RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!!

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RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 11:09:23 AM

Harlan

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The "Transparent" is translucent at best.

You might be able to see some of it in my earlier post of experiments - I've been using a combination of transparent rolled with white to "top off" my pieces. It isn't clear even when rolled paper thin and at that thickness it would be too brittle to really survive on it's own. It is useful stuff though - I've combined it with other clays to simulate ivory and quarts and lapis - so I like it a lot.

If you're looking for truly clear - you'd be better off with a resin (two parter, I'm sure).

The other solution would be to reconsider how the whole design works - keeping your letters visable from both sides - fill in the empty spaces with other two sided designs? doesn't need to be a solid either - just needs to have more over structure to add rigidity to the whole. So maybe some simple celtic knot work in a neutral color? You could work out a sheet of something like that and then cut the necessary openings to place your dragon A which might be easier than trying to construct the background inside the existing letter - the only down side of that approach is that where the pieces would join may not end up being ideal - not sure if that is a clear explanation or not.

Just to try something along those lines I would suggest a simple combination of leaves and vines/coils.

There is also a liquid polyclay - it's translucent - it can be useful to help secure some seams but you need to use only a little of it as it is "visible". It also can be colored (with oil paint) and can be used for decorating items too. The bottle has a nice tapered tip so with some practice it wouldn't be that hard to learn to control it for design elements. I'm sure other things could be added to the liquid clay before applying it to a piece - just make certain that whatever is included isn't going to clog up the tip - so ultra fine glitter might work, fine embossing powders should work - lots of possibilites but I haven't had time to even get into all of that yet! :D :D

So where's "B" ????

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The Intimate Forest

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Post #: 21

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 11:19:24 AM

GreenBiscuit

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I can't wait to see these John! Particularly the G and C

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Post #: 22

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 11:32:08 AM

Harlan

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From: Michigan
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The RED period -

Obligatory statement: Not the best photo - (maybe a bit better than some of my others)

Most of these have not been properly polished and/or varnished. Almost all the "reds" in here were from a red confetti loaf I made - you might be able to make out some of the confetti effect in the right most piece, second row.
On left most piece in that row you can see a small translucent/white heart on the larger translucent/white curve above the colorful body of the piece - that was not the original intention - the main body is curved while the translucent/white backing is flat and I cracked it when applying polyclay to hold on the pin back - so I cut out the small heart and took a dab of liquid clay and the piece was "saved". lol!!

The upper left most piece has a decorative flare made out of translucent and purple with a touch of gold foil.

Today is laundry day plus BJ wants me to do some editing on computer with him later which may make it difficult to do a decent days worth of painting. I haven't had a good cup of coffee yet - so I will not make any serious decisions (or handle dangerous power tools) until I have! :D :D :D

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Post #: 23

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 11:53:26 AM

Harlan

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Think I may have figured out how to correct some of the problems getting the colors to display correctly in my photos - This (below) is a little closer to reality than the photo I included earlier in this thread:

Amazing what you can do with "scraps"!! :D :D :D

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Post #: 24

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 12:05:26 PM

GreenBiscuit

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Is that *snow* Jeanne??

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Post #: 25

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 12:36:05 PM

labeana

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Jeanne, you are a dynamo! where do you get your energy and how can i get some? lol

these pieces are gorgeous....
I just finished reading my copy of "American Craft" and noticed an ad for the Baltimore ACC show with a great photo of Elise Winters' beadwork....

Oh, the two part resin is easy to find and use....any good craft store should have it or you can order it online...it comes with measuring cups and you just combine exact measurements of both parts and pour into your mold...I guess you could pour half, put your piece ontop and pour the other half, trapping it in between the two halves but I have never done that....John I think your A is great...but as for seeing it from both sides, that woud make it difficult to use more polyclay to strengten it by putting it onto of another layer...it will be interesting to see how you go with this...

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Post #: 26

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 1:12:18 PM

JohnPenfold

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The later photos are better, Jeanne. I can see some transulecency now alright.

I'm gonna see if I can "borrow" Anns polyclay again later.

Had a quick look at the Book Of Kells - there's plenty of stuff to rip off there, presume it is not copyrighted - or will I get a queue of angry monks at my door ?

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Post #: 27

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 2:19:28 PM

Harlan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnPenfold

The later photos are better, Jeanne. I can see some transulecency now alright.

I'm gonna see if I can "borrow" Anns polyclay again later.

Had a quick look at the Book Of Kells - there's plenty of stuff to rip off there, presume it is not copyrighted - or will I get a queue of angry monks at my door ?

hehehe - that would be an interesting sight!! IF it happens - do take photos!! lol!!!

Same photos as before, but I played with the "curve" adjustment in photoshop - I have absolutely no idea what it is supposed to do but what it seemed to do was allow me to brighten up the colors a bit without messing up the over all brightness and contrast. I totally "winged" it.

Going to try and get a decent photo of what I just finished - it's neat but I'm afraid the foil is going to overwhelm the really neat parts - anyways - off to do laundry and then back to something.

DONNA - yes that is (insert the s word here which will not be mentioned in this post less tomorrow we find an additional accumulation of 10 inches)! I stole the idea from Steph! ;)

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Post #: 28

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 2:53:36 PM

Harlan

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Usual disclaimer about the quality of my photographs - I'd paint you a painting but it would take too long!

Foiled polyclay, razor scored and hand stretched instead of through the pasta machine - there are some lovely variations in color which are NOT showing up on this at all - but you can see how really nicely you can get the foil to "break" when you score it and hand stretch.

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Post #: 29

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 6:38:47 PM

Harlan

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awful photo - unpolished - the colors are more seaweedy ;)

Thumbnail Image

Attachment (1)

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Jeanne
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Post #: 30

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/22/2006 6:58:36 PM

Harlan

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John! I forgot to tell you after you said that you didn't have a pasta machine that a good trick/tip is to get some thin pieces of wood - like craft sticks - lay them on either side of your clay and use them as a thickness "guide" for rolling out clay. I did that for years before I finally bought a pasta machine for this stuff! ;)

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RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/23/2006 3:59:28 PM

Harlan

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Since I've been rolling out various sheets of foiled and otherwise decorated polyclay I've found that storing these flat pieces in plastic bags is a bit of a pain BUT

Glad's Press and Seal wrap works perfectly!! And it can be reused, over and over and over - Very nice!!

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RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/23/2006 4:15:12 PM

labeana

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John, I have seen loads of pasta machines for sale on ebay...cheap...don't know if you have any right now in Ireland, but they really are reasonably priced for the most part...

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Post #: 33

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/23/2006 5:35:50 PM

Harlan

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These haven't been completely finished - have some filing and polishing to do still.

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RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/23/2006 5:52:18 PM

GreenBiscuit

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ooohhhhh, the Caribbean Collection! Nice nice! and I love hte organic feel of that bronze-y looking one above....would love to see one of those in the Caribbean collection....

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Post #: 35

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/23/2006 7:12:45 PM

BeadedHeron

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Oh wow Jeanne those are just goregous! I hadn't read this thread yet but it's making me want to play with some clay! Not for awhile but when I do I hope this thread is still here!

Have you ever thought about making buttons? I'm always looking for buttons for closures on my work. I prefer them to metal clasps any day. Your photos are getting better and better!!!

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RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/23/2006 8:03:30 PM

Harlan

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I hadn't thought of making buttons but I could - what size buttons did you need and did you want flat buttons that have the metal loop thing or did you want spherical buttons in which the hole is included on one side or what?? lol!!!

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Post #: 37

RE: The POLYCLAY thread!!! - 1/24/2006 12:23:04 PM

labeana

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ok, I just packed all my polyclay things in boxes....so I couldn't play even though it is so tempting....moving end of the month...maybe next month I might get some time...

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Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. The slogan "press on" has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race.

(in reply to Harlan)