We've been collecting polymer clay supplies and tools for a while now. It's hard to just get started. Finally, we realized we needed a bit more guidance. Since we don't have any teachers or classes nearby, we bought a tutorial.... Rustic Beads and Components from Polymer Clay by Ginger Davis Allman from The Blue Bottle Tree. The tutorial is great. Very well written. However, we didn't have one of the tools she suggested, so we substituted another technique. This means the beads don't look much like the ones in the tutorial. However, since we were looking for a jumping off point, we got exactly what we were hoping for. A good teacher ought to show you how to do something, but more importantly, s/he ought to give you the creative boost to go in other directions. Ginger Davis Allman succeeds admirably at doing both.
Our beads are big..... an inch and a quarter long, or so. Two of them have embedded metal loops. The round one has a hole through the centre for stringing. We love that they changed from step to step, and we had no idea where they'd end up. We think they're like digital photos. We need to make a whole bunch of them and keep only the very best. But then again, isn't all art like that? You just keep playing, and you only show your very best efforts.
I can see them on a rustic bulky sweater, or maybe a wide scarf.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I love best about PC, Cheryl... there are as many adaptations as grains of sand on the shore. Your tools are less important than your imagination. It is the ultimate expression of individuality. (Not to mention the über source of buttons for creative knitters such as yourself LOL.) And so inexpensive that you can do all the playing around you want. I've heard lots of folks praising Ginger's tutorial; glad you're enjoying it... your beads are cool and totally original!
ReplyDeletePC is just like many hobby materials: easy to get and use, but harder to master. I recommend Cindy Lietz' videos. She has both free and paid tutes (either as a membership... I think about $10. for three months... or pay per select items). Also a great blog page where members ask questions and make suggestions. Her Youtube page is a good landing place:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PolymerClayTutor/videos
Most of these are FREE; the ones with "(Intro)" in the title will give a good review of the technique she teaches in her paid tutorial of the month, and link to it (I think). Cindy has a great down to earth and funny style, and doesn't cut out all her bloopers. Best of all, she is Canadian! Check her out sometime, Cheryl!
These are so warm and earthy. Love them.
ReplyDeleteOh you two! What a beautiful write-up. Thank you so much. I'm glad your enjoying the tutorial and I love what you said about clay being like digital photographs. I'm also glad I stumbled onto your blog. There are so many wonderful things here and your drawings are just delightful. I'm also a knitter (though clay has rather taken all my time lately) and so I really appreciate your beautiful page. One again, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love admiring all the pretty things you make, and am so in awe of your many talents. Your beads look like they are drizzled in caramel - good enough to eat!
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