At the end of the 1800's, science and manufacturing were becoming
very good friends indeed, with the artist coming in for some wonderful new
materials as an afterthought. The plastics that we think of as being very
modern marvels had their industrial beginnings then, with such entrepreneurial
chemists as Robert Bakelund. He was searching for a laboratory style version
of shellac, a very popular finish made using the body of the laq beetle.
Used for smooth wooden floors (such as bowling alleys the rage at the time)
as well as part of the finish on lightweight "lacquered" furniture
and decorative items, demand for the product far outweighed the supply.
The unexpected results he came up with hardened as it set up and cooled,
and became a product he patented as "Bakelite". His work polymers
blazed the way for modern versions of thermally set plastics. When people
make disparaging remarks about the value of "plastics" as a medium,
they are obviously unaware of the sturdy and collectable nature of Bakelight,
whether in the form of billiard balls, classic auto parts, radios, buttons,
jewelry-or BEADS! Just as modern acrylic paints were once given a suspicious
greeting by the Art world that has now embraced it as a medium for fine
work, so plastics are now truly beginning to come into their own-after more
than a hundred years! Books available through Amazon.com such as "The
Bakelite Jewelry Book" are a treat to the eyes while also containing
fascinating information about these beads, buttons and baubles.
Embraced with enthusiasm by jewelry
and fashion designers, Bakelite even had kits available at one time for
home use, but this was discontinued due to the flammable nature of the phenol
based plastics. Today's versions are no longer flammable due to a different
chemical base, and are certified as nontoxic and safe for use by children
and home artists.
Available in a wide array of intermixable colors, today's polymer clays
are an incredible medium that welcomes the beginning creative experimenter
as well as the proficient professional artist. Popular brands such as FIMO
began as a medium for doll and miniature making in Europe in the 1940's
to help replace manufacturing shortages caused by wartime.
Other brands such as Sculpey, Premo, Cernit, Modello, and Kato Polyclay
are now in the hands of artists all over the world, who create amazing works
of art ranging from the very tiniest of miniatures and beads to furniture
and pieces of much larger scope.
Using millefiore techniques, colored polymer clays have been placed to
form the patterns that decorate these Geisha styled beads.Formed and baked
around ping pong balls, they require extra ventilation for safe baking,
but make a striking visual impact! Smaller beads make use of the reduced
clay "canes" for the detailed embellishments.
This mermaid's head, hands and scales are made of polymer clay. I also
used it to create the faux "seashells" and "coral" beads
of her cascading necklace.
Instructions for making full size faux seashells and coral are given
in "Create
a Polymer Clay Impression".
New techniques and applications are being uncovered and shared at a staggering
rate by those who find this very malleable, truly "plastic" medium
almost irresistible. After over twenty years of intensive work using polymer
clays, I am still finding new things that can be done with it all the time.
In upcoming columns that will alternate with the series brought to you by
the very talented Mitchell Sisters, please join me in exploring the potentials
of polymer clay.
With well known and up-and-coming artist interviews, reviews
of products, techniques, and tools as well as projects, we'll take an on-going
look at this astoundingly versatile medium.
