Layering on the Holiday Cheer
December 9, 2016
Inspirational Art
Let’s look at some slightly different ball ornaments today, ones not done in polymer but in an application that could certainly inspire polymer variations.
This beautiful collection of ‘quilted’ ornaments were created by Angela Sofy of Angels Handmade Craft on Etsy. The layers look to be ribbons, rather than fabric, which has been carefully pinned down onto a styrofoam ball to create the mesmerizing patterns. I could imagine doing something similar with cut shapes of clay layered in carefully set patterns. I even thought I might try this following a mandala like application (see the Fall 2016 issue of The Polymer Arts for an article creating polymer mandalas.) How fun that would be and how relaxing during this crazy time of year.
Angela also uses decoupage to add old-time images on the other side of many of these which brings up another point … an ornament doesn’t have to be the same all the way around. Two different techniques (or three or four!) or images can adorn parts of a piece. It’s a round blank canvas so you can do whatever you like.
Angela creates many, many wonderful versions of these along with silk flowers and folded paper decor. Take a look at her Etsy site and dig up some new ideas, if not buy a few of her beauties for yourself. She is in Romania so I am not sure how long it would take to get here but, personally I would love to get these in my mailbox any time of year!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Try a patterned ornament or other festive decor. Cut out a bunch of shapes and then just let intuition take over and enjoy the process.
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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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On the Ball Beauty
December 7, 2016
Inspirational Art
Things are finally starting to settle down here in Sage land although it is always a whirlwind. Even so, I do like to stop and put up a touch of holiday cheer but I like things to be a bit beyond the norm. I have quite a few of the standard glass ornaments in my box that are really asking to be spruced up. But how to do it? I thought maybe we could get a few clever ideas from the very talented sorts out in the polymer world, and I certainly did!
I know black ornaments are probably not what you think of when think ornaments but just look at this beauty! The black background makes the colors of the cane slices just pop with such glamorous results. The ornament is by caning extraordinaire Meg Newberg. She actually created this a couple Christmases ago but left us with some instruction on how to get this effect. Find all the links to what she has for you on her blog post from that time. Then pop over to her home page for even more cool cane ornaments. She has a ton of ideas for these things. And check out her Etsy shop for a slew of cane tutorials.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Grab a basic holiday decoration and do something completely unexpected with it. Use unusual but festive colors, add texture where there usually isn’t and in general, put your kind of beauty on it. Celebrate with your style.
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Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Sparkle on the Tree
December 14, 2013
Inspirational Art
One area glitter and sparkle can comfortably reside is on the holiday tree and in holiday home decor. Jainnie Jenkins was making these ornaments a couple years back but they certainly have a timeless quality about them.
These ornaments are polymer clay overlaid over glass bulb ornaments. Jainnie creates this almost antique effect by layering Pearl-ex powders on the clay. After curing, she scrubs off a lot of the Pearl-ex leaving enough powder to accent the textures and shapes. She has also created similar effects by layering on metallic paints. She found that metallic paints make her work feel a little more loose or organic. Now how often do you hear the words metallic and organic together?
Have a look at more of Jainnie’s work on her Flickr photostream and her blog.
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.
Let’s look at some slightly different ball ornaments today, ones not done in polymer but in an application that could certainly inspire polymer variations.
This beautiful collection of ‘quilted’ ornaments were created by Angela Sofy of Angels Handmade Craft on Etsy. The layers look to be ribbons, rather than fabric, which has been carefully pinned down onto a styrofoam ball to create the mesmerizing patterns. I could imagine doing something similar with cut shapes of clay layered in carefully set patterns. I even thought I might try this following a mandala like application (see the Fall 2016 issue of The Polymer Arts for an article creating polymer mandalas.) How fun that would be and how relaxing during this crazy time of year.
Angela also uses decoupage to add old-time images on the other side of many of these which brings up another point … an ornament doesn’t have to be the same all the way around. Two different techniques (or three or four!) or images can adorn parts of a piece. It’s a round blank canvas so you can do whatever you like.
Angela creates many, many wonderful versions of these along with silk flowers and folded paper decor. Take a look at her Etsy site and dig up some new ideas, if not buy a few of her beauties for yourself. She is in Romania so I am not sure how long it would take to get here but, personally I would love to get these in my mailbox any time of year!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Try a patterned ornament or other festive decor. Cut out a bunch of shapes and then just let intuition take over and enjoy the process.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Read More
Things are finally starting to settle down here in Sage land although it is always a whirlwind. Even so, I do like to stop and put up a touch of holiday cheer but I like things to be a bit beyond the norm. I have quite a few of the standard glass ornaments in my box that are really asking to be spruced up. But how to do it? I thought maybe we could get a few clever ideas from the very talented sorts out in the polymer world, and I certainly did!
I know black ornaments are probably not what you think of when think ornaments but just look at this beauty! The black background makes the colors of the cane slices just pop with such glamorous results. The ornament is by caning extraordinaire Meg Newberg. She actually created this a couple Christmases ago but left us with some instruction on how to get this effect. Find all the links to what she has for you on her blog post from that time. Then pop over to her home page for even more cool cane ornaments. She has a ton of ideas for these things. And check out her Etsy shop for a slew of cane tutorials.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Grab a basic holiday decoration and do something completely unexpected with it. Use unusual but festive colors, add texture where there usually isn’t and in general, put your kind of beauty on it. Celebrate with your style.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Read MoreOne area glitter and sparkle can comfortably reside is on the holiday tree and in holiday home decor. Jainnie Jenkins was making these ornaments a couple years back but they certainly have a timeless quality about them.
These ornaments are polymer clay overlaid over glass bulb ornaments. Jainnie creates this almost antique effect by layering Pearl-ex powders on the clay. After curing, she scrubs off a lot of the Pearl-ex leaving enough powder to accent the textures and shapes. She has also created similar effects by layering on metallic paints. She found that metallic paints make her work feel a little more loose or organic. Now how often do you hear the words metallic and organic together?
Have a look at more of Jainnie’s work on her Flickr photostream and her blog.
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.
