Technique: Pendant with beads and extruder detail Win: Mostly Challenge: • Creating a round pendant with a circular cut-out • Using extruder cane detail to decorate half of the pendant while also incorporating beads • Making perfectly round beads • Wrapping a bead with a strip of extruded pattern without distorting the shape Lessons Learned: … [Read more…]
Technique: Asymmetrical earrings with extruder detail Win: Absolutely Challenge: • Creating a symmetrical pair of asymmetrical shapes • Inserting the extruder detail in a way that felt balanced and intentional Lessons Learned: • Some colours show up much better than others when used in layers • The top layer sometimes needs to be varnished so … [Read more…]
Day 9 Technique: Simple flowers on a hanger shape Win: Yes Challenge: • Pressing and lifting the shape without distorting it • Creating very small elements • Placing the elements symmetrically Lessons Learned: • Even with cornflour and great care, I still need a lot more practice lifting cutters that have such a thin edge. … [Read more…]
Day 8 Technique: Gold leaf imprint, removing the top layer with tape Win: Almost Challenge: • Getting the gold leaf to settle into the grooves of the cutter, and then removing the top layer with tape. • Making tiles with two holes on each side so they could be linked into a bracelet. Lessons Learned: … [Read more…]
Day 7 Technique: Bracelet with extruded flower inserts Win: Absolutely Challenge: • Getting perfectly rounded flowers with centres from my extruder. • Pressing the flowers onto the bracelet cutter shape without distorting either the flowers or the bracelet shape. Lessons Learned: • I ordered a bespoke flower extruder disc from Louise to try this technique. … [Read more…]
Day 6 Technique: Inserting into a frame Win: Yes Challenge: • Stretching the shape into the frame so it becomes concave without cracking the thinner bits. Lessons Learned: • This technique works really well when using a fat ball tool to gently push the clay into the frame. Confidence Level: 9/10 Notes: • I liked … [Read more…]
Technique: Hollow bead Win: Mostly Challenge:• I used a piece I made with my extruder but it was a little thin, so it cracked slightly when I tried to stretch it to make it hollow. • Getting the shape to be puffy on the front and flat on the back, while still meeting with clean … [Read more…]
Day 4Technique: Simple shape with layered flowersWin: Mostly Challenge: Lessons Learned: Confidence Level: 8/10 Notes: Today was about refinement. I worked simply, but not casually. I paid attention to edges, to finish, to how pieces come together. I am beginning to feel the difference between making something and shaping something well. My hands are learning … [Read more…]
Day 3 My journey so far – Day 1 was cautious curiosity. Day 2 was technical awareness. Day 3 feels like bold play with structural complexity. It feels as though this creative momentum is building its own little weather system. Technique: Insert-in-a-plug technique (I saw an image of this on Pinterest) Win: Absolutely – more … [Read more…]
Day 2 Technique: Basic Mokume Gane Pendant Win: Definitely ✔️ Challenge: Lessons Learned: Confidence Level: 8½ /10 Notes: I wanted to have a sort of abstract, but also obvious flower pattern. I think this works well. My finished were a little better today, but I still need to get the knot right. Overall, I am … [Read more…]