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:
___________________________________________
Spring is Almost Here …
February 1, 2016
Inspirational Art
… not that you can tell by the weather! But we are doing our best to get you a bit of Spring by the end of February. Here is your first peek at the next issue of The Polymer Arts, Spring 2016 – Convergence. The issue is set to come out around March 1st.
Gracing our cover is the fabulous Fabiola Periz Ajates, otherwise known as Fabi. And what a fitting name. These brooches give you an idea of some of the articles and eye candy you’ll see in this mixed media, yet polymer-centric, issue. We’ve been trying for a while to do mixed media again, but we had to wait until we had the best ideas and great artists to share them and we really think we do.
Articles you can look forward to include:
- Focal Convergence: Composing with Focal Points
- Converging Clays: Create Metal Clay & Polymer
- Found Fusion: Working with Found Objects
- Fold, Cut, Shred, and Clay: Exploring Paper & Polymer
- All Knotted Up: Polymer & Micro Macrame Designs
- When is a Technique Ready to Share?
- The Best Camera for You and Your Art
- The Perfect Cure: The Final Word on Time & Temperature
- Training Your Artistic Eye
- Convergence at Ravensdale, 20 Years Later
- … and so much more!
I am off today for a family gathering so we are going to get a breather from the challenges today, but I will be back with one on Wed!
___________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our 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 More… not that you can tell by the weather! But we are doing our best to get you a bit of Spring by the end of February. Here is your first peek at the next issue of The Polymer Arts, Spring 2016 – Convergence. The issue is set to come out around March 1st.
Gracing our cover is the fabulous Fabiola Periz Ajates, otherwise known as Fabi. And what a fitting name. These brooches give you an idea of some of the articles and eye candy you’ll see in this mixed media, yet polymer-centric, issue. We’ve been trying for a while to do mixed media again, but we had to wait until we had the best ideas and great artists to share them and we really think we do.
Articles you can look forward to include:
- Focal Convergence: Composing with Focal Points
- Converging Clays: Create Metal Clay & Polymer
- Found Fusion: Working with Found Objects
- Fold, Cut, Shred, and Clay: Exploring Paper & Polymer
- All Knotted Up: Polymer & Micro Macrame Designs
- When is a Technique Ready to Share?
- The Best Camera for You and Your Art
- The Perfect Cure: The Final Word on Time & Temperature
- Training Your Artistic Eye
- Convergence at Ravensdale, 20 Years Later
- … and so much more!
I am off today for a family gathering so we are going to get a breather from the challenges today, but I will be back with one on Wed!
___________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
___________________________________________
Read More