders for yourself. Enjoy your weekend.

Polymer Halloween

You can rely on Nicole Johnson for some almost-cute, not-so-scary polymer monsters. Flip through her site for your virtual haunted house experience.

Nicole describes her MealyMonsters issues when she puts them up for sale on Etsy. Her characters have been mistreated and misunderstood and now they’re a bit cranky or mischevious. Now they’re ready to party. Happy Halloween.

Raising cane

Polymer caning keeps changing and improving as these two recent examples show. The first is clear, bright and very complex kaleidoscope patterning from Anastasia Arinovich of Belarus.

Her colors remain remarkably clear even at such a tiny size. Anatasia offers a master class on her blog. Here’s her Facebook presence.

The second example is this dove cane from Maine’s Jayne Dwyer. She controls the flowing lines of a bird in flight with remarkable control and precision. Here’s her Facebook location.

Caners like these are raising the bar for caning in polymer.

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