Paper
of all kinds
.....+ liquid clay or trans.clay, labels, "decoupage"/embedding...
+ papier mache, cards
....postage stamps, self-adhesive stickers (& shrinkage
prob?)
Fabric
.....bonding fabric
to clay (in sev. ways)
........some uses
... misc
.....(inkjet printed fabric)
Leather
Threads,
fibers, yarn + cross-stitch + needlepoint
...string art-spirelli ... embroidery
Knitting
& Crochet
Macrame + knotting ...weaving
+ basketry
Feathers
Flocking
Dried nature (twigs,rocks,bones,gourds)
....flowers & plants
.......quick-drying
Wood
Metal (& wire)
Glass,
Ceramics, Shell, Mirror
Seed beads (+
holeless + larger beads)
...all-clay seed beads
...attaching
non-clay beads (glues, mechanical hold) + holeless
beads)
...patterns (Huichol,mosaic,peyote,x-stitch,etc.)...+
tools for placing beads
...misc. tips &
ideas
Miscellaneous. (...incl..
Shrink Plastics)
Websites
MIXING MEDIA
Polymer clay can be mixed with all sorts of things (see other categories at end also). This category deals largely with things that are added onto, under, around polymer rather than mixed into it.
some
materials suitable for creating mixed-media or collage pieces.... they
don't have to be bake-able, as they can be glued on afterwards. Irene
- colored wire
- stuff for inclusions
- foreign postage stamps
- transfers
- metal or plastic charms
- feathers, fur (faux please), fabric
- copyright
free drawings (your own, perhaps?)
- handmade paper
- metal washers
- glass or metal beads
I use ANYTHING.
Sea glass, shells, glass beads, friendly plastic,sand, glitter, metal, cogs
etc from wristwatches, broken crockery bashed with a hammer until it's small enough,
lace, thread, foil......
The curse of creativity! I look everywhere for my
"bits". The fellow at the hardware looks at me funny, the lady in the kitchen
department wonders what I cook, my kids collect all sorts of "junk" for mummy.
Robin in the Great Southland
Stained
glass bashed to bits, Charms, Real hair (human, feline, canine or otherwise) on
purpose and unintentionally FEATHERS! Anything that sparkles or glitters, Jump
rings, Mesh from a broken sieve or microphone (helps if your ex bf is a dj on
this one), Chopped clay from a piece that didn't work. Buttons, Splinters (don't
ask unless you wanna know) Metal shavings (ask a handyman or woman), Pieces of
broken costume jewelry, old Girl Scout pins, Tobacco (don't try this at home),
Ribbons.
You can find unusual and wonderfully weird things to include when
you take things apart..... The insides of old watches have nifty little
gears and cogs and wheels. I love to paw through the littles bags of whatnots
at thrift shops.
Things I want to try in the future: Pine needles,
Pieces of pine cones, Acorns, Nuts, twigs, wild hickory nuts, Dried beans, Aquarium
gravel, Coral, Pennies (for your thoughts?) ...Kim2
A suggestion for getting
leather (and faux fur and buttons and other cool stuff)
really cheap: look in thrift stores (e.g. Goodwill) for old coats, vests,
etc., and then cut them up. You'd be surprised what you can buy for $5! Suzanne
Magic Scraps http://www.magicscraps.com/index.html (iridescent flakes & glitter in colors, metallic threads/yarns, glitter (and a pretty neat glitter sprinkling tool -- called a Glitter Grabber), beads, plus lots of other neat tools and stuff that could be used withclay. Mandabear
see below in Threads, String Art for adhering together threads (and maybe other porous bits of material, or non-porous?) on clay
look for more suppliers under the individual subjects, or in Suppliers
Raw
clay
...to both seal and adhere paper (or cardstock)...
coat BOTH sides of the paper you wish to attach with Sobo
(or another permanent white glue, possibly thinned a bit
with water) before baking (...this will work only if your paper is thick and/or
glossy enough for the glue not to completely soak
through which would make it translucent)
.......let
the glue dry ...then just "brayer" the paper onto the clay
.......you
can add clay cutouts or whatever on top of the paper then too
......
then bake.
...or lightly
spray first with a clear acrylic spray to seal)
Baked
clay can also be treated like most any other surface for "decoupaging"
paper images, or sealing over them... some possibilities:
....white glue (or
"decoupage" glue) (see Glues >
Decoupage)
....acrylic sealers (Varathane, etc... acrylic mediums...
clear fingernail polish...UTEE) (see Finishes)
....clear
epoxy resins (see Other Materials > Resins
> Epoxy > Coating )
polymer
head placed atop paperdoll body (& colored pencils?)
http://www.azpcg.org/documents/DollSwap.htm
(Donna H.)
I love adding clay "feet" to cast- paper vessels
*Petra's
wonderful greeting cards, combining paper or cardstock with stamping
and polymer (slices or molded pieces, etc.)
http://www.zigzag.co.nz/stamping.html
(....see
much more on using clay for greeting cards or other cards, scrapbooking,
and mini books on Cards
page and also on the Books page)
embedding flatter pieces of clay right into paper pulp makes for some fantastic collage work
These techniques
can be done with any paper
... pre-printed paper, photocopied
images on paper, inkjet images on paper, original photos, etc
...but
the thickness
of the paper will need to be taken into consideration for the effect you
want (.. the top layer of thicker papers may be able to be peeled off and
used)
liquid
clay
.."decoupage"...embedding,
encasing the paper in liquid clay (along with the image on it)
.......cut out image to size that you want, but add 1/8th" or so ...smear
back of image w/ liquid clay ...bake10 min's
.......when
cool, do the same thing to the front of the image... bake . . .
when cool, trim to the size you need
.......then adhere to the
clay backing with a thin coat of liquid clay again .... and bake.
MsEQuin
Lynn
K's lesson on decoupaging shapes of origami paper with
liquid clay (then applying it onto a sheet of flat clay ...trimmed... baked) for
a pin
....(she used the Translucent Liquid Sculpey brand of liquid
clay which isn't usually as clear, so to make the final finish a little shinier
and brighter she also applied a layer of clear finish --Varathane, Future,
etc-- on top after baking)
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_JapTLSDecoupage.htm
Donna Kato's lesson on encasing washi paper in Kato
liquid clay then applying to white clay
..... she says that washi paper
inks are solvent-based so some (esp. reds) can bleed
when contacted with liquid clay if the ink side is not first sealed
with a light coating of acrylic medium (she uses a gloss acrylic
medium--could probably also use thinned permanent white glue as when using resin,
or Varathane/Future)
.....she then "laminates" (encases)
the coated paper with liquid clay, one side at a time, heating with a heat gun
(till liquid clay turns clear) each time to cure it
.....cuts a shape from
the laminated paper and rolls down onto white clay (since some papers may
become translucent when in tontact with liquid clay --though shouldn't if sealed
on both sides first?)
... (optional second layer) she also adds a laminated
strip of washi paper on the liquid clay layer (using a bit of superglue underneath
if it doesn't stick well), then uses a light coat of liquid clay and later a thicker
coat (curing each with heat gun)... repeats for another strip
... uses scissors
to trim off excess liquid clay
http://web.mac.com/donna_kato/Site/washi_paper_and_kato_clear_medium.html
Jim Morris
used a sheet of Japanese paper with metallic gold paint for the "wire,"
to make a pin
http://www.beadyeyedbrat.com/jmorris2a.jpg
....Eberhard Faber's
lesson on making (cardstock or?) heavy paper
cone-shaped sleeves (with images on surface "decoupaged"
both sides with liqud clay), into which a small bulb from a string of
lights is placed
http://tinyurl.com/aw7cf
......the
other great thing about using liquid clay is more possibilities of using
powders and other embellishments (I used a bit of embossing powder
on a few). Deborah
...You can make flowers
out of tissue paper and then give them a thin coating of liquid clay
...You can form miniature items out of paper such as a trash can and paint
it with liquid clay...after baking, paint and decorate. Ellen
....labels
... using liquid clay as a laminate over hand-coloured labels for jars
.....I
also wanted the labels to be waterproof .... I took some cardstock and
drew the name with a stylus ....then coloured over with (colored?)
pencils ... then I put a layer of TLS over it (the TLS changed
the colours of the pencils into mostly jewel tones) ....but they
have a nice matte texture, almost like cloth.
............try
sealing with spray fixative first, or just dabbing on the liquid
clay, baking and then coating/baking.
.....I tried using
other sealers to make the paper waterproof but those soaked
into the paper, unlike the TLS which sits on top.
...I'm pretty pleased.
......my husband suggested that I
scan them in my computer and I think that would be great as I could take
my time and make each label series a little drawing
....Dotty's fan, made with origami paper coated
with liquid clay (website gone)
...Lazertran's
website also has info about using its paper with stamping and decoupage,
etc.
http://www.lazertran.com
(....see more on that topic in Transfers
> Liquid Clay > Layers)
see
more on using liquid clay with paper
...below in Stamps & Stickers
...and
also in Liquid Clay > Strengthener &
Decoupage
translucent
clay
..Emi Fukushima's lesson on embedding washi
paper with translucent clay, & baked) onto a larger shape of double-thickness
black clay (textured with lace while a needle is retaining a vertical hole in
between the layers for cording), then rebaking (she also adds a Chinese coin
to the black base clay for her final pendant)
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_jewelry/article/0,1789,HGTV_3238_1383759,00.html
the spines of journals and
around the rims of (paperclay?) bowls, polymer beads
work very well
to display polymer clay earrings and pins,
I use cardstock with pieces of hand made/exotic
papers pasted to them.
postage
stamps & stickers ...in particular
(also problem w/ glue shrinkage,
paper)
several postage stamps on
pins at SDPCG ...few feather onlays to hold stamp on, or other embellishments
...(by syndee?)
http://sdpcg.org/slidebank3.html
Dayle
Doroshow's postage stamps:
...inside tri-fold panel "mini-book" pin
(open) http://www.dayledoroshow.com/images/32.jpg
...(closed) http://www.dayledoroshow.com/images/30.jpg
..."held" down with 2 random strips of crackled leaf clay ... on transfer?
or original-stamp background
http://dayledoroshow.com/images/26.jpg
...inside
drawer of clay-covered matchbox pendants
http://www.dayledoroshow.com/images/40.jpg
Tracy's
framed postage stamp (pin?)
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/chall_oct01.html
Skygrazer's
stamp with onlay and coated with TLS liquid clay
http://www.skygrazer.com/polymerclay/gallery/misc2d.htm
Kathy
G's postage stamp pendant, held downon bottom and top
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4153008&a=30888094&p=68777985
(gone?)
Sandy's lesson on using a sticker on Sculpey,
baking, creating a frame with gold pen, then dipping in two coats of UTEE before
adding a pinback
http://www.rubberstampsclub.com/tips/scupley-clay.html
(gone)
Jan’s postage stamps with envelopes pin http://members.delphi.com/jruhnow/postage.jpg
(gone)
TLC's postage stamp pins (website gone)
Ed's
postage stamp pendant on faux ivory http://www.polymerclayhaven.com/treasures/ed.htm
(gone)
Kathy G's many metallic frames around stamps (website
gone)
The images from either
stamps or sticker images can be transferred to baked or raw clay in various
ways using a scanner and printer, or a photocopier (for that, see Transfers)
...or the actual stamp can be decoupaged onto a baked clay surface.
It's
okay legally to make copies of postage stamps as long as they are copied 75% or
under and 150% or over their original size. I have read this in several copyright
areas, including a manual at a copy center. ljcefali
....or you can use the
whole stamp in your art, since you purchased it.
Marcy's
framed pins made around transfers (rub-on, and stickers which were
decoupaged with liquid clay --could have been scanned instead) ... using
onlays, clay ropes, etc.
http://www.marcysclaypen.com/experimental/experimental.html
I
once made an xmas ornament with a *sticker* of a regular postage stamp
(it was a self-adhesive type). . . the image was just a bit larger
than the real thing ..... I had a problem though . . . the raw clay background
rectangle I put the sticker on curved upward while
baking.. . . I'm assuming that this was from the stick-um causing it to
shrink on that side . . . .
... I know I could have held it flat or weighted
it while cooling, but that was difficult to do in this case because it
had some embellishments on the front. Any suggestions on how to
avoid this? I have a bazillion stickers I'd like to use, and more of the xmas
postage stamp ones. . . they make good ornaments!
----dissolve the
adhesive off, and dry? (what would dissolve sticker adhesive though?)
----coat front (& back?) of sticker with white glue?
........ I
have the same questions for postage stamps with the lickable stick-um.
. . Diane B.
To fix bent ones,
I think it was Dotty who suggested that I simply hold the baked piece flat
in my hands (or under running cool water) while cooling
to make the embellished ones flat.
...OR, you could bake the pin/stamp
on the clay first, place under weights (like the good old dictionary)
until cool, and then embellish and bake again.. syndee
....and
wouldn't curve during this second baking??
If the back sides of these ornaments or sheets are undecorated, then you can hold them flat while baking if you both make and bake the piece on the surface of a smooth tile ....the raw clay should should "stick" to the tile and be held flat to it while baking .... it can be popped off when it's cool. Margaret
If you use a heavy (thick) enough base of clay sheet behind the stamps, they won't warp (I've used both type of stamps ... lick -ems and stick ems). . . .. syndee
(lick-um
or self-adhesive stamps?). . . geepers, I made those (successfully flat) stamp
pins ages ago.
.... I do remember that I Sobo'd (coated with white
glue) the postage stamps on both sides before adding them
to the raw clay (I let the glue dry before using them). ....and
they stayed flat. (the Sobo will act as a buffer, for one thing).
I spread liquid clay very thinly over my cancelled postage stamps when making my stamp pins. Michelle
I used liquid
clay to adhere and to overcoat some origami paper (much
like decoupage) and noticed that the difference between ones that buckled and
actually separated from the clay base beneath was the length of time
I let the piece sit before baking. . . .The ones that sat overnight
before baking (my goal was for the TLS to self-level) seemed to totally
absorb the TLS and remained the way I wanted them.
....but the ones
that got popped straight into the oven warped..
. . I know that for paper to shrink, it must first get wet --wet with the liquid
of the clay seems to do it. Jeannine
What
about pre-baking the paper to let it do whatever it's going to do,
before adding to the clay? Anybody tried that? DB
......Actually
prebaking a dry sheet of paper will not 'size' it.
. . . The best suggestion
I have is to saturate the paper with whatever you are going
to use, let it dry then attach it after the clay is baked.
Not a very desirable method in some cases.
Paper shrinkage has to do
with what the paper is made of, and whether or not additives have been added to
the mash to size the paper…. most copier/laser printer paper has had additives
put in the mash that protects it from shrinkage as well as the chemicals
that copiers/ printers etc lay down upon it. That is why you don't find it shrinking.
…
I like Perfect Paper Adhesive
(PPA) because it will keep the paper flexible in a collage yet protect
it from UV, yellowing, and shrinkage. It comes in either gloss or matte.
I found when putting pressed flowers on some vases last year that it works equally
well on clay....actually gives the same protection to the clay and adheres the
surface embellishments better than Varathene or Future. Dianne
...Yup, it
will work with stamps and stickers and I use it with cardstock.
.... (I use
a different type of adhesive --PVA Bookbinding glue-- with davey board,
the thickest of cardboard, though when making a book). I like to saturate items
with it for collage work and to get texture from papers, cardstock...I like to
use it over the top of a collage surface as the sealer too.
Available at http://www.usartquest.com/products/index.html
....
I have seen Susan glue sea shells, pieces of glass,
cardboard tubes, dried beans and many other things to her collages, not just paper.
The reason I like her glue is it is matt and on paper you can bearly tell
that it is there. I also use it for gluing dried flowers, and because it has a
UV filter in it the flowers don't fade if I brush it over the tops. And again
because it is matt you don't see it on the flowers. Some times I cover my pin
backs with paper for a neater finish, I use PPA for that also. Christine
(repeat of above). I've noticed this exact same problem (as you had
with stickers) when I do my TLS-decoupaged magnets
.... I've been taking
some of my drawings and coating them with TLS, baking on glass
like I do my transfers... but then instead of peeling the
paper, I'll put the whole thing on a flat sheet of background clay and
cut a little frame for it (to put over the edges?) (I did these
for the Oriental swap). . . . every time I do the second
bake where I have the paper framed by the clay,
I get that exact same curl that you
describe (with a postage stamp or sticker)
..... I've been smashing them flat
with the phone book to cool, which then does make them flat, BUT the TLS-ed
paper part ends up slightly wavy
and bubbled-up
.... my theory is
that polymer clay actually shrinks ever-so-slightly during baking. Since paper
does not shrink it would explain the warp after baking.( In other words, I don't
think the sticky stuff on your stamps is the culprit any more than the Sobo I
use for little drawings. I think it's the contraction of
the clay itself. I've been wondering how to overcome this problem myself.)
Julia
I have a slightly different variation
on the curving thang.... I baked a sheet of clay and let
it cool. I had a piece of paper I
wanted to laminate to the front, so I spread Varathane on the backside
of the paper and placed it onto the clay. (I remembered that Sarajane Helm had
used Flecto to stick baked cane slices onto a wagon or something.) I also Flecto'ed
the front of the paper.... I baked the entire piece and it's now
got a curve. . . .Since the clay was already
baked, I don't think clay shrinkage was the problem ( I've had this sucker
weighed down under four 12 x 12 inch ceramic tiles for two days and it's still
got a curve). I suspect the paper being Flecto'ed is the culprit. Irene in western
NC
...... it's possible that the Flecto was applied to
your baked clay but not rebaked.
...I haven't had a problem with "gluing" a piece of paper on with Flecto if
I don't rebake. (problem is, I like to bake Flecto-ed pieces to harden the
Flecto). Irene NC
(decoupage)...I've made pins from stamps
which were inkjet printed (best onto photo quality paper)...I used deco
scissors that cut "stamp like" edges on the clay... if you use an inkjet
printed image you need to spray it with a protective acrylic spray
to keep it from smearing using the glue & sealer or you could also reverse the
image on your computer and use it as a transfer
....baked a
clay backing first ....then sanded the backing
... used white
glue to glue the printed stamp down on the backing ...then I put a another
coating of white glue over the front to encase it, like decoupage.
...I
also sealed it all with an acrylic craft varnish (the kind sold
with craft acrylic paints).
...It has worked well. I did the first ones about
4 yrs ago and they are still sealed and all layers are adhering just fine. Barbe
My
recent experiments:
-TLS-coated paper (both sides) on raw clay
-- shrunk (shrank?) in the oven.
-Sobo-on-the-back paper, allowed to
dry on raw clay --shrunk/shrank also, but a little less.
-Flecto'd
front and back paper, on raw clay -- shrink, shrank, shrunk. Irene NC
I
have also made some of my own postage stamp designs on my computer,
printed them, and used them with the clay. My canon inkjet printer was
able to tolerate the Sobo smoothed on, in one direction, with my finger.
That is if I did it gently so as not to smear
the ink. Hope this helps. TLC
....If
you print your own postage stamps on your inkjet, you can spray the entire
sheet of stamps with clear acrylic spray and that will help to seal them.
I do this for my inkjet business cards most of the time and it helps keep them
from running.... Then you could add the Sobo and not have to be as careful.
Marty
Plain Fabric
Fabric can be used alone (without stiffening) with baked clay items in various ways:
...
clothing for small figures or dolls (clay figures or other
figures) (makes it easier to handle, esp. with liquid clay for draping)
(see
Sculpting-Bodies > Clothing for
more)
......Jody's
scale skin for a dragon (or fish?) attached to cloth
(with bent-tab at top?) with glue or liquid clay?? (website
gone)
...clothing
& accessories for people (purses, tiles or as embellishments
for clothing and quilts, etc.)
(see more on making purses,
and sewing with clay fabric in Misc
> Purses & Sewing)
...plaster
cloth (wetted & draped around body & head) to make dress (blood
spattered) & for headwear for zombie
bride by lvl0rg4n...some
in smaller strips
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/lvl0rg4n/IMG_0110.jpg
...fabric
dolls & figures can have polymer clay faces attached
......Maureen
Carlson's small fabric doll forms with polymer faces ( sewn to head through
holes in each side of face)
http://www.weefolk.com/ideas.htm
....JJHandworks' fabric
doll forms with polymer faces ...some have "masks" glued or sewn
to head fronts... some have simple stuffed arms and legs, or no
arms and legs ....bodies often pieced patterned fabrics, with beads, etc., here
and there ... some have elaborate mixed media hair or headgear)
http://www.jjhandworks.com/patterns/crafts.htm
yoyo's (for embellishments on clothing & accessories
or clay boxes, making "figures," etc... or for making "quilts")
.......yoyo's
are gathered fabric disks .....edge of fabric disk is turned 1/8-/14" to
wrong side a bit at a time and sewed down with running stitch using a strong or
doubled thread... thread ends then pulled together to gather edges into a yoyo
disk about half original size, and tied off ...the front side of yoyo is the one
usually used (will have small opening in middle)
..yoyo's can then also be
sewn together at their edges (butted), or they can be stacked
to form columns, or glued or sewn to each other singly to make other shapes)
..also
could be bonded to translucent clay or liquid clay,
then used to make pins, figures, ornaments, etc..... or used as embellisments
on clothing or on anything else ...when bonded to clay, may want to use the sewing
machine for stitching rather than hand-stitching?
http://www.cddesigns.com/AfternoonProj/YoYo/projects.htm
(fabric yoyo how tos, projects, & measurements)
..Eileen used a single
yoyo as "body" ...for head or an entire bust
of a little bunny, snowman, etc.
........she used the yoyo flat...
put a decorative button or stud in the middle of the yoyo gather to hide
the hole (could be something being "held" if there were arms)
........then
she glued a flat head, or face/neck/paws/collar, to top area of
yoyo, extending past it too (her heads were made from clip art, but we could use
polymer clay)
..or a yoyos could be used as a surrounding ruff for a
molded polymer face, flower, or other item in the center... then
used as pins or embellishments for sweatshirts, or anywhere
...use as
a round frame ....or a base for other things
..these can look
like simple posey type flowers too
http://boards.hgtv.com/4/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=1084078532&f=1004031632&m=4064043992
http://www.lynnesboutique.com/pins%20and%20magnets%201.htm
for
making canes that simulate quilt patterns, see Canes-Instr.
> Quilt
Bonding Fabric and Clay
Generally,
natural fabrics
and fibers are needed when baking with clay because many
synthetic fabrics
cannot tolerate high temps, and can melt.
...theoretically,
I would go along with everyone about not baking synthetics, but in thinking about
it I do use polyfill as a baking surface for some items, so it seems some
synthetics would bake ok without damage. ..just bake small samples
first to check. LynnDel
Many fabrics can be joined with sheets of
clay to create "clay fabric" (then used in various ways):
...fabric
simply pressed to clay .... or fabric joined to clay with white glue
...fabric embedded with clay ...or fabric embedded with
liquid clay
.......fabric "decoupaged" onto solid
clay with liquid clay
fabric-types:
....cotton
and homespun work well
....synthetics... polyester works but
may also stretch (could be really interesting if you used that as part
of your design)
....fabrcis with a really
tight weave might
not work as easily (as long as the clay can get into the weave though,
it'll work)
....Velveteen
is really bad bec. it has all those little specks of
fabric floating around ...but works great for lining the inside
of a box
pressed together
I
just stick the fabric right on the clay and bake it ..... it bakes
nicely and it stays no problem
.......(only for thicker
sheets of clay, to make non-flexible sheets
of "clay fabric"?)
...or could add a bit of liquid clay or white
glue first as helpers
fabric embedded with solid clay
Polymer clay
can be embedded right into the weave of many fabrics
....this creates a flexible
sheet of clay-fabric
....the fabric will show only on one side if opaque
clay is used, or fabric will seen on the other side as well but paler
if translucent clay (or liquid clay) is used
lessons:
..Marcia
B's lesson on embedding clay into fabric (using
translucent clay on top of the clay in order not to change the color
of the fabric)
......for making roll-up beads...pins...clothing..
she uses fine cotton cloth (sometimes with metallic threads) ... condition the
clay with the pasta machine until about half the size of the cloth at almost
the thinnest setting...then put clay and cloth (on back side?) through the
pasta machine twice more at the same setting, then on the thinnest
couple more times.
http://www.jewelrycraftsmag.com/articles/bondedclay.shtml
...Karen's
lesson on embedding fabric with white or colored clay (from the
back side)
....I run a sheet of (opaque) clay through the pasta machine
(I usually start with # 3-4)
.......then
put fabric on top of the clay sheet.... I run over the
fabric a couple of times with my hand, or an acrylic roller
.......then put that thru the pasta machine on the same setting
....you
can then cut the clay fabric sheet with scissors if you want...... bake
like you usually do. Karen
http://pcpolyzine.com/0205may/fabric.html
(here
she also cuts out a shape from the clay fabric,
applies it to a box or a glass ornament (or uses as a pin, and often adds a clay
rope or other frame around the raw edges)
clay
color possibilities:
...use translucent clay
...use
opaque white clay
...use an opaque clay to match the
fabric you're using (...e.g., for
dark fabric a dark clay,
or light fabric, light clay) ... the color of opaque clays can affect the color
of the final "fabric," so keep that in mind
...liquid clay
(translucent, tinted-translucent, or opaque--LS, or others with white oil paint
as additive)--see below
Shelly C's lesson on attaching clay and
fabric with just a pasta machine
....rolls base
clay to # 5... then through the pasta machine with the fabric
on # 6
...can cut the fabric-clay sheet into any
pattern shapes needed with scissors (she
cuts small squares also for pockets, patches)
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_littleangel.htm
fabric embedded with liquid clay
liquid
clay works very well for making clay fabric
....can embed a decorative
fabric direclty with liquid clay
....or can transfer an image of your choice
onto plain fabric with liquid clay (to make a "decal" sheet)
(....or
can use liquid clay as a helper between a sheet of regular clay and decorative
fabric)
Can
use various brands and types of liquid clay -- translucent, tinted-translucent,
or opaque (LS only) liquid clays ( or make your own opaque liquid clay with white
oil paint as additive to a translucent liquid clay)
...
Kato and Fimo brands of liquid clays will be the clearest
like
dotty, i dilute the liquid clay (with Sculpey Diluent-Softener)
to make it more drapable for figures' clothing
... saturate
the fabric... squeegee off the excess with fingers... drape on figure...
and bake. sunni
Bake in the
oven as usual, or can also use a heat gun to bake the clay fabric if the
piece is too big, etc. Jody
....some
fabrics will darken with liquid clay,
so you might try doing a few sample pieces first. Patty
B.
embedding
decorative fabric with liquid clay to strengthen it and stiffen
somewhat
...I pour a thin layer of liquid clay (I use TLS) onto a sheet
of glass... place my (decorative) fabric over it, and smooth it down
......
then I add another thin layer of liquid clay to the top surface and smooth
it in with my fingers ..since it is on clear glass, I can check the underside
to see any air bubbles ..once baked, just peel it off the glass. Patty B.
...I
think it works best to put the wrong side of the fabric against
the glass (surface next to glass will be slick and shiny)
embedding
plain fabric with transferred images or patterns:
Alan's
lesson on transferring a (butterfly wing) color image (printed
on t-shirt transfer paper and allowed to dry overnight) onto plain-colored
silk (type for painting on) with liquid clay
....then adding a bent wire...
baking under a sheet of brass to keep it evenly thin
...removing from
glass, and removing paper ... cutting excess liquid clay from around wings
...adding
a clear finish (or paint)... he then attached two of the wings to a clay bodyto
make a 3-D butterfly
http://www.pcpolyzine.com/0206june/wings.html
Karen's lesson on transferring a
pattern (b&w photocopied image) onto plain fabric with
liquid clay
.....apply liquid clay to paper image (fairly thick coat) on waxed
paper ...place ironed fabric (natural or blend, medium weave --she used a med-light,
tone-on-tone print fabric) face down onto liquid clay ...pat down to saturate,
then press out air
.......(also apply liquid clay to back of fabric in same
way if fabric not saturated)
...bake flat (not in convection oven because
will blow around?) 10 min
...while hot, peel fabric off (can rewarm &peel
again, or soak then rub, if nec.) ...let dry before using
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_accessories_purses/article/0,1789,HGTV_3227_3150845,00.html
Can
also "decoupage" fabrics onto raw (or baked) polymer clay
....
to apply it to your unbaked polymer project, coat the back
of the fabric with liquid clay, and then also the front of the fabric with
a thin coat ...bake (image will be permanently attched to the clay)....
I sometimes do this with fabrics which have been ink-jet printed using special
fabric-backed papers Dotty in CA (see below for more
on those)
glues
"white"
glues can also be used to adhere fabric to clay since it remains flexible
after drying (and/or baking) as well as being adhesive
(see more in Glues
> White Glues).
I use white glue on the fabric, put it on the clay, and then bake. Never had a problem in 11 years. Annadara
I liked Sobo (a white glue) and fabric the best
(...did all this before Fimo Gel liquid clay was released, so can't speak to that)
....the
glue didn't dull the fabric whether it was lightly brushed
on the back, or completely soaked the fabric (where the TLS did slightly deaden
the crispness of the fabric patterns)
...rub Sobo on the fabric back
or on the raw clay... lay fabric on clay...bake together
...different
fabrics may be treated differently
......so for a thick Chinese brocade
(you can just coat one side of it with a "gluing" liquid) ...but for something
sheer like silk organza, you are automatically soaking the entire
cloth. Cassy
Emi Fukushima sealed sheer
fabric to a sheet of clay with white glue (and clear sealer?)
in her lesson
....(uses natural fabric?...silk, cotton, rayon
or any other type, but definitely sheer).
...she
first textured a sheet of clay with lace (optional)
...she
cut the fabric and applied it with Sobo white glue onto the flat
side of clay sheet
...then added a clay rope-trim
frame to hide and seal the fabric's edges, which she textured
and powdered/gilded
...cut the clay around the fabric, trimming excess
...baked
in a 265-degree oven for 45- 60 min.
...then she cut the
fabric to the design and shape she wanted
...sanded and buffed edges
if needed. ... and glazed with lacquer
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_jewelry/article/0,,HGTV_3238_1371826,00.html
....jewelry
(flat beads/tiles, "rolled-up" beads, pendants, pins, etc.)
........see
lessons above
.......(esp. if you have a nice fabric with stains on it, ) cut
good parts of the fabric into 1" and 2" strips... then make
bracelets and chokers from them
............coat the fabric strips
entirely in liquid clay... bake in oven for recommended time
............cut
into choker or bracelet lengths... use either "ribbon" type clasp or piece
of velcro on each end. Karen H.
....embellishments
(on other items, boxes, etc.)
....coverings or linings (notebooks,
boxes, pens?, etc.)
...
freestanding items (lampshades, light "screens," etc.)
... hinges for articulated books, screens, jewelry pieces, purse flaps, etc.
....minatures (bedspreads, wallpaper, drapes, upholstery, rugs, lampshades, book covers, etc.)
...
clothing for small figures, dolls (clay figures or other figures)
(makes it easier to handle, esp. with liquid clay for draping)
...........Jody's
scale skin for a dragon (or fish?) attached to cloth
(with bent-tab at top?) with glue or liquid clay?? (website
gone)
...clothing
& accessories for people (for purses, tiles or as embellishments
for clothing and quilts, etc.)
......see more on making purses, and sewing
with clay fabric in Misc > Purses
& Sewing)
...fabric yoyo's (for
embellishments on clothing & accessories or clay boxes, making "figures,"
etc... or for making "quilts") (see above in Plain Fabric for
details)
fabric "origami"
ideas ...transferrable to polymer (wallet, purse, checkbook cover, box, card,
etc.)
...suppose it would be best to use Kato's Repel
Gel (or another CA debonder on the clay, or possibly a heavy powdering of
cornstarch on both sides of the sheet to prevent folded areas from bonding
during firing?... or just in particular areas?)
...or could origami be done
with liquid clay or translucent clay impregnated fabric?...(also
Tea Bag folding?)
http://ccins.camosun.bc.ca/~jbritton/jbteabagtiles.htm
http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/design2.html
(also click on ornaments)
...can
be later embellished with beads, embroidery, paints and by numerous techniques
http://www.fabricorigami.com kimono
template (very simple origami), shirt, etc.
(...for
more ideas on origami/folding and clay, see Sheets
> Other Techniques > Origami, Folding)
misc.
You
can also butt two fabric-covered clay sheets ... their edge
sides will bond together (thicker sheets best?)
When sewing
seams for 2 clay fabric sheets laid on top of each other....the
clay on the back will bond with other clay, making the sewing of the seams faster.
Karen R.
(see more on sewing clay-fabric in Misc
> Sewing and Purses)
(for
much more info on making clay fabric in various ways especially
for clothing for sculpts,
see Sculpting
> Clothing & Fabric, and also Canes-Info
> Sheets from Cane Slices (tho many clay "pattern sheets"
besides cane slices could also qualify as "fabric")
fabric
printed with patterns/images using an inkjet printer
...(diff.
from ironing-on images from "transfer" papers
onto fabric, or clay)
There are at least two ways to print an inkjet image directly onto fabric... you can purchase ready-made fabric sheets which are pre-treated with ink fixative for washability and colorfastness then bonded to a sheet of paper, or you can treat your own fabric then back it yourself.
fabric-backed
paper ... piece of white fabric (pre-treated with
an ink fixative) bonded to paper (the paper holds the fabric stable
as it moves through the printer)
...print directly onto fabric... paper
will be removed later (after ink is dry)... then ready to use
...add an image
to polymer clay or to other surfaces
...after printing
the image, cut it out and peel off the paper backing (the image is always perfect
on the fabric)...need to let sit 24 hrs?
.......(decoupage)
to apply it to your unbaked polymer project, coat the back
of the fabric with liquid clay, and then also the front of the fabric
with a thin coat ...bake (image will be permanently attched to the clay).
Dotty in CA
I have used some of the sheets for photos... you have to be sure
to let them dry thoroughly. I let them dry overnight... then
heat set, then rinse in warm water in sink (I dry them with a hair dryer. Then
heat set with iron again to be sure). (I did have a problem with them running
before I let them dry well). Gma
...there are
different kinds of fabric-backed paper?... regular cotton fabric is stiffer,
whereas "silk" or ?? is more supple and thin?
...some
of the fabric sheets are stiff which I don't like. I believe Printed
Treasures are supposed to stay soft (silk??). Gma
...can
purchase in fabric stores, quilt stores, and craft
stores?
.....Jacquard's version http://polymerclayexpress.com/print_media.html
.......the
silk is impregnated, UV resistant, and more supple ... the cotton
is just plain cotton??
other brands:
http://tinyurl.com/ah9uj
(be
sure and read the packages to see if the fabric has been pretreated or not)
OR
treat your own fabric for inkjet printing ... (then back it
with freezer paper --or with reg. paper or cardstock)
...most
(quilters) use a bottled product called Bubble Jet Set
to treat fabric for printing images onto
...it's the most economical
way to go and the results are great (for the same price as a package of
6 sheets, you can buy a bottle of the BJS and treat about 6-7
yards of fabric... it's easy to use too. Quilts 'R Fun
...cut fabric
a little larger than your printer will accept... soak in BJS
...adhere the
dried fabric to freezer paper** (shiny side) well with an iron (so there
will be no bubbles underneath)
....OR can adhere to ordinary paper or
to cardstock with a repositionable spray adhesive (one that works
well is 3M's PhotoMount ... "embroidery" sprays may also
work)
.. run through inkjet printer (do not use laser printer) ... can re-use
freezer paper a few times
...instructions on the bottle tell you to gently
wash the fabric after the ink has fully dried.
...I
usually put all of my fabric sheets in the sink at the same time with a couple
of drops of dish soap (Joy, Dove, Palmolive as long as it's mild)
and wash them all by hand.
......don't freak out when you do this because
there will be excess ink
coming off in the
water (the photo won't come off,
and it won't transfer color to other areas). ...as I wash each one, I'll squeeze
out the excess water (not wring) and put them in a bowl, then drain the sink,
put the fabric back in the sink (rinse the bowl well)
.......be sure to rinse
very thoroughly and get all the excess ink and soap out of the fabric (or
when you press the sheet after it dries, the soap residue
will yellow the fabric) MSC
....then you can toss in the dryer if you
have several, or just iron dry (no steam) if there are just a few... then
they're ready to use.
(more info and purchasing: http://www.bryerpatch.com/faq/bjs_q&a_page.htm
and http://www.bryerpatch.com/faq/bjs.htm
**they
also have a heavy duty freezer paper which doesn't roll and curl as much
as the regular stuff so a bit easier to handle
Leather
....suggestion
for getting leather really cheap: look in thrift stores (e.g. Goodwill)
for old coats, vests, etc., and then cut them up. You'd be surprised what
you can buy for $5! Suzanne
...see Barbara's leather purse made over
wire lampshade frame, with clay finial in Misc.
> Purses
Threads,
fibers, yarn + cross-stitch, needlepoint, etc.
Is yarn bakable?
...also, crochet cotton (#10) and stuff like that? (I want to use them
as hair on clay figures)
...try some test baking: cut
off snips of various yarns and bake, preferably on a non-metal
surface such as a piece of manilla folder. LynnDel
...any natural
fiber should be fine as long as its dry.
I bake DMC metallic
floss into my clay things all the time . . .Shaneangel
...do you
wrap things with the floss, or just cut up the floss and add as an inclusion?.....
I think it would be fun to do some tiny little clay worry dolls! Diane
B.
collages using fibers with stamped and often metallic-powdered
clays
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/pcj.html
fibers
are also often used for wrapping, or tassels with clay vessels
or vessel pendants
...Carol B's tassel cover (over wood form) http://tinyurl.com/39poo5
many bottles (med. and small) covered with mixed
media including transfers, beads, fibers, etc.
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/bottles.html
Wigjig's lesson on making a twisted and coiled
cord from wire and fiber (or other cording)
--they use a colored wire and twist it with a (gold) cord; the resulting twisted
cord is then wrapped around a thin rod to create a coiled cord
http://www.jewelry-tools.com/WJU/techniques/fiber/pg03.htm
http://www.jewelry-tools.com/WJU/techniques/fiber/index.html
.... can recreate these patterns
by making cross stitch canes... or onlaying baked clay "tiles"
onto a base clay sheet
... one of the gals
had a garlic press that extruded square snakes
.....she was doing
the most wonderful canes in cross stitch pattern. I found one at one of the big
local linen and kitchen ware stores. It's one of the cheaper presses--nothing
too fancy.
....(I've made clay) 'cartoon' animals, photographed
them, and then converted
them to cross-stitch patterns..
.....What a neat idea. ..I had thought of using some of my old photos to
make canes before, but never thought of cross stitch or mosaics, etc
(see
more in Mosaics, and maybe below in Seed
Beads)
spirella, spirelli ("string art")
(spirella, spirelli)
....I've recenly tried a new craft ...winding threads on a (shape) to create geometric
patterns .....the threads are held in place by tension
once wrapped around the shape (& I also use a varnish as extra protection)
...I wondered if it would be possible to scale the process down to
pendant-sized pieces using polymer clay instead
of cardstock
http://groups.msn.com/ALANpolymer/polyclayjewellery.msnw
...lesson: I made a few relatively simple flat shapes from
clay (none larger than about 4cm) ---squares, circles, triangles etc.
...for
each raw shape, I cut regular slots into the clay all around
the outer edge
......I use either a blade (X-Acto type) ...or
mounted needles I made (set in groups of 3, 4, or 5 in a row at
about 1.5- 2mm intervals, into clay handles)...these
work faster, but if the clay sheet is thicker than
2-3mm, the needles tend to distort it too much so I use the blade
...after
baking, I've found that some of the slots have closed up so I just redo
them all with an old thin tissue blade.
...threading is done after
baking... I use a continuous length which is wound
around the clay shape
......I ordered
some thread online which was called 'metallic machine-thread' in
silver and gold (if it stood up to use on a machine, I thought
it would be strong)
......polyamide/polyester blends seem to
work well (and are cheap) --like these
... http://www.sewandso.co.uk/ran875-0.html
......you could use any thread, but beware ...some of the ones
with actual metal foil wrapped
around a thread core can fall apart as one applies them.
...for
the thread ends, I tie a large knot into the end of the thread when
I start... at the end of the winding process, I just tuck the loose end
under the threads at the back (the slots are so tight, it's held in place).
......in
any case, I flood the whole piece with diluted spirit varnish (Fimo's
alcohol-based sealer --non-water-based) which holds everything where I left
it!... it sort of creeps into the body of the threads by a wicking effect....when
it's dry, the thread's a lot less flexible than the untreated pieces and I hope
it's less likely to come adrift from the clay (the slots are varnished too
of course - so that helps the whole stability also)
...... I'd imagine
that undiluted Future would do the same job as my diluted varnish - but
you could let it down with a little water if you found that it wasn't wetting
the threads properly when it's applied neat.
......there's no reason why you
couldn't use epoxy-based varnish (like Flecto?) (I've used crystalcote
on other pieces) to encapsulate the whole piece - but watch out for the dreaded
bubbles which could well come from trapped air in
the body of the threads & have a needle handy to pop them. Alan
V.
I used to teach middle school
math and we would do this technique on cardboard
...(some lessons
& info )
....simple to fancier geometrics ...esp. for kids, but for
anyone!
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/9155/index2/
....http://www.childs.mccsc.edu/art98/art2p1.htm
(6th graders)
http://www.mathcats.com/crafts/stringart.html
http://www.teachersnetwork.org/dcs/math/stringart/StringArt_TeacherNotes.htm
...odd shapes, for image components. http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/string/flower.html
...simple lesson on doing spirella on card
stock (large zigzag edges) http://www.lisavollrath.com/articles/012.html
...lots of fancier string art... stars, images, etc..http://www.easycreations.com/products.htm
(click on left categories)
any shape can
be used as a base for string art
...a hole
of some size and shape is created in the center from wrapping the traditional
way, but if farther-apart slots were threaded they could also cross over the center
area leaving no hole
..."notches" in the edges
can be slots like Alan's... but cardstock notches are often scalloped
or zigzaged
.....could use pinking shears or rotary blade, or deckle scissors?
.....slots are numbered, for some of these anyway, to keep things
unconfused, but be sure they're all marked on the underside
..thread
or string that is too thin breaks easily; string that is too thick is hard to
work with and takes away from the intricate designs that you've created.
.......DMC metallic threads ..cotton crochet thread ...embroidery thread ....are
3 which are suggested but one site says "string or thread that contains polyester
tends to stretch over time
so it is NOT a good choice?
...using lengths
longer than 4 feet are often hard to work with because they tend to get tangled.
In the centers of some my polymer
clay ones, I put dried flower 'lenses' (slightly domed).....I
didn't bake the 'lenses' with the clay though.
http://groups.msn.com/ALANpolymer/polyclayjewellery.msnw
...these dried flower lenses are sold as greeting card embellishments (real dried
flowers, encased in a plastic dome which has an adhesive back) which are called
mini gem stickers ....(NOTE: same company makes a similar
set of dried flower discs but those have no
plastic 'lenses' covering them (are not domed)
-they're just a laminated flat disc which holds the flowers.)..Alan V.
http://www.pressedflower.com/roundsticker-minigem.htm
see also Japanese temari balls for a 3-D version of similar wrapping http://www.temarikai.com ... http://temari.com
embroidery
angeli's
embroidery through holes in flattish baked polymer clay and embroidery threads/cords/etc...
strong clay, strong threads required for the pulling necessary
http://beadladyangeli.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-new-polymer-clay-embroidery.html
...stamping
into raw clay, then making holes which follow outline of part of stamp design,
for embroidering through
http://beadladyangeli.blogspot.com/2009/02/this-is-so-engrossing-more-polymer-clay.html
Jean
Hornberger "covered" some of her polymer beads with real
crochet (very fine stitch & cording/thread?), often allowing
the color of the clay underneath to show through, and sometimes using multicolored
threads
...she used various shapes and sizes of clay beads, even spacer
beads
...often adds large, clay end caps to the both sides of
each bead (where holes are)... often a plain one, then a patterned one on top
(one even has cones for the outer end caps)
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/jeanhornberger4.html
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/jeanhornberger2.html
(white)
...beadizzygrl's lessons on crocheting around wood balls and
pony beads to make beads +necklaes made with them
........she crochets a hemisphere,
lays the bead into it, then crochets up around the other half of the bead
.........It
sounds hard adding the bead to crochet the last 2-3 rows, but it is not as hard
as it sounds. Since I used a teenie tiny size 9 crochet hook, you can grab that
back loop in each stitch fairly easy.... If the stitch is too snug to grab, I
use my tapestry needle to lift loop a little for easier grabbing. beadizzygrl
Gina
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=192626.0
....(for actually crocheting with strands of clay,
see Clay Guns > Crocheting)
point
protectors for knitting needles ...point protectors
are like "end caps" for the pointed ends of needles
...will
act as "stops" to keep the completed knitting from sliding off
when not being worked on
...protectors can be made from regular or
flexible polymer clays (or a mixture), and can be created much like
any bead (see Beads)
...the hole (made
in one end of the bead/cap) should be long enough for the protectors
not to fall off easily, and also tight enough to need pulling or twisting
off (having a long enough hole should prevent the protectors from falling
off accidentally... short holes might be a problem)......however, the hole could
also go all the way through the protector bead and still be tight enough to grab
the needle (but then wouldn't be quite an "end"cap)
....form the
bead or shape you want, cool the shape if clay is warm....drill a pilot hole with
a toothpick or pin where you want it .... then gently screw the bead or shape
onto the end of the knitting needle and snug it to the needle if necessary...
bake the protector in place if the needle is metal or wood (or gently remove and
bake separately if it's a plastic that could deform at 275 degrees).... cool protector
on the needle... to remove, twist while removing if the hole is long
....colorful
examples of knitting needle protectors in various shapes (round "beads"
and cones) with onlays
......these are made in only two "basic"
hole sizes though (small hole fits up to # 8 needles; large hole fits
# 9-13 needles)
http://www.patternworks.com/PWShopping/partsview.asp?action=lookup&partno=300275
Petra's
patterned permanent clay ball beads for the ends of bamboo
knitting needles
http://www.polymerclay.co.nz/graphics/petra/needles1b.jpg
..http://www.polymerclay.co.nz/needles.html
for covering the handle area of crochet needles, etc., with clay and with other materials, see Tools > Handles, and Disabilities > Tools
stitch
markers...
(defnition: stitch markers are for knitting.... you place
them on your knitting needles to help keep track of where you are in the work.
You can place them at the begining/end to know where you start/finish, or you
can place them every 10-20 stitches --helpful if you have a LOT of stitches on
the needles....I placed them where the sleeves would go once when making a jacket
so I knew where to start my decreases. knittychick)
.... each marker could
be a small clay bead, clay slice, or miniature, etc. ...
each should have a wire loop large enough to fit over a knitting needle (to mark
the place in the stitches)... the "neck" of wire or small beads is usually
medium-length or longer so that it will hang easily
Geraldine's lesson
on making medium-necked stitch markers with thick cane slices
....she
passes a wire pin all the way through a thick cane slice ...then
wraps the excess wire twice around the knitting needle she'll be
using
....(she actually makes hers a bit fancier
by making a loop in the top of the excess wire then connecting a separate
double jump ring --made around her needle, as above--) to it so the slice
will dangle freely... and she also uses a wire eye pin rather than
a head pin so she can dangle other beads from the bottom of the slice
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_StitchMarkers.htm
...(part
of the lesson is on making "dot slices" with a clay gun --see
ClayGuns> Automatically Wrapped Canes-- but could use thick
slices from any cane)
...(the round-slice markers
at bottom of page have their needle loops created from the original excess wire,
and don't dangle at that joint though ... for making those, see Wire
> Basic Wire Shapes > "wrapped loops")
...for crocheting with
strands of polymer clay, see Clay
Guns > Crochet
...for
making buttons to use on knitted or crocheted items, see
Buttons
(for few more instances of crochet, see just below in Weaving)
Macrame + Knotting ... Weaving + Basketry
Naamaza's tote purse made from 9 polymer
tiles held together with jute? twine ... each tile has
16 holes and twine is run through each one 3 times... one row of crochet? between
each?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naamaza/134935687/
Monica's
lesson on a macrame ring and cane slice
....lesson shows how
to macrame some black cotton cording into a wide ring band... then hold a cane
slice onto the front side of the band by placing an identical cane slice on the
back side of the band, and pressing the edges of the two cane slices together
around it... then baking
http://guide.dada.net/hobby_femminili/interventi/2001/12/82532.shtml
the
new macrame!
Jeanne's macrame necklace (neck piece)
using some large polymer beads (multicolored) (and also smaller glass &
metal beads)
...the knots I used in the piece are just the basic knots
(square knot, diagonal double half hitch, and half knot twist spiral)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/grannyx2002/detail?.dir=7f58&.dnm=9a38.jpg
....I
used cord that I ordered from Whiteswan ... think it's conso
http://miva.comsvr.com/cgi-bin/mivavm?/merchant.mvc+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TLS&Category_Code=T2
(Nylon Hand Sewing Thread ....used to sew buttons onto thick cushions
by upholsterers..... smooth, shiny, holds the knots well but also
is fairly easy to untie ...stiff, yet fine enough to fit through most 11/0 seed
beads...ends can be melted... at least 20 shades (2 oz spools, approx.130
yds)
more macrame...mostly necklaces ---using leather, hemp
or polyester knotting cord
http://www.macrameboutique.com/gallery.html
...http://www.macrameboutique.com/gallery.html
more macrame photos (and lessons, if join) http://www.micro-macrame.com/files
kumihimo braiding and other knotting techniques
http://www.jewelsinfiber.com/workshop.html
(especially the "cabochon setting" ...knotting over and around
a large cabochon type bead)
.... another venue for polymer beads ...I love
the cords I've made so far. ...unless you want to buy lampwork beads with large
holes, there really aren't a lot of neat beads that will go on them so I'll
make some polymer beads to compliment the cords. A lot of the people in the classes
were wishing that there were more neat beads to choose from to string on the kumihimo,
and our polymer beads are perfect for that. Audrey
http://tinyurl.com/4xnoc
(kumihimo)
...I love being able to weave cord to match my beads
.......filament
silk thread is traditional for these, but I find that even rayon embroidery
floss makes beautiful cord. Patty B.
...Kumihimo is actually weaving cord
on a Marudai (round weaving stand) using Tama (wood bobbins)and a counter weight.
.....books
can show you how to make your own weaving stand and substitutes for the bobbins
.......one
by Jacqui Carey is titled "Beads & Braids"....various ways to use beads
with the braid (includes 9 diagrams for making round, flat, spiral, rectangle
and square cords which are easy to learn).
.......one way to use beads
with kumihimo is just stringing beads (or a pendant) on after the
braid is made ..you'll need fairly large
holes in the beads
.......other techniques are adding beads during
braiding...weaving with pre-beaded threads... and before braiding.
.....to really learn about Kumihimo, then get Rodrick Owen's book, "Braids,
250 Patterns from Japan, Peru & Beyond."
..kumihimo inro cords are
shockingly expensive to buy (the thinner braid of only 4 bobbins is most commonly
used for holding an Inro with its Ojime "bead" closure and Netsuke "toggle") Patty
B.
(for more on purchased braided cordining, see Pendants
& Cording > Cording)
"tablet
weaving" creates long strips of woven cording (like a belt or strap)....
lots of patterns (simple to more complex)
... could be used with clay
or clay beads?
http://www.shelaghlewins.com
(scroll down and click on Table Weaving)
http://www.weavershand.com/index.html#KG
(galleries)
... little equipment needed (one version is backstrapped weaving)
.......we
could also make the equipment ("tablets" which are rounded flat
squares with 4 holes punched out, and "shuttle" for holding the cording)
from clay?
Josephine Kershner-Veal's wall
hangings and collar-type necklace
made with clay and wire, beads, bone, feathers, stone, glass,
grapevine, etc
http://www.npcg.org/milehigh/MHPCG%20Images/josephine/jose2.jpg
(gone?)
...some also use completed sheets
of knitted or woven material in
a collage (or puzzle-pieced) with clay and other materials (these
are glued down to a base sheet of clay with
liquid clay or other glues?)
Karen in FL wove wide
strips of semi-wood-like mokume gane in with
her split ash reeds to make a basket
(using the polymer strips as just another set of strips)... hers were all vertical...
(calmlakebasketry)
....for more on actually weaving with strips
of clay, see ClayGuns
> Weaving,etc.
Naama's tote purse made from 9 tiles of
polmer clay, held together with jute? twine ... each tile has
16 holes and twine is run through each one 3 times... one row of crochet? between
each? (... a little like Xtine's vest)
http://www.livecity.co.il/site/detail/departAlbum/albumPic.asp?depart_id=2431&category_id=11448
...for
crocheting with polymer strands, see Clay
Guns > Crochet
..for
making buttons to use on macramed or woven items, see Buttons
FEATHERS:.....you can also buy many small white, colored, or naturally colored feathers in bags at craft stores, or fewer larger/ fancier feathers ...if you can't find the color you need, you can buy white ones and dye them with ordinary Rit dye. Diane B.
Even the feather duster can't escape our need for adding to the 'clay stuff'. I was making dreamcatchers a while back and needed more feathers than I had on hand...you guessed it ...the feather duster got volunteered!! The next time I went to the craft store, the same kind of feathers that were in the duster were being sold for $4.95 in a small bag that had about 8 feathers. You can get a whole feather duster for less than six bucks ..ya get a LOT more feathers and, usually, nicer ones to boot!! michele 'luny'
You can buy special dye for hair and
feathers but all you need for your application is Rit fabric dye from K-mart
or the drug store. A little goes a long way with feathers. ..Make sure you wash
feathers with detergent first and set dye with vinegar at the end...
...Dying feathers----If you have any turkey or chicken ranches close
to you ask them to save feathers for you. Wash them first, like human hair, they
contain oil. Put them in a pillowcase (preferably zippered) and throw them
in the washing machine. You can dry them on a line, (be sure to rotate
the pillowcase to help drying the inside), or dry in the dryer as you dry your
clothes. Do not dry on high heat.
.... To dye:
In a pan put food coloring, water, and vinegar, bring to a boil, and then
put in feathers until color desired. Dry thoroughly on a flat surface or you can
put one color in a pillowcase.(careful may discolor pillowcase).
.. When
you store the feathers, add a few mothballs to prevent the moths
from getting into them.
.. or go here to do a professional looking
job of it: http://www3.sympatico.ca/scouter_book/dye.htm
Dyes intended for natural materials as opposed to fabric dyes seem to be more
color fast. 1-800-331-8558 is the # for Hunters' Angling Supplies, they have two
different varieties of dye in many different colors. Veniard is the preferred
dye. --sunni
KellyK's tribal pins (some using feathers or mixed media)
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=696318&uid=458761
(gone?)
syndee's
lesson on making Mardi Gras mask pins from Pearl-Exed
mold faces, adding feathers, sequins and pinback after
baking
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e01770
polymer Native American face with many feathers
around it, at PCC Claypen...elegant
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/claypen_masks.html
Debbie
J's feathers at bottom of African-look pendant
http://colspolyclay.org/Debbiejackson/djfeathers.jpg
Karen's
Featherbutts ...funny birds made with eggs to which clay feet,
eyes and nose attached... real feathers stuck onto bodies (wings,
tail, and crest)
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=4027299&uid=2076171
Maer's funny birds with feathers sticking out of tail and top
of head...made with clay bodies and heads (twisted wire legs
& neck hold them together)
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=1202158&uid=447002
sunni's
dragons with feathers for 2 wings and for
"mane" http://sunnisan.com/crafts/02/dragon003b.jpg
Michele's Fairy Dragons
using real feathers (painted) (website
gone)
sunni's tiny "spice" bottles
with feathers for Wizard's Pantry Swap http://sunnisan.com/crafts/pantry.html
kelly's tiny Bottles of Hope with crystal bead stoppers
and wire/feather/bead extrusions (website gone)
Donna
W's miniature fish " bones " (a white feather), head and tail
polymer clay
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/polymerclaypeople/lst?.dir=/Donna+Worth&.view=t
...it
looks like you've used glitter hot glue or glitter fabric or paper paint to
hold the feathers on.
Hi Diane! It's Tulip fabric paint with
glitter in it and it stays on quite well. I had it left over from fabric
painting days...In fact, I tested, and it requires real effort to scratch and
peel it off, tho it can be done. Sarajane
(I'm asuming that you just dripped
it on, or did you scratch the surace first?)
Well, I squoze it. Squeezed?
yes, I squeezed the tube. No scratching. It probably would work for faux enamel/cloisonne--I
only had gold and silver, so I never messed with it much! SJ
(see more on paints in Painting)
I've
made sheet molds from real feathers (I used Sculpey Bake and Bend clay
because it's soft)
...you can use those to mold raw clay, then make a raised
feather, cut it out, antique it or whatever.
...lesson: Roll a
sheet of B&B to 1/2 your pasta machine's largest thickness. Generously powder
with cornstarch. Roll the clay and feather through and bake the mold. Then use
the mold against another sheet of clay same thickness. Roll through pm together
and don't forget to cornstarch the raw sheet. Patti K.
it is
illegal in the united states and
territories to possess feathers of any bird covered under
the migratory birds safety act (or whatever they call that) regardless
of how you came by them: gift, windfall, purchase, roadkill or hunting.
. that actually covers almost all birds that are not
on the list of avians for hunting! so
if you have illegal feathers...and use them, be circumspect with whom you share
them. my source for this information was the local federal wildlife marshall when
i was seriously eyeing the gorgeous roadkill owls. the only exemption to
this law are native americans who use various feathers for ceremonies. Sunni
....As
for the (laws) about feathers. No urban legend here. There actually
was an artist in Michigan a few years ago who had to surrender a painting in which
she incorporated two pheasant feathers she found walking in the woods...She also
had to pay a hefty fine on top of it. I lived in California when I heard about
this so I called the Fish and Game people to find out the truth. ...You cannot
use the feathers of any wild bird in art or
jewelry whether the piece is for sale or not. You must buy the feathers
from a bird farm or from a commercial source such as Hobby Lobby etc. AND. . .
you must produce the receipts if asked. Obviously, like most government fiascoes,
enforcement would be spotty at best, but that is the law. jessica
Flocking can be applied to the surface of:
...baked polymer clay
(or clay first covered with matte or gloss acrylic finish till tacky, or tacky
white glue, etc.)
.......inside boxes (or underneath bottom for protection)
... on back of pins/pendants .....as design areas
.......on
animals with short fur or areas of short fur, or to represent feathers
on animals http://www.jennywren.ca/friends.html
.......on other fuzzy things in nature or in scenes
(like model rr grass, etc).
.... non-polymer surfaces...
like metal Altoid box interiors
Craftflocking (online).....many
colors, lessons, and examples of ways to use flocking
http://www.craftflocking.com/index.php?pr=Buy_Craft_Flocking_Now
supplies:
MAKE
YOUR OWN flocking:
Kerri P's lesson on making
flocking from natural fibers like alpaca, kid mohair, silk and
wool (knitting shops,etc) (could also use fiber "rovings")
...tie a
number of strands together in a knot to hold all together, then comb out ends
of fiber with fine-tooth metal eyebrow comb (e.g. Chanel 9)
...cut off
shortest lengths possible (almost powderlike) into a container
...apply
tacky white glue to small areas with paintbrush (beginning with least important
areas?)
...moisten finger on damp towel, then press into flocking ...press
flocking lightly onto glued area and repeat with more flocking till glue covered,
letting dry a bit as continuing
PURCHASED
flocking:
...some colors should be available at hobby stores where supplies
for making model rr and other scenes are sold (grass, leaves, etc.)
........in
hobby stores, look in the scale models area for model car upholstery
...probably also at local hunting supply stores (decoys, etc.?)
...I
saw some flocking in the Michael's craft store the other day. It
came with a dry colored flocking material in a bottle and a bottle of colored
adhesive. You painted the item you wanted with the glue, then dropped in the flocking
and swirled it around and dumped out the left over flocking, like you would
do if you glittered something (can't
find there any longer?)
........
Plaid stopped making Soft Flock (which came
with a puffer bottle)
....(now) I actually buy my flock on ebay from
a store that sells it mainly for making hunting decoys --that
store sells all kinds of colours and quantities (and tthe decoy flock works well
! jennywren
TIPS:
...wear
a dust mask since these tiny fibers
can easily become airborne... can work in a large container lined with
plastic bag or a plastic bowl
...when applying non-white
flocking, can add a bit of acrylic paint of the same color to the tacky
glue. Kerri
...since
the surface can sometimes be seen a little through the final flocking, it can
be good use the same color clay (with a clear adhesive) orsame color acrylic
paint as the color of the flocking itself
... to spray on the
flocking fibers....fill applicator (any plastic squeeze bottle with nozzle-type
tip) only up to 1/2 full... then spray fibers on 8-10" from the item,
keeping the same angle at all times (45 degrees)
...apply more fibers
than you think you'll need
....adhesives:.... should be able to use
many adhesives as long as they can be applied evenly and generously (acrylic
glues/white glues/tacky glues, acrylic paint, acrylic sealers like Varathane --matte
or gloss.... apply mised into these mediums, or after applying medium allow to
dry to tacky stage then apply)
....must seal any surface first which
might be the slightest bit porous
before applying flocking ... (metals, glass and more plastics won't
need a sealer, but rough up a bit if very slick surface)
....a
fine mist of matte medium over the flock once the adhesive has dried
can further help bond the flock to the item
...drying: let dry 10-15
hrs, do not disturb while drying... full cure in 72 hrs
...clean up:
shake item over box or bowl... to reclaim excess fibers, wipe from
bowl with dry, clean, soft brush wipe
... can vacuum to clean up... do not
leave any fibers in applicator or will mix with next color
more info
and lessons re flocking: http://tinyurl.com/m8me9
Dried
Nature
twigs ..... rocks
... bones .... flowers & plants ....gourds
Cheryl's
tiny mouse made with a pussy willow body?, to which a polymer head
and tail are attached
http://members.tripod.com/~ctrottier/animal.html
fabulous (high art) figures with twigs used as woven cages or
in bundles for torsos... other bark, pieces of gourds,
moss, bits of nature, and other mixed media (the rest isn't
polymer, but it could be) ...Akira
and Larry Blount
http://www.akirastudios.com/gallery2003.htm
(look all around)
Dar's
dried-bean-pod "body" covered with clay, with face
attached (mold)
http://www.afamilyjournal.com/pcfunthings1.jpg
's
lesson on using silica gel to dry a large
okra pod (may take 3+ days), then covering the dried pod with
clay to make a lizard
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=322
Kevin also uses bark, twigs, moss, grass, acorn caps, and
all kinds of other natural materials in the photos at his
website!
http://www.kevinbuntin.com/hedge_podge.html
(woodland banquet)
http://www.kevinbuntin.com/hedgegallery.html
(look all around his
website!)
(see also Covering > Wood > "Sticks, etc" for covering sticks, pods, corks, nutshells)
Kevin Buntin makes 3-D "carved"
wood heads (with pine cones as hats and moss for hair)...
don't know if these are real wood or not, but could be done as faux wood too...
color could be added in the same ways we'd color the suface of a flesh-colored
face
http://www.kevinbuntin.com/imagepages/pinesprites.html
....(see "Wood" below for more on wood in particular)
...various
"coneheads" ... pinecone "hair/hats"
on clay heads ... from recent Klew retreat, at Kim K's site
http://beadyeyedbrat.com/conehead.html
Connie
at SBPCG cleverly utilized a pine cone as the body of a turkey ...and
polymer clay for feathers and tennis shoes.
Glenna
put some of her sculpted clay roses on dried sphagnum moss? or other material
which was simulating a topiary
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=1119822&uid=447002
small
rocks, glued together and painted to create these
figures and other sculpts (silicone glue like E-6000/Goop, or even
stronger Gorilla Glue, etc.."cement glue" suggested by one)
...
polymer items could be added to the rocks... or just
use these ideas for polymer inspiration (stonecraft)
(lessons &
info) http://www.geocities.com/flozart/stonecraft/index.htm#G2
...marthastewart.com
suggests holding the rocks together temporarily while creating the
figures or other sculptures with a non-drying clay (though bread clay is
mentioned, it definitely will dry but not immediately... could use polymer
clay or modeling clay more easily?)
http://tinyurl.com/2wyecc
... http://tinyurl.com/2vlm3q
Selkie's
polymer faces in framed collages ... other collage elements are
nature objects, moss, etc.)
http://hometown.aol.com/selkiewhitebear/myhomepage/artgallery.html
Mary
Lamoray's painted rock (curled up deer)... surrounded
by polymer leaves and other forest floor stuff
http://tinyurl.com/5u7a5
Suzanne dipped a
turkey neck bone in liquid clay for a necklace component
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=279317&uid=149408
I
work with Sculpey's SuperFlex (Bake and Bend) clay all the time.
Yes, it's tacky and somewhat greasy, but it's a problem solver. I use it ...for
flexible sheet molds that can be run through the pasta machine. . . Katherine
Dewey
...I use Bake & Bend for thinner molds in sheets which use low-relief
textures and items. I recommend it for my leaf molds, and texture sheets.
...It is extremely durable and flexible and when the sheet mold is thin enough
to go through the pasta machine with more clay. . . It can be used for thicker
pieces also, such as molding a button or such, but it will not be as flexible
in the thicker pieces as MoldMaker is. Patti K.
... or use for any nature
objects such as twigs, seedpods, etc.
(....for all info on using gourds with polymer clay, see Covering > Wood > Gourds )
(just) dried/pressed flowers, leaves, pods, etc.
(for info on using liquid clay as "decoupage" for dried-pressed ferns, leaves, and flowers on baked clay, see this page under two categories: Liquid Clay > Strengthener ... also Plants & Flowers, etc. (decoupage, dipping)
pressed-flower
collages ...mostly on greeting cards
http://www.artistbeads.com/greeting-cards.htm
...http://flanorelli.net/flowers.htm
many more: http://tinyurl.com/jjzmx
...collages
could
also be created on baked clay
...collages
could also be framed, or used as embellishment on notebook or album
covers, or adhered to votives, or made into bookmarks,etc.
component
pieces of flowers, leaves, etc. could be used in various ways too by carefully
taking flowers apart, then press-drying the parts separately,
and finally gluing them back together on a surface to make patterns or
images
....component pieces of pressed flowers used to create figures
--in this case, dried in a microwave (see below), then (white-)glued onto watercolor
paper with a paintbrush
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_home_accessories/article/0,1789,HGTV_3255_3685369,00.html
(Suzanne Shelton)
Another way
to use a pressed flower might be to put a very thin layer of translucent
clay over it, then bake
--but be sure that you've
dried
out every tiny bit of moisture
from the flower because any steam created during baking
will cause bubbles under or in the clay and/or plaquing
........(to increase
the transparency of the translucent clay when it's used this way, use the
thinnest layer of translucent possible, and the clearest translucent brand and
type, and possibly also use ice-water "quenching"...then also sand and buff the
clay (and/or using a clear sealer) --otherwise the translucent clay will be frosty
looking (see Translucents
> Clearest Results).
Diane B.
.....thin
translucent over flowers, plus molded filigree on top
http://www.artistbeads.com/polymer5.jpg
....I've
also put dried flowers between translucent clay--then run 'em through
the pasta machine...they do break up, but look cool!~ deb
for
info on using flakes of dried organic material (leaves, flower
petals, herbs, etc.), and also
powders such as ground spices (often inside or under translucent
clay, see Inclusions)
I dipped some (not pressed?) dried flowers in liquid
clay , let it drip down/off as much as it was going to,
then baked it.... It turned out ok, not perfect. Lots of places the TLS was
too thick and
milky-colored. Kelly
...so use either Kato or Fimo
liquid clay because they're clearer? ...or brush off excess so it's
thinner?
...I dipped some (stems of) grass seed into very diluted
Transparent Liquid Sculpey (TLS), laid them on a the front
of small clay-covered bottle, and rebaked it ....the grass toasted just
a tiny bit giving it a more delightful golden color. Kim K.
http://sunnisan.com/crafts/lindaswap.html
(for more using liquid clay as decoupage for dried-pressed ferns,
leaves, and flowers on baked clay,
see Liquid Clay
> Strengthener ...and also same
page > "Plants & Flowers, etc. (decoupage, dipping)"
While making some stoppers for my BOH the other day, I happened upon a
bunch of flower & plant material I'd pressed in my Microfleur several years ago
with my son (fun!)....I'd never done anything with some the finished ones so they
were stuck away in a drawer.
....I saw several brown flowers (?)
on a stiff stalk about 1 1/2" tall which I thought would work well
for my orangey brown BOH stopper, so I dipped it a couple
of times in clear Varathane to give it a glossy finish
and to strengthen it a bit... when it dried completely, I stuck the stem into
a faux cork stopper bead as a "finial" for the stopper .... I
know it wouldn't stand up to
rough handling, but it should be fine for anyone half careful with it,
I think.... next time, I might use liquid clay as one of the layers for
extra strength
http://www.glassattic.com/imagesCANES_COV/cov-BOH/BOH.htm
(it's the orange one with "cork" stopper)
....(I'm
also not sure if I baked it after Varathaning
or not now...would probably add even more strength ...see
Finishes > Varathane for info on
gloss, vs, satin, etc.)
other ideas:
...clay depressions:
.....glue
your pressed flowers in a depressed area to protect them a bit (...or just to
any baked clay surface)
.....pour Varathane or a two-part epoxy
resin over dried material placed into a depression
(from there, leave as
is, or cover pressed item with a microscope slide or other bit of glass
in the depression)
...cover with glass, then surround it with an upraised
frame
.....these could have other polymer onlays added to them
on top or around the glass as well
.....(for more info: see Covering
>Glass>Other for slides... Onlay... Mosaics-Inlays
...Frames)
Sherri's lesson on putting a thick layer
of 2-pt epoxy resin (Envirotex Lite) over a whole pressed flower
on baked polymer clay (after adhering it onto baked clay with white
glue... drying...then sealing with more glue ....finally applying resin in
center over flower, spreading to edges with toothpick--will cure somewhat dimensional)
http://tinyurl.com/b8atw (must
hv. Amazon acct to view... after logging in, use this URL...click
Go on left..."retro" book)
...if
gluing is done after baking, you can use various kinds of
glues (including "white" glues)
...if gluing before baking,
liquid clay in a very thin layer would probably be your best bet, or superglue,
or possibly white glue also
(see more on all these glues in
Glues-Diluent)
fresh
leaves can be used to make impressions in clay, then be cut
around and covered with metallic powders to create freesanding metallic
leaves
.......or just highlight or color the impression only
with metallic powders
.......or antique the impression-depression with
paints
....or fresh leaves can be used as a "mask" over a
sheet of Skinner blend clay so that metallic powders can be applied everywhere
but the leaf shape, as a background
.....for those two techniques, see
Powders > Mica Powders > Stamping
& Texturing
.........and also Powders
> Mike B's Masked Leaves)
transfers
made from photos or scans of pressed flowers, could also be used
in ways similar to any other polymer transfer
(see
Transfers)
(...for pressed flowers which can be purchased already encased in very small clear (plastic or glass?) discs which are flat or domed "lenses," see above under Fabric, in "Threads & String Art")
quick-drying flowers & plant material... in a microwave (Microfleur, etc.)
Flowers
and other plant materials can be quick-dried in a microwave
...a special
unit called a Microfleur can be purchased to do this
...or
it can be done with ceramic plates and paper towels, etc., without
a special unit
more info on Microfleur and places to buy one...
plus more info drying
http://www.microfleur.com.au/faq.htm
.....http://tinyurl.com/m8k7l
http://www.nationalartcraft.com/subcategory.asp?gid=16&cid=167&scid=1441
selecting
best flowers for drying in microwave:
....pick after dew has evaporated
and before blooms have fully opened
........iIf you won't be
able to start the drying process immediately, place the cut flowers in a bucket
of lukewarm water to keep the flowers from wilting. Place the bucket in a cool,
dry place
.....those with a strong stem
... those which are low
moisture (thick petals
or fleshy stems aren't best for microwave --e.g., magnolia,
hyacinth)
....those which are compact (flowers with multiple
petals like roses, hydrangeas)
... remove imperfections
--wilted petals, curled leaves or bruises (will be more obvious after drying),
and stamens with pollen (will stain)
....best color after
drying will result from:
...... stronger colors (blue,
yellow, red, orange, plus pink buds) are best (...paler
shades tend to fade after a few months, and
may even discolour slightly in the press)
......newer blooms rather
than older blooms
storing after drying:
....(UV) sunlight
and fluorescent lights will cause fading
more quickly
all kinds of
power levels & times for
the microwave are suggested in various places (from med. low to
high... and from 10 seconds to 4 minutes)
so you'll just have to experiment,
on less important specimens though)
lesson:
..press-flatten
and dry
.....place a paper towel (or two) on top of a plate, then place
flower on toweling... add another paper towel (or 2) on top of that
.....place
a second plate on top of your last paper towel
.... microwave for 15-30
seconds (high?)... check to see if they are dry.
........if not, re-microwave
them at 15-30 second increments until they are dry (if paper towels
become too damp, replace with dry ones)
.....can
also use blotter paper, but still use paper towel next to flower
...can microwave
multiple flowers at one time if they aren't overlapped (but takes a bit longer,
and some color may be lost)
...may be best to
let flowers continue drying after microwaving for awhile (even overnight)
to get rid of all moisture in thicker areas
..dry flowers so they
stay dimensional and dry by using a drying agent
around them
........silica gel, kitty litter, or sand (fine
builder's sand, silica sand), or (2 to 1) borax + white cornmeal
....cover
flowers gently...cover container, put in microwave next to small
bowl or 1 c of water to prevent excessive drying...set to defrost?
or high (2-4 min.) ....after microwaving, let flowers sit in the
dessicant (lid slightly cracked) overnight
....OR place flower in glass
half-filled with silica gel, then gently cover with additional gel crystals.
A cup of water
...... microwave on high power for 1 minute
for most flowers, but some experimentation will be necessary... allow to cool
before pouring gel out and removing flowers.
(see also just above in Dried nature, twigs, etc.)
There are actually many ways to incorporate polymer with woodworking, and with the whole subject of wood! . . .Here's a sampling of things that could have to do with wood, along with the pages here that will have more info on each:
-- insetting... mosaics & micromosaics....also
marquetry, parquetry, etc.--Mosaics & Inlay
......e.g., stairs & bowls with inlaid polymer http://www.tinapple.com/cynthia/stairs.html
& http://www.tinapple.com/cynthia/bowl2000.html
.....do be careful when trying to fit a *large*, or long, flat expanse of raw
clay into an exact-fit space though because it can shrink
just a bit during baking when large like that (if it's not weighted while
baking. etc/)... there's more on that in Characteristics/Clays
(under "Shrinkage"). Or bake the clay sheet first, then trim and glue.
..... parquetry http://polymerclaycentral.com/clayday_faux1.html
(FimoBob's)
......I can also see insetting polymer into the "holes"
of wood fret work like here http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/craft2decor8/craftGalleryWood.html,
or backing them with a sheet of solid or patterned or blended clay which
would show through to the top
--covering wood items....and veneering
--Covering
......whole tables have even
been veneered with polymer http://www.npcg.org/Activities/muse/images/voulkos/Original%20Files/VOULKOS1.JPG
--molded items for onlaying and embellishment --Molds
.... Onlay
.......also
texturing options: Textures
... Stamping ... Powders
(metallic powders & waxes)
--faux wood, faux bark -- Faux
Turq.& Wood (see FimoBob's parquetry above, e.g.)
--frames,
etc.--Frames, Mirrors & Decorative Tiles
--vessels (boxes --freestanding, covered, etc.) --Vessels
--houses, constructions --Houses, Structures
--gourds, covering and/or embellishing --Covering
> Wood > Gourds
ALSO? :
...book covers or
notebook covers --Books & Covers
...carving
& turning --Carving
...cutters,
templates --Cutters
...transfers
--Transfers
...covering turned wood
pen blanks --Pens
...masks &
heads -- Heads, Masks
...other
fauxs for inlay or embellishment....Faux-Ivory
.... Inclusions ....(in
addition to FAUX--TURQUOISE & WOOD)
...kaleidoscopes --Kaleidoscopes
...outdoor uses?? --Outdoor, Fountains, Globes
~(Stainless
Steel, Copper, Brass & Aluminum) Sizes and shapes of chips vary from
sm. fragments to curly, corkscrew shapes, and anything in between. Unusual and
charming… my husband owns a metal working shop. The scrap pieces that the shop
produce are PERFECT for collage!
To Buy: If you would like a
"mixed bag" of assorted metal chips, (quart size ziploc bag) we charge $10 plus
$3 shipping to anywhere in the 48 states of the USA. Shipping extra to Hawaii,
Alaska, Canada and overseas.
To Trade: I will trade for artistamps,
old mail, stamps, (international, used or new) rubberstamps: ethnic/tribal, goddess
& dancing, beads, ethnic looking jewelry, masks, handmade and/or beautiful
papers and envelopes.If interested you can contact me directly at: dancingforever@hotmail.com
Shoshana
We (my assistant Sue and I) did manage to stop them using clay long enough to make an experimental bead/brooch using metal, either bronze or copper which was coated with a salt and vinegar paste and which were then enclosed in a shoe box along with a bowl of ammonia and left for some hours. The experiment was a huge success! The oxidisation worked and the pieces emerged covered in this wonderful verdigris patina. Not sure if I actually got pics of all these, so try it yourselves one day...it's easy, cheap and the end result is fantastic. Jenny
Many
brass charms! Fanciful Brass: http://www.fancifulsinc.com/default.htm
(go to Gallery page) to see mixed media pieces
watch
face dangles pendant by Confabulations
http://www.nanosite.com/confab/watch-dangle.htm
misc. watch parts
http://www.theclockman.com/wparts.html
Elizabeth K's “Urban Relics” ...pins using bits of found metal
to create an artifact look. (crushed screw-top bottle cap inset
with glow-in-the-dark polmer clay, beaten metal wire, bone bead stitched on, inlaid
ivory, transfers, pieces of burned Altoid tins, laser prints, etc.
http://ekingdesign.com/art.html
(for aluminum flashing figures (cutting, preparing and covering or painting), see Covering > Metal)
Marcia
Rocha's funny sculptures using clay & wire (animals, people, things)
http://www.funnysculptures.com/sculpture.html
Maer's
twisted wire legs and necks on birds with clay bodies heads
(feathers from tail and top of head)
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=1202158&uid=447002
Laura
Balombini's pages with patterned clay sheets over wire mesh, etc.,
creating the upper bodies of amazing figures, birds, etc.
http://www.lbalombini.com/index.php
(keep clicking on Next to see more)
(for much more on wire, see whole Wire page... for more on wire mesh, see Armatures-Permanent > Wire Mesh)
Glass, Ceramics, Shell, Mirror, etc.
*Moira's bits
of patterned art glass surrounded by polymer for pins
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=616503&uid=444394
7th-Sense's glass
pebbles and clay
http://7th-sense.com/glowingcandleholders.htm
(click on each votive which has glass pebbles to see many more)
Marie
Segal's glass gems embedded in clay of angel ornament's dress
http://www.pcpolyzine.com/0212dec/msangel.jpg
(...
see more on glass beads & pebbles, etc., just below in "Beads,
Seedbeads ")
catbyte's shards of fine china surrounded and embellished as pin (website gone)
Klew's beads made with polymer on glass or resin beads (varnished
5 times for strength)
http://www.klewexpressions.com/beads/pogr.htm
Dawn S's sculpted face inside the opening of a large shell
http://www.sdpcg.org/Sandy%20Camp%208/sc8oa24.jpg
Michele's
Santa head using upsidedown clam shell for beard
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/clay/gal1115130020326.html
Jan
S's clam shell for angel skirt & lower body
http://drumdiver.com/janmade/images/seashell_angels.jpg
Grant
Diffendaffer's shisha mirrors embedded in clay... OR maybe the clay is
on top of a large mirror, and it shows through where the square or circular
cut-outs are? (see also Onlay/CD shards)
http://www.nwpcg.org/ravensdale/rave/rave00/diffendaffer.shtml
shisha
mirror embroidery (India), and it's basic stitch attachment
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/textiles_design/design/1_1_5/shisha.htm
Robin's
use of onlay and seed beads, etc.
http://www.angelfire.com/art/redrobin/
Cindy P's minibook cover with seed beads and onlay
http://pcpolyzine.com/april2001/booklace.html
*Claudine's
beautiful seed beed necklaces (not polymer, but definitely inspirational!)
http://www.essi.fr/~claudine/Fimo/Gallerie/antefimo/antefimo.htm
Gerri's
seed bead necklaces with polymer mini-book amulet pendants hanging from them,
and mixed media
http://www.newfry.com/Jewelry.htm
Rebecca
N's seed beads and polymer beads necklace!
http://members.aol.com/arknogy/Page3.htm
simple faces with seed bead eyes, on Jan's page
http://www.mindspring.com/~janruh/clay/b1.jpg
Tinidril's polymer cabochons surrounded by seed
bead work
http://www.tinidril.com/projects/agatizedcoralswirl.html
(keep clicking forward-arrow until you see them all)
Kellie's
polymer cabs surrounded by seed bead work
http://www.kelliesklay.homestead.com/cabs.html
Barbara
M's polymer "stones" (& real stones) surrounded with seed beads
http://www.mckieart.com/Pages/thumnail_pgs/Necklaces_1.html
Gail's
faces surrounded by seed bead work
http://www.mhpcg.org/clayDays/claydays02/april02/gailG.jpg
Daphne's bottles
with encircling seed beads around bare neck & hanging wire spirals, etc.
http://www.hodohio.com/images/5188-lrg.jpg
Margot's
(covered) vessels with lids using beads & wire, etc.
http://www.bellarosapaperarts.com/vesselclass.htm
Lori G's semi-lesson on using beads with polymer clay (making
holes, etc.)
http://home.earthlink.net/~lorigles/partydetails.html
Cris's hair/hats/wraps embellishment on
(could be polymer) faces
http://www.endlesswire.com/faces.html
(gone)
All-clay (seed beads)
clay
"seed beads" ... baked or raw
........you can get a lovely effect
of seed beads by rolling a thin snake of raw clay, chopping off
tiny squares of it, giving each a quick roll with a finger into a ball
shape
... use a blunt darning needle tool to pick them up one
by one and poke them onto your raw clay surface (this should also create
the "hole" in each one)
(.......these raw clay balls will
stick better than glass beads to clay without a layer of glue, etc.)
......after baking, get a gloss surface on these by coating them with Future,
etc. which will give the effect of real glass beads.
Helen F.
...Sherry
B's tiny balls mosaic http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/chall_sep01.html
(pre-baked
clay balls could also be used, but would need to be glued to the clay or other
surface using liquid clay, white glue, etc.)
A different simulation of rows of seed beads --curved or straight--
are used for some clay ropes of faux Balinese Filigree
.... perpendicular lines are impressed along the rope, creating a line of "tiny
tiles" ... or a circular "stamp" like a ballpoint pen part are impressed along
the rope which looks more like a line of small round beads (see Clay Gun > Balinese
Filigree)also see, in
Onlay > Balinese Filigree
....Grove
and Grove's similar faux mosaic technique created mostly by impressing and/or
texturing long clay ropes repeatedly, so they resemble a "line of tiles"
as they are laid on a base sheet http://www.groveandgrove.com/fishgal/%20fishgal.html
(fish)...gone
Attaching (non-clay beads, pearls)
glass
beads will bake with the clay just fineAny beads that are baked with the
clay must usually be glass
.... some plastic beads may work
too --especially if somewhat protected and/or not baked too long... experiment
first if you want to try it
for plastic beads, you can always
create an impression in the raw clay where you want the bead and remove
it ... bake the clay... then glue the bead back in in afterward
....
or wire or thread/sew them onto or into the clay
... or for small ones,
add a layer of clear finish or 2-pt. resin over the top of clay and beads
...most
pearls purchased at a craft store are plastic
and can't be baked....baking (real?) pearls will also
change the color at
certain temperatures, I am not sure how high though....however,
it's a really interesting effect you can get by sort of toasting them. Gail
There
are several ways to attach or embed small or medium-size non-clay
beads (also "gems", glass pebbles, pearls, etc.) to polymer clay
...the
beads can also be placed as individual beads, in strings, or as
solid areas of many beads (see more below)
glues
(esp.for
seed beads)
"Glues"
of various types can be used before or after baking ...and
also alone or with other methods (like thread or wire).
....the
best way to add a lot of beads to raw clay (as opposed to a bead here and
there) is to use an adhesive which can be baked without losing strength
.....translucent
liquid clays can be painted on the clay and the beads added to it (if the
beads were larger though, more liquid clay might be needed around or over
the beads as well) ...they remain sticky and uncured until baked, but are a very
strong "glue"
.....Sculpey's Diluent-Softener acts a strong glue too;
I think it might work alone in the same way (allow it to sit out on the
clay for awhile so it can become a little tacky before you add the beads, if you
want).
....you could also use a white glue underneath ... the
best one might be Gem Tac or Jewel It, since that type is made
to adhere to non-porous surfaces like plastic and metal gems (they bake
just fine) ... or perhaps Sobo
...You might want to roughen
the surface of the clay also to give the glue more to cling to (if pre-baked)
...other
clear finishes and sealers could work too, either under or over the beads
(depending on size and type)
.....Future or Varathane could be
used under the bead, and/o on top of them
.....clear 2-part resins
(and floral "waters") could work too. Diane
B.
(to avoid baking beads)
I would impress the
pearl in the raw clay to get a sort of dent where you want, and then remove
till after baking and glue in later.
......do take into consideration
the irregular shape of some pearls too.... and whether those dents are
going to be hard to match up to the pearls later.. if you have a 'longish' dent
you are trying to fill with a roundish pearl it might be a problem so perhaps
trying to either choose similar shaped pearls, or even keeping track of which
ones were where in the soft clay would work. Gail
holeless
beads in particular
....tiny,
glass beads without holes, in packages/tubes...also called
Beedz, Beadlets, micro beads, Micro Marbles, etc.)
...come
in clear and colors ..ok to bake since they are glass
http://www.polymerclayprojects.com/Beadlets.htm
and http://www.blockheadstamps.com/marbles.html
.... can be held onto raw or baked clay with liquid clay (or possibly
white glue, esp. Gem Tac), Varathane, Future, etc
.......
or just sealed in with a clear finish or clear 2-pt. resin
....I've
been putting Beedz on baked clay with TLS
& then rebaking
........(If they stick up too high, the outer surface
can be scraped off(?), including the color, but if you get them in right they're
fine). Marla
....Try making a deep (stamped?) impression in raw
clay... bake... then give it a coat of Varathane making sure
its a good thick coat and gets down in the impression... .wipe
off the top of the piece, removing the raised-area Varathane coating, but
leaving the Varathane in the grooves
...... pour in some beedz, wipe
off the strays ... allow to dry
.......very cool effect, especially the
metallic beads ...& good way to make the really fancy, reticulated
/granulated armor pieces. Sarajane
...I brushed a light coat
of TLS on the clay, under the spot where I am going to embed
the beads... then I pushed the beads gently into the raw TLS treated clay. (I
have also just pushed them into the raw clay without the TLS, but I like using
the TLS to assure they dont come off.).... I guess you could also push the beads
in place then lightly brush a very thin amount over the beads..
. .If you are going to seal the piece with Future or polyacrylic or whatever,
the TLS would not really be needed..... I haven't had a problem with the beads
coming off after the piece has been finished. Lisa
...could
cover an area or a whole object with these tiny beads .......spiff
up butterfly wings, etc
........I have used bold (?) Beedz,
Pearl Ex & translucent Premo clay to cover a raw clay
pen.... I used translucent Premo, brushed in some opal-ish Pearl-ex
and rolled the pen in it..... I then rolled the clay-covered pen in the
Beedz, and rolled and rolled to get them in deeply.... After curing, I
applied two coats of Future, and still no color change
or bead loss. Deb
..someone used clear ones to evenly
cover an image
...simulate bubbles ......or help with the
sparkle of snow/ice. author?
....i used some little red
glass hole-less beads as inclusions in some translucent
clay once, and the color came off
of the beads as I was mixing them in turning the clay
pink.... it was an interesting effect but not what i was shooting for..
jen
......different colors may react differently. I suspect the gold or
silver may not bleed.
... I did notice that I tried to add some bright
shiney metal pink beads one time... during baking
the pink disappeared,
changing them to silver. Lisa
....be
sure not to put clay-with-bead-inclusions through the
pasta machine!!
mechanical hold
You can have something which physically comes up around each bead to hold it in place... some may be combined with a "glue" as well.
CLAY ... any clay element (like leaves, little ropes, or other design elements) can be partly overlaid onto the bead well enough to hold it in place
BEZELS
....a real metal bezel, or a faux bezel made from clay (tiny rope, etc.,
faux metal or not)
THREAD & SEWING
...could you string
your beads on thread... even a few at a time connected by
thread might help keep them in? Helen F.
.....long strings of beads could then
be attached with a glue method, or tacked down periodically with small
wire "staples" like "couching"
.......long strings
could also be laid into liquid clay (or be buried later under a clear finish)
to simulate Huichol beadwork or peyote, etc.patterns by stringing
each row for that pattern, then lining up carefully when placing on the
clay and perhaps removing the thread
.......I'm stringing the beads onto a
needle and thread, then placing the seed beads with another needle, and just cutting
the thread and pulling it (gently!) out of the beads when everything's configured
the way I want it to be (single beads touching, or even singly not next to
each other?....causing effect
(also see Patterns
of Beads below for picking up, placing and manipulating beads with a toothpick,
slightly sticky tool, etc.)
...tiny holes can also be created
for thread or very thin wire "thread" in raw clay or in baked clay
...baked
clay can also be sewn with a sewing machine,
so perhaps that could be made to work somehow
(for sewing clay with a machine,
see Glues > Sewing)
...or perhaps
fabric impregnanted with liquid clay could be used (see Fabric above)
Your
bead-framed polymer pins are really nice. . . how do you hold
the concentric rows of beaded framing to the polymer discs???
Diane B.
......the clay
piece is glued (E-6000) to an iron-on Pelon backing which has been ironed
on to plain white paper
......I trim the backing to about an
inch beyond the polymer piece and
......then I bead around the clay
disc through the backing.
..... after I have completed beading all the
rows around the clay, I trim the backing, glue on a pin back and then cover the
entire back with ultrasuede or leather, cutting two holes for the
ends of the pin back to poke through. (this is a common technique that beaders
use with cabochons. I am glad that you like the beaded work; it's my favorite
to do.. Cheryl
..Not being a beader I have another question . . . when you
say you "bead around the clay disc through the backing," does that mean that you
say string on 3-5 beads then put the needle down through the backing, up again
with 3-5 more beads, down again, etc.? or do you go down for each bead?
........I'm
also wondering if it would work reasonably well to just glue
the string of prepared beads onto the backing, with flexible glue,
or if that would be hard to get really even-looking. Diane B.
...this is how
I sew the beads on ... I bring the thread up from the back,
through the backing, string 4 beads, then go from the front to the back
...
I backtrack 2 beads, bring the thread through the back to the front again,
go through the last 2 beads that were added ... then add
4 more.
...I continue adding beads in groups of four and backtraking through
the last two until I have completed a complete circle
......when
the innermost circle is completed, I bring the thread up from the back about a
half bead width from the completed circle and start my next circular line of beads.
...Bead & Button's website has some projects which feature beading around
cabochons ...this
is a variation of the same technique
http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx?c=se&id=102&t=1&#search
..... I've never tried gluing the beads on. I think it might
actually be harder to glue and get an evenly spaced, neat result than to sew,
but I don't really know. Cheryl (website
gone)
WIRE
...Christy Friesen
says to thread the bead on a piece of wire then twist (the wire tails)
tightly ...trim wire to the depth of your piece ...insert into raw clay...
the twists hold the bead when the clay is cured. Trina (add a bit of liquid
clay or glue before inserting?)
.....Christy uses pearls & glass,
metal, etc., beads to create her many onlaid, high-relief and
3-D sculpts (all held with wire?)... many diff. wonderful pieces
http://store.cforiginals.net/index.html
I
wire my beads into the clay too but I usually use several beads in
a row so it's not a big deal to thread wire thru them. Susan
Ai
Ping Yeh wires freshwater pearls and small beads into tops and
interior bottoms of boxlike pins-pendants in various ways
......(one
way:) she puts short wire thru the bead, and inserts each leg through a tiny hole
drilled in a baked clay sheet...bends the wire tails on the back side of
then and adds a little piece of raw clay over each wire to hold it in place....she
then drills a hole larger than the bead in her decorative sheet of baked
clay which she lays over the bottom sheet , allowing the bead to be halfway
in a framing hole ...(she'd found when she glued the beads in they
came out if her pins were dropped). I bet this is more tedious than gluing them
in.
http://www.glassattic.com/imagesOBJ_SEAS_MISC/vessels/Ai-Ping_boxes.htm
.....for
lessons & more details on Ai Ping's techniques on these, see Vessels
> Closed Construction Boxes
Patterns of
seed beads + tools
mosaic, Huichol, etc.
Patterns
created with Huichol beadwork.... or
peyote beading....
or cross-stitch... needlepoint ...Perler beading (...even
patterns from coloring books or stained glass patterns), etc.,
should be reproducible with seed beads or with tiny clay beads, on clay
in various ways:
...real
Huichol inlay http://tinyurl.com/3oseo
is actually done
by pressing seed beads down into a surface covered with a layer of beeswax
and pine resin (for extra stickiness)
........their
wax layer ends up about half the bead's height... and holes
in the beads show (face up)
.....Donna
Kato's lesson on embedding very small seed beads (# 11) into a layer of
polymer clay (on a tile) in Huichol patterns...
.......she first
scribes a pattern lightly on the #5
clay sheet
(for this size bead) with a needle
tool
...... then coats it with a bit of liquid clay
.......she
places them where desired (pushing each down into clay before
removing tool)
.......trims around beads with blade... and bakes
& cools
......removes, and glues unit (with liquid clay) onto a raw
backing sheet of clay (med.thick) on a tile
......creates frame
elements with strips of 1/2" wide #1 thickness clay, and smooths joins
......trims
excess clay and bakes, sands, etc (she used
as pins)
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_accessories_jewelry/article/0,1789,HGTV_3225_4044790,00.html
...beadizzygrl
lays her seed beads in grid and freeform patterns on clay shapes
covered with a layer of (TLS) liquid clay by wetting the end of a ball stylus
on a damp paper towel to pick up and place... some patterns are in depressed clay
areas, some have added frames
http://hometown.aol.com/fourleafcl1064/page95.html
...
instead of scribing or dotting raw clay (and instead of eyeballing) to create
a guideline pattern to follow, I guess a line or other transfer could
be used too, especially if the beads weren't transparent or if there were a tinted
grout used afterward or something.
...baked clay balls could
be used rather than seed beads,
then finished with gloss finish
......raw clay balls could be used instead
too (as
above in "all clay" seed beads)
seed
beads used along with traditional mosaic tiles
http://www.dances-with-dogs.com/arts.html
fabulous
"mosaics" made with leftover Mardi Gras beads
http://emenlevy.com/beadart.htm
.....(but
could use any beads --large or small, transparent or opaque,
faceted or not, etc)
I first made a raw clay bowl (by putting canes over an aluminum
bowl, took it off the bowl raw)
... and then I pressed seed beads on
the inside of the bowl, in a flower pattern (like sand painting)
... baked... set it with coat(s?) of Future
... she loved it.....
and loved touching the beads inside since she misses being able to bead (her wrists
had given out)
tools for picking up & placing seed beads
...Donna Kato wets the tip of a
needle tool with her clear Kato liquid clay to pick up the beads
(picks up by pressing tool into an upfacing hole)
...beadizzygrl
wets the end of a ball stylus with water from a damp paper towel
...I trimmed the end off a regular, round toothpick ...
then dipped it in white glue and let it dry completely (don't
want a big drop on the end, just enough to cover it) ....I use that "rubbery
end" of the toothpick to pick up seed beads and press them into place perfectly
straight ((in my case, they were for eyes). Marilyn
..I rub
the end of a toothpick on some soft matching colored or
translucent clay-- just to get the toothpick tacky)
......then
I touch the toothpick into the seed bead hole, to pick it up...
press straight down into place onto the clay with the toothpick
as the "handler/placer," and pull straight up in a smooth motion--
avoid any side to side
motion (this is one of those repetition-makes-it-easier deals)
......even
if the bead does come out after baking, theres a nice bead shaped hole for it
and it can be glued back into the spot! Sarajane H.
...using a round
toothpick by itself is a good tool to start, but I find I usually have to blunt
the toothpick for my beads by snipping the tip at bit... otherwise
it sticks through too far and doesn't release easily.
Halla
(also see Mechanical Hold above for placing
seed beads with a needle while on a thread, etc, generally for a number of touching
beads.)
patterns
formed on grids can be found in lots of places --peyote beading
is done on threads over a loom...
cross-stitch, needlepoint, plastic canvas, dots of fabric
paint ...even weaving
......Shala
has a great page with loads of blank "graph" papers on
them for designing with seed beads, needlepoint.
http://shala.addr.com/beads/resources/graphpaper/index.html
and http://shala.addr.com/beads/resources/patterns/index.htm
..instead
of placing each bead separately, for some designs the process could be speeded
up by using long strings of beads (strung on thread or wire) to
lay into the liquid clay-covered clay (or buried under a clear finish)
......
for gridded patterns, could string each row for that pattern, then
line up each row carefully when placing on the clay
(..see
above for using white glue as the base layer)
Perler beads pattersn http://www.perlerbeads.com
(for
many more patterns and ideas, see
also Mosaics )
I have this nice beading tray,
with a bean bag bottom (and a non-skid top with a pad that
keeps the beads from rolling, it's awesome). so I can sit in bed, or in front
of the tv, and bead.
http://www.lapdesk.com/viewitem.asp?idproduct=56
Mine
looks pretty much like that...there is a blue non-skid pad that sits in
the tray. .the BeadSmith pads come in a pack of 3 so the beaders can work on one
project, and then just roll up the pad with the beads and project inside,
and move on to another project.
. . I also got some bead matts, the
label on the bag says "The BeadSmith". ..made from material that looks similar
to those blankets that look like plush fake velour .. these pads fit perfectly
in the tray and stick to the non skid pad, so the matt does not move around in
the tray. I can pour out a bunch of tiny seed beads on the matt and they don't
roll all over the place, and when I go to pick up a bead on my needle I don't
have to chase it all over the place! Kellie
I'm loving matching up seed bead color
combinations with some of my polymer beads.
... I've even been making
beads specifically to use for toggle clasps with polymer and imbedded
wire that look really cool mixed in with all that flash.
freeform peyote
seems to be very versatile ....the
fun part is when you start making tiny polymer beads like lady bugs
or flowers to go into your freeform seedbead thingys!!
faun
....I've
seen necklaces and earrings done this way on the whimbeads site I posted yesterday
and the Bead and Button site.. Julia
(see Julia's peyote bracelet in websites)
the
center of those pendants is clear glass pebbles (the cheap ones
used in vases).... I use the clear as they are the only ones I can get fairly
small
...... I paint their backs with Duncans ceramic
pearl or metallic........I tried to bake the
paint first, but it bubbled ... now just
let the paint dry on the pebble
... ...then place on my clay... and
on the front lay the surrounding leaves (highlight with gold), and bake, with
no problems. Mary V.
...(see more on glass
pebbles and gems, just above in "Glass, Ceramic, etc.")
safely
removing the gold foil backing from glass stones? (have some
great cabs, but the foil backing on some of them is chipped, and looks bad. Sharon
...I've used toilet bowl cleaner to remove the silvering or
whatever it is called on the back of antique mirrors that have been damaged. Works
super fast.---but do use precautions as it is not a substance that you want in
contact with skins, eyes, etc. Jeanne
........toilet bowl cleaners have an
acid in them. Dotty CA
...I have had to remove the foil backs from some of
the glass jewels I use on the object wheels on my kaleidoscopes. There are two
ways to do this. One is to put the pieces into a jar which has a solution
of vinegar and salt. A pint of vinegar to a half cup of salt usually works
for me. Put a lid on tight and shake the jar. Let it sit for a few hours, and
shake again. Do this for 24 hours. Then rinse and rub at any foil that's left
using a towel. The second way is to use a mild solution of acid. I can't
give you the strength on this as I don't use this method. But a lapidary shop
might have the answer. I'm told it's much faster than the above method, but I
don't like to fool around with any acid that's stronger than the vinegar. Dotty
in CA
many
wonderful jointed figures made with clay +
beads, wire, charms ..with many types of parts and looks
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/funfigs.html
Fayette's many wonderful
dangle figures
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=778722&uid=492837
(gone)
(see
many more of these in Sculpting-Bodies
> Jointed)
Glenna
uses her sculpted clay flowers (mostly roses) on or with all kinds
of other objects, or objects she's created
... like metal
baskets, corsages & bouquets, frames, candles, goblets, card holders
....hair
accessories, headbands and tiaras, and earrings, etc.
http://www.rosepetaldesigns.com/misc.htm
(click on all categories)
My doll's neck is a brown sea glass bottleneck. The headgear is made of rusted metal bits I found on the ground. I made the body over a wire armature by wrapping and sewing on felt strips, then sewing on the crochet in pieces. Her arms and legs are button joints so she's posable. Jody B.
maribel's pins in pointed oval or similar curved shape,
with very thin felt strips onalid and filling the left
side of the shape, and cane slices filling the right side
http://www.flickr.com/photos/polymermania/381101686
... http://polymermania.blogspot.com/2007/05/hora-de-actualizar.html
Do try rocks. I enjoy mixed media, and rocks give weight and stability, literally, to polymer, and work well visually with polymer. I'm saying this as if I've done a lot, but so far only 3 clay-rock projects. The first one I did is a small Kachina doll, glued to a flat rock. In front of the Kachina I glued 4 very small, rust colored feathers and one small shell. The 2nd is a scene using various dried plant things and a Saguaro made of Sculpey. The third one, with 3 large faces, is the best so far. (BobbieMom)
Suzanne
I's hedgehog with magnolia seed pod, etc. --nature items
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=286295&uid=149408
figures with twigs used as woven cages or in bundles
for torsos, other wood/bark, and other mixed media (the rest isn't
polymer, but it could be)
http://www.akirastudios.com
(look all around)
flat ethnic figures made with 2 long vertical
twigs to which a body is attached in the middle (polymer heads, wire,
feathers, etc.)... can use almost any materials for any of the parts
though
http://www.dotcalmvillage.net/cre8it/stickdollkits.html
Josh's
angel made with clay head; petals from a silk rose and leaves for
"wings," etc.
http://joshclay.com/angel.html
Roberta Altshuler's lesson on her Wild Woman (Spirit)
pin (using waxed linen cording for hair, plus molds, leaf,
Rub N Buff, layers of clay)
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_jewelry/article/0,,HGTV_3238_1386894,00.html
http://www.eragraphics.com/samples4.html
....also
dried moss for hair
...uses doll hair around the molded faces
on her pendants/ornaments, along with other small theme items in polymer
(more
wild women and goddesses in Websites below)
(for fetishes and amulets, see Pendants & Cording > Amulets & Fetishes)
Eni's
wonderful faux metal bezels, and doodles of clay ropes with real stones,
molded items, mixed media, etc.
http://www.oken3d.com/html/indsculpt.html
pipe cleaners (the
bumpy kind) formed into animals... then bodies are embellished with
shapes of raw clay (and bit of white tacky glue?) to add eyes,
chest plate, and many other things, then baked at 265 for 15 min.
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/furry.htm
(+ mini-lesson)
(more on these and others in Sculpting-Bodies
> Bendy > pipe cleaners)
Celidonia's
many little base-type scenes with mixed media (some with
themes) for tiny creatures, etc.
http://www.celidonia.it/English/gallery.htm
(look all around)
Northwest
Naturals's wonderful minis (cradle, bed, swing, etc.) made with
natural materials (the figures and some others have a bit of polymer)
http://gerdesdesign.com/northwest.htm
Paulo's knotted twine (hemp? or something?) to hold necklace components (faux bugs' wings) (website gone)
lori's? cinnamon potpourri angel --polymer body, skirt of potpourri (website gone)
Maureen Carlson's wreath with polymer
decorations
http://www.weefolk.com/ideas.htm
Cheryl's framed pin using buna cord and similar red polymer roping, plus two rubber o-rings (website gone)
Gwen Pina's
figures with patterned clay sheets over woven wire frames, or other
media, for upper bodies (like Laura Balombini's)
http://www.gporiginals.com/
unusual,
audio-tape-boxes box ...adaptable to clay --as
"pictures" inside the clear cases and/or as lids, etc. ... Marlies made
some triangular boxes (or could be rectangular or any shape) by standing 3 audio
tape boxes on their long sides and gluing together with clear glue ... see also
her covered video-box box
http://www.mcuniverse.com/Boxes_from_Audio_Tape_Cases.959.0.html
Tonja's collages of clay items
and mixed media mounted in wall frames
http://www.tonjastreasures.com/misc/misc.html
I remember that you can take that plastic cording that the leather people use around billfolds etc....wrap it around a tiny dowel...warm it up [ Maria Filosa and Beth McDonald invented this technique] in an electric frying pan of hot water...and voila! permantly curled plastic cording! Don't know if this would work in hair or how you would attach it.... Cecilia in SD
For the cording I used rubber cord from Rio, (which I won't buy anymore), threaded that through aquarium air line tubing that I dyed yellow using Rit dye.( the Rit dying is just too much fun! I save it in jars and use it over and over.) I also embellished the cord with artist wire and o-rings. Geo (see Geo's URL in Websites, and Pendants/Cording)
Here is one method with which I've had some success in reshaping a curved flat piece. I take the piece out of the oven hot, bend it (with oven mitts on) as flat as possible then dunk it into ice water until it is completely cool. . . . I think it's the rapid cooling that does the trick. Dotty in CA
Matilda's
dragonfly with Pearl Ex body, stamped mica tile & Pearl
Ex & gold pen wings (for box, see Websites)
(website
gone)
I bought the tiles at a rubber stamp store but you can order
them from USArtQuest. I think they are on the internet.
I do not use wire
on the wings. I know it looks like wire but what I did after stamping
the wings with the permanent ink is to cut the wings out, then separate them by
putting my nail between the tiles and splitting the wings. Then I mixed
some Duo yellow-green and Duo pink-blue Pearl Ex with some Perfect Paper
Adhesive and spread a small amount of the mixture between the mica wing layers.
Put the layers back together and stick them into the clay body of the Dragonfly
and bake.
Note: Mix the two above colors separately before applying the mixture
to the wings. Do not use too much of the mica powders with the adhesive. It takes
a very small amount of powder.
After baking the Dragonfly I used a gold
leaf pen to outline the wings with the gold edging. Matilda Colf
website
with lessons on loads of things to make from several hundred
materials
http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/matchtmp.html
"Shrink plastics"
are plastics which will shrink to approximately 2/3 of their original size
when heated (and thicken).
...sheets of it can be purchased
as PolyShrink, Shrink Art, Shrinky Dinks, Ultra-Thin by Vesta Abel, etc.
...or
plastics which will also work can be found around the house, at restaurants,
grocery stores, etc
.....these include clear plastic containers, foam meat
trays or cups, chip bags (Doritos, etc.)...
The plastics can
be colored with various pens, markers, pencils, inks, paints, etc.(freehand
or by stamping, etc.), generally after being sanded first to give tooth, and after
shrinking can be used with polymer clay in various ways... for example:
...Tina's
shrink plastic images stamped with Brilliance inks and colored with
chalks, placed on a backing frame of black clay imprinted
with a stamp and antiqued with rub-ons and glazed
http://stampsmith.net/projects3.htm
(middle of page)
...Sally's (edenhound's)
beautiful dog portraits on shrink plastic.. embedded and framed
with polymer
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=750687&uid=527261
NOTE: see Misc. > Melting, Slumping or Shrinking plastics for all other info and lessons on plastics which shrink when heated
DB: find more & where is more?
Tory Hughes piece (see Vol. 12)
http://www.gameplanvideo.com/videos.htm
many bottles (med. and small) covered with
mixed media and (often) polymer clay
...including transfers, beads, fibers,
etc.
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/bottles.htmlKellyK's
tribal pins (some using feathers or mixed media)
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=696318&uid=458761
many different
scenes ...with all kinds of mixed media
....each as part of a "shoe"
http://www.polymercafe.com/feat_of_clay/feat_of_clay.html
Gerri's page on mixing media for other-medium artists, & another
page with many lessons
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/playwithclay.html
and http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/clayworks.html
Tonja's mixed media collages with clay, in wood frames
http://www.tonjastreasures.com/misc/misc.html
Joan's faces surrounded with clay or
mixed media
http://www.cox-internet.com/spirit/masks.html
Gerri's seed bead necklaces with polymer mini-book
amulet pendants hanging from them with tube hinges, and mixed media
http://www.newfry.com/Jewelry.htm
*catbyte's shells, pearls, china, lace,
etc. (website gone)
seasont's dragons in shells, etc. (website gone)
Liz's use of Scrabble tiles on polymer pin (to spell a name)
http://www.libzoid.com/files/Lynnepin603.jpg
Bobbi Laubhan's various shells onlaid on textured wall piece
(for
now, use) http://www.sdpcg.org (and look
for it...site being redesigned after highjacking)
Irene's many-techniqued, tiled, frames
& clock (& box lids w/ beads, feathers, metal pieces, etc.)
http://www.good-night-irene.com/boxes.html
Matilda's box with UTEE and Pearl Ex, (for dragonfly, see just above) (published
in Jan/Feb Stamping Arts & Crafts Magazine) (website gone)
Garie's film cannisters (film spool art), etc., and all his things!
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/index.html
Simply Annie's things, wire, etc.
http://hobbystage.net/art/annie_c/pendants.html
(look around)
*Annie's wire loops with beads around
hearts (website gone)
Heather R's Bal.Filigree
with gems (Blue Votive)
http://members.home.com/claythings/fun.htm
~my tiny items (& applique) on quilt block (website
gone)
Julia's polymer leaves with freeform peyote
bead bracelet (website gone) (click on peyote2)
~Jim’s printable books, seed covers, etc.! (could use for transfers?)
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/1832/printables/
Cassie Doyon's abstract, mixed media clocks (...see more clocks in Covering)
http://www.npcg.org/Gallery/doyon/cassie1
(find at new npcg site?)
Lori G's
abstract forms (beads, found objects, embroidery, wire, fabric quilt)
http://home.earthlink.net/~lorigles/clay.html
(click on several)
Annie Casper's many items with mixed media (look
around!) (website gone)
Danqing's mixed media
art jewelry (pendants) --wire plus
http://icoldwell.com/danqing/Jframes.html
Cindy's "goddess" (mixed
media wild women) pendants
http://www.geocities.com/claycrazy1/GoddessVes.html
http://www.geocities.com/claycrazy1/goddess.html
Ginny L's many figures and
heads, & mixed media--feathers and wire esp. (arty & whimsical)
http://www.digitalartbeat.com/sculpture/index.html
Denita's
simple heads & bodies with wire, beads, etc.
http://djoneofakind.safeshopper.com/8/cat8.htm?219
*wild
jointed figures with transfers for faces (not polymer), "Milagro dolls"
http://www.rdwarf.com/~mnoel/rice.html
*Cheryl's fabulous jointed
figures (art dolls) with sculpted heads, caning, and lots of mixed media for skirts,
hair
http://members.shaw.ca/gera/new_page_1.htm
*wild, jointed figures (flat).. "paper dolls" (see more in Sculpting
> Websites > Jointed)
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/dolls.html
Faun's tiny figures (some with wire hair); (website
gone)
*assemblage
figures with differently colored-patterned pieces (from wood, but still
inspirational) http://www.pekin.net/pekin108/wash/artwood_ud/index.html
assemblage figures (hinged) diff. paper patterns, etc., but
still inspirational
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/contents.html
Krista's jointed "birds",
using beads or wire for long necks, legs (see also assem. fig's below)
http://www.artware.ns.ca/Retail%20Store.htm#Birds%20of%20Paradise
Turtle
Press' list of good books to read on collage
http://www.turtlearts.com/bookshlf.html
(see also: Wire, Stamping, Powders, Onlay, Transfers, Paints, Liquid Sculpey, Heads/Masks )
