This should really be two posts but I am combining... I might get side tracked again. This would be Favorite Tools # 11 and #12. I think,
I like creating my own textures. I purchased a set of Penni Jo's tools and used a couple of them to make this fun textured Mokume Gane. You can find the tools on her site Best Flexible Molds .... she really does make the "best" molds, and I love this tool set. I'm sure I use it differently than she intended but that's okay. They come in a cool case to keep them organized.
Each tool has it's own space... see
I used one of the little haft circle thingies and one of the picks to make the design and texture in this Mokume Gane sheet.
Click on the photos for a closer look.
The resulting beads.
Another of my favorite "texture tools" is buttons. The designs are endless and the search for buttons with interesting designs is fun.
Here are a few of the beads I made using vintage glass buttons with art deco designs. I highlighted with PearlEx metallic powders.
This large black plastic button has a bold design. I used a round Kemper cutter to make the hole in the center.
I used another large plastic button for the design on this one.
These complimentary beads were made using a vintage glass button.... this is a work in progress.... First I used the button to make a mold and then I used the mold to make the beads. I'd show you the button and the mold but I sat them down somewhere.... yip, you guessed... can't find'em... I "m sure I put them in a "safe place" .... oh dear!
and I also played with wire while watching all my favorite Sunday night shows.... most of my favorite shows... Amazing Race, The Good Wife, Dexter, Homeland, Boardwalk Empire and Hell on Wheels are all on Sunday night.... my butt gets numb from all that sitting!! However it's a good time to sand, buff and play with wire.
I think I will use that bird on a Journal Cover. I finished and mailed the Journal Cover I made for the swap. It's on it way to Canada, I'll show you a photo as soon as Tina lets me know she got it.
Okay, I'm done. If you have any questions or comments I would love hearing from you.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hey BJ, those are my favorite tools too. Penni Jo is on her way here to join us at our clay guild on the 20th. I'm so excited to meet her.
ReplyDeleteLove your button beads. I'm having trouble getting into Anita's blog. My husband is working on it now too. Got any ideas?
Well shoot, I'm sorry you can't get in to Anita's blog... I also have her on my blog list.. (down about 25 on the list) .... see if you can get to it from there... if it doesn't work let me know and I will try emailing it to you.
DeleteSay "Hi" to PJ for me... I would love to meet her in person, she is one of my favorite people.
More great ideas! I especially love your idea of using the buttons and it's so nice to see examples of how you use them. I've heard many wonderful things about Penni Jo's tool kit and you have demonstrated yet another reason while it's a "gotta have" that will probably be going on a lot of wish lists this year. As always, I love your wirework. A journal cover sounds like the perfect resting place for the cool stylized bird. Thanks for mentioning that part #2 of my "tools" post is up. I've been having so much fun sharing my favorite things.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anita, I didn't realize I had so may "favorites" . I agree, it is fun to share, it's what I enjoy most about the polymer clay community.
DeleteThank you for sharing all of these great ideas! Love Penni Jo's tool kit, and it looks like you have made great use of it for sure!! Thank you for sharing the link to Anita's list too, both part one and two are filled with very useful info!
ReplyDeleteThank you Trina. I love Anita's list, I learned a lot and I'm sure others did too.
ReplyDeleteI'm wanting to go off and make button molds now! Thanks a lot - I'm "supposed" to be making canes. :) Fun post.
ReplyDelete