No particular reason

Linda Loew lets loose with bowls of balls on PolymerClayDaily.com

As I sorted the posts and pictures grabbed for this week’s StudioMojo I realize I’ve collected exciting polymer works made for no particular reason. These bowls of balls are a case in point.

Baltimore’s Linda Loew admits that her bowls of balls aren’t very functional. She liked the colors…so why not add a few more? And some texture just for fun?

I take it back…there is a good reason. The pieces we’ll feature this week were made joyfully to please the artist. In Linda’s case, she was making bowls for a swap at an upcoming polymer conference. The point is that perfection can be tedious, driven, and controlled. Come on over to StudioMojo and watch polymer artists let loose, have some fun!

Piles of possibilities

Laura Walthen designs pieces from this pile of possibilities on PolymerClayDaily.com

Savor the soft pastel shades in this pile of parts and pieces from UK’s Laura Wathen (ClaytimeDesigns).

The advantage of making a big batch of polymer shapes from a set palette is that the possibilities for building jewelry pieces are gloriously endless.

Laura coats each piece with resin before she starts her assemblage.

Don’t you want to scoop some up in your hands and let them rain down?

Explosions of color

Lindsay Locatelli combines color and dimension on a volcanic cuff on PolymerClayDaily

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.

Cheeky slab polymer

Katie Long brings Brooklyn to Australia on PolymerClayDaily

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.

How color controls the composition

Rocky Antonio small ring dish contains big colors and textures on PolymerClayDaily.com

Watching Australia’s Rocky Antonio (RockyBeads) assemble her compositions with little bits of clays and canes is soothing and deeply relaxing. She works on small objects (this ring dish is one of her larger items).

With judicious use of color and attention to placement, she keeps her small items from becoming too sweet or insignificant.

The muted purple background of this shallow dish holds all the bright colors together and the dimension adds interest. Watch her paint on polymer on Facebook or work with a needle tool on Instagram.

Rocky’s Matryoshka dolls from 2012 on PCD still tickle me (she built them on lockets).

Dreaming in color

Cecilia Leonini dreams in color on PolymerClayDaily.com

What is it about the Dreaming in Color brooch by Italy’s Cecilia Leonini that feels calm, happy, and dreamy?

The gradation of her colors is masterful and the floating shapes (drawn and painted, I’m guessing) feel 3D.

The edges flip up to reveal hot red underneath. There’s texture in the base layer and a black shadow on the edges. Super cool and totally dreamy.

You’ll find her on Facebook and Etsy.

When you need to feel safe

Sometimes a neat, tidy, geometric polymer pendant hits the spot.

Spain’s Zazu Polymer Clay Jewelry convinces us that everything is under control when the news and the weather tell us anything but that.

If you need safety and predictability, see how Murcia Aranzazu (Zazu) creates sleek, bright, controlled jewelry on her website, Facebook and Instagram. Her Pinterest page lets you roam around in her inspirations.

What’s your color story?

Lindly Haunani debuts a new class and techniques on PolymerClayDaily.com

Maryland’s Lindly Haunani debuted her new class Telling Your Color Story: Harmonious Color Schemes at Creative Journey Studio’s new facility in Georgia over the weekend.

Students’ undulating patterns wave you gently into the week. Lindly taught techniques for a series of veneers that serve as fabric for polymer Half Square quilts.

This design is new and mouthwatering. You can see more class work on Lindly’s Facebook and on Creative Journey’s site

Tutorial in the works

Pavla Cepelikova promises a tutorial on PolymerClayDaily.com

These colors from Prague’s Pavla Cepelikova (Saffron Addict) vibrate against each other in the most interesting way as the strips of clay wind around in her Confetti brooch.

She promises that a tutorial is in the works. I’ll let my eyes figure out why the colors in her Manhattan brooch below stop me in my tracks.

In the meantime, visit her on Flickr and Etsy.

Note that there were a couple mistakes in yesterday’s Angel post (like Ron’s address) that have been corrected.

Riotous color winner

Silvia de la Torres explosion of colors becomes a winner on PolymerClayDaily

The first prize winner in the Arcilla Polimérica de España is this color explosion from Silvia Ortiz de la Torre.

Silvia’s riot of colored disks and squiggles are neatly grouped into a necklace that looks ready for New Year’s Eve. For more of her hot colors and unusual constructions, check Etsy and Flickr.

But wait! There’s more! Ten Spanish award winners are pictured on the guild’s Facebook page.

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