Art is a Blessing: Polymer Play and Mixed Media Musings

by Staci Louise Smith

Art is such a blessing.  I think someday's I take creativity and that I get to do this for a living for granted.  Art is such a huge part of who I am.  I see art in almost anything.  I take in colors, and textures and composition no matter what I look at.  It leaks into all parts of my life, and for that, I am grateful!

It's that time of year, where I have spent the entire year making beads and jewelry.  I try to allow myself some playtime around the holidays.  It allows time to make gifts for people and get out some of my other art supplies.

One of the blessings, is that my children get to be creative too.  they learn the fun of play, and the business of selling their work too.

To start off the season of creative playtime, Julia and I worked on some polymer pendants for the Hereford Bazaar.  It's a craft show her school puts on.  All three of my kids made stuff for it and I got them a "real" crafter table there!  

It was a lot of fun to prep for a show that was NOT my own.

Now, Julia (age 11) is not known for her organizational skills, and she brought me these bags of polymer clay.  They contained every color of the rainbow and then some.  So I said, how about we mix them up and swirl them, and then she could use that as a base to stamp her designs onto!  

We had a blast putting odd colors together and running them through the pasta machine and finding the  surprise patterns that arose.  She is a color junkie, so she was in rainbow heaven!

After that was done, she stamped them and cut out the circles to add to her bezels.

I had so much fun with the kids in the studio.

Collin (9) made little owls and got to use alcohol inks for the first time.  I showed him how to make these easy little "squish" owls and he picked it right up!

My oldest, Aiden (14) makes jewelry.  

Here they were at the show- they all did really good and had a blast, and I must say, IT WAS THE MOST FUN SHOW I DID ALL YEAR!

Here they all are, and yes, I am a proud mama!

Here are Collin's key chains and bracelets he made

Here is Julia's set up, with magnets and necklaces in polymer

 And here is Aiden's work.  He loves working in gemstones and beads, but has started doing more wire work and polymer too

So, that was a great week to get the creative juices flowing.

As you may know, I have dabbled in mixed media before.  But I have wanted to add more of my polymer into the mix.  I have had ideas, but no time to try them.  

So finally I gave myself a week to play.  It's almost up, and I am almost done these piece.  They are finished, all but the three in the lower right corner.  I hope to make a few more today and finish these, and then its back to business for a week.

I love being able to pull from all the different media I have worked in to create art.  It is such a blessing to my soul to be able to freely make what is in my head and heart.  It is also nice to know that I get to use all those things I have learned through the years, a million different ways.  I REALLY encourage you to always keep learning new techniques and mediums.  You never know when the skills you learn will pop back up!  

So be blessed and create art!  Never stop learning and playing.  It's all part of the process.

An Interview with Ginger Allman of the Blue Bottle Tree

by Staci Louise Smith

I know I have referenced her site a million times.  It's because she does her homework.  When Ginger posts to her blog with a review, new info, or a how to, I KNOW it has been tested and she has asked questions and contacted people who have used these products for years, and manufacturers..........she is thorough.  That is why I send anyone who is new to polymer, or has any kind of questions to her site.  

There is a lot of mis-information out there on the web.  In the age of You Tube and blogs, anyone can post a tutorial, even if its the first time they have done something.  I cringe when I read tutorials giving people mis-information.  I read them, and I know what they make won't last (like using too thin wire to make a bracelet or clasp, or not finishing ends of things, leaving pointy wire...not sealing things that go against skin....I could go on and on).  Or they say to varnish your polymer clay beads in nail polish (never ever ever do that ....please!!!!  Ginger has a few great posts on finishing your clay too!!)

http://thebluebottletree.com/varathane-best-polymer-clay-sealer/

http://thebluebottletree.com/seal-polymer-clay/

http://thebluebottletree.com/spray-sealer-for-polymer-clay/

Anyhow, you get the idea.  She is the real deal for solid info on polymer clay.  

Well, she did an interview with me for her blog.  I am honored, and it was a cool experience to be featured by her.  You can read it here.  

http://thebluebottletree.com/staci-louise-smith/

You all know I put my life out there through various social media outlets, but it was fun to answer some questions on things you may not have known about me.  Enjoy!

(and while you are there, take a peek around her site- there is so much information there- just amazing!)

Evolution and a WILD WILD GIVEAWAY

by Staci Louise Smith

I have been playing with wire again in the studio.  I started making these fun wire chokers last year, but had to take a break because of some shoulder problems.  However, I had lots of great art beads crying to be the focus of a simple necklace again, so I am at it once again.  These looks so amazing on!

They of course started much more simple last year (pictured above- the wire work was not as "much")......

but this year the wire part got to be a bit "more" each time I made them.

Now I am making some metal cages, and wire wrapping around them to create a wire focal of its own, with a pendant being secondary.

I love when my ideas grow and evolve.  I have so much fun taking one of my idea and just letting it grow.  Here are some of my original ones from last year, they started out as going through a donut focal, (which was an evolution from my vertical pendants that go through donuts like this)

and then the wire part grew into being their own focal, no donut involved.

So this is what I have been working on for my next show.  

Since I haven't done a giveaway in FOREVER, I thought it was time.  You can win this necklace below by leaving a comment on this post.  Winner will be picked at random next Thursday.

This is 14g, 16g and 18g copper wire, and a gorgeous pyrite nugget, that the pictures don't do justice to.  it sort of shimmers in the light.  It is adjustable from 15-20"

Value $75

Open to US residents only. 

UPDATE:  International entries welcome, however, you must be willing to pay shipping that is above $3  Please state in your comment you are willing if you are international- thanks!

 Winner will be announced on the blog next Thursday so please check back then. 

Silk and Fabric Care

by Staci Louise Smith

As we move forward with our Fiber in Jewelry Boot Camp, I wanted to touch on the care of fibers.  

A reader had commented about being hesitant to use fabrics and such because they get dirty, and was concerned about longevity.  I had forgotten that I had those same concerns myself when I first started using silks in my work.

 These are some beautiful Marsha Neal silks on my table just begging to be made into something!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MarshaNealStudio

Because I work mostly with sari silk and other hand dyed silks, like Marsha Neal's, I can really only talk of the care they require.  

Longevity:  When making jewelry, I am really pretty strict about making sure it is made well and will last.  I guarantee my work, so I want it to last forever!  Of course, things happen, and I fix them when needed.  So using fiber was a bit scary to me.  I will share my tricks in a tutorial later for making sure your necklace is secure, and is  not going to break easily.  

these are batik fabrics from Starry Road Studio, still on my desk, also waiting to become something!  I cannot wait to dive in.

http://www.starryroadstudio.com/

After I got that down, there was the care and cleaning of it.  I personally love to wear my sari silk necklaces in the summer.  They are much more comfortable and light on a sweaty neck then chain.  However......there is the sweaty neck thing.

The nice thing is, that they are fabric, and you can gently hand wash it in the sink.  I use a little warm water, along with some hand soap.  I wet the fabric, rub in some soap for a bit and rinse, rinse, rinse.  Allow it to air dry, and its all clean! 

I hope this little post will help to ease your concerns as we move forward and find new ways to use fiber in jewelry.  

There really are times when I tear a piece apart, and replace beading or chain with silks, because it either needed that pop of color they can offer, or it needed something soft for contrast.  Once I started using it, I have not looked back!  

If you have any other concerns or questions about using fabric in jewelry before we start up the boot camp, please feel free to ask!

Boot Camp: Fine Finishings: Polymer Clay

by Staci L. Smith

Polymer clay is a wonderful product.  It is an extremely versatile medium, with a low cost for start up. 

That is good, and that is not good at the same time.  Even though it is very easy to work with, it requires some education and practice to create pieces that will last.  

So the first advice I would give on polymer is learn about it, know your product, and test your beads and pieces before selling them.  That may take months- but I highly recommend it. 

I often see the same questions come up time and time again in the polymer clay groups on facebook; what should we use to seal our beads? 

I also see complaints that polymer clay components break easily, crack or crumble.

This Boot Camp was made to help share the things that we have learned in our experience, to help you guys

1.  Make a durable, lasting product you can be proud of

2.  Inform the buyers of these products and the process, and give them tips so they can ask informed questions before purchasing.  Though this is not always the case, you usually get what you pay for.  It takes a lot more time to properly make something that is going to last, and that is going to push the cost of it up.  This goes for most things in life, and is no different in the arts and crafts world.

  In the polymer world, someone who spends hours making beads, layering and layering expensive, and durable sealers, who spends time conditioning the clay thoroughly, who puts endless effort into their work, will of course have to charge more for their time. 

Today I will be sharing a couple tips that I have learned, mostly the hard way (i hope to spare you some of my own fails I've had a long the way), so that you can make the best components possible.

1.  Conditioning the clay.  Thoroughly conditioned clay should  not crumble or break once it is baked. Using a pasta machine is the way to go!  I recommend just getting a good one if you plan to make components consistently.  Condition it well beyond when it feels soft- as this process spreads the plasticizer through the clay making for a stronger bead.  I love my Atlas. I bought a cheap one from the craft store and it was awful.  (another example of you get what you pay for).  A friend found mine at a rummage sale for me, so I got it for a great price anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Marcato-Atlas-Wellness-Pasta-Stainless/dp/B0009U5OSO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1400156218&sr=8-2&keywords=electric+pasta+maker+machine

2.  This is a huge one- adding metal connectors or bails.  Unlike ceramic clay, polymer does not shrink when it is baked.  So, when you add your metal connectors, head pins, ect.....especially if they are going to have any kind of pressure on them, there are some simple things you can do to ensure they stay in place.  (I had some come out on me early on, and I was so embarrassed...)  First of all, I use the Sculpey Bake and Bond on them before pushing them into the clay.  Second, I cut the wire as long as I can, to ensure it is REALLY inside the clay, and not merely just under the surface or at the edge.  Third, try to push them in as straight as possible, to make the smallest hole possible.  If you wiggle it as it goes in, you create a bigger space around the metal.  As you push them in apply gently downward pressure on the bead, right above where you pushing in the metal, so that they clay is bonding around the area the metal has entered. You will be happy you took the extra time.  

3.  Bake it thoroughly.  Ovens vary, so using a thermometer is an option to ensure your items are being baked at the correct temperature.  I prefer using a convection oven, I bake on a pizza stone, and I bake it for longer then recommended, which hardens it s bit more (this varies from brand to brand and takes some experimenting).  Baking on a pizza stone is wonderful, because I don't get hot spots, it never burns, and it doesn't even put flat spots on my round beads, even if I just lay them on it to bake.

4.  If you do not paint your creation, you can sand it.  You should not varnish your polymer if it is not painted.  It is unnecessary.  Sanding is all you need to do.  You start with a bigger grit, and move down to a finer one.  Wet sanding is the best, and always wear a mask.

5.  Varnishing your clay.  If you do not use a water based varnish on your clay (this includes nail polish and many other varnishes) it will eat away at the clay over time, making it gummy down the road.

The sealers I most highly recommend, are Varathane, PYMII.

Varathane can be found at a number of place that sell house paint, and it varies by region.  It also comes in smaller sizes then this.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_49700-90-000000000000230031_0__?productId=3153381&Ntt=varathane+water+based&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dvarathane%2Bwater%2Bbased&facetInfo=

PYMII or Preserve your Memories II can be found online, here. http://www.pymii.com/   This comes in spray form, and though sprays have their draw backs at times, it really works amazingly to seal beads.

Ginger Allman has written some extremely thorough, and informative posts on PYMII.  

I also recommend sealing them many times.  I seal my beads with at least three coats, but usually more.  

Well, that is some of the most requested information I hear when it comes to polymer. I think the biggest fine finish suggestion is the part about testing your work.  Some brands of clay are too easily breakable for the making of beads.  Here is a good list of the different polymer clays and their qualities.

Ginger Allman has also done a great post about the newest type, Sculpey Souflee.  You can read all about that here.

As a matter of fact, if you are new to polymer clay, Ginger's blog, The Blue Bottle Tree, is full of wonderful information and tutorials.  She is extremely thorough in her testing, and meticulous in her writing.  Her and I have chatted a few times of various polymer clay topics, and I value her opinion and research!  I would highly recommend her blog.

As for our Fine Finishing's Boot Camp, we will have the blog hop on Monday May 19th.  For this Boot Camp, we just want you to blog about your most finely finished piece.  Feel free to share tips as to how you got there, or just show off what you have learned- we know you got skillz!  You can add your links right to this blog next Monday, there will be a spot to do that.  We do ask that if you participate, that you also visit the other blogs and comment and encourage each other in the hop.  You can add links all week, so check back and see what is new!

We hope to see you then!

 

Storage Wars

by Staci Louise Smith

Storage has always been a problem for me, especially in the realm of art supplies and beads.  Over time, the problem has only grown (due to my ever growing collection of supplies- due to my ever growing desire to learn and take on more and more mediums).

Although the pictures may make it look big, my studio is quite cozy.  I can sit at my desk on one wall and reach onto the work bench on the opposite wall.  So efficiency is a must.

When the hubs and I re-did the studio last year, we ripped out the carpet (and I painted my floor- best decision ever) and he built me workbench's I didn't have much $$ to invest into furniture. (below are pictures of the studio after we totally re-did it.  my hubs built the workbenches and I painted the floor).

below is the corner that got the new drawers- the end of my bench here had files and papers and junk all over it- the drawers gave me back the bench)

So I got the plastic drawers from Walmart (the rainbow ones, and the white ones) and went a long my merry way.  Downside, they are flimsy, and the drawers are deep on the white one, which I don't need.  The other one is just tooo flimsy and the drawers don't even stay in the racks. 

These were the ones I replaced

We did build the workbenches so that they were high, this way I could work standing, and I could store beads underneath of it.  At that time, I did invest in these bead cabinets on wheels.  (ripping up the carpet served a couple purposes as well.  1.  I was ruining it anyway 2.  I could now store things on wheels, and wheel them out as I need them...and wheel around in my chair as well)

bead cabinets under the workbench

This winter I started to pull out my old art supplies, and get into painting and mixed media a little bit more.  Then I bought more supplies, and paper, and canvas's.....and once again, I needed more space.  I don't have pics of how cluttered it was.  Let me just tell you, I could barely see that floor.

Thank goodness for Ikea and the Alex collection.  The Alex collection is perfect for arts and crafts rooms and studios.  The drawers are shallow but deep (reach far back) so there is plenty of space, and you can see what is in it at a glance. 

I got two of them, and can't be happier with them.  I was very surprised at how easy they were to assemble, and how sturdy they are.  I marveled at the sheer genius of Ikea- the people who design this furniture, like a puzzle, from the assembly to the packaging.....its pretty cool.

So I organized and cleaned and purged.  The nature of these pieces allowed me to re-arrange many things, and unclutter a bunch of area's.  

These aren't the best pics, but here is the corner that had the rainbow drawers, all re-done.

I not only fit everything from the drawers in there, but I also fit all my spare cards, bags and show supplies that were on a shelf before, and I fit office papers, reciepts and income stuff that used to just pile on my desk.  PLUS- i was able to move the magazines and files from the workbench to the top of the drawers.  

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......that feels so good.  I hate cleaning, but I do love organizing (once in a blue moon).

My beading desk got a tall Alex dresser next to it, and instead of having all my tools on my desk, they fit nicely into the drawers next to it, in perfect grabbing reach.  I was able to not only transfer everything from the plastic white shelves, but I fit all my wire and tools!  Look at all that space!

Now I am ready.  I have a couple really big projects to complete this week /weekend......and then its playtime again.  Nothing like a clean studio to make you want to work!

Here is the link to the Alex collection on the Ikea website.  (I get no money from them to promote it or anything, I just love them)

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=ALEX

No more storage wars in my studio, at least for the rest of this year.



Gallery Preparation

I have been asked to put my jewlery in an Art Gallery.  Up until this point, I have been very hesitant to take this step, but I think I am ready!  (and this gallery is amazing and cool, and I'd love to be a part of it!!)

 

So now I am making a mental checklist of things I need to ask, and things I need to do.

 

I have the contract, so I know the rules, agreement, and how the money is split. 

 

Here are some good quesitons to ask before going into something like this:

 

1.  What is the space like, what kind of displays will my jewelry be on?  (so you know how to package it)

 

2.  What is the inventory system, and do I do it, or do you?

 

3.  What price range are they looking for?  And what is target price range, or range that sells the best?

 

4.  Does stock need to be rotated?

 

Then there is my jewelry.  Should I have fancier packaging? 

 

I know that hand written price needs to go away!

 

 

What kind of variety should I offer? 

 

I think I am leaning towards a lot of earrings and tribal pendants, with hints of my traditional chunky pieces. 

 

 

Anyhow- its all very very exciting, and I can't wait to get started preparing for this new journey!

 

Here is a link to the Gallery's website, The Copper Frog- I am so in love with it, and can't wait to get there in person and check out all this amazing art.

 

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CopperFrogGallery?fref=ts

 

website:  http://www.copperfroggallery.com/cf/Home.html

 

So, any suggestions guys?  What did I miss?