purpleluggage

While making canes yesterday i was mulling about how to minimize the degree of one in skinner blends, because there are times i just want a hint of color on one end, so i tried making a small variation on the usual skinner process. this is what i came up with and i'm happy to say it came out nicely Another tip is this: if you have to wrap your skinner plug, minimize it and be able to tell which color is where after doing so, leave a tiny gap in your outline color so even if it twists when you roll it, you always have a reference point. cool trick but one i usually forget to do myself hehe   And here's the thing i really really found useful. see, i always keep blank pieces of paper in my bag just in case i needed to jot something down or make a sketch of ideas that come to me while riding the train or walking. but these bits almost always get lost or thrown or inadvertedly used to wrap gum --yeah done that. i also bring my journal, so i have something to write on in case i...

I hope nobody's forgotten about me even after all the months I've been keeping relatively quiet. it's great to be back and i must say, i feel fully charged and ready to go aba, after how many months nga naman of staring at the ceiling, floor, night sky, my work table, drying paint, dried up leaves, stagnant water (..yeah, you get the idea) waiting for inspiration to strike i better have some things up my sleeve (good ones, i hope. but no moths, i promise). so before anything, i just want to share a few memorable events that took place during my unexpected hiatus. first, my parents celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. I KNOW! 45 years! -- this was taken in tagaytay where we celebrated father's day and their anniversary.. yes, both fell on the same day june 20, 2010 The photo above was taken May 15 during the beginner's caning workshop in Angeli's studio in cubao. ( Thanks again, Jill!) After the class.. photo op na! haha (L-R) eliezl, josele, g...

STORAGE To keep your canes clean and dust free, roll them up in a plastic sheet. you can store them upright--easier to see the designs and pick which canes you need for a project--, or horizontal -- although it gets to be quite a challenge to rummage through the canes to find the one you need, especially if you have a lot, it's a definite space saver. Store canes in a sturdy container so they dont get accidentally mooshed. Like unused clay blocks, you should also store your canes in a cool place where it won't be exposed to heat. CUTTING If you just made your cane, it's best to let it rest before making cuts, especially if you used soft clays like premo or klayola. if you're using kato or fimo it's ok to go ahead and cut. allowing the clay to rest gives it a chance to stiffen up resulting in crisper lines and a consistent shape. If you're making a cut from an "old" cane- meaning it's been resting for at least 2 days-, warm it between y...

health-wise, 2010 didn't look so good for me. i've gotten sick with the flu twice already and in between spent 4 boring, headache-y, and often nauseous- days in bed (or on the couch ^_^) because of severe anemia. but still i managed to finish orders and a 2-night student and faculty concert at the CCP, so the year's not looking too glum :)                                                          And now i am back .. with a vengeance! i've accumulated a number of new sparkly and colorful materials to use in my dragon pieces . i'm also thinking of adding a few more (mythical?) animals to the mix... but i won't say anything more, don't wanna spoil the surprise y'know :) -- here's to another ye...

Project 365 DAY1 got my copy of Craft Time magazine today.. really excited! thanks for the opportunity!

if you're a beginner you can check my blog entry HERE where i've listed some of the tools you'll need to begin creating in polymer clay. i say "some" because each individual ends up needing different tools for different needs and projects also, check out Craft Time Mag's second issue HERE ! buy and subscribe to get great tips. It also includes a feature on polyclay artists Karla Cruz and yours truly my hands are still on vacation mode but i hope to get back to claying some time SOON Happy week everyone!

tools in detail for beginners I wanted to write this just as a supplement for the Craft Time  article. i'm not making myself out as an expert on this, but here's my two bits on the matter :) Hope it helps Clay Nowadays, there are a lot of clay brands available locally. The most popular and widely available brands being Premo!, SculpeyIII, Studio by Sculpey and Fimo. Other brands include Kato, Clayzee and Klayola. Each has its own distinct characteristic. Experiment to find the best brand that suits your needs. Personally, I use Kato (for caning), Premo! (caning and sculpting) and Klayola (for armatures and anything that needs to be strong and bendy, it's also nice to soften old crumbly clay). Avoid eating while handling clay, polymer clay may be certified safe and non-toxic, but it’s still not edible. Wash your hands after working with clay. TIP: i use Wipe Out (National Bookstore & some groceries) use it like lotion all over my hands then follow up with soap a...