Sorry for indulging myself. I know there is much worthier stuff out there than my floundering efforts. I just thought you might be interested in what I have been doing while away. Well, this thread is actually what I did in February this year as it has been the first chance I have had to do anything in over a year.
I've got much to learn and so am trying as many techniques as I can. As such, I don't think I have a recognizable style as yet. I like a lot of Steampunk stuff. I've always loved the Georgian and Victorian periods in particular so Steampunk really appeals. I also love nature - and flowers, fungi, geology and the seashore have always fascinated and delighted me. Nature has so many wonderful shapes, patterns, colours and textures. But then, there is so much polymer clay work and styles that really appeal to me - from the abstract to the highly detailed and realistic.
I think polymer clay must be one of the most versatile mediums ever and every day I work with it is a joy and just doesn't limit imagination and creativity. And I have found it such a pleasure to work with.
I've never been a very practically gifted person. At school, I was hopeless at metalwork and woodwork, although not bad at art. Maybe there is more of art than craft in working with polymer clay? As a kid, I did make many model aeroplanes and kits and build the odd diorama and still make models. I've found a lot of modelling skills useful in working with polymer clay - and vice versa.
Anyway. First, a few Steampunk pendants I made. This one was the first. I suppose one thing that is a trait is that I love the idea of layers and depth - giving the impression that below the polymer clay surface there are many more cogs and mechanical workings.
This one I did for Sue (my wife) for Valentine's day. I like the idea of the mechanical and nature existing side by side. Doing the roses, leaves and buds was very fiddly, but I loved every minute of it.
The final Steampunk piece is my most adventurous and largest to date. This time it involves layers and nature. I tried to portray natural roses at the top of the pendant and metallic, mechanical ones at the bottom - which don't grow, but which would move and work using steam and cogs.
Steampunk isn't everyone's thing and these aren't highly Steampunked. Compared to much Steampunk jewellery, they aren't Steampunk at all really, but as I've said, I love the idea of nature and the mechanical existing side by side in harmony.
