sculpting with polymer clay...a class project

With the next class date scheduled, I thought I'd share with you one of the projects that I do with my students.

a little jewellery box...

Made entirely out of polymer clay, this one was accented with Swarovski crystal rhinestones.

Instruction for this project takes place over two class sessions (each 2hrs in length), as the bottom has to be baked first (something the students do when they return home from class), prior to the fabrication of the lid.

I have another jewellery box currently in the works, and I'm anxious to post photos of it as well, just as soon as it is completed. I started it in my class, though I never really have the time to complete projects myself in class, as I'm there for student instruction! The bottom is complete, though I never was happy with the lid that I started, so I have to get back to it!

Here are a couple other photos of this first sample:

A delicately detailed design, and yet simple to make!

The class culminates with the creation of image tiles (like my Li'l Art pieces) that can be framed in shadow boxes for wonderfully whimsical wall hangings.

The beauty of polymer clay is that the possibilities are endless, where any theme can be worked with to create projects suited to all tastes!

The next round of classes are set to start Wednesday April 6th, followed by 4 consecutive Wednesdays. 7:00pm - 9:00pm

They are offered by the Town of Richmond Hill. Further information can be found here http://www.town.richmond-hill.on.ca/subpage.asp?pageid=parks_leisure_guide and here http://www.richmondhill.ca/documents/leisureguide_adult_programs.pdf , page 69.

a new assistant & a new design

A natural progression of my business, it became necessary to take on an assistant. LOL! I could really do with some extra hands around here, what with mine being so busy with my 3 1/2 month old, but sadly, this assistant has none to offer. What she can do though is model my work, something I've needed for some time, both for design and photography.

I haven't yet named this new piece (or my assistant, which I feel compelled to do!), but here's a first look:

I must admit that I love this latest design!

It's I believe what I was attempting to do with a similar one last year, "cascade" (right),

but am much happier with the results of

this new piece.

The larger blossom (the same component I use for my "blossom" brooches), and the new smaller, but similarly scaled piece at the top of the flower cluster were what the design needed.

All three are composed on top of my own wire flowers, much like my "petals-on-petals" design.

But I'm most pleased with the simplicity of this design which allows it to be worn at various lengths and even wrapped around the neck like a choker.

As for the pearls, I've been wanting to incorporate them into my designs for some time now, and am happy with the results.

I'm eager for my son to give me a little time to create a few more. Though I'm stalled because I love this colour combination so much that I'm having trouble coming upon another that I would like just as much. I have a white collection in waiting.

This piece was recently accepted into Made You Look (www.madeyoulook.ca), where I'm told it can be found in the shop on the north side of Queen Street (the rest of my collection is in the south side shop).

Li'l Art Classes!

Join me in my studio for a 5hr polymer clay workshop!
Learn how to make pieces like this one...



and learn the techniques that will help you create a piece with your own unique flare!

First class offered Sunday February 6th.
More details available on our website and Facebook page:
www.subtledetails.ca (click on "classes" under "services")
www.facebook.com/subtledetails

in studio - Jan. 15, 2011

What's going on in our studio right now?...



I'm excited about some ideas I have for new some jewellery designs.
Not to mention my latest favorite colour which I like to call putty gray.
I can't get a decent picture of it with my studio lighting, but I'll post images of the new pieces when they're finished. Stay tuned!

"Sing With Me"

Another image of my latest ABC art, this time as it hangs in Evan's bedroom...


Finally got it hung up yesterday and I am so thrilled! Makes me want to finish the curtains for his window, LOL!

The beautiful baby blanket hanging over the chair back was crocheted by my mom. Here's the link to the free pattern: http://www.caron.com/projects/ss_eco/sseco_circles_stripes_squares_throw.html

The chair was a find on Kijiji. You can't really see it in this photo, but it's a 70's retro rocker-swivel chair in green velvet and I absolutely love it!...mostly because it doesn't take up half the room, visually or physically.

Well, that was a bit of a ramble...bye for now,

-Karen

what I accomplished over Christmas...

It's amazing what can be done when there's little else to do!

While visiting my mom (she lives two and a half hours away), I decided to spend some time on my website. Of course, it helped that my mom helped out A LOT with Evan...changing his diapers, keeping him content, walking my dog!

All it took was about a day and a half of sold, (virtually) uninterrupted computer time, and a little extra when I got home (adding photos, etc.).

There's still a couple pages that need some work, but I'm thrilled with the progress I made in so short a time!

Have a look...

www.subtledetails.ca

fantastic photos & a custom order

Always promoting my custom design services, I was thrilled last fall when a customer contacted me (after finding my booth at the Binder Twine festival in September) to have her friend's bridal bouquet made as a keepsake necklace.

Now, I've done this kind of custom work before, including a Nested flora design of my own bridal bouquet (the real one, which had about a centimeter of dust on it, got affectionately placed in our compost bin after the necklace was completed), but never have I seen such beautiful photos! No, this customer is not a professional photographer, she's just really handy with her camera!

See the results...

Elisabeth's Bouquet, in the Petals-on-Petals necklace design.

You can have your bridal bouquet made into a keepsake necklace too! Just send me your photos & we'll talk!

-Karen

karen@subtledetails.ca