Chilling out with polymer clay in cold weather

Another freezing and windy day - so  late afternoon,  I took myself off to the end of my garden for another relaxing play.

I have been clearing out my craft shed/studio and filled up boxes and boxes and bags and bags of arty crafty things, and toys and clothes (now that I have lost  a stone and a half in wieight - pause for applause LOL.)

And whilst clearing out shelves of books - I dare not say how many - I got distracted whilst deciding whether or not to send my hard back book of English Birds to Dr Barnardo's charity shop.

This is the result - both birds are exactly the same size even though the Bull Finch might look bigger!

 A male Red Backed Shrike - only a little bit of his back is red -the rest is coloured as above.  They are found in Norfolk, where I live.  I was rather pleased with his shiny eye and beak which I glossed before matt sealing the rest of his head and neck.

And this is a male Bull Finch.  I managed to get his colouring 'spot on' after several layers of painting and shading. He too is seen in many british gardens, especially if you put out nut feeders.  Again he has the most wonderful glossy eye which really looks like he's looking at you - and a great shiny beak.  Sadly the females of the bird species are remarkably dull - the opposite in the human species of course.

I can't decide whether to mount each one on a circle of polymer clay to turn them into pendants - or to make and paint a collection of them to mount and frame.

Creating Calm

There is quite a bit going on here at the momemt - and my head is spinning with all sorts of things, so I thought I would 'calm my mind' by going to the end of my garden (it's freezing cold) into my studio shed, whack up the heaters and try to 'get lost'.in play.

These are by no means works of art of any worth - but playing with polymer clay I find very  theraputic.  There is something about it that distracts me - the working of it with my hands, the soothing feel of it squishing it into a mould - a bit like dough, or real clay.

This is a Sculpy moulded face from a set I have, and 'she' has been squished about a bit,  stamped on with rubber leaf stamps to make impressions around her face.  Not sure how successful it's been - it looks like she is giving me the 'evil' eye - but that is the result of too much paint pooling under it!  The white dot is a pool of dried varnishing fluid - a hole for hanging her on something - but I might add a gem and use her flat. 

This is the result of another 'lost in play' piece.  I might just trim off all the surrounding clay just leaving the silver ingot in the middle.

Here is how he looks under a light bulb - very shiny - which I achieved by using rub on silver, then added a coat of wax.  The wax does give it a 'dulled down' kind of shine and adds more depth to it which I quite like.

It's a one off so I can't make another.  

I just might cut away the backing and add him to a thick piece of polymer clay and bake him again - then I can add a chunky bale at the back to turn him into a necklace.

Or I might not!

Pink Poppy Pendant

Today I finally managed to make the time to turn the lovely ceramic poppy in the previous post, into a pendant.

 It was so easy to create.  I just glued a silver bale onto the back.

 

Added some recycled vintage beads, and a leather thong and silver clasp.

It has such a vintage feel to it - and is the same colour of a Papaver Poppy  which I grew in my garden

this year - and the colour works perfectly with almost anything I wear.

Thank you so much Kay for the ceramic poppy - I'll treasure it!

 

Button Floozies

 I recently joined in a 'button' swap on UK Stampers Forum

The above were made by Kay of Toddles & Binks. which are made from ceramic clay

 She also made these poppies

 Aren't they amazing?  As they are large I am turning them into pendants.

 This one is big too - so that's destined to be another pendant.

It is made by  Christine from polymer clay as are all the rest

 I adore these dinkie little flower buttons by Sam - I think they might work on a bracelet.

And look at all these  from Lynn (I love the stamped and metallic look and Pat - aren't they lovely!

More present ideas from Happy Daze

Have you seen these fabulous aprons on the Happy Daze website?

 I was looking for some ideas for birthday and Christmas presents and found this apron.

Just the thing for an adult - male or female - who's into crafting or baking etc.  I bought one and was absolutely amazed at the super quality - really thick and strong and very well made.

Apologies for having to photograph this on a blanket but it was the best way to get a photo.

Looking down on it, I thought how nice it would be to decorate it in some way and turn it into an original!   I hunted through my old books and came across a large paper back which I have  had for over 40 years.  It's a book on how to paint Chinese Style, and has some wonderful step by step images in it.  "Ping" a lightbulb moment - instead of painting on the apron I decided to do an image transfer.  Image transfer papers are easy to find on the web.  You need one for transferring an image onto material that you can wash.

 I chose this example of one of the paintings - printed it onto the A4 transfer paper, then trimmed out the parts I wanted.

 You print on the plain side of the paper (obviously) then choose where on the apron you want the image and then iron on the hot setting for a short time  (you will get the exact timing instructions with the paper) over the back of it.  In this case just a minute, then peel off the backing paper.  (I have peeled back a corner to show you.)

 

Voila!

 I chose to have the image across the pocket - so the little bird in peeking into it.

 The apron is just brilliant -  there are no chunky seams where the apron strings are attached - just one long strip that is threaded through either side and right around the neck - so you can adjust the length to fit every height!

Sorry about the model, she hung the apron loose so that you can see what it looks like on!

The texture of the image is smooth feeling, like those you get on tee shirts - so you get a perfect reproduction of the image you choose.

Think of all the possibilities.  You could personalise it, by stamping on the image transfer paper directly, or why not scan some of your artwork you've made and print it out on the paper, or even a favourite photo.

Go on  - give it a try and create a totally original gift for someone special.

Thank  you so very much for visiting and commenting on my 'efforts' for this months' theme.
I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the challenge.

I have been looking at your blogs seeing your brilliant 'Brighten up the month' entries, and apologise for not leaving comments as I would normally do - due to a family health emergency - but rest assured I'll keep visiting.

Good luck in the draw!

Back to beads

It's been dull and wet and cold for a couple of days, so I had a go at doing some beading.

 The hearts are really beautiful amber glass.

 With whirls of shades of green and orange and gold

 Some of which are reflected in the shades of green glass beads each side.

 

It's such a dark day that I just can't get any decent photos.

Never mind.

 

Today I made  a pair of earrings and a bracelet to make a complete set.

They do look nice on, and will go with any outfit.

Tomorrow I have  booked myself a 'wiring' lesson for a couple of hours in the afternoon.

I'll be back to show you the results.

Sneak preview of my last project for Happy Daze

My last project for Happy Daze Guest Designer of the month slot

Another very easy present idea  - no glue, no paint, no mess!

It is so easy to do - and you can't fail to produce a very very professional result!

I hope that you'll pop over on Wednesday 21st November to have a look.