New Polymer Lidded Box

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Kansas City Polymer Clay Guild (KCPCG) sponsored an online polymer workshop. Polymer artists Laurel Swetnam and Lea Gordinier guided us through the steps of creating a really different little lidded box they had created. The process and the steps they developed for teaching this box were specific and clear to follow. Both presenters were excellent, answering questions as we worked, and sharing tips and tricks they have learned from making many unusual lidded polymer boxes. The KCPCG arranged the 2 day workshop with an "off" day inbetween, so participants had a day to work on the base before moving ahead with the other components on day two. If you like little boxes, and get a chance to take a workshop with these women, do sign up. Even though I've made boxes in the past, the unusual shape of this one meant the approach was very different, and I learned a great deal. Here is a photo of the front of the box. The other photos show the box with its lid off and also the top of the lid. One of the things they suggested was we have some way of indicating how the lid needed to be placed. Even though we were making a rectangular base and lid, it was important to know how the lid lined up with the base. So, I made a small notch in my lid, and placed a flower bud on the base at the spot where the lid notch would fit. Fun project and a very sturdy little box.

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.

Bonnie Bishoff - Another Great Class!

It seems I've been taking a lot of one and two-day classes over the past few months, and September was no exception. I am so pleased that the New England Polymer Artist Guild hosted Bonnie Bishoff a couple of weeks ago.  Bonnie shared with us her method of doing marquetry, also known as inlay. The designs and patterns she creates are lovely, and the way she shares colors amongst the pieces gives her finished necklaces a real harmony.  In addition, she has developed some incredible methods for linking polymer pieces together.  Her necklaces have form, grace, and movement.  All the participants just soaked up as much as we could, then worked at applying her many ideas and tips to a piece of our own.



The photos here show the pieces I developed, the necklace in "raw" form, and a close-up of a portion of the necklace.

Haunani Gane

Lindly Haunani is the queen of the rainbow.  Co-author of the marvelous Polymer Clay Color Inspirations book, she truly understands color and its impact on what we see and make.  In addition, she has a wonderful way of getting her grasp of color across to her students.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every class I've taken with Lindly, and the class on her version of mokume gane at CFCF 2014 was no exception.  Once again, her use of color and the way in which she manipulates the clay created a special twist on a classic technique.   If you're not familiar with mokume gane, please google the words.  There is a wealth of information on the Internet about this topic.

Before sharing my results from Lindly's class, I have to back up and tell you about a workshop I gave on mokume gane a few weeks ago.  Participants were introduced to several different methods of mokume gane in polymer, one of which was the "hills and valleys" technique.  I told the students that this particular approach to mokume gane was famous as the one Lindly Haunani uses.  I was right - and wrong.  The basic concept I presented is indeed similar to Lindly's technique.  But she has taken it to a completely different level, as you will see in the samples.  The yellow pieces on the left were the result of the process as I taught it.

The lime and cherry pieces on the right were made using Lindly's approach.  I think there is a world of difference in the end result.




This last shape has not been given a protective coating yet, so it appears more matte than the other examples.  You can really see the hills and valleys in this piece.

Needless to say, I think her version of this technique is superior to any I have seen before.  If you ever get a chance to take this workshop with Lindly, I can't encourage you enough.  It is soooo worthwhile to get these effects!

Taking a Side-Step

A few days ago, I was giving a polymer workshop on making dichroic glass looks with polymer.  I use a combination of techniques I've run across which combine composite metal leaf, translucent clay, alcohol inks, texture sheets, glitter, and Magic Gloss.  I particularly like the way texture and designs look when impressed into this layered mix.  It is also possible to just let the colors and shine "do the talking."  This first photo shows two pieces with designs impressed from past postings, and a new fall-toned piece that just seems to glow from inside.

One of the workshop participants had purchased some iridescent flakes and wanted to know if they would work with this technique.  Having played with flakes just a little in the past, I knew they would not accomplish the dichroic look we wanted.  His question, however, made me wonder what would happen if I combined flakes with the dichroic bases we had made.

So, when I got home, I did a little experimentation and thought I'd share it here.  This first picture is of one of the clay bases I'd made in blues, purples and reds.

The next photo on the right shows two pieces.  The pink piece with the blue tip was made by sprinkling pink iridescent flakes on the base from the cut out and adding some liquid polymer.  The green piece was made from mint colored flakes on a deep green and olive base.  Some of the base color shows through the flakes a little, but the glitter doesn't show except around the edges, and on close inspection, the metal leaf is not apparent at all.

The final snapshot below is a piece made with blue tinted iridescent flakes over a base from the same sheet (above) that I used for the pink piece. This piece has much more color variation than the other two.  Since the base was similar to that in the pink piece, I'm assuming the blue flakes are the main reason for the color variations.  I like this piece the best.