Playing with cutouts

Linda Pearl considers a quirky use for photos on PolymerClayDaily.com

Maryland’s Linda Pearl expands her exploration of photo transfers with these jointed figures using stock images. She simply smooths laser prints onto polymer and lets them sit for a while while the toner transfers.

Linda was challenged to incorporate filigree from Jackie Swartz and experimented with wired joints. (See how she connected them

here.)

Challenges and experiments are often launching points that produce charming, quirky first efforts. Linda says she’ll add jointed knees and elbows next time.

Her prototypes may make you reconsider new interpretations of your family photos. See more of Linda on Instagram and her site.

Bowl morph

Linda Loew begins with a bowl that becomes a pendant on PolymerClayDaily

What started out as a small bowl by Baltimore’s Linda Loew became a layered, moody pendant.

A photo transfer of a man stares off into the distance from the second layer topped by a multicolored oval frame on top.

Turns out that this bowl wanted to be a pendant.

Just because you’ve made a bowl doesn’t mean it can’t morph into something else. See more on Instagram.

Back to polymer school

Cynthia Tinapple finds that Sculpey Clear offers new photo transfer options on polymerclyadaily.com

What a treat to discover (thanks to Syndee Holt) that Liquid Sculpey Clear can be used for photo transfers! Here is my brother doing his 1950s cowboy imitation.

For me, this opens up a whole new avenue for bringing computers, photos, and wood together somehow and my head is abuzz with ideas.

That’s what happens at a polymer gathering! Fires are lit and then you return home to work out the details. I’m both exhausted and rejuvenated. Want to improve your work? Take yourself back to school and experimenting this fall!

TBT polymer

Remembering the Dalai Lama pendants we shared along the trail on our Upper Mustang trip in 2014. Makes me wonder where these little photo transfers are now.

My husband upgraded his computer and he’s had me on tech duty so today’s post is a TBT from the photos I had on hand. See his photos more clearly on my Instagram. Now to write this weekend’s StudioMojo. Join us!

Polymer grandmothering

This is my way of explaining why I didn’t get my research done today. These 3″ sculptures are all about creative grandmothering with polymer.

I loved the little sculptures that Leslie Blackford was making at the Ohio Bash weekend. This blue guy with an ominous face has bitten into a fish. He joins a whole group of mermaids, dogs and devils in striped pants. She’s posted a few finished ones here.

While I can’t begin to channel Leslie’s wonderfully weird vision, I couldn’t wait to try making mini-me dolls for my grandsons. Leslie taught me that first you make a head using an easy photo transfer (with water and a laser print) and then you model a body and embellish it with abandon.

I hope that my first clumsy attempt at photo transfer sculpture won’t scare my lovely toddlers. Not great art but I had great fun in the studio.

Baby polymer

California photographer Aurora Rosselli (Eclisse Creazioni) makes the sweetest small portrait tiles that she turns into charms, pendants and magnets by adding silver findings, pearls and crystals. While she skirts the issue of exactly what material the tiles are made of, my eye says polymer.

In her Etsy shop she offers to transfer client’s photos to the clay and make them into wearable mementos. Kids art makes a companion charm to go with the photos. Of course, as a professional photographer, Aurora brings a great eye to her designs.

Just in time for Mother’s Day (May 12) this may make you pull out your transfer materials and give it a try. Or hop on over to her Etsy store to shop and see more on her Flickr site.