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!
I was excited to see that one of my first tutorial videos has received 8000 views! Guess which topic? It was an early one I made inspired by Kater's Acres. Katie has a tutorial video about how to make your own polymer clay texture sheet. Thank you Katie.
For me 8000 views for one video is a huge deal for me. When I am use to seeing 10 -20 views! Clearly, I am not the only one who loves texture making in polymer clay. I recently broke down and purchased online, my first Christi Friesen Texture Stamps, making three artist stamps in total. Lisa Pavelka's Flourish set is the only one I had for over a year.
Texture is an element of design that artists use to make their compositions interesting. Other elements are line, shape, colour, and space. We incorporated all of those tools be it a painting, sculpture, photograph....all visual art. Some of us prefer one element more than another. My favourites are colour and texture. What do you prefer to focus on the most?
On that note, let's have some fun focusing on texture and polymer clay. I wanted to have some fun and have compiled all my texture related videos below.
I hope you are inspired to make your own stamps or rollers, or to buy ready made artist's stamps like Christi's or Lisa's.
So grab a refreshment or some clay, sit back and enjoy texture making.
Watch...
Wow, over 8000 people have Watched This Video!
Create Your Own Texture Plates
Make Your Own Texture Rollers
A Signature Stamp Is A Very Custom Texture
My First And Only, so far, Sutton Slice tutorial Using Lisa Pavelka's Texture Stamp
Making Your Own Texture Stamps
Texture Rocker Tutorial
Using My Christi Stamps For The Mica Shift Technique
HeArtfully Creating, Anita
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If you love working in polymer clay like I do, you probably love creating textures in your clay. And you may already know about creating your own
texture Plates, Sheets, Or rollers. Have you ever heard of texture rockers though? If you have I would love to hear about it, so I won't wrongly take credit. I do think there may be styles of rubber ink text or number stamps for things like administrative purposes, such as a date stamp or a word like "CANCELLED" across your unpaid cable bill, ha ha.
As for the kind I am sharing with you, I like to think that I invented them as a solution for those of us with weakened or arthritic hands or those of us who can't stand up to apply even pressure. If you have learned from watching polymer clay tutorials, like I have, Then you will know that it is often recommended when impressing a texture that you should stand up and press down hard and evenly. Can't stand? Then you are with me maybe on how to find a solution to figure out how else to do it. That is why I am sharing this new video with you. It is about the TEXTURE ROCKERS or my new name may be "Rockit!" Hey, any big corporation like Makins or Polyform interested mass producing my idea, ha ha. No seriously, anyone? Of course, if I didn't invent this concept then, no million dollar invention for me 😁
The theory is that if you cannot stand up to push down on your texture stamp or plate, that way or you just don't want to, you can use the rounded texture surface and just push as much as you can and rock it back and forth on the clay, until it is how you want it to be. Therefore, making impressing textures and such possible or easier. That was my theory anyway. To find out if it worked Please watch the video below!!
Watch "Rockit" in Action Here:
Please share your thoughts, or ideas below and don't forget to subscribe if you want to stay up to date on posts and videos!
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Sorry, I haven't completed that second texture Rocker and Roller video yet. But for now, I wanted to share this really cool texture rocker that I sculpted. By the time I was done, I thought it looked like a mess of Octopus tentacles. What do you think? A Lesson Learned
I explained in this video/post (click here) about creating texture "Rockers" to make it easier to use for those of us with weak hands. (So much for that theory.) As you can see, it definitely impressed textures but, my details were to deep and detailed. That meant, a couple of impressed areas tore up. As well, I couldn't rock it, I had to lay the sheet on the texture rocker and press it in.
How can we learn if we don't try things out!
Hope you feel a little inspired.
Thanks for stopping by.
HeArtfully Creating,
Anita
Subscribe! Like and Share!! (if you want of course :o) LIKE HeArtfully Creating Here on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HeArtfullyCr... HeArtfully Creating Blog: http://heartfullycreating.blogspot.ca... A Bergie Creation Shop Blog: http://abergiecreation.blogspot.ca A BERGIE CREATION - my handmade jewelry shop www.abergiecreation.etsy.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abergiecreation Twitter: https://twitter.com/abergiecreation YOU Tube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/anitaand... Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/abergiecrea... HeArtfully Creating: http://heartfullycreating.blogspot.ca Sure Hope Gazette: http://surehopegazette.blogspot.ca Walking Way Overrated http://walkingwayoverrated.blogspot.ca TUMBLR http://anitaberglund.tumblr.com
If you are new or have returned for more fun, here at HeArtfully Creating, Welcome! I know it has been a while, But I finally have had a chance to put together a new video To hopefully inspire you to make your own polymer clay texture Making tools. That means they can be in a roller, sheet, or plate form. Because I am I was experimenting learning, You will see that I have tried Some variations. Since I love making my own texture tools, I have decided to make a three or four part series on the subject. Otherwise the video that goes with this article, would be way too long. Personally I find it easier to watch shorter videos in a series as opposed to a really long single video. I would love to hear what you think. It's much easier to focus on one or two pieces than my entire collection all at once.
Before we begin here is the video that goes with this article.
Tools You Need 💕1. Scrap polymer clay. Note: Now is a good time to use cheaper clays like Sculpey 3, or clays you do not like as much, That you happen to have lying
around. Also a good times to use up Colour Blends That you really don't like.
💕2. Sculpting tools. As well as Purchased tools. Use whatever you think will work best to make the shapes and textures that you want. If you're new to polymer clay and do not have An addiction to buying Clay tools, Like I do, Add want to save money, you can actually accomplish pretty much the same end result by using use items you would find around the house. For example: toothpicks, Knitting needles, Crochet hooks, dental tools (I was able to acquire some from a hygienist who is going to throw her tools away), Popsicle sticks, Skewers, Icing Tips for cake decorating, Screwdriver tips, Utensils....Just make sure whenever you use Stays dedicated for clay only.... NOTE: Because some plastics React to Polymer clay, Be careful not to leave whatever household item, you may be using In contact with the clay for extended periods of time. Metal And glass As well as wood, Are all safe. 💕3. An acrylic roller. Again if you're new polymer clay, You can use anything that we'll roll out your clay. You can use Metal cannoli forms, I wouldn't dowel, A smooth pen Or pencil. And for those who have the supplies, You can use the roller or the pasta machine. Again a reminder that anything used with Polymer clay, can't be used for food items after.
Polymer clay is not toxic, But, It is not recommended that you interchange tools That you would use for food preparation Or eating. 💕4. A dedicated baking pan For baking your texture sheets/rollers.
💕5. A ceramic tile Or a piece of glass that can be put in the oven To work and bake on. 💕6. Card stock Or file folder. 💕7. Tinfoil Or an aluminum baking pan that fits As a lid On the pan you will be baking your clay in. 💕8. Baby Wipes 💕9. Water spritzer 10. For A roller or rocker style, use a toilet paper tube, or a metal tube shape covered with wax paper. Most important, Your creativity!
Beginning
I like to work in a freestyle manner. If you have a specific design or texture or image you would like, then be sure to jot down your ideas in your sketchbook.
Foundation:
In this video you see that I am making a roller style texture tool. I wrapped wax paper onto a metal tube used for nail art. Using tape holds it well. Then I roll out polymer clay and in this case I added and shaped pieces as I wanted. Remember any texture left on the piece will appear on the raw clay you want to texture. So be sure to smooth out all that you want to be smooth.
Ready To Bake
Always bake on a dedicated baking pan, using a ceramic tile on top, with an insulating layer of card stock or a file folder. This helps distribute heat and avoid scorching.
Once your roller or rocker is ready. It is important to not bake your piece on a flat surface or you will have flat spots. I use bunches of tissue including toilet paper. Make a nice bed of soft kleenex or t/p. You can use quilting batting as well. At 275 degrees fahrenheit, these products will not burn. Make sure they do not touch the element. Lay your pieces down.
Tent It.
To help contain fumes and to avoid scorching, always use an oven thermometer to insure your oven is to temperature. As well tent some tinfoil over top or lay an aluminium cake pan on top.
I always bake my pieces at east one hour, even if thin. It makes it stronger.
When baked, let cool. And you are ready!
Using Your Texture Sheets and Tools:
For those of us with weakened hands like I do, we can still work with clay but we need to modify techniques at times. For instance, many tutorials talk about how you need to stand up and look straight down when slicing a cane or pressing on a texture stamp. In my case, I use a wheelchair and standing isn't an option. So, it just means that I need to be extra careful to slice straight down from a seated position. And regarding textures or rubber stamps, I have been learning that because we can't stand up, for leverage and to apply pressure, making a roller style texture stamp works better. I did try a rocker style stamp as you will see in the videos, but I still wasn't strong enough to apply pressure by rocking it back and forth. On that note, I find pressing the clay down onto the stamp or flat plate works best. Using your finger tips, pushing it carefully into the nooks and crannies. Just be careful it doesn't stick by using water or corn starch or even better...Baby Oil....
BABY OIL TIP: Baby oil has more than one use. I use it in small quantities to condition rock hard clay. In fact because my hands are weak, if clay is too stiff, I work in a bit of baby oil to soften it up. Maybe I will make a tutorial about that in the future. Regarding texture tools made from polymer clay, to avoid clay sticking to my polymer clay texture tools is, rub a light coating of baby oil onto the stamp or roller's surface. No only does it smell great, it kind of keeps the clay made sheets and such in a non-stick state. It reminds me of how you condition or season a cast iron pan or wok.
Next time, I will share another video in this DIY Texture Series!
Thanks for stopping by.
HeArtfully Creating,
Anita
Subscribe! Like and Share!! (if you want of course :o) LIKE HeArtfully Creating Here on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HeArtfullyCr... HeArtfully Creating Blog: http://heartfullycreating.blogspot.ca... A Bergie Creation Shop Blog: http://abergiecreation.blogspot.ca A BERGIE CREATION - my handmade jewelry shop www.abergiecreation.etsy.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abergiecreation Twitter: https://twitter.com/abergiecreation YOU Tube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/anitaand... Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/abergiecrea... HeArtfully Creating: http://heartfullycreating.blogspot.ca Sure Hope Gazette: http://surehopegazette.blogspot.ca Walking Way Overrated http://walkingwayoverrated.blogspot.ca TUMBLR http://anitaberglund.tumblr.com
Howdy guys! I've noticed that Wednesdays are often referred to as works in progress days. Well, I've noticed that in the polymer clay world anyway. It is where people share pieces that they are working on but are not done yet. So this is my first works in progress Post, I think so anyway. Maybe more like works I thought were completed, but then started to take photographs for my online Etsy shop, but noticed, thanks to direct sunlight and macro photography.... the Tiny little bubbles and flaws in the polyurethane gloss! This time, I thought I was so careful. And some of the pieces have yellow spots. Again, does anyone out there have any ideas as to what I am doing wrong? Too much at one? Should it be a really thin layer after layer? All that then means, the pieces I thought were complete and ready to prepare for sale, are not. Argh!
Back to my works in progress. Been working on textured, polymer clay "dangles," created using my own texture plates/rollers/sheets (Here is article 1, 2 and 3 on making your own texture/image sheets and rollers) , whatever you want to call them. The first piece has, thanks to the inspiration of Christi Friesen's polymer clay art work, where she talks about incorporating inclusions, which is anything not made from polymer clay. I incorporated items like micro beads and a small faceted Glass bead. The surface was then treated with Mica Powder, acrylic paint, and finished with that frustrating water based polyurethane. I thought it looked great at first, but then as you take the photos under direct sunlight, then you see all those darn bubbles...teeny ones!
Here are a pile of some more photos of some of the pieces that I turned into earrings. I think they look pretty great, as long as I don't zoom in with a macro lens! Maybe I am being too picky. Oh
Hi guys! It has been a whirlwind week. Had great plans to get a few new blogs out by today. But, as many of you know taking photos of your work while you work, editing the photos - especially when you're like me and take at least 200 photos for every couple of items made. Actually, when I was just transferring photos just for this project alone, there was at least 500 photos. You can see why I turn them into videos to document my work. No one would want to look all of those photos in a blog post!
Practical polymer clay project: texturing tools
I am just trying to post this before I hit the hay, so I won't say too much right now. But I did want to show some photos before Friday ends.
With polymer clay and sewing needles, and a 26 gauge wire threaded through the eye of the needles, I grouped them together and then formed polymer clay around them. I have to thank my Mandarin ducky, Anikko, for that idea. Take a look.
Then I made my own craft knife so that I can use up some spare tiny blades that were leftover, when a cheap craft knife broke within one month. Again wrapping wire so the clay had something to grab onto, I made my own detail knife. As well, I made a double knife so I can make Little strips of clay. I thought it was kind of cool. Take a look at these.
The loopy thing/ tool, was created from an idea I saw somewhere on the Internet, sorry I can't remember where... They took a guitar string and made a loop and formed it into a sculpting tool. This is a necklace cable that I used instead. No guitars here!
Everyone have a great weekend! Lord willing, I would posting more detail Photos and articles this weekend. Wait till you see the new textured polymer clay pieces I have been working on all week :o)
