Thursday, December 30, 2010

Thinking Ahead to Spring

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Favorite Technique: Textures, Mokume Gane


gundowerks


I have two favorite techniques, and it's kind of hard to choose. One is very simple, but the results it produces can be amazing: Pearl Ex powders on black clay. I use texture plates, found objects, molds, all kinds of different things to add texture to sheets of black clay, then add powders to create glowing effects, some that look almost like tie-dye, some that looks sophisticated and chic enough to wear with an evening gown. You can cover flat objects with whole sheets, or cut many sheets into geometric pieces and create a patchwork effect. Imagination is the limit for this one, it's great fun and the effects are amazing.

My other favorite is creating my own variation of faux mokume gane. Gane is a Japanese metalworking technique where sheets of different colored metals are heated together, buckled and sliced into, then smoothed out so that there are ripples, pools, ovals and dots of different colors on the surface of the metal object. Done in polymer clay it can use multiple colors of clays to achieve amazing effects. My variation includes inks, dyes, powders and metal leaf along with translucent clay and creates a glowing effect that is breathtaking and very eyecatching!
Visit gundowerks.artfire.com

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Art of Polymer Clay, The Red Collection

Monday, December 27, 2010

Ask A Smoosher: favorite clays

Boo asks, What clays are your favorites and why?

CDowdleDesigns
My favorite clays are Femo, Premo and Sculpey III. They are the stiffest and withstand the torture of reducing while still keeping the design intact. I also like the original Sculpey to sculpt with, it's the easiest to work with when you have Arthritis in your hands.

Tamed
My favourite clay for sculpting miniatures is Puppen/doll Fimo. It is strong, but flexible and holds it shape nicely, plus the light colour makes it easier to see small details.

ColtPixy
*For my mica shift I use Premo because it was my first favorite clay and it shifts so well.
*For miniatures and other things I either use Premo, Fimo or Kato. They are all very strong clays. Which one (or combination) I use depends on what color I am trying to achieve.
*For my dolls and such I use a combination of ProSculpt (or Living Doll) and Bozzi. While each are very strong, flexible clays on their own I find the combination gives me the best of the positives from each: firmness, memory retention and color.

gamekitty
I use primarily premo because of the artist's palate. Sometimes I would use kato because kato has a higher baking temperature but it will cure at premo's regular temperature. It is kind of a line of defense against burning clay.

HaffinaCreations, BeadsByHaffina
I use Premo almost exclusively these days, although I still have a little Kato from earlier on. I love the texture and finish of Premo, and the colour 'trueness' of Kato. In terms of Liquid clays, Kato is my absolute favourite.. it clears to a glass like finish, which Translucent Liquid Sculpey does not.
I would really love to try out some of the other clays, specifically those designed for sculpting.

averilpam
I'm still experimenting with different types. I am currently using mostly Premo though I also have some Fimo Classic and Cernit. I tried Sculpey III but find it a bit soft, as is Fimo soft. I really love the Cernit nature range, it makes lovely stone effect.
I also tried Kato but it was so hard it really hurt my hands just softening it enough to get it into the pasta machine! Some of it was so hard it just crumbled to bits - maybe it was old, I don't know.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Smooshers Beauties

Friday, December 24, 2010

Happy Holidays from the Smooshers

On behalf of the Smooshers I wish you all a very happy holiday season. May it be filled with laughter and love.
ColtPixy - Guild Master

Need a quick and easy last minute gift? Head over to Smoosher 2goodclaymates blog for a free tutorial to make these beautiful disc earrings.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Dreaming In Blue