Thursday, December 31, 2009

Polymer Clay Tiles and Disks

I cover wooden disks and squares with canes. After they are cured and cooled, I paint the back of the tile black and then store them until I need a few to use in a wall piece.
Happy New Year everyone! Have fun tonight and be safe!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Polymer Clay and Bezels

Bezel forms I am filling with my polymer clay canes and crystals.
This silver plated bracelet has two hooks on the ends; one shorter and one longer.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Bead Embroidery

This is my first attempt at bead embroidery. The large circle on the right is a Mandala done in Peyote stitch. Mandala's are said to have healing powers and at the time, I was needing some healing and this piece evolved.

Not sure where it is going, but really love it.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Pendants, Wreaths and Trees

Tiny sculptured wreaths and trees created from tiny polymer clay canes I applied to dog tags.  The bezel is ready made, come in several sizes and they are lightweight.


Saturday, December 26, 2009

Polymer Clay Rings


I reduced some of my complex canes, rolled out some scrap clay for the bases and got started. I layered the scrap clay so the above ring would "dome" out of the ring. Than I applied the canes and crystals and then baked.
In this ring, I inserted only one layer of scrap clay (a #1 setting on the pasta machine) and then applied my canes and crystals. This design is perfectly level with the bezel.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Vending Machine Toys

Merry Christmas!  Remember these from the 50's? Vending machine toys that would come in little plastic capsules. The ones above are actually mine that I saved all these 50 some years.
I liked the little yellow wooden yo-yo with the string dangling. But I think my favorites were the glow-in-the dark toys, the light bulbs and the lanterns. I was fascinated with those.
The little pocket knife was neat too. It opens and has a dull blade. The watch with an elastic band, the toilet seat (what was with that?), false teeth, kazoos, telephones, plastic picture frames with Gabby Hayes picture inside (light blue frame in first photo above), little trophies and medals; boy, they bring back so many memories.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Pins and a Gift Box

Merry Christmas Eve!
This is a paper mache box I bought at Michael's and covered it with slices of little canes. I painted the inside and covered the inside bottom of the box also.
I used it as a gift box for one of my heart pins.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Landscape Paintings

I just read a quote from Miquel Flores Vianna, "A house without art is like a man without a soul", and I thought that is so true. We should surround ourselves with what gives us joy.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

POLYSCAPES

Since all Polyscape pieces are pre-baked, I can lay out the pieces in a rough draft and take a digital picture. I do this several times until I like what I see on camera. Using the camera helps me see the color values and balance of composition.
A close-up of some pieces that were cut with a wavy blade and others that were textured.
I added some beads and coated wires to this one too. Polyscapes are like the holidays; a huge explosion of color everywhere. Eye candy for me

Monday, December 21, 2009

POLYSCAPES

The above photo shows the baked pieces I have left in the three main colors.
A closer view of the hundreds of little baked pieces of texture, canes, debris, sticks, shapes and forms. Polyscapes are perfect for using leftover canes and clay.
I made this from the green section above.
This one was made from the orange section.
And this one from the yellowish coral section.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Snowflakes Are Falling

This is another holiday pin I created using a skinner blend plug for the background, the snowflake cane from 2goodclaymates, a skinner blend single vein leaf, tiny balls and a tiny log rolled thin for the tree trunk and bow. My favorite Christmas Cardinal pin. It was made the same way as above except I textured the leaves by drawing lines on them with an Xacto knife.
A small dog tag pendant using a different cane for the tree but the snowflake cane for the background.
This is the cane from http://www.2goodclaymates.blogspot.com/ that I used.
You can see how detailed their instructions are which made it easy for me to follow.
The outlined canes will be perfect for for beads, quilt pins and pendants.
I used the bead roller to make some quick beads to see how they would look. I liked them.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

POLYSCAPE

This Polyscape is an abstract expression of different symbols, such as the circle of life, feathers of courage, the sun depicting growth, paths with obstacles, contrasting colors that show the dark and light moments in life. And, of course, textures; lots of textures representing the different patterns in life we go through.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

POLYSCAPES

This is the second posting in the series of Polyscapes. Again, this one is of a backyard pond we had in Chicago before moving to Arizona.  My husband grew everything in that pond. There was color and texture galore.  It was a source of daily inspiration.
The koi grew big and fat. In late afternoon, the sun would cast a purplish pink shadow on the water that gave the fish a murky glow.
To get the effect of the fish in the water, I used a rubber stamp of koi. After I marbled the polymer clay and rolled it to a #4, I pressed the rubber stamp into it and then cut out the koi shapes using an Xacto knife.
I frame my Polyscapes in glass enclosed shadow boxes. Polymer clay wall hangings do not need to be under glass, I just prefer it. I think it gives it a more finished look along with protecting the small pieces. 

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Christmas Cardinal Brooch

I just finished this and couldn't wait until morning to post it. I swear when I open that oven door it is like opening a present on Christmas morning.

 Merry Christmas!

POLYSCAPES

Earthtone colors rolled through the pasta machine until they were muted enough, then I cut out leaf shapes with an Xacto knife and drew veins on then with the blade point of the Xacto knife.
I used one skinner blend plug cane for one leaf. Some Artistic Wire I coiled, then coiled it around itself (below).
I added strips of brightly colored cardstock in the background. The butterflies are from a butterfly cane I made. I bake all the pieces before I assemble it and glue it together. This piece was based on a pond my husband built.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Brady's POLYSCAPES

Three dimensional polymer clay wall hangings I create called "Polyscapes".
I love making canes and finding creative ways to use them. These are really fun to put together because you can't make any mistakes.  And you can throw in beads, thread, wire, paper, whatever. Just get lost in the process.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Handicap Scooter, Bead Rollers

Yesterday I made some faux turquoise and coral beads with the bead rollers. How quick and simple to use; love them. The plan is to sit and string them this afternoon while I ice the foot.
The mess on my worktable yesterday. The messier it is, the more fun I've had.
This is the temporary handicap scooter I am using while my foot heals. This is how I transport my glass baking dish to my polymer clay oven in the garage. I set the glass baking dish in the scooter basket and off I go. The scooter even has a hand brake. Which I don't mind admitting as come in handy more than once.