Monday, January 28, 2013

textures & molds...


I love making textures for my metal clay work.

The other day I made a small pile of new ones. These are made using a two-part mold compound (I have used a product called Cold Mold, from Rio Grande, but there are other brands). Rather than carry the big pots around, I measured some out into some smaller containers.


I first used this stuff at a workshop I went to in 2011 (the second-to-last photo is from there) - basically you just mix together equal amounts of each part & then either press something into it, or it onto something. Once you mix it you have to work reasonably quickly.

This batch are fairly flat, more like texture plates than molds. They are all from either wood or concrete.


& then I've been drawing in my scratch-foam again...



Tuesday, January 22, 2013

pictures of pictures...


When I did my mega clean-up late last year, I was reminded of some the art work I have waiting for frames. Along with several larger pieces (which I must measure, so I can find some nice frames), I had a little packet of prints from 74 Lime Lane. Two of them were in the goodie bag from the DUST conference & one came in an issue of *bespoke*. Anyway, I found I had a frame that would suit & added some pretty paper as the background.


& then I found some little photos....every year for the last several years, I've created a calender for myself on Redbubble (mostly with my own photography). After the year is through, I cut the calender up & have a nice selection of prints to hang on my walls. I've never quite worked out what to do* with the thumbnails from the back on the calender though - until now...


I'm pretty pleased with the result & I think I'll be making another one - I have some pictures left & I hadn't finished with my 2012 calender yet when I did this, so I have all of those as well.

*I have used some as bookmarks, but I find them a bit big.

Friday, January 18, 2013

recently...


...trying to get back into the swing of things & be organised & focused & productive. Still working on that one.

...I've been featured on the lovely Maddabling blog.

...read this post on blogging & am trying to work out how to apply it to myself & my blog - tying to be a bit less making-a-post-at-the-last-minute (like this one, lol) & planning ahead a little more. Although I'm sure those posts will still happen, I'd like to be mostly organised.


...a little jewellery making - bought some new chain the other day & used some with a fine-silver feather pendant (scratch foam texture). Also playing with some marble beads which I've had for ages.


...went to see the current exhibitions at the Jam Factory (both my teachers from the silver course I did last year are involved) - lots of gorgeous things to admire in the exhibitions & also in the shop there. Many, many things I would have liked to bring home with me...

...& this is my 400th post on the blog!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

some bits & spaces...


It's amazing how lovely a little cleaning & dusting can make things feel...

also: my clean desk, & the art in the first two photos is by matouenpeluche & yellena.