Portland’s Laurel Swetnam loves her deep reds and oranges. By this time of year, she’s left with lots of cane ends and leftover veneers.
Not a problem! The patterns and colors play nicely with each other as she pieces them into these charmingly angular fox ornaments. Simple shapes become stunning ornaments.
You may not be ready for the holidays but Jenny Sorensen (WishingWellWorkshop) won’t let you forget.
What really got me about this cardinal in the snow ornament was the unexpected element — a cinnamon stick perch! She often adds a rock or wood or some other natural element to ground her work.
The polymer is smooth and whimsical. The cinnamon adds a natural and fragrant touch. I love the holiday combo.
It’s 2020 so why be predictable? Bet you didn’t guess the maker of these funky dangles.
North Carolina’s Julie Eakes creates photo mosaics and silk road patchwork and 3D dolls. She even dipped her brush into gelli prints. So it’s not surprising that she’s wandered off the reservation again with these layered cane slice earrings.
“Kinda crazy, like this year,” she says. Why not?
A PCD reader took me to task for my casual comment about “going off the reservation” in this post and she is right. My apologies for using an insensitive and racist phrase. As I told her, it stings to be taken to task…but in a good way and I thanked her for making me more aware.
Today we’ll go big with two polymer artists in the Richmond, VA Visual Arts Center online show.
Cinthya Cuba de Zabal’s (NinaZabal) right-angle arrangement of her earrings (technically it’s called Knolling) makes them both cheery and calming in this orderly presentation. Creating a weekly collection is an integral part of her overall process. Her colors are hot with subtle texturing on geometric shapes with itty bitty dangles.
Pennsylvania’s Genevieve Williamson, also in the Richmond show, shares a similar preference for light textures and geometrics using an entirely different palette that takes its cues from nature and stone.
There’s energy in both but no chaos here. Isn’t that refreshing?
That’s what we’ll be looking at in StudioMojo this week. Who’s making what and why? Orderliness with an edge appearing online. Hmmm, what’s that about? Join us as we investigate.
“What are you supposed to use this for,” Jess of Australia’s Tass and Pom asked herself. Amber translucent?
But combined with burnt umber, she created a tortoiseshell effect that may rock your socks. Chop and combine and see what happens.
“I’ve never really been a big fan of burnt umber but I love it with this effect,” Jess admits.
We were almost fooled into thinking the November chill wouldn’t come but, Hello!
These imitation-knit earrings by Ireland’s Liga Valge look warm and fuzzy propped up against a handmade sweater.
Twist together scraps of polymer grays, browns, and whites into barber pole spaghetti strands of what looks like marled wool and you’re ready to knit.
Here’s a Pinterest page of patterns.
This video from Bonnie Bishoff introduces you to ASMR meditation and Bonnie’s version of polymer marquetry.
Totally chill, no words, watch Bonnie work and you breathe deeply, your brain goes all ahhhh with relaxation and then there’s a sudden buzz of “Oh, I get it.” Inwardly you squeal and clap.
This is Bonnie’s way of luring you into her CraftBoston.org store (click on Bonnie’s name) and her own shop where you can continue the bliss. You will leave feeling refreshed. (Here’s the link if it doesn’t show up in your browser.)
Atlanta’s Marcia Palmer makes pen sets that fly out of her Etsy shop. Having a matching base for each pen means that they stand a better chance of staying put on the desk.
Marcia textures and carves the imitative bone polymer and highlights it with paint.
Be aware that not all pen bodies covered with polymer can withstand the heat of the oven. Some melt into puddles of plastic (first-hand experience). Best to test an uncovered one first. Oh, and don’t put the ink cartridge in the oven. Big mess.
Marcia’s got a knack for bringing big style to the office.
Let’s kick off the holidays with these cheeky earrings from UK’s Dani Kirova (temptedbyartjewelry).
We’ve been awfully restrained up to now and Dani’s Santa Gonk Gnome helps us begin to put all the 2020 nonsense in the rearview mirror.
At StudioMojo we’ll be looking at how the holidays will play out with virtual festivals and online sales. Handmade gifts, personalized presents are will be particularly important this year as our priorities shift and we chill in place for the holidays.
We’ll look at what polymer elves are making for Santa season. Need a little shove to shift your attitude? Join us.
Extruded, wrinkled, quirky, post earrings! What’s not to love about these warped and wrinkled links from North Carolina’s BobbiMadeThis?
Several sympatico polymer artists have teamed up for a giveaway and other clever marketing ploys.
Simple, proud, in-your-face is their theme. Can you get with that? Follow their links down a very hip rabbit hole.
