Sunday 25 January 2015

2015 #2 Shiny Clay {by Lin Brown, PA Signature Designer}

Hi, Lin here this evening to share a project using some of my brand new stamps!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am by this new release and am delighted not only to be able to show you a project, fitting in with the shiny theme on the blog this week, but also ahead of the official launch of my new lines which is scheduled for next week.

My new stamps are completely influenced by my holiday in Tobago at the end of last year. I was amazed and completely blown away by the tropical plants, wild life, breath taking scenery and colour, particularly the colour of the sea........crystal clear water and turquoise, simply beautiful!




Today, my project uses some of my new botanical stamps, black polymer clay and mica powders, the shiny element. I really prefer using black clay when using mica powders, it really highlights the true colour of the mica.


Before you start working with your clay, you need to condition it. This is done by either kneading the clay with your hands or putting it through a pasta machine. I prefer to use the pasta machine option. I have one that I keep just for clay, please don't use the one that you keep in your kitchen for making pasta!!! 

Simply keep folding the clay in half, and pass through the machine, taking care not to trap air bubbles in the clay. It is not always easy to see them at this stage but the pesky little things will rise during the baking process!!! The clay will become more pliable and have more of a sheen to it when it is ready to use.

After rolling my clay through the pasta machine for the final time, I took the stem image from ELB15 and flower head stamp from ELB16 and pressed them firmly into the clay.



Before opening the mica powder, please put your stamps away. If you get some mica on the back of the stamps, the cling foam will need cleaning as the mica stops them sticking to the storage sheet or acrylic block.

Take a small paint brush and paint the flower with the Mica. I used Dreamweaver Metallic FX but there are other brands on the market such as Ranger's Perfect Pearls or Jaquard's Pearl Ex.


Here's a close up shot so that you can see how gorgeous the colours look, specially where two colours are blended together.


I was going to leave the background black but sadly, I managed to spill some mica powder on it and decided that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I coloured the background with mica powders too. 


One of the things that I love about working with clay is the ability to manipulate the shape. I really like the ragged/torn edge look, not only for the more aged appearance of the piece but it also reveals a black edge, which I really like. You can see in the photo below that I have torn a few splits into the clay  as well as pricking some background texture and piercing a couple of holes which I will use to dangle embellishments from.


Here's a close up

...and another

It is also possible to embed things into the clay. I like to use metal embellishments so that I can bake the clay with the embellishments in place. Most of the time, they stay put and don't need any glue. If you do need to use glue, a dot of superglue will do the trick properly.


As you work with the clay, you will realise that the mica can start to lift off the surface of the clay, leaving behind your finger prints. If this happens, not to worry, you can always pick up a paintbrush and fill in any gaps but my recommendation would be to seal the clay. I personally like to seal the clay after it has been baked to avoid any additional fumes. If you were using clay on a regular basis, you might like to invest in a small toaster oven that would be dedicated to baking clay. In reality, most of you are not going to do that and will bake it in your kitchen. Always follow the manufacturer's baking instructions and I would suggest making a tent of tin foil over the clay to contain any fumes.

OK, going back to the sealing of the clay. I ran a little experiment with different mediums that could possibly work as a good sealer. The Treasure Gold sealer worked really well and dries by evaporation quite quickly so if you want to build up a deep shine you could keep adding layers. Having said that, I personally struggle with the fumes of this product as I have very sensitive skin. I tested PaperArtsy Gloss, Satin, Pearl and Metallic glazes. I chose not to test the Matte one as I wanted to keep the beautiful shimmer of the mica. For me, the Gloss ticked all the boxes. Satin would be my second choice but of course the Pearl and Metallic glazes are not as clear as the others because they also have mica particles in those glazes.

Now for the background. I recycled a paper covered canvas for my background. I chose completely contrasting colours and stamped a few of the new images from ELB15 with Jet Black Archival ink. 


I added a splash of colour to the dandelion heads with a Fibralo pen and stamped my message on some masking tape. I love this shabby look, you can still see the images underneath the tape. 


A few more pieces of masking tape and washi tape for decoration.

To frame the piece, some black ink around the edges.

Finally, sorry it's been a bit of an epic post, a few close up shots to show you how nice the dangly embellishments look.



I hope that this will inspire you to have a little dabble with clay. I'm pretty sure most of you will have some mica powders somewhere in your stash so you can join in with the shiny theme here on the blog. I can't wait for next week when I'll be back to share the rest of my new products with you.

Wow, a big thanks to Lin for this wonderful post. I'm sure we all have plenty of mica powders lurking about to try this technique with. Back in the day we also used to cover little wooden boxes with stamped clay, just like this. Lin's panel is a stunning way to make a feature piece!

If you fancy joining PaperArtsy challenge #2: Shiny Stuff, then you can link up your creativity HERE 

NB.  you will get 3 weeks to participate in this challenge, as we will interrupt the usual schedule for our New Product Announcements which starts Feb 1st for a week.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Shiny Stuff link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Feb 8th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

31 comments:

Unknown said...

This looks fabulous...love the new stamps:).

Helen said...

This is beautiful, and the new stamps are fantastic!

margaret said...

Oh Lin these stamps are amazing!! Don't know about the clay bit, but love, love, love the stamps!!

Kirsten said...

LOVE the new stamps, that large flower is gorgeous. I love the finished project too, the clay looks amazing with the mica powders on it & the metal embellishments were a great idea.

NETTI said...

Love this project....i must get some black clay and give this a go. Also love your new stamps!!!

Deborah Wainwright said...

Lin this is stunning! Lovely new stamps too xx

Miriam said...

Lin - this is a truly stunning project - love it!! And when I think it can't get any better there are 2 new stamp sets!!! Fabulous.

2amscrapper said...

wow! beautiful piece!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous project! Love the stamps too! X

Hazel Agnew said...

Oh Lin, this is so wonderful. We are almost on the beach in Tobago! Love the tropical influences and the accident with the mica powder worked out well. Need to look at this clay too! Mmmmmmmmmm. Xx

Craftyfield said...

Never tried clay but this is gorgeous! The mica looks so beautiful and I love the new stamps!

craftytrog said...

Such a beautiful project Lin! Your new stamps are lovely.
Alison xx

Julie Lee said...

Fabulous make, Lin! So inspiring! I love the shimmer and shine of this and the wonderful fluid look - such innovation with texture. Great glimpse of the new stamps too! xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Lin ! Your new stamps are gorgeous and coupled with the clay totally stunning ! Sue C x

Gabrielle said...

Ooh! New stamps! Mica! Gorgeous project! So much to see tonight... And new stamps!!! Exciting post - thanks Lin!

Sarah B said...

Wow never seen mica on clay before - stunning effect. Love the new stamps too x

Unknown said...

wow-beautiful!!

Lucy Edmondson said...

I love the new stamps, Lin, and I love stamping on clay. The black with the mica looks amazing!

Lucy x

Rupa Swaminathan said...

This is stunning beyond words! The fusion of clay, stamping and mica powders is just unbelievable! Thank you so much for this inspiration.

STARA said...

Ces nouveaux timbres me laisse sans voix, ils sont magnifiques... merci pour m'avoir fait découvrir l'argile

Susan Battensby said...

Wow this is beautiful, another technique to add to my list of things to do.

Cocofolies said...

Wow, what a lovely piece Lynne and your new stamps are gorgeous!!! Thank you for all the details too on how you combine and use clay and Mica powders, the result is wonderful! Coco xx

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Wow, brilliant idea of shiny clay,love this creation!!

Art By Wanda said...

Awesome!!!!!

Etsuko said...

What a wonderful panel! Great much with the shiny clay and very beautiful the background. Amazing new botanical stamp collection-Can't wait to see...xxx

craftimamma said...

What wonderful stamps Lin and I really must try the clay (not used any ever) because this is a beautiful project. Heaven only knows how I am going to choose which new stamps I can afford when we've seen them next week because so far I'm in love with them all, lol!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Tracy said...

Wow....truly beautiful!♡♡♡♡

Ruth said...

So stunning, love the new stamps and this piece shows it off perfectly...gorgeous shineyness! Ruth x

Daniele said...

amazing creation Lin, love the background of the clay really adds to the effect of the flowers
x

Halle said...

This is amazing! Love everything about it!!

Kezzy said...

WOW wow wow truly gorgeous creation, I love the mica over the clay, it's one of my favourite techniques. And wow your new stamps are stunning and I have now bought them. Kezzy :-) xxx