Craft Test Dummies

Val at Val’s Altered Heart Journey has come up with the coolest idea - she uses caulk to create texture in her artwork. She has a full step-by-step tutorial on her blog, so I won’t repeat it here. But I love the texture and flexibility she gets from a non-art medium! Great thinking outside of the box, Val!

The picture I’ve selected to highlight her technique is one of 3 “inchies”- if your a new to them, they are 1 inch by 1 inch pieces of mini art. Yup. ONE INCH ONLY. Why only 1 inch? Well, usually they are made in stages, and the first part is rather serendipitous: you create a large background texture, usually with some layers, and then you chop it up into the squares. You’re never sure just what you’re gonna get. Then, you take each one individually and add extra adornment, paints, embellishments, what-have-you, and make it a little mini work of art.

What do you do with them? Another good question. Make them into mosaics, attach them to altered quilts, books, collage art. Put a hole in them and make them charms or jewelry. Really, they are just small components for other larger pieces of artwork. I keep a few on a small ball chain attached to my quilting tools…that way when I go to a workshop, everyone knows they’re mine.

Here are a couple of pics of other artist’s inchies, fabric and fiber:

And when you make them 2 inches by 1 inch, they are called “twinchies.” How clever is that! Wendy made some great ones, and she even sent me one!

Anyhoo, they’re fun and rather addictive. Get thee to Home Depot and get caulkin’!

(Or sewing, or gluing, whatever!)

Thinking on my next set of classes for Stamplistic. I whipped up these two tins using the Studio By Sculpey texture sheets as prep for writing my review on them. Anyhoo, I use them for holding my UTEE, so took them to the Art Doll class. They got lots of oohs and aaaahs. Makes me think I need to make some more, trying a few new techniques. There’s always something new to explore!

The one on the top, here, was green clay with burnt umber acrylic paint rubbed on to create a wash. I didn’t put a finishing coat on it at all. The bottom one I used Pearl-Ex to tint the clay,and then put 3 coats of Future floor wax on it to give it some shine and seal it up.

I’ve seen some others that use a more “collage-y” look, and I’d like to try that…. but I’m out of tins. So here’s the dilemma - eat my weight in curiously strong mints, or break down and buy some empty ones online?

I had another Polymer Clay Art Doll Pin class at Stamplistic on Valentine’s Day. We had 3 players, and their work is stunning. Thanks to Terri, MaryAnn, and her granddaughter Christina for coming to create with me!

Mine is the one with the shamrock… lucky, lucky me! I get to teach cool things to great people!!!

For info on other classes I have scheduled, check out my classes and events!

… and more on conversation hearts! Crafty Goat has made a version with polymer clay that really do look good enough to eat. What I like about her tutorial is that she gives you “recipes” for the colors, which really do look close to the original. If you are in to mood to make some, check out her site!

Wouldn’t these be cute strung on a necklace?

Mine would be snarky, you betcha.

We had a small but mighty class yesterday at Stamplistic, and a big “Thank You” to Shelly and Alice who come to play with me!

I love facilitating classes…. getting to know different artist/crafters, their approach, and the life stories they bring to the table. Fortunately, Alice and Shelly “got” the project, and brought their creative juices! Here’s what they made:

I’m repeating the class on Valentine’s day…so if you want to attend, just click on link above for registration info. And for the other classes I’m teaching, check out my classes and events.

If you are interested in the “story” behind the pins, I’m telling it over at CraftTherapy.com. Just don’t steal the idea… I’m trying to publish it for a magazine. Thanks!

I was doing some class samples yesterday, using some of the new Studio By Sculpey clay in Wasabi. I covered this picture frame and lightswitch cover, using the same clay - but I used a white pearl acrylic wash on the frame, and a burnt umber wash on the lightswitch. Some difference, huh? Just goes to show you can stretch your crafting dollar by using some paint to achieve different effects and hues!

Oh, and a little PS: ArtyGirlz are having a picture frame challenge… so I’m going to randomly enter this one. Who knows?

I taught my Polyclay Pendants class today at GRB… and got a whole new appreciation for jewelry makers / crafters. Some folks were brand-new to clay, some had some limited experience… and then, God bless Nadine, I had one repeat offender! They all qualify as official “Craft Test Dummies”- trying out something new.

We had amazing art being made, most especially from our two “junior dummies”- young pre-teens who made incredible pieces. The lighting was poor, but here are a few glimpses:

What a great time! I just wish I’d taken more pictures…. but lots great work was made today! Thanks to Eva at Grand River Beads and all of the awesome participants.

Ok, I got on a bit of a Google kick here… I needed some inspiration for polymer clay switchplates. I thought I’d share my favorite findings:

• This is an artist gallery…. lots of ideas and eye candy!
• This is a DIY network tutorial. Scroll down for the switchplate project. And, interestingly, it uses a ceramic switchplate for the base…
• This is a basic tutorial for a plastic or a metal switchplate base. Good info!
• Desired Creations is one of my absolute FAVORITE sites… you’ll like her ideas….
• This a quick and fun tutorial, using pre-made canes.

Ok…. go make something!