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A face featuring a faux ivory method (found in The Complete Book of Polymer Clay Techniques) is the focal point of this lid. The relic-like effect in this twist on the traditional Celtic Greenman motif. Millefiori cane slices are staggered to form the hair and adorn the rim's edges. The underlying substrate is a polymer clay gradient sheet that compliments the others colors used in the design.
This raised pattern of metallic elements was created with thin strips and cut circles of foiled clay over an irridescent layer of polymer clay. Swirls and coils were formed by hand and the use of a wavy clay blade. The rim is covered with Oil Slick crafting foil from the Expressions Collection. The oil slick foil is burnished over black polymer clay.
Today Carma Labs (makers of Carmex products) is commemorating their 75th anniversary with a company picnic. I was fortunate enough to spend the day with company President Paul Woelbing and share my project with him and several of the employees at the company headquarters in Franklin, Wisconsin this past June. In honor of this wonderful milestone, I created this crystallized rendition of the traditional jar lid using SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS flatback crystals. I created an embellished border with their iconic colors of red and yellow using the Sutton Slice technique (found in The Complete Book of Polymer Clay Techniques) and my Stripped Tube texture stamp. I wish everyone at Carma Labs all the best on this special day and for the next 75 years!
A series of glass bugle beads flare outward from a SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal rivet. Flatback crystals are set along the outer ends of the shorter beads, interspersed between those of longer lengths. The rim is polymer clay with an iridescent textured finish that is achieved by applying Pearlidescent clay foil over an ecru and pink blend of polymer clay.
This Sterling Silver medallion started off as a button. I cut the shank off and embedded it in a millefiori kaleidoscpoe cane slice. A textured border of red clay covers the rim and the two effects are melded by a narro strip of stripped clay.
A small geode rests in the center of a polymer clay base of random, segmented stripping. A fan of millefiori leaf slices surround the stone in a circular pattern of "rays."The border is SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS cup chain set crystals I received when I was in Austria earlier this year to teach a workshops to the Swarovski Creative Design Team. It was an experience of a lifetime along with the chance to tour Crystal World and Haus Marie in Wattens.
This lid is a veritable quilt of dichroic glass. Years ago, I picked up several small pieces of clear dichroic patterned glass at a bead show. At the time, I had no idea how or when I would use them. I forgot all about them until I was going through odds and ends in my studio, in search of materials to create the project lids with. I pressed them over black polymer clay and ground off the excess material with an electronic hand-piece and abrasive wheel. A complimentary border of Faux Dichroic clay ("Confetti" foil method found in The Complete Book of Polymer Clay Techniques) adorns the edge of the lid. Lastly, a rounded, glass cabochon effect is created by adding Magic Glos (TM) UV resin over the entire surface, thus sealing the glass panels in place, covering the uneven edges and creating a uniform finish and appearance.
Today's lid is a wonderful example of re-purposing other items such as this jewelry finding. I added SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS flatback crystals with GEM-Tac jewelry glue by Beacon. The component sits atop a textured polymer clay background with a complimentary stripped border.
A German glass cameo from E. H. Ashley is the main attraction on today's creation. This serene, Belle Epoque face appears to be lit from within. A halo of millefiori cane slices frame the component and a base of free-form stripped clay serves as the background. A deep blue polymer clay border impressed with a design from my Patterns texture stamp, rings the rim. The center element of the embossed pattern is highlight with Kandi Corp's, hotfix nail heads.
Polymer clay stripping is interrupted with small circle cutouts made using a coffee stirring straw. The centers are highlighted with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS hotfix, flatback crystals with an Aurora Borealis finish, making today's lid elegant enough to carry in an evening bag. A simple, textured border of black clay finishes off today's lid.
