Thread and Clay
July 2, 2018 Inspirational Art
Guest Blog Post by Stéphanie Kilgast
Justyna Wołodkiewicz mixes embroidery with polymer clay in an always poetic way.
She seamlessly binds traditional arts to very contemporary ones, resulting in often abstract and always mesmerizing works of art.
Her work vacillates between organic shapes and precise geometry with a dash of oddity. Eyes and sad or sleepy faces often inhabit her embroidery hoops.
Her world is one of colors, and she effortlessly mixes hues and shades, giving each sculptural work a different set of emotions.
Her artist’s name, “Nibyniebo,” translates into “just like the sky,” and just like the sky, her work is an evidence of poetry that will resonate within you.
You can follow her artistic journey on Instagram and also buy certain of her pieces on her website.
Stéphanie Kilgast shares and teaches her craft through video and online tutorials. Find them at www.petitplat.fr and follow her on Instagram @petitplat.
The Eclectic Artisans
December 22, 2017 Inspirational Art
Some of the most fun I’ve been having on Instagram is how easy it is to find other great art outside of polymer. I love my Pinterest but my pages are stuffed with polymer art, which is wonderful, of course, but there is so much to be seen and inspired by outside of our community and Instagram is delivering a wonderful variety of it.
One of my favorite collector type accounts so far is “The Eclectic Artisans“, a curated showcase of all kinds of art jewelry. That is where I found this stunning piece by Poland’s Jolanta Bromke. Can you tell what the material is that makes up the green portions of the butterfly and leaves? Would you have thought it was embroidery at first glance? How clever and how beautifully done.
The idea of flight and delicacy is so nicely done in the way the components are attached at only one point, as if they will all get up and flutter off at any moment. And the variety of bright greens in the subtle texture of the embroidered threads contrasted by the smooth surfaces of the stones creates a fine balance of texture in a nearly monochrome piece.
The Eclectic Artisans is not only a curator of fantastic contemporary and innovative jewelry, but it’s also a store. And what a store! The Australian-based company showcases, at this time, Australian-based artists, with primarily clean, contemporary designs at exceptionally reasonable prices. You can peruse their shop online here and for more of Jolanta’s work, go to her Facebook page where you can also find amazing leather work that looks like porcelain in other inspiring designs.
Hopefully, I’ll be seeing quite a few of you now on Instagram (find us under “thepolymerarts” if you haven’t already, and I’ll follow you back) but in the meantime, let me wish you a happy holiday as we go into the Christmas weekend. Be safe if you are traveling and I’ll catch up with you all next week after Christmas day.
Mid Week Underwater Color Burst
May 4, 2016 Inspirational Art
Here’s a quick and colorful look at some further fishy polymer today.
This bright pendant is by Estonia’s Katrina of the shop Filigrina on Etsy. We took a peek at another ocean inspired work of hers last year and although this is the same form of pendant, where the other piece was in a limited palette of blues and white, this has a ton of full strength color to show off all this hand tooled texture.
Katrina uses the same basic techniques employed for what is often called polymer embroidery but this time, there are no flowers, which the application is commonly used to create. Obviously the technique is perfect for undersea scenery as well!
I’m sorry this is so short but I must go catch a plane and leave all my little fishes behind. Enjoy this little mid-week color burst!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Go crazy with color. Use color directly from the packet, choosing the brightest ones you have. Try using more of the colors you tend to steer away from. Create or design a piece with the color itself as inspiration. Let the things and memories that these colors remind you of be the source for imagery, form, texture and lines.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
_________________________________________
Combining Filigree, Embroidery and Applique
June 19, 2015 Inspirational Art
Take a close look at this jewelry set. How many variations of impressing, winding, twisting, layering and embedding little bits of clay do you see here? I’ve gotten a different count each time; I’m giving up on trying to give it a number and have spent my time admiring and determining the variation. And the patience. The lining up of these little bits to create lines or to create dense areas of texture is very precise. The variety enlivens the limited palette, which would otherwise be relying primarily on the contrast of lights and darks for impact.
This particular image was found on Pinterest attached to a number of boards all leading to the same image link, which will not lead me to any websites where I can find more information about the artist. That is a little maddening because the name is listed right there. It even looks familiar, but I can’t search farther for the simple reason that I can’t type in those letters. So, I’m sitting at a dead-end without any more information for you. I’m hoping one of you wonderful readers can read the text and then can send me a link. I believe this was pulled off vk.com (for the English only folks on here … it’s like Facebook for Eastern Europe and happens to be the #1 most visited site in that part of the world, as well as falling into the top 50 most visited sites worldwide), so I’m hoping someone can find it for us. You know how I don’t like to avoid bringing you art simply because I can’t find its origin, and I do like correcting that.
And as a little reminder in that vein … always add the artist’s name or website to your pins, even if you are just pinning it for yourself. Anything that is pinned on a non-private board (the default for Pinning) can and usually is picked up by others, but when it’s picked up off a home page that changes (like blogs) or a page that is temporary or the link gets broken or removed, the artist is no longer linked. If you like it enough to pin it, do what you can to ensure people who pull your pins can find the person who kindly shared their work with us and inspired us in the first place.
*Update* Many thanks go out to our reader Janna who found our the website of our artist, Olesyah Kalenova: http://vk.com/olesyakalenovahandmade.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine, as well as by supporting our advertising partners.
It’s All in the Details
June 4, 2014 Inspirational Art
Russian artist Natalia Lemeshchenko makes these monochromatic color scheme jewelry sets with intricate patterns that look a lot like hand embroidered fabrics. The details are so exact and executed to perfection; I can only imagine how much time and patience it takes to do this quality of work…not to mention keen eyesight and a very steady hand! If you like embroidery or needlework, or if you have ever wanted to try your hand it at, you might try some polymer designs inspired by these fabric techniques.
To see more of Natalia’s work, check out her gallery pages. There are close-ups of some more embroidery inspired designs, as well as blogs and such.
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.
Falling Spring
January 15, 2014 Inspirational Art
Jennifer Morris has a mixed media approach to her polymer clay work. She has a signature embroidery style that uses an ever-changing mixed-media combination of polymer clay infused with gold and silver leaf, and she often incorporates recycled papers and fabric pulp into her designs. These fringed earrings look like heavy stones, but are actually light and airy when worn.
Let Jennifer’s work inspire you to push your materials into unexpected places, using them in fresh new ways. Try a little mixed media by adding different materials to your work or by embellishing your work with embroidery or crochet stitches. Check out this interview with Jennifer on Etsy.
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.
A Filigree Farewell to Christmas
December 26, 2012 Inspirational Art
Perhaps you are all a bit tired of Christmas, but I only just found this beautiful set late last night and thought one more holiday piece could be shared.
Leah Hagen of LeeLee Beads is a polymer filigree fanatic. She seems to have explored every possible approach for winding thin snakes of clay about a bead. These “Vintage Christmas” beads are a charming example of Leah’s varied filigree approach.
If you have an interest in polymer filigree, embroidery, or lace like applications take a look at Leah’s Flickr page.
Guest Blog Post by Stéphanie Kilgast
Justyna Wołodkiewicz mixes embroidery with polymer clay in an always poetic way.
She seamlessly binds traditional arts to very contemporary ones, resulting in often abstract and always mesmerizing works of art.
Her work vacillates between organic shapes and precise geometry with a dash of oddity. Eyes and sad or sleepy faces often inhabit her embroidery hoops.
Her world is one of colors, and she effortlessly mixes hues and shades, giving each sculptural work a different set of emotions.
Her artist’s name, “Nibyniebo,” translates into “just like the sky,” and just like the sky, her work is an evidence of poetry that will resonate within you.
You can follow her artistic journey on Instagram and also buy certain of her pieces on her website.
Stéphanie Kilgast shares and teaches her craft through video and online tutorials. Find them at www.petitplat.fr and follow her on Instagram @petitplat.
Read MoreSome of the most fun I’ve been having on Instagram is how easy it is to find other great art outside of polymer. I love my Pinterest but my pages are stuffed with polymer art, which is wonderful, of course, but there is so much to be seen and inspired by outside of our community and Instagram is delivering a wonderful variety of it.
One of my favorite collector type accounts so far is “The Eclectic Artisans“, a curated showcase of all kinds of art jewelry. That is where I found this stunning piece by Poland’s Jolanta Bromke. Can you tell what the material is that makes up the green portions of the butterfly and leaves? Would you have thought it was embroidery at first glance? How clever and how beautifully done.
The idea of flight and delicacy is so nicely done in the way the components are attached at only one point, as if they will all get up and flutter off at any moment. And the variety of bright greens in the subtle texture of the embroidered threads contrasted by the smooth surfaces of the stones creates a fine balance of texture in a nearly monochrome piece.
The Eclectic Artisans is not only a curator of fantastic contemporary and innovative jewelry, but it’s also a store. And what a store! The Australian-based company showcases, at this time, Australian-based artists, with primarily clean, contemporary designs at exceptionally reasonable prices. You can peruse their shop online here and for more of Jolanta’s work, go to her Facebook page where you can also find amazing leather work that looks like porcelain in other inspiring designs.
Hopefully, I’ll be seeing quite a few of you now on Instagram (find us under “thepolymerarts” if you haven’t already, and I’ll follow you back) but in the meantime, let me wish you a happy holiday as we go into the Christmas weekend. Be safe if you are traveling and I’ll catch up with you all next week after Christmas day.
Read MoreHere’s a quick and colorful look at some further fishy polymer today.
This bright pendant is by Estonia’s Katrina of the shop Filigrina on Etsy. We took a peek at another ocean inspired work of hers last year and although this is the same form of pendant, where the other piece was in a limited palette of blues and white, this has a ton of full strength color to show off all this hand tooled texture.
Katrina uses the same basic techniques employed for what is often called polymer embroidery but this time, there are no flowers, which the application is commonly used to create. Obviously the technique is perfect for undersea scenery as well!
I’m sorry this is so short but I must go catch a plane and leave all my little fishes behind. Enjoy this little mid-week color burst!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Go crazy with color. Use color directly from the packet, choosing the brightest ones you have. Try using more of the colors you tend to steer away from. Create or design a piece with the color itself as inspiration. Let the things and memories that these colors remind you of be the source for imagery, form, texture and lines.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
_________________________________________
Read MoreTake a close look at this jewelry set. How many variations of impressing, winding, twisting, layering and embedding little bits of clay do you see here? I’ve gotten a different count each time; I’m giving up on trying to give it a number and have spent my time admiring and determining the variation. And the patience. The lining up of these little bits to create lines or to create dense areas of texture is very precise. The variety enlivens the limited palette, which would otherwise be relying primarily on the contrast of lights and darks for impact.
This particular image was found on Pinterest attached to a number of boards all leading to the same image link, which will not lead me to any websites where I can find more information about the artist. That is a little maddening because the name is listed right there. It even looks familiar, but I can’t search farther for the simple reason that I can’t type in those letters. So, I’m sitting at a dead-end without any more information for you. I’m hoping one of you wonderful readers can read the text and then can send me a link. I believe this was pulled off vk.com (for the English only folks on here … it’s like Facebook for Eastern Europe and happens to be the #1 most visited site in that part of the world, as well as falling into the top 50 most visited sites worldwide), so I’m hoping someone can find it for us. You know how I don’t like to avoid bringing you art simply because I can’t find its origin, and I do like correcting that.
And as a little reminder in that vein … always add the artist’s name or website to your pins, even if you are just pinning it for yourself. Anything that is pinned on a non-private board (the default for Pinning) can and usually is picked up by others, but when it’s picked up off a home page that changes (like blogs) or a page that is temporary or the link gets broken or removed, the artist is no longer linked. If you like it enough to pin it, do what you can to ensure people who pull your pins can find the person who kindly shared their work with us and inspired us in the first place.
*Update* Many thanks go out to our reader Janna who found our the website of our artist, Olesyah Kalenova: http://vk.com/olesyakalenovahandmade.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine, as well as by supporting our advertising partners.
Read MoreRussian artist Natalia Lemeshchenko makes these monochromatic color scheme jewelry sets with intricate patterns that look a lot like hand embroidered fabrics. The details are so exact and executed to perfection; I can only imagine how much time and patience it takes to do this quality of work…not to mention keen eyesight and a very steady hand! If you like embroidery or needlework, or if you have ever wanted to try your hand it at, you might try some polymer designs inspired by these fabric techniques.
To see more of Natalia’s work, check out her gallery pages. There are close-ups of some more embroidery inspired designs, as well as blogs and such.
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.
Read MoreJennifer Morris has a mixed media approach to her polymer clay work. She has a signature embroidery style that uses an ever-changing mixed-media combination of polymer clay infused with gold and silver leaf, and she often incorporates recycled papers and fabric pulp into her designs. These fringed earrings look like heavy stones, but are actually light and airy when worn.
Let Jennifer’s work inspire you to push your materials into unexpected places, using them in fresh new ways. Try a little mixed media by adding different materials to your work or by embellishing your work with embroidery or crochet stitches. Check out this interview with Jennifer on Etsy.
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.
Read MorePerhaps you are all a bit tired of Christmas, but I only just found this beautiful set late last night and thought one more holiday piece could be shared.
Leah Hagen of LeeLee Beads is a polymer filigree fanatic. She seems to have explored every possible approach for winding thin snakes of clay about a bead. These “Vintage Christmas” beads are a charming example of Leah’s varied filigree approach.
If you have an interest in polymer filigree, embroidery, or lace like applications take a look at Leah’s Flickr page.
Read More