Supplementary Knots
March 9, 2016
Inspirational Art
The original theme of the Spring issue was “Focus”, which is why we have that great article by Loretta Lam on designing with focal points in this latest issue. But last year, Iris Mishly sent me this great proposal for combining polymer with micro macramé and that, along with having these long-standing articles on my wish list to teach epoxy clay and metal clay, had us moving towards a much more mixed media issue.
Iris’ article is very detailed and quite thorough considering the variety and potential use of micro macramé as a substitute for typical metal findings as well as polymer embellishments. It’s really quite exciting, especially for us textile junkies, but I think anyone would find these fun and easy skills a great, inexpensive way to add to the complexity and uniqueness of polymer jewelry art. The macramé can also provide a great, flexible, and decorative stringing option to showcase your polymer elements, as it does in this necklace-turned-headband. Create bails, dangles, bezels, choker, and bracelet bands, or just learn a few quick knots to use as bead spacers.
The article in the Spring issue is a great way to start because it works through everything from planning the polymer elements to a step-by-step for creating a nice end and dangle for a pair of earrings, but Iris also has a couple of free tutorials to share with you, my dear readers. Just go here to get the free tutorials, then explore her site for the more advanced tutorials if you find the macramé bug caught you!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day:Try adding a material to your work you have never used before. Challenge yourself to use the first possible thing you come across either in your house (something that isn’t part of your present craft repertoire) or at a craft store. In your house, it could be dried petals from your potpourri or a foil wrapper from a chocolate candy. Around a craft store you might be intrigued by model airplane decals, scrap-book brads, or fiber used for hair in doll making. Don’t think about it as you look, just see what your eye finds for you.
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Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
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Of Stamp Carving and Swellegant and Wire and Whorls
January 15, 2015
Inspirational Art
Do you like to mix things up? Today we have a blog post that will give you a taste of a number of techniques you can apply to a wide range of other work. Carve your own rubber stamps, create colorful patinas on stamped polymer clay and wrap up your patina-colored pieces with wire frames full of loops and whorls.
This great mixed media approach is a result of explorations by wire artist, Gayle Bird. She seems unafraid of trying and mixing it up with all kinds of materials to create her intricate pieces. Wire is her home base material, but polymer, glass, stones and found objects play important roles in her neckpieces and rings.
Her post on these mixed media pendants can be found on her website. You won’t find a lot of very specific instructions but rather a series of ideas. For those ideas that really pique your interest, take it a step further and seek out independent instruction for more details. If you’re looking for a how-to on carving rubber stamps with linoleum cutters, try this Stamp Carving 101 lesson here. For using Swellegant, B’sue’s Swellegant articles are some of the best. And for wire work, well, there are many, many sources for that, but you can start with some of Gayle’s tutorials or go to Pinterest and search for “wire work tutorials” to show a wide range from which to choose the approach that interests you.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
The original theme of the Spring issue was “Focus”, which is why we have that great article by Loretta Lam on designing with focal points in this latest issue. But last year, Iris Mishly sent me this great proposal for combining polymer with micro macramé and that, along with having these long-standing articles on my wish list to teach epoxy clay and metal clay, had us moving towards a much more mixed media issue.
Iris’ article is very detailed and quite thorough considering the variety and potential use of micro macramé as a substitute for typical metal findings as well as polymer embellishments. It’s really quite exciting, especially for us textile junkies, but I think anyone would find these fun and easy skills a great, inexpensive way to add to the complexity and uniqueness of polymer jewelry art. The macramé can also provide a great, flexible, and decorative stringing option to showcase your polymer elements, as it does in this necklace-turned-headband. Create bails, dangles, bezels, choker, and bracelet bands, or just learn a few quick knots to use as bead spacers.
The article in the Spring issue is a great way to start because it works through everything from planning the polymer elements to a step-by-step for creating a nice end and dangle for a pair of earrings, but Iris also has a couple of free tutorials to share with you, my dear readers. Just go here to get the free tutorials, then explore her site for the more advanced tutorials if you find the macramé bug caught you!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day:Try adding a material to your work you have never used before. Challenge yourself to use the first possible thing you come across either in your house (something that isn’t part of your present craft repertoire) or at a craft store. In your house, it could be dried petals from your potpourri or a foil wrapper from a chocolate candy. Around a craft store you might be intrigued by model airplane decals, scrap-book brads, or fiber used for hair in doll making. Don’t think about it as you look, just see what your eye finds for you.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
___________________________________________
Read MoreDo you like to mix things up? Today we have a blog post that will give you a taste of a number of techniques you can apply to a wide range of other work. Carve your own rubber stamps, create colorful patinas on stamped polymer clay and wrap up your patina-colored pieces with wire frames full of loops and whorls.
This great mixed media approach is a result of explorations by wire artist, Gayle Bird. She seems unafraid of trying and mixing it up with all kinds of materials to create her intricate pieces. Wire is her home base material, but polymer, glass, stones and found objects play important roles in her neckpieces and rings.
Her post on these mixed media pendants can be found on her website. You won’t find a lot of very specific instructions but rather a series of ideas. For those ideas that really pique your interest, take it a step further and seek out independent instruction for more details. If you’re looking for a how-to on carving rubber stamps with linoleum cutters, try this Stamp Carving 101 lesson here. For using Swellegant, B’sue’s Swellegant articles are some of the best. And for wire work, well, there are many, many sources for that, but you can start with some of Gayle’s tutorials or go to Pinterest and search for “wire work tutorials” to show a wide range from which to choose the approach that interests you.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
