Tied in knots

Amy Koranek's prototype for a new twist on Souffle on PolymerClayDaily.com

Sculpey brand ambassador Amy Koranek cured strands of Souffle and then consulted YouTube for how to tie the pliable strings into a decorative knot. Now to finish the piece with a closure. This was an in-progress shot from our recent in-person event in Ohio (Buckeye Bash).

Leaning over shoulders as artists work out new ideas is a terrific way to learn and see where trends are headed.

If you like being on the cutting edge, join us at StudioMojo. Every Saturday sit down with a cuppa and follow links to the most happening events and most clever products about to come to market. We scour our sources to keep you up to the minute. Join us tomorrow.

Notorious polymer

Delaware’s

Joseph Barbaccia is notorious on PolymerClayDaily.com

Joseph Barbaccia first drew this Notorious portrait using a digital pen and Photoshop. Then a client commissioned it as a 15″x15″ polymer work.

Watch how Joseph sets up his extruded string palette and gets to work.

He glides smoothly between digital drawing and polymer string mosaic. As you come closer, strokes become thin lines of polymer transformed into a stunning image.

Even his business card uses a polymer thread for a logo.

Kristen Oxtoby updates the 60’s aesthetic

Kristen Oxtoby's earrings have a 60's-inspired aesthetic with a 90's soundtrack on PolymerClayDaily.com

Many of Kristen Oxtoby’s designs (These Hollow Hills) rely on extruded clay laid down together to make corrugated shapes. Here, ball chain dangles from the bottom of her Farrah earrings. And in her Circa series, the polymer strings wind around circle cutouts.

Kristen’s pieces are big and bold. She calls it “…a ’60s-inspired aesthetic with a 90’s soundtrack.”

This North Carolina artist makes collections that have attitude. Get the full effect on her Instagram.

Strung out

Alice Stroppel offers a free tutorial. Add your portrait to her online gallery. PolymerClayDaily.com

Looking for a free tutorial that will bring you back into the present and give you a stress break? Florida’s Alice Stroppel offers just that. Access the tutorial here.

Squirt polymer through the spaghetti-like disks (the ones with multiple holes) of your extruder and get busy making a portrait from the strings. No, extruder? Roll long snakes by hand or use your medium of choice.

The tutorial is broken into four short steps. It may be just the thing you need to get your hands back on clay.

Alice wants to create an online gallery of “Self Portraits in the Time of Isolation” Add yours via the link. Any media welcome.

Studio Mojo will look at helping you deal with the shockwave of events and keep you looking at “What is” instead of getting stuck with the less predictable and less helpful “What if”. Join us.

String theory

Ohio’s Jan Montarsi has updated his pearl mix tutorials with this String Theory pendant. I found it here from 2013 but the tutorial has disappeared.

Not to worry, Jan has come up with even better inks/pearl clay mixes for a luminous effect. Plus, he makes some very good tools for precise quilt pattern cuts here.

If you like subtle glitz and shine in your work, catch up with Jan and his newest theory.

Feliz Navidad with lines and dots

Cristina Alvarez uses dots and dashes to say Feliz Navidad on PolymerClayDaily

Madrid’s Cristina Garcia Alvarez (espiralarte) says Feliz Navidad with polka dots and extruded strings that wind up to form a delightfully minimalist Christmas tree.

No glitter or glitz just blended pastel color lines and dimensional white dots with a faux wood tree trunk.

Monday wake-up call

Jana Lehmann's action-packed pendant starts the week on PolymerClayDaily.com

Germany’s Jana Lehmann is on a roll. Her newest pieces include extruded strings, dots, stripes, textures, gradations, cutouts, dangles. Oh, and did you notice the closure that’s also a design element?

Jana packs this piece with action for your Monday wake-up call. Feast your eyes on other juicy examples on her Instagram.

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.

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.