Extrusion Distortion Class

Cane Extrusion

I taught the Extrusion Distortion Class a few weeks ago at the San Diego Polymer Clay Guild’s anual Round Robin.  Here is the cane that I ended up making from the extrusions that I made.  The gals that took the class seemed to really enjoy the class.  They came up with some nice combinations of their own canes.  The Makin’s Extruder is fabulous.  I even literally dreamed up another technique that I have to try the next time I am working to make some simple beads.  If it works like the dream it will be some really beautiful beads with very little work.  I will let you know if it works like I hoped.

In the mean time get out your extruder and see what you can make.  -K

Down to the Wire-My Inchies.

48 Inchies for July Swap

I work best under pressure.  I finished my inchies for the swap at about 12:3o on Tuesday, the day they were due.  My oven decided to spike in its heating and thank goodness it did not burn them.  I would have hated to turn in little crispy squares…..  I ended up extruding several different shapes using the Makin’s Extruder.

 I then manipulated some a bit  and then positioned them all into a one inch square.  I took a slice of this and laid it on a solid color of clay so that it would meet the thickness requiremment.  So here is what 48 inchies looks like. They were for the San Diego Polymer Clay Guild’s swap of the month.  -K

July? What is on Your Workspace? Inchies….

Well I just can’t seem to get going here….  Did you all have a great 4th Of July?  I sure hope so.  I cannot believe it is July!  Where did the first half of the year go?

Well I think that I have procrasted long enough.  I signed up to take part in an Inchie Swap with the San Diego Polymer Clay Guild for July.  Since I thought I could really do something neat with the “Inchies” that I received I decided to make 2 sets.  That means I get to make 48 “Inchies”.  Just in case you don’t know what an Inchie is–it is a 1″ x1″ piece of polymer that can be made using texture or technique I wish to use.  I may do a cane so all I have to do is slice it, or I could do and extrusion and make it into a 1″ square that could be sliced.  I guess I will have to go get busy and see what happens.  Several other artist have mentioned not picking a technique that would need lots of sanding and buffing in the end.  I for sure will not do that.  One group had a color theme.  That would have been a good idea.  Maybe next time.  So I am off to my workspace to create something.  Anything is better than what I have been making lately… zippo.. I will keep you posted. –K

Extrusion Distortion!

Extrusion Kaleidoscope Canes

Have any of you gotten addicted to the Makin’s Extruder?  Every time I play with it I discover new and exciting things that it can do.  I love making canes.  Kaleidoscope canes never ceases to amaze me.  I have found that if you make Skinner blends and roll them up and put them in the extruder you can come up with different effects depending on the disc you use in the end.  By combining several different extrusions you can make some fabulous canes.  I am teaching some of these wonderful techniques coming up in one of our Round Robin classes.  If you would like to check it out see the San Diego Polymer Clay Guild website www.sdpcg.org for more information.  Tina is also teaching her “Non-lethal Steampunk Jewelry” class the same day.  It all happens July 16th.  Check it out!  -K

Painted Walls!

My Rose

Heidi’s Sprite

Heidi and I have been busy with another project.  In order to encourage Alyssa, Heidi’s daughter, to keep her room clean once it has new carpet and a closet organizer we have been helping to decorate the walls with some painting.  She had a few artistic friends paint some different pictures here and there, but Heidi and I decided to add our own to the mix.  Alyssa really wanted a rose.  She also likes manga drawings and wanted a  Butterfree or a Pikachu.  We found a sprite which fit the bill of manga/butterfree.  After blowing up the images on the wall we got out the paint and got busy.  After two days of painting the room is finally ready for carpet.  Which will be here tomorrow!  Heidi sees the end of her home decorating in sight. -K

Extrusions and Space…

I have been busy doing all kind of different pieces these days.  Trying to discover what I like the best.  I love to do canes and the extruder works well for doing some of that.  You can play with the extrusions and get all kinds on neat things from them.  This piece is one of those extrusions. -K

The Versatile Blogger Award!

 

Wow !  Thanks a bunch E.C.  Look what we got a “Versatile Blogger Award”!  That is very nice for you to think of us.  We like making stuff up and posting it for the world to see, or at least those of you who read our blog.

We are supposed to post 7 Random facts about us.

1. I have kissed my cat on the lips.  – Tina

2. I will cry watching sad movies even if they are animated. – Tina

3. I am a chronic license plate reader. It will bug me if I can’t figure that personalized one out. – Tina

4. I Would like to know why people think holding their cell phones away from their ears while driving  think it is using their phone “Hands Free”? – Kelly

5. I sometimes find myself getting excited by thinking I can have certain foods, cus I am now an adult and I don’t have to have my Mom’s permission. – Kelly

6. I grew up in Wyoming.  We all thought it was the Midwest.  But since I move to California, Wyoming is not considered the midwest. – Kelly

7. Blogging helps keep us on our toes! – Kelly and Tina

Thanks for giving us this award E.C.  We appreciate it!

Check out another blog….  We pass the award to:

http://fimofanatic.wordpress.com/  Charlene  A.Therien  Aka:  CAT  She has a very funny blog and links to all her other fabulous sites.

The Dresser is finish. Hardware is pending!

Dresser with Doll Hutch

Dresser in Place

I finished the Dresser and placed it back into Jen’s bedroom in time for my brother to come visit from Nashville.  She has a lot of special dolls so I wanted to be able to showcase them on the hutch that she used to have books and other things as well as some of the dolls.  I removed the books and placed the dolls and a few other things that she wanted to have in her room.  I hope she likes the new look!  I really enjoyed refinishing the dresser.  I learned a few things and can use it the next time I try something.  Thanks again to my friend Heidi for her help!  I will keep looking for the hardware that I need for the drawers.  -K

Combined Zentangle Pendant 1

This is one of the pendants that I made with the 6 canes that the SDPCG members put together.  I like how it came out.  It is definitely one of a kind.  I might get a pair of matching earring, but that is all.  It gives me a little bit the impression of a pomegranate for some reason. One thing I learned is that it is a good idea to make the initial canes with larger contrasting areas, because they become very small when combined in this manner.  So you get lots of miniature patterns.   I want to do more black and white, but I have some quite colorful canes  started on my workspace today!  -K

Clean Work Surface!

A space to work!

The last two days a friend and I have been pulling out all the different containers I had of clay and baked beads and unfinished projects.  It is still not complete.  But I do have a clean work surface!  I have a couple of pieces that I started for my next project.  I cannot believe how much stuff I had stuffed here and there.  It will be so nice to start a project and know exactly where to find the tools and findings I need to complete it.  I could not have done it with out Heidi’s help.  Thanks a bunch Heidi!  Don’t forget to come back and help me finish….I hate throwing stuff out and she helps me let go of things.  So if you need a certain item I probably have it and could even find it for you!  Whether it be beads or sanding and buffing.  I have all my paints and inks together.  All of the different findings for jewelry or other accesories. I probably have it!  I have all the canes together and all the texture sheets. All the clay is organized by colors. Boy will I be able to produce from now on.  If Mz Defiance doesn’t try any new moves….-K