Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Learn from our mistakes Finishes
by ArtFairlyAware
I made the HUGE mistake of trying to spray a few pieces I made with a lacquer finish. Everything stayed tacky. I went over the pieces with a brush on acrylic and thought that solved the problem, but after a few weeks, the pieces were tacky again. It was a good thing I kept all the items for myself. Now I know--no shortcuts, brush on the right finish!
Visit ArtFairlyAware.artfire.com
I made the HUGE mistake of trying to spray a few pieces I made with a lacquer finish. Everything stayed tacky. I went over the pieces with a brush on acrylic and thought that solved the problem, but after a few weeks, the pieces were tacky again. It was a good thing I kept all the items for myself. Now I know--no shortcuts, brush on the right finish!
Visit ArtFairlyAware.artfire.com
Thursday, July 28, 2011
DesertWindDesigns Studio Tour
by DesertWindDesigns
Here are some pictures of my main studio space. It is a 10' x 10' room and I have a lot of stuff in there (Oh, to have only one hobby!) I have space in the garage as well that contains the toaster oven and some metal working supplies.
This first picture is of the north wall. This is my beading corner. I've been playing with seed beads and they are pretty much everywhere. Shelf unit has beads and supplies, books, magazines and random doodads.
This is the east wall with my area for doing small paintings. Next to it is a computer desk that is currently set up to take photographs. I have a second computer there, but it is not set up on our home network so it gets used very little. I so need a shelving unit on this wall!
The window on this south wall looks out on my backyard garden. This is my polymer clay setup. I have a little p/c tidbit sitting there on an acrylic sheet that I haven't quite decided what I want to do with. Note, my oven for curing is in the garage.
Last wall is the east wall with my sewing machine, serger behind it and a bit of my storage nook.
Last picture is a closeup of the storage. Here is a close up of the storage space. Includes yarn, fabric scraps, small painting canvases, beads, sewing patterns, pillow forms, and more than a few "UFOs".
Visit DesertWindDesigns.artfire.com
Here are some pictures of my main studio space. It is a 10' x 10' room and I have a lot of stuff in there (Oh, to have only one hobby!) I have space in the garage as well that contains the toaster oven and some metal working supplies.
This first picture is of the north wall. This is my beading corner. I've been playing with seed beads and they are pretty much everywhere. Shelf unit has beads and supplies, books, magazines and random doodads.
This is the east wall with my area for doing small paintings. Next to it is a computer desk that is currently set up to take photographs. I have a second computer there, but it is not set up on our home network so it gets used very little. I so need a shelving unit on this wall!
The window on this south wall looks out on my backyard garden. This is my polymer clay setup. I have a little p/c tidbit sitting there on an acrylic sheet that I haven't quite decided what I want to do with. Note, my oven for curing is in the garage.
Last wall is the east wall with my sewing machine, serger behind it and a bit of my storage nook.
Last picture is a closeup of the storage. Here is a close up of the storage space. Includes yarn, fabric scraps, small painting canvases, beads, sewing patterns, pillow forms, and more than a few "UFOs".
Visit DesertWindDesigns.artfire.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Learning the hard way Curing Temperature
by Gingerbells
One of the most important lessons I learned from making a polymer clay mistake is always use a good thermometer in your oven..I learned this the hard way when I made one of my early projects. I worked really hard for several days to make it just the way I wanted it and I was so proud of what I did.
I put it in the oven and turned on the oven to the desired temp according to the knob and left it to cure. I went outside and came back in 1/2 and hour later to check on my piece and guess what the piece was scorched. Oh man was I bummed so I went to the store and got a good thermometer and put it into the oven and guess what the oven was 45 degrees hotter then the set temperature. No wonder my piece was ruined.
Visit Gingerbells.artfire.com
One of the most important lessons I learned from making a polymer clay mistake is always use a good thermometer in your oven..I learned this the hard way when I made one of my early projects. I worked really hard for several days to make it just the way I wanted it and I was so proud of what I did.
I put it in the oven and turned on the oven to the desired temp according to the knob and left it to cure. I went outside and came back in 1/2 and hour later to check on my piece and guess what the piece was scorched. Oh man was I bummed so I went to the store and got a good thermometer and put it into the oven and guess what the oven was 45 degrees hotter then the set temperature. No wonder my piece was ruined.
Visit Gingerbells.artfire.com
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
DreamWeaversDesigns Studio Space
I must say, looking at everyone's work spaces, I feel a certain sister-ship with my disorganized organization.
Visit DreamWeaversDesigns.artfire.com
Visit DreamWeaversDesigns.artfire.com
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Favorite Technique: white washing (glazing)
by StrangeWhimsy
My newest favorite technique is what I call 'whitewashing'. After the piece is baked, I go over with a very dry brush dipped in titanium white acrylic paint (remember stenciling..that dry) and lightly brush over the which ever part I want to make pop, then I do a short re-bake to set the paint. I have scraped at it with a nail and its not coming off, but you can glaze over it if you like, I would recommend a satin type glaze so you keep the 'old, worn paint' feeling.
I have used other colors than white but the white is by far my favorite.
Visit StrangeWhimsy.artfire.com
My newest favorite technique is what I call 'whitewashing'. After the piece is baked, I go over with a very dry brush dipped in titanium white acrylic paint (remember stenciling..that dry) and lightly brush over the which ever part I want to make pop, then I do a short re-bake to set the paint. I have scraped at it with a nail and its not coming off, but you can glaze over it if you like, I would recommend a satin type glaze so you keep the 'old, worn paint' feeling.
I have used other colors than white but the white is by far my favorite.
Visit StrangeWhimsy.artfire.com
Thursday, July 21, 2011
intothedawn's other interests
Before polymer clay took over my world, I loved to do thread crochet. I never did much with yarn, I was a "threadie" all the way, I loved making doilies, especially with floral designs.
I also made dozens of Victorian x-mas tree ornaments for myself, family & friends:
If I ever did work with yarn, it was usually because I found an amigurumi pattern I just had to try:
I still have lots of crochet projects I'd love to complete, but what can I say? Polymer clay has turned my head!
Visit intothedawn.artfire.com
I also made dozens of Victorian x-mas tree ornaments for myself, family & friends:
If I ever did work with yarn, it was usually because I found an amigurumi pattern I just had to try:
I still have lots of crochet projects I'd love to complete, but what can I say? Polymer clay has turned my head!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Hot Fudge Spoon Cake
Bet you didn't expect to find a cake recipe on a polymer clay blog. =)
I got a lot of requests for BewitchingDreams' favorite Hot Fudge Spoon Cake Recipe so here it is:
Hot Fudge Spoon Cake Recipe
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 & 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed and divided
1/4 cup plus 3 Tablespoons baking cocoa, divided
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 Tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 & 3/4 cup hot water
Garnish: vanilla ice cream
Combine flour, one cup brown sugar, 3 Tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in milk, melted utter and vanilla. Spread evenly in a slow cooker.
Mix together remaining brown sugar and cocoa; sprinkle evenly over the batter.
Pour in hot water; do not stir. Cover and cook on high setting for 2 hours, until a toothpick inserted one inch deep comes out clean. Spoon warm cake into bowls; top with vanilla ice cream. Makes 6 servings.
Visit BewitchingDreams.artfire.com
I got a lot of requests for BewitchingDreams' favorite Hot Fudge Spoon Cake Recipe so here it is:
Hot Fudge Spoon Cake Recipe
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 & 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed and divided
1/4 cup plus 3 Tablespoons baking cocoa, divided
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 Tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 & 3/4 cup hot water
Garnish: vanilla ice cream
Combine flour, one cup brown sugar, 3 Tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in milk, melted utter and vanilla. Spread evenly in a slow cooker.
Mix together remaining brown sugar and cocoa; sprinkle evenly over the batter.
Pour in hot water; do not stir. Cover and cook on high setting for 2 hours, until a toothpick inserted one inch deep comes out clean. Spoon warm cake into bowls; top with vanilla ice cream. Makes 6 servings.
Visit BewitchingDreams.artfire.com
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)