Just Dots
May 14, 2014
Inspirational Art
If you ever did petri dish tests in biology class or left the tomato sauce too many weeks in the fridge, you might recognize the patterning of this next piece for our microscopic week. This is a simple but visually high impact bracelet by Mathilde Colas. It’s not often that we think of mold or mildew as inspiring much beyond disgust but all of nature has a beauty to it. The delicate dots and rich colors against a stark white background make for a calm but dramatic beauty here.
It seems obvious, looking at her body of work, that Mathilde Colas is heavily influenced by nature in all its forms, from the color of spring flowers to the decay of late autumn. Take a look at her work and read up on her thoughts on her blog website.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Easy Knitted Polymer
April 20, 2014
Technique tutorials, Tips and Tricks
This Canadian artist, Shireen Nadir, is passionate about arts and crafts and admits that she is just learning about polymer. Because she likes working in textiles, especially knitting and weaving, she decided to try a knitting technique with the polymer bangle bracelet shown here. She gives a complete tutorial on her blog “The Blue Brick” for making this bracelet, as well as tutorials on other projects.
Shireen works as a photographer, and if you would like to know more about her, check out her website. Hope you had a lovely Easter or Spring Holiday with your family and friends.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Texture in Animal Print
April 17, 2014
Inspirational Art
This animal print bracelet made by Slovenian artist Tina Mežek is another good example of what could be fabric inspired polymer clay. The rich, bold, earthtone color choices are typical of animal print fabrics and the textured surface gives this bangle the feel and look of a base covered in a rich woven cloth.
Tina is a designer who loves to work with mixed media, precious metals, wire, and Swarovski crystals, as well as polymer clay. If you would like to see more of her designs, visit her Flickr pages or her Facebook page. And if you would like to learn how to do this type of design, take one of her classes or workshops. She teaches for CraftArtEdu and there is a list of her workshops on her website.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
On the Edge of Fall
March 20, 2014
Inspirational Art
I found this bracelet awhile back but have yet to find the artist who created it. The pin leads to the www.polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com page but after searching posts for far too long, I couldn’t find it. Can our readers help us out?
I know we are so far from Autumn up here in the Northern Hemisphere but our Southern counterparts are entering the season right about now. And who can resist the beauty of rich rusts and glowing earth tones any time of year? I love the way the edges are treated in both layers, one torn and the other scored and worn looking so the feel from imagery to texture has a very soft and natural feel to it.
Ok … so who can get us some answers? We’ll update the post as soon as we find out who created this lovely piece.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Atypical Bracelets
March 19, 2014
Inspirational Art
There is actually a lot of commonality between today’s bracelets and the one’s in yesterday’s post. Like Evgeny, Andrea Zajacová also uses contrast in texture but in a more graphic manner. The concept and approach to design using contrast is similar but with a very different feel. Although obviously handmade and inexact, the bracelet is designed in sections instead of scattering the three-dimensional pieces around the whole of it’s circumference. This gives the bracelet a specific area of focus with that fully tactile texture contrasting the low visual texture of the other areas as well as high contrast in color between the purples and yellows.
Andrea posted variations of this bracelet on this blog post. Great colors palettes. And she has a lot more art to share in her store as well.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Organic Grace
March 18, 2014
Inspirational Art
This combination of organic plant and stone texture comes across as rather luscious and graceful. This creative bracelet by Russian artist, Evgeny Alexandrov, is an ode to the vivacity of natural elements. This bracelet design mirrors the feel of the rocks and the velvety moss that covers them. The succulent looking plants are fashioned with smooth surfaces, while the rock and the moss offer an enticing contrast to the tactile nature of the surfaces.
Evgeny’s work is full of luscious organic forms and the tactile textures. You can admire more of her work in her online shop.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
The Art of the Bracelet
March 17, 2014
Inspirational Art
I have avoided doing a week with the theme particular to a type of jewelry but we have a list of really amazing bracelets that I just can’t wait to share with you any longer. The reason I wanted to avoid a single form was because it could end up being a week of pieces that only inspire those that work in that form, but these bracelets I’m bringing you this week have surface treatments and textures that can apply to all kinds of polymer–from other forms of jewelry to decor and even sculpture. Even if you don’t create bracelets, much or not at all, look at what the pieces present in terms of techniques and combinations of characteristics. I think many of you will find exciting inspiration everyday this week.
This first bracelet is actually some of DDee Wilder’s older work but I think her combination of techniques, colors and forms still have lessons for us now. The combination of colors vibrate along with the sliced polymer spots stretching out on the inside of the bracelet emphasizing the spin of the curling, rippling form that makes this such a lively bracelet.
DDee has a whole series of these bracelets you can enjoy on her Flickr pages, but don’t stop there. She has many other lovely forms, textures and palettes to inspire you, no matter what forms you prefer to work in.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
What Color Lies Beneath
February 11, 2014
Inspirational Art
With the 22nd Winter Olympic Games being held in Sochi, Russia right now, it seems like a perfect time turn our focus to art work from the area. Oxana Volkova, a mixed medium artist with a serious love of color living in Moscow. She calls these bracelets Color Splash 2 for what is probably an obvious reason.
The kaleidoscope of colors here works well due to the relative simplicity of the design. I know, it doesn’t appear simple but there are only the elements of texture and color being used and in a limited way. The colors and lines of texture both run across the width of the bracelet but the variation in color and the unevenness of the texture give the surface a bit of tension and energy.
Oxana loves bold, brilliant colors and likes to mix media. She mixes her mediums so expertly, it is sometimes hard to tell where one stops and the other begins. For more color and texture ideas in a variety of mediums, take a look at her Flickr photostream when you have a break today.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Moving Tribal
January 11, 2014
Inspirational Art
Polymer artist, Kim Otterbein, sees jewelry design as a meaningful way to express herself creatively. Her bracelets pictured here appear to be influenced by the tribal bangles made from bamboo and carved wood found in Africa and other Asian countries.
The warmth of the faux wood and the juxtaposition of the metal bands and charms add interest as well as a fun, kinetic element to the bracelets. In addition, words and prayers are written on many of her pieces in the hope of making the wearer feel a sense of peace, protection, and healing.
If you would like to see more of Kim’s work and step-by-step instructions, take a look at her website and check out her book, “Polymer Clay 101,” written in partnership with Angela Mabray. It comes with a high quality DVD to provide visual instructions.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
If you ever did petri dish tests in biology class or left the tomato sauce too many weeks in the fridge, you might recognize the patterning of this next piece for our microscopic week. This is a simple but visually high impact bracelet by Mathilde Colas. It’s not often that we think of mold or mildew as inspiring much beyond disgust but all of nature has a beauty to it. The delicate dots and rich colors against a stark white background make for a calm but dramatic beauty here.
It seems obvious, looking at her body of work, that Mathilde Colas is heavily influenced by nature in all its forms, from the color of spring flowers to the decay of late autumn. Take a look at her work and read up on her thoughts on her blog website.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
This Canadian artist, Shireen Nadir, is passionate about arts and crafts and admits that she is just learning about polymer. Because she likes working in textiles, especially knitting and weaving, she decided to try a knitting technique with the polymer bangle bracelet shown here. She gives a complete tutorial on her blog “The Blue Brick” for making this bracelet, as well as tutorials on other projects.
Shireen works as a photographer, and if you would like to know more about her, check out her website. Hope you had a lovely Easter or Spring Holiday with your family and friends.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
This animal print bracelet made by Slovenian artist Tina Mežek is another good example of what could be fabric inspired polymer clay. The rich, bold, earthtone color choices are typical of animal print fabrics and the textured surface gives this bangle the feel and look of a base covered in a rich woven cloth.
Tina is a designer who loves to work with mixed media, precious metals, wire, and Swarovski crystals, as well as polymer clay. If you would like to see more of her designs, visit her Flickr pages or her Facebook page. And if you would like to learn how to do this type of design, take one of her classes or workshops. She teaches for CraftArtEdu and there is a list of her workshops on her website.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
I found this bracelet awhile back but have yet to find the artist who created it. The pin leads to the www.polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com page but after searching posts for far too long, I couldn’t find it. Can our readers help us out?
I know we are so far from Autumn up here in the Northern Hemisphere but our Southern counterparts are entering the season right about now. And who can resist the beauty of rich rusts and glowing earth tones any time of year? I love the way the edges are treated in both layers, one torn and the other scored and worn looking so the feel from imagery to texture has a very soft and natural feel to it.
Ok … so who can get us some answers? We’ll update the post as soon as we find out who created this lovely piece.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
There is actually a lot of commonality between today’s bracelets and the one’s in yesterday’s post. Like Evgeny, Andrea Zajacová also uses contrast in texture but in a more graphic manner. The concept and approach to design using contrast is similar but with a very different feel. Although obviously handmade and inexact, the bracelet is designed in sections instead of scattering the three-dimensional pieces around the whole of it’s circumference. This gives the bracelet a specific area of focus with that fully tactile texture contrasting the low visual texture of the other areas as well as high contrast in color between the purples and yellows.
Andrea posted variations of this bracelet on this blog post. Great colors palettes. And she has a lot more art to share in her store as well.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
This combination of organic plant and stone texture comes across as rather luscious and graceful. This creative bracelet by Russian artist, Evgeny Alexandrov, is an ode to the vivacity of natural elements. This bracelet design mirrors the feel of the rocks and the velvety moss that covers them. The succulent looking plants are fashioned with smooth surfaces, while the rock and the moss offer an enticing contrast to the tactile nature of the surfaces.
Evgeny’s work is full of luscious organic forms and the tactile textures. You can admire more of her work in her online shop.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
I have avoided doing a week with the theme particular to a type of jewelry but we have a list of really amazing bracelets that I just can’t wait to share with you any longer. The reason I wanted to avoid a single form was because it could end up being a week of pieces that only inspire those that work in that form, but these bracelets I’m bringing you this week have surface treatments and textures that can apply to all kinds of polymer–from other forms of jewelry to decor and even sculpture. Even if you don’t create bracelets, much or not at all, look at what the pieces present in terms of techniques and combinations of characteristics. I think many of you will find exciting inspiration everyday this week.
This first bracelet is actually some of DDee Wilder’s older work but I think her combination of techniques, colors and forms still have lessons for us now. The combination of colors vibrate along with the sliced polymer spots stretching out on the inside of the bracelet emphasizing the spin of the curling, rippling form that makes this such a lively bracelet.
DDee has a whole series of these bracelets you can enjoy on her Flickr pages, but don’t stop there. She has many other lovely forms, textures and palettes to inspire you, no matter what forms you prefer to work in.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
With the 22nd Winter Olympic Games being held in Sochi, Russia right now, it seems like a perfect time turn our focus to art work from the area. Oxana Volkova, a mixed medium artist with a serious love of color living in Moscow. She calls these bracelets Color Splash 2 for what is probably an obvious reason.
The kaleidoscope of colors here works well due to the relative simplicity of the design. I know, it doesn’t appear simple but there are only the elements of texture and color being used and in a limited way. The colors and lines of texture both run across the width of the bracelet but the variation in color and the unevenness of the texture give the surface a bit of tension and energy.
Oxana loves bold, brilliant colors and likes to mix media. She mixes her mediums so expertly, it is sometimes hard to tell where one stops and the other begins. For more color and texture ideas in a variety of mediums, take a look at her Flickr photostream when you have a break today.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Polymer artist, Kim Otterbein, sees jewelry design as a meaningful way to express herself creatively. Her bracelets pictured here appear to be influenced by the tribal bangles made from bamboo and carved wood found in Africa and other Asian countries.
The warmth of the faux wood and the juxtaposition of the metal bands and charms add interest as well as a fun, kinetic element to the bracelets. In addition, words and prayers are written on many of her pieces in the hope of making the wearer feel a sense of peace, protection, and healing.
If you would like to see more of Kim’s work and step-by-step instructions, take a look at her website and check out her book, “Polymer Clay 101,” written in partnership with Angela Mabray. It comes with a high quality DVD to provide visual instructions.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
