Faux Effects in Polymer Clay: Imitating Nature's Treasures

I just received my copy of PolymerCAFÉ for September/October 2014. It's  a great issue! I especially love the Faux Ivory Scrimshaw by Kellie Mowat featured on the cover.

Speaking of faux effects, the Polymer Chef column doesn't look bad, either (if I do say so). The recipes for this issue are turquoise and starry jasper. The inlay-look necklace made with these two materials is (IMHO) the coolest piece of jewelry I've made in a while. In fact, I like it so much, I'm wearing it in my latest profile picture. A full step-by-step tutorial accompanies the recipes.

Be Challenged! 

If you enjoy concocting your own faux effects in polymer, you should definitely enter the PolymerCAFÉ "Faux What?" challenge (entry form, p. 61). The deadline is August 31, so you still have a little time to make something fabulous and original. 

A Blast from the Past

To get your juices flowing, I'd like to share the first faux recipe I ever published. It appeared in Polymer Clay Polyzine in 2003. The materials list doesn't include the latest products, and my bio is out-of-date, but my good friend Bridget Downey, of Asheville, NC, says it's still her go-to tutorial for wood-grain effects.

Read more. . . 

 

 I hope you're inspired. I look forward to seeing your own creations soon!

--Suzanne

Creative Home Décor: Polymer Clay Transforms Air Fresheners into Artful Accessories

My first post on my new blog! Welcome, everybody, and my sincere thanks to Ilysa Ginsburg of Polymer Clay Productions for her expert help with getting me started.

As some of you know, my husband and I moved in 2012 from Tennessee to Florida. Selling our home was quite an ordeal--one that really convinced me (the owner of 3 dogs) of the value of a good air freshener! I like the solid ones that come in a plastic tub: they’re cheap and they work well. But they’re so ugly! Ever since then I’ve been hiding them behind things all over the house. Finally I discovered that the answer (as to so many of life’s problems) is polymer clay.

I used part of my stockpile of scrap clay to create these sleeves that just slip over the plastic tubs. It was easy to shape and cure the clay on on cardboard cylinders. The embellishments were made using Wilton fondant molds. After curing, I antiqued the sleeves with paint, markers, and gilder's paste. 

To complete the transformation, I removed the twist-off plastic lids from the tubs and replaced them with a few layers of tulle salvaged from a shower pouf, attached with a rubber band. Just slide the sleeve over the tub, and you're set to go!  When the scent block is gone, just buy a new tub and reuse the sleeve. Now I don't have to look for hiding places for my air fresheners any more! 

This basic idea could be adapted to go in any room with any décor. Wouldn't it be fun to make them for a baby's room? And what a great place for an air freshener!


Thanks for visiting the Polymer Chef blog! I plan to update it often and share ideas whenever they pop into my head.


Talk to you soon,

Suzanne