ok...I spent an hour with the clay...

16 years ago

This was my first attempt at making millefiori.

I used 1/2oz gold & 1/2oz Crimson to make a few things.

First was this cane using a Skinner Blend

The reduced canes...

And here's the mess all baked up. Some I really like some

are kooky...but all in all it was fun.

And so as not to be too OT, This is my Christmas present

frame that I wanted for the next mosaic....hopefully using

some of this clay stuff.

I know, the mirror could use a good scrubbing. But

it's going bye bye pretty soon anyway.

Linlee

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Comments (22)

texaswild
16 years ago
OH what a good idea on the curliques. I tell y'all - the different ideas just keep rolling in. VERY good work, LINLEE. Can't wait to see what you do w/them.
nicethyme
16 years ago
COOL!!! how did you find reduction? is it difficult?
hey your frame looks like a cousin to my recent tray!
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LinLee
Original Author
16 years ago
Hey, it does look like your tray. It's a big sucker a little over 40"x52".
I didn't think reducing the canes was difficult...but can definitely see
why it's recommended that you use highly contrasting colors. Mine seemed to blend a little too well.
My favorite part is running it through the pasta machine.
I like to watch the colors meld. Easily entertained I guess.
bamasusanna
16 years ago
Very neat linlee! I know you'll turn out some beautiful stuff with the clay.
That mirror frame is nice. Are you going to do anything to it, or is it to remain a frame for your mosaic?
LinLee
Original Author
16 years ago
I like the frame as-is...if the mosaic that's running through my head comes to fruition it's going to need a
simple border. A respite for the chaos as it were.
Calamity_J
16 years ago
COOL Stuff! But what I reeeaaaly like is your idea for your Christmas Tree! Gotta remember that for 356 days!
chickeemama
16 years ago
I've been playing with the polymer too...I dont have any pictures yet but crafty_lady had sent me some trinkets with my exchange gift and I made a mold out of one in the shape of a spider. It turned out really good. I don't have any push molds yet just stamps. I like playing with the pasta machine too.

I made a few canes just black and white circle things and one flower cane that I havent cut up yet. I checked out 4 books on it at the library and got some pretty cool ideas. You can really do some cool stuff with it.

I like your canes even if they are close to the same color. You'll be able to do something cool with them Im sure.

Your frame is really nice. I cant wait to see what you do with it.
shrty411
16 years ago
Those came out really cool.On the list to try out for sure

Maria
nicethyme
16 years ago
Linlee... chaos intrigues me. Can't wait to see what you do

Chickee, pictures are required!!!! NOW!
haziemoon
16 years ago
That looks fun!....I haven't tried any of that yet.
I really like the colors!.....so much new fum to be had!
I haven't had time to play in a while, can't wait to get back to it!

Post up Chickee!!!

Hazie
chickeemama
16 years ago
Ok ok I'll post some pics...I knew I was gonna get yelled at for not posting but I didnt have any pictures yet!!! Here ya go!!

This is a few tiles I made..

{{!gwi}}

Here is the spider I used to make my mold (this lovely spider came from crafty_lady!!!)

{{!gwi}}

Here is a close up of the spider mold...I think it turned out good!!

{{!gwi}}

Im out of clay so I have to wait to try and make some more canes.The books I checked out have some cool ideas!!!
LinLee
Original Author
16 years ago
WAAYYY Kewl! I went out today and bought a bunch
more clay, mica powders, metallic rubby stuff, acrylics and dug up all of my old rubber stamps.
Have a creative friend coming over tomorrow to experiment!
But for what it's worth, my heart still belongs to glass:)
And Chickee, that black and white cane is fantastic!
haziemoon
16 years ago
Love the tiles Chickee...I want to use everything I find as a stamp now too! Love those!
Did you put glitter in the canes?
Very COOL!

HAZIE
texaswild
16 years ago
Great things you've made CHICKEE. All kinds of things around the house/workshop to use as stamps, girls - check out your junk jewelry, lace, buttons, shells, corrugated edges of pot pie dishes, wire mesh, screen, the whatever list is long - anything w/texture.
cait1
16 years ago
WOW!!! I gotta hang out here a bit more often! Making mosaic pieces now?? Hmmmmm...... more 'stuff' to collect and do!! I love all the things you made! Especially those curlycues. And like Jane I couldn't help but ogle your Christmas Tree. Is it real? Does it have a smell? I really miss that. Can't find fragrant real trees where I am and it pains me!!
Cait
LinLee
Original Author
16 years ago
Yup...now we're molding our own shards...sounds crazy doesn't it?

The tree is in it's second year with us...pre-lit & plastic
(I know...How UN-green of me) But the fire hazard real ones of Christmas past were scaring the bajeebers out of me so I caved. The box was made for the tree and in the summer we put it on the patio with a spare granite slab we had lying around...very functional.
nicethyme
16 years ago
Chickee chickee... I'm fantasizing lately of a black and white mosaic... it hadn't even dawned on me to make my own canes like that! cool stuff!!!!
chickeemama
16 years ago
I am liking the idea of makiing some of my own tiles.

LINLEE- gosh you got some mica powder...so far I cant find any local around here!!!

NICE_I made the black and white canes first cuz I had that clay from some time ago and didnt want to waste my colors on stuff I didnt know if I'd like. I can just imagine what beauty you can come up with using just black and white!!!!

SLOW- I am definately looking at stuff through different eyes now...making your own molds really is a cool thing to do using buttons beads keys and such..Im on the look out now for stuff!!!!

HAZIE- the clay alread had the glitter in it which I thought was pretty cool.
cacbeary
16 years ago
I love what every one is doing making their own tiles. You are making me want to go out & buy some clay now, LOL!

Maybe later I'll have to try the clay. Right now I have too many TBM's on my list, & have the glass bought already.

So all these tiles have to be for the inside of the house? I already have a warning from DH that I can't mosaic everything in the house, LOL! So far, everything has been just about for outside. But I plan on moving to the inside of the house soon. I h ave a mirror I want to make.
LinLee
Original Author
16 years ago
Chickee,
Michael's has the Mica in the scrap-booking section by
the rubber stamps. But at $25 a set, I was going to
see if I liked making tiles first before investing
in them. So I went to the makeup department of the local
grocer and bought 'Wet n'Wild'Mega Shimmer Dust for
$2.69 a pot. They only make it in pastel shades of
white, pink, yellow, but it will do just fine for now.
nicethyme
16 years ago
I ordered a couple of these from Delphi

it's on BOGO right now

Here is a link that might be useful: mica
chickeemama
16 years ago
Linlee- thank you so much for the tip...I looked all over Michaels (obviously not in the rubber stamp section though...duh!!!!!) I will check out those wet and wild shimmer dust stuff. Thank you for the tip again!!!!!

NT- I will check out delphi too...thanks!!!!!

ok...I spent an hour with the clay...

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