Ripples in the Works
September 22, 2014
Inspirational Art
This week we’re going to look at rippling and related visuals. Inspired by Shibori and Shibori like items on Pinterest, my editorial assistant Paula Gilbert, sent me a number of links to Shirbori like pieces. Shibori, according to the entry on Wikipedia, is a Japanese tie-dying technique. There are an infinite number of ways one can bind, stitch, fold, twist, or compress cloth for Shibori, and each way results in very different patterns.”
In polymer, folding or fitting together sections of blended clay can readily emulate the look of shibori. This beautiful bracelet was created by Kim Cavender, and looks to be inspired by a common folded and stitched technique used with silks in Shibori. Her notes on Flickr do point to dyed silk ribbons as the inspiration.
If you want to see the wide variety of Shibori techniques out there, just punch the term into Google images, Pinterest or Flickr and you will find yourself just drowning in all the luscious textures and colors shibori artists’ offer. And for more Kim Cavender, take a look at her Flickr pages 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.
Influencing a Master
January 8, 2014
Inspirational Art
This tribal neck piece is made from textured colored polymer, oxidized sterling silver, horse hair, and antique coral. This collection of tribal work is based on Kathleen Dustin’s familiarity with ethnic jewelry from her nine years of living overseas and her extensive travels around the world. Hand-worked texture is the overriding technique in this piece. Take a look at Kathleen’s Pinterest board to see her abstract series that uses translucent layering techniques that resemble enamel on metal. She is creating pieces that reflect how all the fragments of our lives – prosperity, pain, crises, good times – come together to make something beautiful as a whole. Her work is influenced by the work of many abstract artists as well.
Again “there’s nothing new under the sun;” this style of jewelry dates back thousands of years. The commonality in motifs of primitive indigenous cultures is apparent. Compare Vicki Grant’s work on this Pinterest board with the African Protective Amulet Man’s Necklace made with leather, silk, and pigments. If you are in need of some serious style inspiration, take a look at these tribal designs for a fresh new look at graphic influences that have stood the test of time.
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.
Outside Inspiration: Silk and Pearls
May 4, 2013
Inspirational Art
Going to stop being so serious and just enjoy some beautiful work today.
These bangles are the work of Alyson Goldberg (goes by just Alyson G.) They are hand painted and gathered silks with peridot, garnet, aquamarine and pearls tucked into the folds.
I was going to say its an unexpected combination but then I thought of beaded dresses and such. Maybe we don’t get garnets and peridot on our beaded attire much these days but it’s not unheard of. Pearls on wedding dresses are not at all uncommon. What is unexpected is that it’s beading and fabric as a piece of jewelry. But why not? We add beading to clothing as a means of accenting them and jewelry is worn as a kind of accent on our person. Same idea, right? So why not take those lovely designs off the dress and put them on pieces that can be worn and shown off on more than just one ensemble? Makes so much sense.
Alyson actually works with a lot of chain and beads. These bangles are quite a departure from her other jewelry. But there is nothing wrong with exploring something out of your range. From the press she’s gotten, its pretty obvious that these bracelets are now what she’s known for. Understandably. So, yep, don’t be afraid to step outside your usual line of exploration. You just never know what you might find and where it will take you.
This week we’re going to look at rippling and related visuals. Inspired by Shibori and Shibori like items on Pinterest, my editorial assistant Paula Gilbert, sent me a number of links to Shirbori like pieces. Shibori, according to the entry on Wikipedia, is a Japanese tie-dying technique. There are an infinite number of ways one can bind, stitch, fold, twist, or compress cloth for Shibori, and each way results in very different patterns.”
In polymer, folding or fitting together sections of blended clay can readily emulate the look of shibori. This beautiful bracelet was created by Kim Cavender, and looks to be inspired by a common folded and stitched technique used with silks in Shibori. Her notes on Flickr do point to dyed silk ribbons as the inspiration.
If you want to see the wide variety of Shibori techniques out there, just punch the term into Google images, Pinterest or Flickr and you will find yourself just drowning in all the luscious textures and colors shibori artists’ offer. And for more Kim Cavender, take a look at her Flickr pages 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.
This tribal neck piece is made from textured colored polymer, oxidized sterling silver, horse hair, and antique coral. This collection of tribal work is based on Kathleen Dustin’s familiarity with ethnic jewelry from her nine years of living overseas and her extensive travels around the world. Hand-worked texture is the overriding technique in this piece. Take a look at Kathleen’s Pinterest board to see her abstract series that uses translucent layering techniques that resemble enamel on metal. She is creating pieces that reflect how all the fragments of our lives – prosperity, pain, crises, good times – come together to make something beautiful as a whole. Her work is influenced by the work of many abstract artists as well.
Again “there’s nothing new under the sun;” this style of jewelry dates back thousands of years. The commonality in motifs of primitive indigenous cultures is apparent. Compare Vicki Grant’s work on this Pinterest board with the African Protective Amulet Man’s Necklace made with leather, silk, and pigments. If you are in need of some serious style inspiration, take a look at these tribal designs for a fresh new look at graphic influences that have stood the test of time.
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.
Going to stop being so serious and just enjoy some beautiful work today.
These bangles are the work of Alyson Goldberg (goes by just Alyson G.) They are hand painted and gathered silks with peridot, garnet, aquamarine and pearls tucked into the folds.
I was going to say its an unexpected combination but then I thought of beaded dresses and such. Maybe we don’t get garnets and peridot on our beaded attire much these days but it’s not unheard of. Pearls on wedding dresses are not at all uncommon. What is unexpected is that it’s beading and fabric as a piece of jewelry. But why not? We add beading to clothing as a means of accenting them and jewelry is worn as a kind of accent on our person. Same idea, right? So why not take those lovely designs off the dress and put them on pieces that can be worn and shown off on more than just one ensemble? Makes so much sense.
Alyson actually works with a lot of chain and beads. These bangles are quite a departure from her other jewelry. But there is nothing wrong with exploring something out of your range. From the press she’s gotten, its pretty obvious that these bracelets are now what she’s known for. Understandably. So, yep, don’t be afraid to step outside your usual line of exploration. You just never know what you might find and where it will take you.
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