Extruded Mokemu Gane

Way back in 2014/2015, I experimented with a way to use round extruded "strings" for polymer mokume gane. Recently, I was asked to demonstrate the process to some members of the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild. I'd forgotten how much fun this approach is. Basically, a design is created with the extruded strings. When the tops of these strings are shaved off, the colors inside are exposed along with the design created. This can be used in any way you'd use a polymer sheet. The pendant to the left shows part of the shaved base merged with a solid color and cut into a shape.

The pieces that are cut off are usually small, since they are just portions of a curved string. When placed on a solid color background, in this case white, I think they look like confetti. Here is a jewelry set of shaved portions from the baase used in the pendant above. I really like this look!

This last photo shows more shaved pieces from the same base placed on a teal background. The confetti look shows here, too, but the different background color really changes the look and feel.

More Curl Necklaces

I had so much fun making the aquamarine curl necklace, that I decided to make a few more for summer. I have a feeling there may be more of these in other colorways waiting to be made...

New Necklaces

I've been giving some new beads for necklaces a try, and thought I'd share what I've been doing. The Westerly Art Gallery put out a prospectus for entries into their Regional Show, and I entered these three very different pieces. I was pleased the aquamarine necklace was juried into the show, and I just found out that it has sold. Nice news! For the curls on this necklace, I made a jelly roll cane with translucent and white polymer. I mixed a new turquoise tinsel embossing powder from Ranger into the translucent, and spread an aqua colored glitter between the translucent and white polymer layers before rolling them up. I formed the cane into a rectangle and wrapped the slices over a small wooden dowel. The crystal aquamarine pearls between the slices added a nice touch.

I really think this second necklace is fun! It took me a while to figure out how to fold the clay so that the form stayed open while also remaining connected to the other components. The different colors in each folded section help the design stand out. I can envision this design in other places besides jewelry. How about as drawer knobs? Or perhaps an item on the end of a lamp or fan pull? Fun to make once you get the hang of it, and rather versatile.

Although it may be a bit hard to tell from the photo, the design on these beads is raised in a bas-relief method usually called the Sutton slice. Getting all the pieces from the texture plate to translate to the base often takes care and patience. I found the trickiest part was getting the design to flow all the way around and not stop abruptly at the seam. Some of the patternas worked better than others. Since I tend to think of black and white as a summer combo, I thought this piece had a summery feel.

Mushrooms

This past month, the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild had a monthly challenge to create something with mushrooms or other fungi. I had taken a workshop with Jana Roberts Benzon in which we created a scene with what she calls "fantastical mushrooms." I was inspired to make some "regular" mushrooms and mount them on brooches. Here are a couple of photos of my "shrooms". And yes, that is real dirt on the bottom of some of the mushrooms.

Creature Features with Jana Roberts Benzon

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of taking an online polymer workshop presented by Jana Roberts Benzon. Jana is an outstanding polymer artist, an excellent instructor, and a simply lovely person. Her creativity is amazing, and it's always exciting to see what she's doing next.

The workshop was a one-day class on a process she calls "Creature Features". Jana walked us through the various steps involved in making various canes, and then assisted us in combining items to make our own creatures. Her detailed handuts with clear visuals, and access to the video for several days, will allow attendees to continue working on the processes as though she was sitting on our shoulders, continuing to provide assistance and encouragement. Although I really enjoy in-person workshops, the availability of technology such as Zoom allows people across the globe to participate and learn together. Above are the pieces I made on Sunday. I plan to work on more "creatures" and will probably try a few other color-ways, too.