Going Miniature with Penni Jo Couch

Penni Jo knows her way around sculpture, and does absolutely incredible things - in miniature!  I was enchanted with the samples of  her work we got to see, and the techniques she shared really excited me. If you've been following my blog for a while, you may recall that in December, 2012, I posted a series of pendants I had made with tiny flowers and vines.  The flowers and vines were all formed individually by hand and applied to a baked base.  I really loved the look, and enjoyed making those pieces, but they took a great deal of time.


Well, Penni Jo had a couple of technique "tricks" up her sleeve - and they're just what I needed.  I'll be able to create miniature leaves and petals just a bit faster and with more control over size and consistency.  She does her work on raw clay, and that also seems to make a difference.

I think the miniature look is incredibly delicate and light. I can't wait to give more designs a try.






In her workshop for CFCF,  Penni Jo had us all make hearts and decorate them using the techniques she taught.  I finished my first and started a second, then ran out of time.  Since I was going to have to fly the pieces home, I baked them both.  The periwinkle piece is finished.  I really loved the scalloped edges she taught us to make.  Since I had to bake the turquoise piece to bring it home, I don't know if I'll be able to match the leaves or if I'll just keep it as a "reminder/idea."

In case you don't know, Penni Jo makes wonderful molds for use with polymer.  She also has a great tool kit, and it's definitely worth taking a look at if you want to do miniatures. She sells both on her shop on Etsy.

Floral Swirls

As you've seen in recent posts, I've been playing with circles and wavy shapes.  It's fun exploring something a bit different - or at least different for me.  Earlier this week, I taught a workshop on a petal cane made from bull's eye wedges.  I loved what the students in the class developed, and came home with a new cane of my own.  What to do with it?  Somehow, the ideas of petals and wavy shapes merged, and I came up with these floral swirls.   I made the swirling vines out of Kato clay to give the pieces a strong and flexible base.  The flower petals are made of custom-mixed Premo! colors.



Once I had the floral swirls assembled and baked, I knew they needed something special in the centers.  I had planned on using pearls or crystals, but they just didn't "do the trick."  Looking through my stash, I discovered I had these tiny micro-beads, so decided to give them a try.  I think they work perfectly. I've strung these pendants on simple chains, through they would look good on wire or even a thin ribbon.   Light and airy, I think they're perfect for spring and summer wear.

Vines & Floral "Cameos"

Cameos seems an appropriate name for this new line of mine. Though not actually carved, as the original cameo pieces were, these do have a raised design with a contrasting background.  The two-tone color scheme helps accentuate the design.  I may try more color in the future, but this simple contrast design just seemed right.  It is, after all, winter, and the colors outside are often in stark relief.  The black pendant and red earrings are the first pieces I made.  I tried more daisies and vines in teal and one on a swirled background.

Then I decided to try just vines.  I love the way the tiny snake of clay curls and curves as it leaves my hand, sometimes seeming to have a mind of its own.  These are longer, more slender shapes and seem perfect for vines. The larger anique gold piece has a pearl and faceted jet piece dangling from the bottom.

This last grouping shows 4 pendants in different shapes, all sporting vines with tiny roses.

Hope you've enjoyed this "walk" through a winter garden.

Creating & Bits of Whimsy

Creating is a process of continual self-discovery. The mediums I use give me such wonderful opportunities for creating and exploring, and learning something more about myself. Sometimes, I have a notion and set about making it. Other times, a piece evolves as I work. And sometimes, something just sort of "happens." That's what happened with my "Bits of Whimsy" pieces.
A short history: About 3 years ago, I attended a PMC certification training weekend. One of the other participants was Nina Briggs, an artist who makes incredible porcelain clay pieces. Nina was exploring the possibilities of incorporating PMC in her pendants. I became fascinated by her porcelain, and, eventually, she taught me how to make hollow porcelain pendants. [Mine look nothing like Nina's. Visit her web site at www.slsstudio.com to see her lovely work. ] I made a zillion pieces, incorporated a couple of them into beadweaving pieces, and then set them aside.
Last week, that all changed. I was re-arranging my workroom, and ran across the porcelain pieces. As I held a couple in my hands, an idea formed and I moved them to my table. I set about making a couple of petal and leaf canes and, before I knew it, these little woodsy, vine-garden pieces started emerging. The porcelain forms the base, polymer the leaves, flowers, and tendrils. On some, tiny seed beads or heat-set crystals add sparkle and color.
The first friend I showed them to said, "They're so whimsical!" She's right. Often, my pieces are structured with clean, clear lines. These pieces are different from my "usual"...they're more playful and light.





Creating and self-discovery. What fun!
They make me smile. I hope you enjoy them, too.