Monday, January 25, 2010

Shadows and Mystery Tell The Story


I had a flash yesterday. I really don't know where it came from. But I'm happy the idea department of the cosmos dropped something off yesterday.

I've been playing again with polymer clay, and was thinking about how to combine it with the pewter and other things I've been creating lately.

In fiddling with some clay, I made a hole offcenter in a rectangular piece I'd been messing with, and I finished it all the way off with sanding and buffing and adding a patina, but with no real idea of what I'd use it for. The clay had a floral and leaves pattern in it, and a dark mahogany looking patina on it, buffed and polished to a translucent sheen finish.


Then yesterday I put it between two thin pieces of glass, with some images of a clock face and part of some vintage paper labels. And created a matchbox looking shadowbox.

I wish I could say I had this plan in mind all along, I was going to make this bezel this way, but it really was just making something with my hands with no real final destination for it.

And I just love how it turned out.


It's lightweight, and can be turned any direction and it still works. Horizontally, vertically. The artwork on the back side has directionality, but it's on the back, right?

And at the end I held it up to a light and realized that - it's translucent. The clock face opening lights up from the rear when held to a window or light.

I love this part about it. It just flowed through my fingers and practically made itself.

7 comments:

Penelope said...

It's beautiful! I don't think I've ever finished up with a piece that I set out to do- if I have any ideas at all they're usually gone by the time the stitching is over. The best pieces just flow out.

mairedodd said...

best feeling ever! this is really wonderful, love it! and what a wonderful surprise in having it illuminate because of the translucency...

Riki Schumacher said...

Oh I love when the "inspirational powers" touch me and voila! I love the piece, really great Lynn. And the translucency is just a wonderful bonus.

Vintage Blue Studio said...

Lynn, this is one of your best ideas yet. Definately run with this and make more...lots more!

Julie Pishny said...

Lynn, this is great. I have been playing with bezels lately and I have to tell you polymer clay didn't even occur to me... Thanks for sharing your inspiration with us.

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful creation! can't wait to see what else you make with this technique.

Mari said...

Love it very much!!!