Polymer Clay First Switch plates

I started experimenting with plastic switch plates and polymer clay veneers last month. One of the gallery owners, in Gatlinburg, liked the idea of switch plates when I mentioned to her what I was working on in my studio. I have been taking advantage of free tutorials I find on the internet about polymer clay techniques. I have been learning to make new surface treatments and patterns for the flat surfaces on the switch plates.

This is the first triple slot switch plate I have made. The detail technique that creates the high relief texture is a new technique for me. I learned to make a slice of clay thick enough to serve as a support for the center of each switch plate while they baked. Good lesson for me.

The two single switch plates, each with a monochromatic layered or tiered color surface, is another new technique. I really like it. I'm experimenting with various colors to find dramatic, bold color combinations in the clay "sandwiches" that I make, to create the layered or tiered look. It's a white sheet of clay sandwiched between two contrasting colors. That sandwich is rolled through the pasta machine at different thicknesses, torn and layered on the surface of the switch plate. The tutorial called it a "faux watercolor" technique. This is a surface treatment I can see using and I'm having great fun playing with the color...polymer clay is like art crack. :-)

I'm Out of Ornaments

I received an unexpected email from one of my galleries, "I'm out of ornaments!". So, I search through my own stash of Xmas decorations knowing I had plain glass ornaments to hang on my tree. Of course, the box of plain red ornaments was in the fartherest back stack...on the bottom. Always, right? I commenced making red and green themed canes and ran out of red and green Argh. But I concocted a green and decided to use 'tomato red'. Not perfect but, they were out of ornaments! I work all day and make five new ornaments.

Then I check my email that evening and reread the out of ornaments email. There was a little comment at the very end that said, "I have only one little ginger man left. Great, I should have read a little more carefully...they're out of gingerbread ornaments! So, I have no clay the color I used last year, and still out of red and green. I used the concocted green and discovered a little special effects red stashed away in my fancy clay box. Here is the last two days of polymer clay gingerbread people. Still need to add copper hangers but I'll be going to the gallery in a day or so. Whew!

End of October Projects

Still singing Christmas carols while I work with my Autumn palette. Thought I would share what is finished to make room for all the new projects...ie., Holiday projects.