What I wouldn’t have given for these color cards when I first started out in polymer clay.
What am I talking about? I am extremely overjoyed to have them now.
Joan Tayler has mixed all of these colors in Premo, put these color cards together, photographed them, printed and laminated them. The recipes are on the front with the colors on the back. Such a lot of work.
All for only $12 a set. Trust me you will use these over and over again. You can purchase them here in her Etsy shop.
I’m teaching at virtual Clayathon in February 2022, a workshop call Paper to Polymer, see the post with more information here. I will be using these cards when we mix colors for our wall pieces that will be inspired by paper collages we create.
Not only that but Joan and Shelley Atwood are teaching a two day workshop with step by step color mixing and jewelry design. Their workshop, Wardrobe Inspired Jewelry, is on Feb. 17 & 18 while mine is the 22nd and the 23rd.
Loretta Lamb is the guest artist at virtual Clayathon this year and I know she has some wonderful things to share with us.
The line-up of talented polymer artists is long and varied this year and I’m thrilled to be included.
Clayathon’22 Virtual Polymer RetreatRetreat days: Feb. 19, 20, 21, 2022. Six Hours of lessons during the Retreat withAcclaimed Artist and Author Loretta Lam Loretta will share her personal design process, from inspiration through the assessment of the finished piece. Her demos will include form building, canes, and veneers. Plus lots of design hints and tips! Something for everyone.” Register for Clayathon here.
My workshop will be after the retreat on February 22 – 23. In my two day workshop we will be using magazine pages to create fabulous little collages that will act as inspiration for a larger polymer piece.
Paper to Polymer Alice Stroppel February 22-23 $190 10am – 3pm Intermediate
Register and pay for my workshop here.
This workshop is full, if you would like to be placed on the waitIng list email me at
alicestroppelsstudio215@yahoo.com
I started using pages from magazines to create collage postcards to send to friends. After I had made several I friend suggested they would be excellent studies for larger paintings. But of course I am a polymer clay artist through and through and painting wasn’t going to work for me, but his words sparked my exploration into translating these postcards into polymer.
If you don’t already have a stack of old magazines or can procure some from friends, I’ll suggest a some of my favorites. But you can find pattern and color in many of the Christmas catalogs that are beginning to come in the mail so start collecting a few now. You might also already have stashes of papers you can use.
We’ll be using liquid polymer, markers, as well as small cutters and silk screens. I’ll even show you how to make some small stamps.
I’ll be focusing on larger wall pieces but there is no reason why these techniques can’t be used for smaller projects as well.
Don’t worry if you don’t finish on day two, I’ll schedule and short recap Zoom meetup for showing your finished pieces and to answer any questions.
As soon as I receive your payment for this workshop I will send you the supply list.
Paper to polymer
This first piece was inspired by several artists, Rex Ray was the main influencer.
Rex Ray
Rex Ray
Paper to Polymer
Lots of patterns and colors from several magazines contributed to this postcard and others below. Lots inspiration for many of the techniques I’ll be teaching.
Paper Postcard
Paper Postcard
Paper to polymer
I’ve always admired Georgia O’Keeffe’s large flowers. I created many versions of paper flowers for this piece.
Georgia O’Keeffe
Paper Postcard
Paper Postcard
Paper Postcard
Paper to Polymer
You be surprise when you see the magazine page I used to create this inspirational postcard.
I found this fabulous head on Facebook Market place about 6 weeks ago. When I saw her I wasn’t sure she would fit in the oven but I knew I needed to buy her.
When I got her to the studio the first time I did was make sure she fit in the oven. She’s 20″ long from the tip of her nose the the last curl on her head. Luckily I have a two regular kitchen ovens that are clay dedicated . One here at home and one at my studio in downtown Sebring.
I didn’t have time to work her right away so she just chilled out in my studio. Then Covid19 hit and I’ve been home with my husband for the last five weeks. Is that all it’s been???
She came home with me and I’ve been working on her covering her with polymer canes that I have been making over the years. Every time I have a workshop in my studio I make canes, every time I film a video for my online workshops, I make canes.
So I have a cane inventory that you couldn’t believe and what better way to use it than on this lady? I am here to tell you she took a bunch of canes. I think I only use the same one once or maybe twice.
Here she is finished. Or at least finished for now. there are a few things I’d like to fix, but I’m ready to stop working on her for awhile.
Below I’ll show you as she progressed.
Oh and I’ve named her Lucy… like in the Sky with Diamonds… *g* I may have to add a few sparkles, but that will have to wait.
This is how she was when I first started covering her with canes.
I decided that I didn’t like the random canes and decided to follow the waves.
I just kept on adding canes because I have a large inventory. If you have ever taken a workshop with me you’ll know I am always encouraging everyone to build your cane inventory so you can just sit down and create.
I was able to begin and finish her with out ever having to make a new cane. If I would have had to make a new cane for every wave I might not have finished her.
Obviously you won’t have as many canes as I do but as you build your cane inventory or as I like to call it, your stash, you’ll be surprised how many projects you can finish in a day. I worked on both sides for days.
I’d finished a few rows and then I’d bake her. That way I didn’t mess up the rows I’d finished as I worked on the next.
Then finally the day came when I could finally put her in the oven for the last time. Was I glad? You bet. I’m used to large projects but this one seemed like it took forever.
She just fits on an angle. I baked her one last time for 30 minutes andI’m a happy, happy, woman.
I’ve just up loaded a video featuring my newest design, Crazy Birds. They really do make me laugh. I use little canes made up of extruded pieces so I’ve also bundled this new video with my Extrusions video. You can purchase Crazy Birds alone,
Alice Stroppel Profile Face Cane Sept. 5
9am – 4pm
$75.00
Clay not included
Supply list will be provided
Plus
A full tutorial included for future reference
7 page pdf and a 40 minute video
