pushing polymer

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I’m experimenting again. This time I’m pushing polymer clay through metal. OK, maybe not through the metal, but you know what I mean. Since I’m not a metalsmith, I had to come up with another way – a brass filigree bracelet form seemed like a good substitute.

I pushed a sheet of clay through the ‘windows’, baked it, painted the cuff and sanded off some of the paint to reveal the colors below.

window bracelet

Smoothing the inside was a little tricky, so next up I will finish the back and work on the paint a bit.

Lots of potential here – just need a little ingenuity and some patience. Not a bad start, huh?

brass and polymer clay bracelet
16 Responses to pushing polymer
  1. Toby
    February 14, 2008 | 3:40 pm

    I like it… very cool. SO when are metal smithing classes.
    And don’t forget to write me later.

  2. Kathi
    February 14, 2008 | 3:42 pm

    what a great idea! I think it looks good so far. Can’t wait to see it fine tuned!

  3. Kim Cavender
    February 14, 2008 | 4:45 pm

    Susan, it’s beautiful! I’ve tried something similar using brass stencils but it didn’t turn out near as nice as your bracelet. I really like the distressed patina that the paint and the sanding added. You’re full of great ideas!

  4. Alisa R.
    February 14, 2008 | 5:20 pm

    I think it’s terrific! Painting and “unpainting” are two of my favorite techniques. You make it look great. I like how you think!!

  5. Libby Mills
    February 14, 2008 | 7:07 pm

    Very cool Susan! I love the aged patina look it has. Great idea!

  6. Jael
    February 15, 2008 | 3:33 am

    I think the result is fabulous!!

  7. Jael
    February 15, 2008 | 3:34 am

    oh, I meant to ask – how did you remove it from the brass cuff?

  8. Nadja
    February 15, 2008 | 3:37 am

    Oh I love your “experiment”! Looks great. I am already thinking if you could separate the polymerclay again after baking and bakfilling with some more clay? So inspiring!
    Nadja

  9. macati
    February 15, 2008 | 7:05 am

    adooooooorable! so great!

  10. Rebecca Geoffrey
    February 15, 2008 | 9:43 am

    Very cool! I am thinking of all sorts of other ways to use this technique. Thanks Susan!

  11. Susan
    February 15, 2008 | 11:10 am

    Wow!!! That is fabulous! BTW, I love your blog!

  12. Susan Lomuto
    February 15, 2008 | 11:21 am

    Thanks everyone – so glad you like my latest experiment! I needed a little time away from developing my new website http://indiestudiosupplies.com so I slipped into the studio for a little while on Wednesday to play.

    Guess I should spend more time there? But you would miss me, right?

    Jael – I didn’t remove the form, just painted it – the polymer is pushing through the ‘windows’ in the filigree.

    Nadja – I’ll be working on something like that today!

    Kim – The brass stencils with polymer pushing through sounds like a great idea for a vessel…now my wheels are spinning again…

    Back to writing posts for now and into the studio this afternoon – I’ll keep you posted.

  13. [...] pushed through open-work metal must be an idea whose time has come. The concept popped up on Susan Lomuto’s site and she’s experimented with it impressively as [...]

  14. Sarah
    March 4, 2008 | 10:23 pm

    Where did you find the brass filigree bracelet form? My googling didn’t turn anything up.

  15. Susan Lomuto
    March 4, 2008 | 10:39 pm

    Sarah –

    I found the bracelet form at the Vintage Bead Shop on Etsy.

    Good luck – and be sure to let us see a picture of yours!

  16. [...] of jewelry she created pushing medical grade plastic through lace reminded me of my experiment pushing polymer through metal back in early [...]

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