A place to encourage the creativity of artistic minds of all ages. Offering Ideas, Inspiration and Instruction and sharing the work of others who inspire me!
Yay, I was able to get out part two of my art history series. Unfortunately, I tried to type out cosed captions and discovered I am unable to type out all the words in a timely and accurate manner. I tried to do it today and it took me over two hours of making mistakes and then finally ending it before I was done. To check it out here is My Art History ;Painting video here.
Thank you to those wanting closed captions. I wholeheartedly wish I could just click on a button and it would automatically transcribe the script. If anyone is interested in volunteering to transcribe the audio to create closed captions, please feel free to message or email us. Until then, I will continue trying to be mindful of using descriptive titles and/or text to help explain what's happening. And try to type out more in the accompanying vlogs. These days my energy levels are a cause for concern. Always happy just to get the videos completed at all.
Today's video is part two in my Art History Series featuring Drawings and Illustrations.
What to do when you suddenly discover a birthday celebration for someone you really admire posted in a local paper, but you missed it until the night before? Well, in our case, my husband could go and I couldn't. So his job was to make a handmade greeting card ASAP and my job was to make a gift using what I love working with, Polymer Clay. Watch The MR.70 Video Below:
Because we really love this guy, if we had had more notice, I would have worked on one of my really fun, but time consuming figurines. This guy is actually a hero to many of our peers. But, that gift idea was off the table. Hmmm....What can I make in a few hours for our friend that would be personalized and masculine? You see, as a girl (a 51 year old one :o) I tend to have no problem coming up with girlie ideas. Makes sense right?!
Why Key Chains Of Course!
If you ever have a rush gift idea where you do not want to buy something (way to easy and not personal enough - to me anyway), what works for males and females? Why Key chains of course! After all, pretty much all humans have a key, at least one. No, they may not use it, but it is at least a way to make a personalized gift. They can use it on a zipper pull or as a backpack tag or just throw it into a drawer. It is up to them. Nevertheless, it is a personal handmade gift, made HeArtfully from you or me! What Are The Ingredients?
💗To work on: A Glass, silicone, or ceramic tile works well to work with
💗Tools like, assorted ball tipped and needle tools. OR, you can use a toothpick, needle, skewer and a straw, look through your junk drawer. Awe, come on, we all have one! :o).
💗For "MR.70," I mixed a gold glitter polymer clay and some neutral metallic clay in PREMO brand.
💗Unbaked clay adheres to unbaked clay, but since I purchased Sculpey's Bake and Bond, I used that to make sure connecting parts were essential "glued" together. It isn't critical.
💗I love the assorted collection of steampunk metal gears and such. They add a masculine touch in a quick and easy way.
💗For the keychain, I keep the findings or hardware for items like keychains and such on hand.
💗For metallic surface effects, aside from the clay colours, I also added Gilders Paste and Mica Powder. Then to antique it a bit, I used acrylic paint in an indigo.
💗 Ceramic tiles are cheap and easy to get at places like Home Depot. I bake all my pieces on a dedicated baking pan, with a ceramic tile set inside. A tent of tin foil or an aluminium cake pan works well to protect your piece
💗Cardstock or a recipe card works well to place your piece on. But place that on the tile.
What Kind Should I Make?
The next question is what would be a good design? In my mind when designing a key chain, it is important to make sure it isn't too ginormous so they can use it.If you want them to have the option to use it, think of what size would be practical for you.
As always, it is best to sketch out ideas for the shape. If you know any themes that this person likes, then incorporate that into your design. What colours do they like? What are their initials and their new age?
If they love turtles, then make a turtle themed piece, if you don't have any idea or want something more simple and sleek, then what I did was to work with his initials and age. My husband knows him better than I do, so he told me he likes motorcycles. He actually said that after I had already made the keychain. So before firing it in the oven, not only was I able to translate the zero into a motorcycle wheel, to add to the masculinity, I added more steam punk type gears. As well, using some tools, (a straw would work), I was able to imitate screws. Then with a toothpick, tiny ball tool, and/or a needle tool, I impressed marks to add fun details just to enhance the piece. Finishing Touches
Once MR. 70 was complete, I used my finger to rub on an antique gold Gilders Paste and a shimmer of mica powder. Once baked for about 60 minutes at 375F (I learned baking all clay at least an hour makes it stronger- from Polymer Clay Tutor). I let it cool completely and painted on Acrylic Paint In Indigo. Then I wiped it off. That way it goes into the crevasses and indents giving it some dimension and depth.
Once done, I added a clear coating of whatever I have on hand that works on clay. It is to just protect the mica surface. But, you do not have to use anything.
All Done and Ready To Give Away!
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If you would like to make other kinds of gifts or even home accessories for your self, you might like this article. In December, the idea was to make gifts for some ladies we know. What do many ladies and girls like? Flowers and candles of course! Time to create floral candle holders. Often ideas are gained from simply using your art making materials. I have discovered that using translucent polymer clay and colouring it with translucent alcohol inks, or just teeny bit of coloured clay, allows you to make pieces where light can shine through. The thinner the clay, the more the light glows through. So that is what I did. Hot Pink!
This hot pink candle holder was formed around a ceramic sphere that I found. As you will see in the next article, I formed and shaped the petals onto the glass or ceramic shape. It is important to make sure you make a test holder if you are uncertain of how the baked clay will be once removed. It is possible to make it too closed and high, around the form that you can not remove it. I have one like that!
Below are some photos of the completed holder.
Way back when, I remember one of the coolest things my Dad taught me was what he had done as a
A Bergie Creation - I made it with polymer clay and wire
child. Decades ago thread spools were made from wood. When you hammered four or so fine nails around the centre hole of a thread spool, using some yarn and another nail or hook type implement to move the yarn up and over each nail head...well, you were able to create knitted tubes. This is known as spool knitting. My Dad told me they would knit the tubes long enough and then coil them into a spiral formation. Using some thread (maybe from the very same spool?) they stitched the knitted coil tube to create a pot holder and if big enough, a small rug!
Happily my dear Dad made one and I began spool knitting till my hearts content. In fact the trend caught on and during the seventies and since, companies were producing plastic spool knitting
This looks like something my Dad could have made!
devices in a variety of sizes. Before you knew it, you could whip up a warm toque or tube socks! My Mom taught me how to knit conventionally, as well as crocheting, skills I was grateful to learn and Dad inspired me to think outside the box.
Lately as my interest in wire wrapping and wire weaving, wire knitting and crocheting have re-entered my creative journey, I decided to make my own spool to knit with wire. Yes, I did find a device or two for sale online. But, wanting to make my own (save a few bucks), I decided I could make it myself.
How Did I Create A Spool To Knit On?
Sorry, I didn't take pictures or videos, so I have to explain what I did. Tools Needed: Polymer Clay A sturdy cardboard tube or rolled yardstick. Scotch or masking tape 18 gauge half Hard Wire cut into about 6 2 inch lengths A Baking tray for polymer clay Some Clay Tools Needle Nose Pliers Wire Cutters
1. The cardboard tube I used was about 1 inch or smaller across. My husband cut me a piece about 2 inches long.
2. You can make a four prong spool, but I wanted a 6 prong one. (If I make another one,, I will be sure to take photos of the steps)
If you look at the spool I made here, you can see the shape of my 18 gauge wire prongs.
I folded each cut length almost in half. To make sure the wire stayed anchored in the clay, I used my pliers to curve the wire end on one side and ran tape on only one side of my long skinny "U" wire shaped prong. So the clay could attached and be folded around the wire well.
(I know it sounds confusing, so I just decided, it would be best to illustrate how I did this)
....Hold that thought folks! I shall return with illustrations/photos of my steps to better show how to make your own spool for spool knitting wire, cord, string or yarn!
2016- Faux stone from polymer clay - key chain for my Dad made by me!
Yah, I know it is the day after of D-Day (Dad's Day), but I still want to share what I tried to create for my Dad. He loves rocks. In fact he and my sister have risked life and limb to get some good rocks via Lake Superior. (Hope I got that right)
When you want to make a gift for someone, it helps to try to focus on coming up with an idea based on what you know the gift receiver likes. It just makes it more meaningful and might please them. Mind you, anything handmade from a friend or family member, is always meaningful!
Faux Stone or as my mom calls it "Fox" Stone, means "fake" in English. Faux is a French word. Rock, Stone, Gemstone?
When you want to try to make your clay to look like a specific surface, such as faux stone It is best of
course to have a reference point to look at. Or just make it up. That is what I did. Nope, I just worked from my memory and instead of getting a Jasper stone surface, I have a hybrid, (made my own kind) a cross between granite and jasper. Here are some samples of granite and jasper types. As I looked them up, I was inspired to try more re-creation in poly clay. As well, below are some great links about other stone types as well. Be inspired.... Click this link to learn more about granite. Click Here to See Rock Types Click here to see the many varieties of Stone including gemstones
I am sorry I didn't take any how to or works in progress photos. But, here are the basics incase you might be inspired to try making a personalized key chain. What I Did 1. Smooshing Colours:
We all know what it means to smoosh right? As an artist, colour mixing is one of my favourite things to do in the art making process. When I use paint, I use a paintbrush. But when I work in polymer clay, I smoosh. That means to take the colours you want to combine to get another colour, like blue and red make purple or red and green make brown...and mix it together until the colours are well combined into the colour you want.
Depending on the kind of colours used for mixing, your end results may surprise you. If it isn't what you wanted, do not give up. Keep adding and subtracting. I don't do this, but I know other clay artists who like to keep records of "colour recipes." Where you might either make a sample of the colours you used and how much of each, to result in the colour you wanted.
This works well, if you want to get the exact same mixed colour every time. Maybe it is the visual artist in me, but, I like to eye ball it. Mind you, that means I never seem to get the same colour twice. As well, I often run out if the project is large. So mental note to self, "make sure I mix A LOT of the colour I need.
2. Colours used? In this project, my goal was to create rock like surface. That means I then took the colours I "smooshed" together, made ropes, thick, thin or use chunks of colours I thought might make a great faux stone look. Then do some smooshing, or twisting and folding and twisting. The goal is to marbel-ize the clay, creating that rock look. Be careful not too over smoosh the colours or else you may cross the line from marbleizing and effects to a whole new colour mix. 3. Shaping It. In this instance, my goal was to make a personalized key ring for my Dad. So, it makes sense that I wanted it to spell "DAD." My husband had the idea to cut "DAD," out of the clay instead of making each letter and trying to connect them into one piece. I tried Craig's idea and that is what worked.
You can shape it how ever you want. 4. Armature or Support: I forgot to say that if you want your piece to be extra strong, you can place a sturdy 18 gauge wire inside the piece. This piece has a wire running through some of it to strengthen it. At least I think I did. My memory is a tad foggy.
5. Texturizing: Once you have the shape you want, then it is time to create a rock surface.
2016- Faux stone from polymer clay -
key chain for my Dad made by me!
Some rocks are polished and shiny. Natural rocks usually are never polished and shiny. For my keychain, I wanted the stone to look as if it was hand cut or carved and then ground down to a semi smooth surface. How to texturize a stone surface. You can use an old toothbrush, sandpaper (just push rough sandpaper onto the clay surface. You can use a needle or pointy tool and literally dab the clay until it looks how you want. I used a spiral bristle tool that looks like a giant mascara brush. 6. Rings and Do Dads: I wanted to embellish the clay to make it interesting. Using a drop of liquid polymer clay, I set in a steampunk gear and poked some details into the clay. As well, I needed a place to suspend the key ring attachment so, I inserted a large metal steampunk gear ring.
Also, while the clay was unbaked, I added some light touches od shimmery mica powder for fun and pizazz. 7. Finishing Touch Ups. Once the clay is baked according to package directions on a
2016- Faux stone from polymer clay - key chain for my Dad made by me
ceramic tile, tented with a foil piece or foil cake pan and it is cooled completely. You can sand it a little and buff it up a bit. Or leave it as it is...or you can use a polymer clay compatible glaze in the finish you want. I used a renaissance wax to protect it. 7. Gift It!
2016- Faux stone from polymer clay - key chain for my Dad made by me!
2016- Faux stone from polymer clay - key chain for my Dad made by me
Just wanted to share a few more digital illustrations in a third part. These days my functional art has been to illustrate ideas for my blogs. HeArtfully Creating, Anita
In black and white - illustration by Anita Berglund
Coloured - illustration by Anita Berglund
In black and white - illustration by Anita Berglund
illustration by Anita Berglund
Add caption
illustration by Anita Berglund
illustration by Anita Berglund
In black and white - illustration by Anita Berglund
In black and white - illustration by Anita Berglund
In black and white - illustration by Anita Berglund
