Wyvern Designs: Creative Critters

Monday, October 1, 2012

Black Is Black

Black as night, little black dress, black as my soul, these are expressions using the color black. The color black, when used in polymer clay as a medium sets off other colors, making them more vibrant and vital.

I have chosen some pieces made by members of the Polymer Clay Smoosher's Guild on Art Fire to highlight this.

Night Fire Polymer Clay Pendant by Valerie's Stuff

The use of black in this pendant by Valerie's Stuff really shows off the flame pattern in this striking pendant.

Polymer Rainbow Swirl Adjustable Copper Ring by Flower Child's Art Jewelry

The black clay used in this adjustable copper ring by Flower Child's Art Jewelry brings the other colors to life, giving them an added depth.

Black and White Raw Polymer Clay Cane by Blue Morning Expressions

The black in this raw cane by Blue Morning Expressions, provides a vivid contrast to the pattern.

Black Bear Polymer Clay Charm Necklace by Black Dog Jewelry

This adorable black bear necklace by Black Dog Jewelry shows a wonderful use of black polymer clay in the bear figure.

Black and White Kaleidoscope Earrings by Amazing Designs

These earrings by Amazing Designs, again shows how black contrasting with white can make a simple pair of earrings, striking.

OOAK Cat Sculpture by Creative Critters

And Creative Critters talented use of black for her cat sculpture brings back memories of some of my favorite kitties.

All in all, I think the color black draws our eyes to a piece of jewelry the way no other color does.

Polymer clay lends itself well to sculpting a variety of items. I've never sculpted anything out of clay that needs a kiln to fire it, so I'm not sure how different that would be. But I do know that for smaller items, like those below, polymer clay is a wonderful medium.

Polymer clay comes in a number of colors and can be easily mixed to get just the right shade. It can also be fired in a oven over and over again so that you may add different elements to your sculpture. It can be painted with acrylic paints, tinted with shiny mica powders, and antiqued to give it an aged look. Then it can be wet sanded and buffed or coated with an acrylic sealer like Future floor wax to give it a nice shiny finish.

The artists below have obviously mastered the art of sculpting with polymer clay. I've including there Art Fire shop link so that you may see other items by these talented people.
HarrisonHollowDesigns
Roly Poly Santa Ornament by Harrison Hollow Designs