Artzire ++ Nakshatram ++ Nama:II

Our newest Polymer clay designs begin with the ideas - Indian Traditional, wedding (occasion) and GRAND!!!

The ins and outs of the Nakshatram piece can be found at 

http://artzire.blogspot.in/2015/12/pouring-our-blood-into-polymer-clay.html

The number two grand piece Nama:|| 

When the idea was formulating, again, with a traditional main theme, we contemplated mixing it with paper at first! Then came the idea of creating a third dimension in a pendant, and then we added symmetry to it!
Next came the few trials for making the Ganesha as the central piece, it took me at-least 3 tries before I was satisfied with the figurine. We baked it separately so as to avoid distorting it. Then painstakingly we outlined the flower in the 2nd layer of clay with a flower, so as to make it look like the Ganesha, sat in the centre of a Lotus. The matching Sari had the colours: Yellow-gold and Magenta, Since we could not include yellow in the pendant and earring ( because it lacked the contrast with the gold base), we incorporated it into the stringing with citrines and agates, which complimented each other completely!!! I decided to blend Magenta, Pearl and Purple clay together, to get a colour changing effect ( just like a Sari, that changes colour with the light). Once the outlines of the flower were in place, we filled in the channel created with minute clay balls, all cut to the measurement of 2mm each!!! Remember to do it, only when you are up for some brain numbing cutting and rolling! Trust me it takes hours! Once that was in place, we baked the 2nd part. The final layer, which included our veins for attaching the bead strings to the pendant came last. Once the base was created, we joined it together with the 2nd layer and an outline of clay and then merging the outline, such that it looked seamless! The biggest advantage of Polymer clay is that it can be baked as many times as you need  as long as it is within its core baking temperature.

Personal Note

I am lucky that Art'zire ropes me in for some juicy work. These projects I have never even considered doing, mainly because I doubt my own skills, but Pritesh is always there to help and give honest feedback. She sometimes thinks she is being very picky, and sometimes I think so too, and that's what makes all the difference between grand and "Grandeur". It's the exact measurement, mathematical precision and ideas that make the results worth everything. Sometimes it is mistaken for 'digitally printed designs'. In a manner of speaking we are glad for it! When people mistake our work for digital copies, it's a huge compliment to us!

So please let the love pour in! 

~Richa  

A Debate with myself!

And on to Part 2,

I am rewriting this part because I, like a klutz deleted this entire part, one whole hour wasted! You may be wondering if the second part will introduce techniques, the answer is no! Those can be acquired in time, I am trying to find my own reasons for Polymer clay other than the fact that it gives me immense pleasure!

Taking it forward from the last article about Polymer clay, if you haven't read it... here is the link.
http://richarps.blogspot.in/2015/11/oven-craft.html

Since I extensively delve in Paper, beaded and Polymer clay Jewellery, I am going to try and find my sweet spot. Polymer clay and Paper in this instance have much more similarities than beaded, I am going to go into my reasons for those.

Paper VS Polymer clay

Both these mediums have their advantages and disadvantages.

1. Flexibility :  PC lends into to very curvaceous patterns for the base, where as paper has limited ability as stand alone curves. For example: PC can be used for Bracelets with ease, paper is restricted in that aspect to charms. Figurines have better finishes with PC if made sturdy enough. We can at times just sculpt out clay when in need of a depression, or add clay to give mounds, alternatively we can use 3D bakeable surfaces like glass bowls to make a rounded surface. Although paper, quilling lends itself to be made into curved surfaces, the shapes and sizes possible are limited. However we can use 3D outliners, embossing inks to create 3D patterns on paper. Where you need to make a provision for hooks , pins etc in paper pendants and earring pieces while laying the layers of the paper, one can drill a hole in PC ( preferably pre baking). Post baking, the strength of the piece may be compromised in the process, where paper once layered is a solid unbreakable piece!

2. Minute detailed work:  Going in the favour of paper, it lends itself to finer work as compared to PC. While you can use an extruder for the fine details in PC, it still cannot compare to the finesse of work possible with Paper. Picture transfer onto PC is possible, but is a painstaking process with expensive additional accessories. 

  

3. Longevity: PC comes in a range of ready colours, which are long lasting. Paper can hold its own with the use of acrylics/ Oil/ distress inks etc for colour, but it needs some help. PC can withstand aging better without much post processing, where as paper would ideally need something like varnish, glass or resin to protect it.

4. Time: Once PC pieces are made and additionally it is baked within 30 minutes to an hour. The post processing like sanding, buffing, glazing will maybe take another half an hour. The time taken to make the piece is not constant and depends on the kind of work required..PC piece can be ready within X+ 1 hr.  In paper one can require anywhere from 1 hour to 24 hours for post processing. Paper unfortunately has the uncertainty depending on the type of post processing we are doing, resin ( at-least 24 hrs recommended 72hrs) / Mod-podge ( hard finish- 72 hrs), varnish ( 30 minutes-1 hour). Paper sometimes may need part by part work which may extend the worktime. PC may need multiple baking steps too. 

 5. Sturdiness : Paper is sturdy by itself when layered right! To protect the design, we need to include resin and we are set. PC unfortunately can be broken and is prone to chipping where there are delicate pieces involved. PC has its own version of resin which hardens when baked, but it  does not work as effectively as resin does for paper. 

   

6. Cost:  The main difference that could make or break an order is, and always will be cost. Where PC races ahead for most of the aspects, Paper wins this one hands down. PC needs a lot of tools and accessories, even with basics, the initial cost of investment is higher than that of Paper. With extras it is even more so.  

                                                 Mixing Mediums: PC and Paper

PC on Paper

Paper on PC

Since I compared the two mediums individually, I was further curious to see if they work well together. Can the weaknesses of one be turned to an advantage,? 

As it turns out yes. 

On one side it will be profitable for the paper based jewellery to use PC as cabochons as a center piece, which gives it a 3D effect too. This is a value addition for fraction of the cost of a full fledged PC piece. This works well for customised pieces, with a tight budget. Another way to cash in on the finesse aspect, is to encase paper with a design on it with liquid polymer clay and bake it or make a polymer clay decorative base with the dimensions of the designated design on paper , bake the base separately and then insert the design paper into the PC casing and use resin to seal it off.

When you are narrowing down on the design selection, make sure you touch all the points above or a combination of them, as per your clients wishes, to make the final call. 

If you can think of any additional concerns, do leave them in the comments. :)

Polyclay in love

~Richa

Oven craft....

Welcome back!

I have a very well meaning craft benefactor !
I got into Polymer clay only because I got the final push by bartering an oven for work during the Seattle project. ( link: http://richarps.blogspot.in/2014/05/paper-seattle-and-working-with-best.html)
I jumped headlong into using it for something. Although the oven hung around my workroom for almost 3 months before I finally procured some Polymer Clay (referred to PC hence forth).
Having had no previous knowledge of the PC, its chemistry or how to utilize it except the pictures available on the internet, I got down to reading about it. I choose it because it was used in Jewellery and would add a new skill to my own profile. I knew I would explore it, even if it meant to start off on my own. So believe you in me, all the lessons were learnt the hard way.

first trial with air dry clay

I started first and foremost with reading various blogs about PC. After working alongside Pritesh as an 'artist' for almost 2.5 years, I had learnt to research any art form before starting any work on it.  Just like we read warning labels on packaging, it is important to accumulate all the information about the contents to take preventive steps while working. Knowledge is the key! What is PC? It is a variation of PVC- Polyvinyl Chloride, with clay-like properties. It's encompasses the use of an oven ( not microwave) baking for hardening. You can find out more from google, but here is a PC supplies website, with more information to get you started.  http://www.sculpey.com/

my first trial at polymer clay figurine.

There are lots of PC brands and sub-brands to choose from- FIMO, Sculpey, Kato, Pardo to name a few. I started with Sculpey as it is much more easily available in India. It is important to choose a brand of clay where repeat buying is possible once you decide to go into it professionally ( and that holds true for any art form you want to do). Then came the humongous task of a work-surface. While working with paper, I just needed a little spot to start working, where as here, I needed a more dedicated space to work on. So came the staggering task of clearing out part of my work table for it. I had bought an A4 sized acrylic sheet to use as the surface on my table. ( If you read about PC, you will know that a wooden surface is not recommended to work on), since then I have now moved to a Ceramic surface.
I had done a small terracotta making course and a mud work workshop a year or so ago, and it helped me tremendously to make my first polymer clay figurine. I actually first tried making things with air dry clay, since it is a cheaper option to practice. Your hand will set in, once you get used to clay molding, in this case practice does make perfect.

Once you are serious about using PC you will want to invest in tools as well. I have found the initial investment for Polymer clay is higher than other forms, including clay, oven & tools.

first jewellery trial - PC

I started with making small pieces of jewellery and by the time I had worked with PC for 6 months, I had only managed to touch the numerous number of techniques.My first piece of jewellery, 11 DEC 2014. This was when I was trying to get a hang of Applique technique! What a walk down memory lane. Since then I have tried out other techniques, but for me nothing holds a candle to this simplicity! There is absolutely no need of any PC specific tools, just a craft knife and a ruler and a toothpick!
The rest is all about hand work and letting your creativity roam freehand.

WHAT I LEARNT 

It all boils down to finesse not the number of techniques! Practice one technique if you must, but do it like no other! Every little millimeter counts! Every little smudge looks like a failed attempt, every little wasted piece is a drain on your resources!

DONOT invest in anything but the basic- clay, acrylic roller, craft knife, blade, toothpick / needle, oven, baking and bond glue and a work-surface. Atleast not until you are sure about your PC making future. In India it is a very expensive hobby.Most of the secondary and tertiary tools are not available easily in India, or if available are expensive. Buying clay itself if quite a drain on your resources and requires repeated investment once the orders start pouring in.

Follow instructions on the packaging of the clay, tools etc. It takes only something small as a nick with a knife to ruin something. Follow strict cleaning procedures both for your hands and your tools. A stray piece of clay can ruin a perfectly good design.
Make sure you protect your hands, they are you most expensive tool. There are toxins in Polymer clay and if you do not clean your hands well, it will have an adverse effect on your health, when ingested. Wear gloves if you have cuts and bruises.  Same warning goes for fumes, they are toxic, hence make sure your work room/ baking room is well ventilated.

NO CHILDREN. 
NOT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN and NEW MOTHERS. 

Pricing PC products takes a extra thinking and calculating. I needed to find the golden balance for pricing because I have to include clay price, tools, time, electricity. No clay is ever wasted, you can use and reuse scraps of unbaked clay. Workshops also cost a lot. Work smart, it will save you a lot of money and time!

Lastly and most importantly, I cannot stress on this point enough, there are millions of images out there, lots of video tutorials to explore from. Please make sure you give proper credit where it is due. Try not to make replica's for sale purposes. It is unethical and takes away from your creativity.

So to sum it up research, practice and create!

In the end I will leave you with some of the pieces I made as a freelance designer at Art'zire! 

You can also follow the link below to one of the pieces I as involved with. 

http://artzire.blogspot.in/2015/09/thumbelina-evolves.html

Off to have my coffee,

~Richa

A little ethnic turn for the modern!

I have always found it challenging  to hand draw or paint, and when the surface is reduced it get's that much more harder. I gave it a try while conducting a paper jewellery workshop. I was explaining how Tanjore looks ( until i realised I didn't have any embellishments, which are an integral part of Tanjore type of painting) as well as, how to encase Paper work in resin. ( You can click on the earlier resin post for more information)

 The Tanjore-like design I have tried here, is based on a bird as the central design, with contrasting flowers and leaves thrown in to complete the picture. Although this effort was nothing like traditional looking Tanjore design,it became my own twist.

  The earrings had a matching floral design, in mirror effect. This is extremely important when it comes to making earrings. It's also one of the toughest things to do. When I draw my designs, I am quite satisfied with one, the mirror image I leave to forces beyond my kin. As you can see the design only focuses on the designs of the pendant and earrings.

I tried it on for good measure. 

 

I always find it a bit much, to wear both the neck piece and earring together. Interestingly, I choose to wear one of my own creations only for special occasions. Which led to me to think, there will be other youngsters out there with the same problem. 

With one difference already in place, I took it a step ahead and used very minimal accessories to go with the actual pendant and earrings. This not only reduced the jazz of the over all set, but also gave it a modern look by using the metal choker. The economical aspect was a value addition!

Officially back from a stupor!!!

~Rich

It's a big bad and artistic world out there :)

Hello worlddd.....

One has to try their hand at everything, before you decide, something is good or bad, easy or difficult and pretty much nothing is impossible!


So far I have tried my hands at Quilling, Resin, Doodle or Zentangle for the use for a fancier term, Polymer clay, Bead-weaving, Acrylic painting mainly to introduce all these mediums into Jewellery. It really a versatile world out there. After having touched into all these, I still haven't found my speciality. There isn't that one thing that only I can do with maybe only 1 other person.





 Now I am working towards perfecting them, but also trying to fuse them together, they are slow but happy little steps. With loads of help, inspiration and opportunities to work outside of my comfort zone! Doing a lot of customised work, sometimes freelancing with other designers has definitely helped me to look at my own work with different eyes. Expanding my own horizons based on the wants and needs of others, is not only every changing but also challenging.

Don't forget to visit me at
https://www.facebook.com/rockpaperandscissor

 ~Richa