PCAGOE October Showcase - Finished!

Here's the finished product - fun, a bit creepy (with the removable tail!) with a contrasting textured outside and REALLY shiny inside. I have two finger nails sanded down to nothing for my efforts :)

Plus, I almost chucked my old electric eraser in the trash last month, but just couldn't part with it. (Yes, some of you may have to look up "electric eraser".) Glad that I didn't - it turned out to be the perfect thing to power my new mushroom buff, to get at the inside of shapes like bowls!

Please check out other members' works this month https://www.facebook.com/PolymerClayArtists/

PCAGOE October Challenge - Wonderfully Weird or Creepy

Some preliminary progress shots of mixing colors for a mokume gane block....

Slices will figure predominantly in my piece for this month's challenge ;)

My 2015 IPCA Entries

Last fall, for the first time, I decided to enter the IPCA (International Polymer Clay Association) annual awards. The theme was "In the Round".

The two pieces that I created incorporated my liquid polymer/gauze technique. I decided to go with BOLD, dramatic black and silver, featuring round, red accents which embraced the theme.

I created several round cabochons in a multi-step process, with bright, rich red cores. The gauze base of this brooch entry was formed inside of a round cutter:

The second entry was one of my signature cuffs:

I didn't win my category - Emerging Artist - Jewelry, but I still had fun creating these pieces. As my consolation, I was delighted to see that friend and former IPCA Retreat roommate Eva Haskova, from the Czech Republic won the Members Choice category with a wonderful brooch in her distinctive style!

Congratulations to all entrants and winners!

Creating a Simple Ring Base

The PCAGOE Monthly Challenge is "Rings".

I've seen several gorgeous "all polymer" examples lately, but in the interest of time I chose to stick with wire for this project.

Using 14 ga silver plate wire, I wrapped a metal mandrel, trying to stay close to my chosen size. To even up the wraps, I then flipped over the wrapping to stretch the upper, smaller wraps to the same size.

 

I twisted the wire around itself and then created a few kinks which will be embedded in the polymer. 

Next, I made my polymer base, textured, signed and cured.

Multiple bases could be created up to this point, just waiting for the final inspiration! I chose to cover this base with a rich, smoky purple, plus some shavings from a snake-skin block. A textured finish keeps the inevitable scratches to a minimum, but I just had to sand and buff the edges :D