My crafting mojo has wandered off, somewhat inconveniently for earning an income, but hey ho, it happens. I have been doing some ‘pottering’ in the studio though and here are a few altered art pieces I have managed to get made…
These keyrings are about an inch wide and were an attempt to create a faux dichroic glass effect using holographic cellophane. The base for each was melted clear embossing powder that had been coloured with alcohol inks. Add a little cellophane and stop heating – it shrivels when hot. I finished up with UV-set resin, which did not remain adherent to the set embossing powder. An interesting experiment, not sure it will be repeated!
These, on the other hand, were a somewhat more successful experiment. They are small butterfly brooches made from Ranger’s Quick Cure Clay. The clay cures with heat from a heat tool, which sets off an exothermic reaction that works through the whole piece. Very satisfying to watch! I coloured the cured and cooled pieces with alcohol inks, which gave a translucent effect and feathered nicely into the clay. A quick coat with DecoArt Liquid Glass gives a gloss finish, into which I sprinkled some DecoArt Glamour Dust for a bit of sparkle.
This was another trial, using a Sculpey mould with the Quick Cure Clay. By using a silicone mould, the piece can be heated in situ and turned out of the mould once cured and colled. This time I spritzed with Hickory Smoke Distress Stain which worked its way into all the cracks giving a very passable stone effect. I sealed it with a couple of coats of matte spray varnish before threading it onto 1mm leather thong, complete with sliding barrel knots to finish the necklace.
Such nice work. Are the butterflies made from resin?
Thanks!
The butterflies are made from Ranger Quick Cure Clay coloured with alcohol inks, sealed with DecoArt Liquid Glass.
Oh, now I feel pretty silly, Neil. I did not scroll down far enough to read your description. Thank you. I think I’d like to try this at some point.
Would that I were so productive when my mojo goes West! (I have been faffing around completing nothing-at-all for months now). Love all of these, Neil … whenever you feel like it, I’d say give the keyrings another go – they are lush! And the butterflies are just gorgeous. Also I’m jealous of your so-neat sliding barrel knots, I can never get them right!
Do hope you’ve re-inspired yourself, following these lovely results.
The barrel knots were result of YouTube and practice!
Thanks for the tip, I’ll have a search-around next week when hopeful of completing a batch of cards for a Macmillan fundraiser, trying to focus! – 67 down, 83 more to make, to get them into the post in 5 days’ time…. so much waffly indecision, depression is such a pain.
Do hope you are feeling more motivated, Neil, your work is great.