The Convergence of Like Materials

March 7, 2016

DStubitschPinkAs I mentioned last week, I was very excited to have a metal clay article for this issue. I have been wanting to do one for a while, especially since Metal Clay Artist magazine was forced to close their doors. I spent a lot of time conversing with the editor of MCAM, Jeannette Froese LeBlanc, trying to find a way to integrate our periodicals so they could continue to provide articles to metal clayers, but this market is a big challenge. Jeanette eventually went onto create Creative Fire, an online periodical, presented blog style, with in-depth and magazine-quality posts. If you are interested in metal clay, you need to subscribe to the free posts there.

It was through those conversations that I was steered to Dawn Stubitsch who so kindly agreed to write The Polymer Arts magazine’s first metal clay article. Dawn has been working in polymer for quite a while and only found metal clay as a way to create more durable bails for her pendants. The combination resulted in some truly unique pendants, like the one you see here. The bail is not just something added as a functional necessity, but it is the real focal point of the pendant. You don’t even think about it being a bail; it’s that strong center that holds all the riotous colors and patterns together.

I’m hoping Dawn’s article, with its clear direction and many tips, will get polymer clayers to consider giving metal clay a try. We use a lot of the same tools and many polymer skills translate quite directly to metal clay. As with many of the articles in the Spring issue, which focuses on the convergence of polymer and similar or complementary materials, we hope you see how expanding materials to use with polymer so greatly expands your creative potential with clay.

For more pieces from Dawn, go to her Flickr page, or check out her Facebook artist’s page where you can find shots from her work table that will complement what you see in the article, as well as more of her work.

Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Create or design a functional part of a piece as the focal point. It could be bail, an ear wire, or a necklace or bracelet clasp. If you are creating decor, it could be the handle, knob, latch, feet, or lid of the piece. Or if you’re creating a sculpture, make the base or wall hanging a well considered and important piece of the composition. Make it so the part in your craft art that is necessary for function comes across just as, or more than, necessary for the design.

_________________________________________

Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:

PCTV March 2016 Blog

___________________________________________

Outside Inspiration: Visions in Metal

February 6, 2015

Na Pali Moon I 2012 07131_0Looking at all the other craft mediums out there, there is so much in the way of representational imagery. It was hard to decide what to share today. But since we are so many of us jewelry artists, I decided to return to the classic precious metal jewelry craft.  This particular piece titled Na Pali Moon by Joan Tenenbaum uses several different classic techniques including reticulation (heating precious metal to cause ripples on the surface), cutting, patina surface treatments and even mokume gane (quick … can you find it?). For an all metal piece, the colors are particularly amazing and well controlled.

Joan described what she was trying to recreate here: “I have long been fascinated by the view of distant hills as they disappear into the mist. I love how they become less and less distinct and fade in color the farther away they are. As one looks along the coast, the rippling texture of the ridges of headlands has always inspired visions of jewelry capturing that movement and that landscape. In Na Pali Moon I have combined this theme with another favorite — that of moonlight on water. There are many beautiful coastlines, but the distinctive northwest coast of the Island of Kauai is one of the most exciting to me.”

I can see this kind of thing being made in polymer too. Polymer would lend itself well to the layers and textures. The hardest part might be mixing the muted colors to keep the serene feeling of such a scene.  For more on Joan’s work and process, take a look at her gallery here.

Speaking of precious metal jewelry, our friends over at Metal Clay Artist magazine have had a terrible financial blow fall on them due to another business’s faulty practices. The problem is so bad that they’ve suspended publication on this magazine indefinitely — and it’s the only metal clay focused magazine in print! I am particularly saddened by and empathetic to their situation because MCAM is so much like The Polymer Arts — created by and for artists in a new medium and out of a passion to share with and grow their community. They even publish polymer clay articles, so you know they’re good people! We have been in touch to see how TPA might help, but first the editor, Jeanette LeBlanc, needs to get out from under the overwhelming financial burden caused by unforeseeable circumstances. You can read more on this story and how you can help and even get yourself some goodies or issues of this beautiful magazines at this MCAM FundMe page.  Or go to the Metal Clay Artists’ website to buy a back issue or two. Get new inspiration, and help out a fellow artist dedicated to helping fellow crafters.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Ancient and Embedded

June 12, 2014

There are a lot of techniques going on in this intriguing pendant from Celie Fago including embedded diamonds that add both accents of color and help form the image of the lizard. Pretty nice effect.

celie fago lizard

Celie is one of those artists that is not afraid to mix and match anything … techniques, materials or even influences. Just take a lot around her website for more fabulous ideas and mixing it up!

 

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.

14-P2 CoverFnl-blog   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-5   Basic RGB

The Convergence of Like Materials

March 7, 2016
Posted in

DStubitschPinkAs I mentioned last week, I was very excited to have a metal clay article for this issue. I have been wanting to do one for a while, especially since Metal Clay Artist magazine was forced to close their doors. I spent a lot of time conversing with the editor of MCAM, Jeannette Froese LeBlanc, trying to find a way to integrate our periodicals so they could continue to provide articles to metal clayers, but this market is a big challenge. Jeanette eventually went onto create Creative Fire, an online periodical, presented blog style, with in-depth and magazine-quality posts. If you are interested in metal clay, you need to subscribe to the free posts there.

It was through those conversations that I was steered to Dawn Stubitsch who so kindly agreed to write The Polymer Arts magazine’s first metal clay article. Dawn has been working in polymer for quite a while and only found metal clay as a way to create more durable bails for her pendants. The combination resulted in some truly unique pendants, like the one you see here. The bail is not just something added as a functional necessity, but it is the real focal point of the pendant. You don’t even think about it being a bail; it’s that strong center that holds all the riotous colors and patterns together.

I’m hoping Dawn’s article, with its clear direction and many tips, will get polymer clayers to consider giving metal clay a try. We use a lot of the same tools and many polymer skills translate quite directly to metal clay. As with many of the articles in the Spring issue, which focuses on the convergence of polymer and similar or complementary materials, we hope you see how expanding materials to use with polymer so greatly expands your creative potential with clay.

For more pieces from Dawn, go to her Flickr page, or check out her Facebook artist’s page where you can find shots from her work table that will complement what you see in the article, as well as more of her work.

Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Create or design a functional part of a piece as the focal point. It could be bail, an ear wire, or a necklace or bracelet clasp. If you are creating decor, it could be the handle, knob, latch, feet, or lid of the piece. Or if you’re creating a sculpture, make the base or wall hanging a well considered and important piece of the composition. Make it so the part in your craft art that is necessary for function comes across just as, or more than, necessary for the design.

_________________________________________

Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:

PCTV March 2016 Blog

___________________________________________

Read More

Outside Inspiration: Visions in Metal

February 6, 2015
Posted in

Na Pali Moon I 2012 07131_0Looking at all the other craft mediums out there, there is so much in the way of representational imagery. It was hard to decide what to share today. But since we are so many of us jewelry artists, I decided to return to the classic precious metal jewelry craft.  This particular piece titled Na Pali Moon by Joan Tenenbaum uses several different classic techniques including reticulation (heating precious metal to cause ripples on the surface), cutting, patina surface treatments and even mokume gane (quick … can you find it?). For an all metal piece, the colors are particularly amazing and well controlled.

Joan described what she was trying to recreate here: “I have long been fascinated by the view of distant hills as they disappear into the mist. I love how they become less and less distinct and fade in color the farther away they are. As one looks along the coast, the rippling texture of the ridges of headlands has always inspired visions of jewelry capturing that movement and that landscape. In Na Pali Moon I have combined this theme with another favorite — that of moonlight on water. There are many beautiful coastlines, but the distinctive northwest coast of the Island of Kauai is one of the most exciting to me.”

I can see this kind of thing being made in polymer too. Polymer would lend itself well to the layers and textures. The hardest part might be mixing the muted colors to keep the serene feeling of such a scene.  For more on Joan’s work and process, take a look at her gallery here.

Speaking of precious metal jewelry, our friends over at Metal Clay Artist magazine have had a terrible financial blow fall on them due to another business’s faulty practices. The problem is so bad that they’ve suspended publication on this magazine indefinitely — and it’s the only metal clay focused magazine in print! I am particularly saddened by and empathetic to their situation because MCAM is so much like The Polymer Arts — created by and for artists in a new medium and out of a passion to share with and grow their community. They even publish polymer clay articles, so you know they’re good people! We have been in touch to see how TPA might help, but first the editor, Jeanette LeBlanc, needs to get out from under the overwhelming financial burden caused by unforeseeable circumstances. You can read more on this story and how you can help and even get yourself some goodies or issues of this beautiful magazines at this MCAM FundMe page.  Or go to the Metal Clay Artists’ website to buy a back issue or two. Get new inspiration, and help out a fellow artist dedicated to helping fellow crafters.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Read More

Ancient and Embedded

June 12, 2014
Posted in

There are a lot of techniques going on in this intriguing pendant from Celie Fago including embedded diamonds that add both accents of color and help form the image of the lizard. Pretty nice effect.

celie fago lizard

Celie is one of those artists that is not afraid to mix and match anything … techniques, materials or even influences. Just take a lot around her website for more fabulous ideas and mixing it up!

 

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.

14-P2 CoverFnl-blog   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-5   Basic RGB

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