Second looks, second versions

Why a dot necklace deserved a second look on PolymerClayDaily

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.

Unstrung polymer

Florida’s Alice Stroppel follows where extruded strings of polymer lead her in the latest series of drawings.

She starts by laying the strands down to outline the shapes and features of her portraits. Soon the lines take on a life of their own and the picture becomes more complex and less predictable as the lines curl and wander.

Alice plays with wire-like drawing in an unselfconscious way to see where it will take her. Her bold curiosity shows us all the value of playing without fear.

Tied up polymer

Kseniya (SolarBird) ties up the week with a series of earring knots on PolymerClayDaily

Belarus’ Kseniya (SolarBird) ties up the week with these pale tidy knots of extruded ribbons of clay. She makes them into both stud and drop earrings that you can see on her Instagram.

The twists look simple but you know that getting them just right requires dexterity and more than a few tries to get the hang of it. Lovely summer accents.

The folder of finds for StudioMojo is bulging with links tracking artists delivering works and setting up shows plus a tutorial or two. I’ll sort it all out for Saturday’s newsletter. We’d love to have you in on our weekend conversations!

Monika Busch stacks punchy colors on big hole beads on PolymerClayDaily.com

Germany’s Monika Busch (Efmoni) tells us that, ” I like to be inspired by artists like Mucha, Hundertwasser, Monet, and Klimt. The luminosity of colors and strong contrasts fascinate me.”

But you already sensed that, right?

Monika makes big hole beads and buttons, many of them a variation on the Bettina Welker cane into which Monika injects great colors that wake up your Monday.

After the show, new ideas

Genevieve Williamson's tubes pop with color and other surprises on PolymerClayDaily.com

The pop of spring colors against the black background gives an element of surprise to Genevieve Williamson’s extruded tube necklace. (I’d extrude but maybe she rolled them by hand.)

Genevieve says she’s home from the ACC Baltimore show and ready to jump back in and refine this design. The tangle of loops on one side adds to the surprise. Let’s watch and see how her idea develops.

Join us tonight for the 15th I LOVE TOOLS on Craftcast

Speaking of new developments, you’ll want to be sure to attend tonight’s free I Love Tools podcast on Craftcast at 7:30 ET. I’ll be there covering some of the hot tools for polymer artists. Mags Bonham will cover the latest developments from the Silhouette side of things.

It’s free and fun and available later if you’re too many time zones away. Bring a beverage and party with us tonight!

Waffled beads

Vera Thom Kleist makes a waffle weave for fall on PolymerClayDaily.com

Germany’s Vera Kleist Thom twirls extruded strings around a ball of clay and carves (or maybe she just textures) the surfaces so that they look woven. The result is a necklace with a thermal waffle weave accentuated by its muted winter colors.

Vera has perfected her woven methods and I’m only guessing about how she makes it happen. Go to her Flickr page to study how she applies similar strategies to vessels, disks, and other beads.

As the season changes, Vera shows us how to shift our palettes and our wardrobes.

Round and round polymer

Jana Lehmann winds up with a winner on PolymerClayDaily.com

Germany’s Jana Lehmann begins your week with cheery circles of extruded strings of polymer that wind up happily next to each other.

Well, at least most of the strands are extruded. I’m scratching my head about the patterned ones. See for yourself on Instagram.

Altogether the mix of geometrics forms an eye-catching abstract pendant or brooch.

When simple is soothing

Juliya Laukhina extrudes and wraps beads from a spring palette on PolymerClayDaily

Today we examine close shades of extruded ribbons of green polymer wrapped around ultralight core beads.

Again easy and effective techniques that rely on color and repetition. No overworking or overthinking. Leaching or cooling the clay accentuates the ragged edges of the flattened extruded strings.

These spring beads are from Moscow’s Juliya Laukhina and you’ll find more of her delicate, natural way with color on her Instagram and Etsy sites. (The beads are already on their way to a customer in Connecticut.)

Sometimes we make our creations more complex than they need to be when simple can be so effective.

On a roll

Let’s ease into Monday with Oklahoma’s Katie Way (bullseyestudioart) rhythmically rolling polymer veneers for salad servers. At the top of the video, you can gaze at Katie’s supply of extruded circles just waiting to be sliced and applied to the next solid color backing.

Browse quickly through her Instagram and you’ll see how she covers switchplates, kitchen utensils, card cases – most anything that can take the heat. She works from her own distinct palette adding textures and paints to enhance the hand drawn effect.

Katie reminds us that polymer work can be rewarding even during Thanksgiving week. Go have some fun.

Salads and polymer

Jane Cox turns simple wooden kitchen utensils into special gifts on PolymerClayDaily.com

The UK’s Jane Cox (JaneLovesCreativity) turns simple wooden kitchen utensils into special gifts.

She winds comfy colors of extruded polymer strings around the handles, smooths the clay and polishes it to a shine after curing.

Imagine a friend smiling as she stirs dinner or serves salad with the spoon that reminds her of you.

There’s plenty of time to create these before the holidays, right?

We’ll be peeking into Tory Hughes Santa Fe atelier this week on StudioMojo. See how she surrounds herself with samples of luscious colors before she begins. Join us!

‹ 1 2 3 ›