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Polymer 7: Flex and Float with Beading Wire and Polymer
In this fun and energetic 2-session virtual class, Bonnie will be offering her tricks and techniques for working with beading wire and polymer clay. There are so many exciting possibilities to explore when working with these simple materials. Students will learn to create everything from clean and light findings for earrings to more complex lace-like chandelier earrings and even linked necklace components using veneers of polymer and multi-strand, nylon coated beading wire. Come ready to investigate two wonderfully accessible mediums to create fun, flexible, lightweight, and durable earrings, necklaces, decorative elements for pins, and more!
Meet the instructor
Bonnie Bishoff has worked collaboratively with her artistic partner and husband J. M. Syron since 1987. Starting as furniture makers, they made work that incorporated large panels of polymer veneers for 28 years. Gradually they shifted their focus to explore jewelry and mixed media pieces.They tend to work in series and on several fronts at once. The focus of their jewelry has been creating metal armatures, textured and oxidized metal surfaces, and polymer marquetry surface designs. In addition they have been exploring a series of wall panels or "paintings" in polymer veneers and wire armatured sculptures.
They have exhibited widely in galleries and fine craft shows including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Museum exhibitions include the Peabody Essex, The Museum of Art and Design, NY and the permanent collection of the Racine Art Museum. Their materials include veneers of polymer clay, silver, bronze, copper, and wood. They aim to create work that projects an expansive notion of art and creative pursuit to be shared by the wearer with the world.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is not required - observers are welcome.
Premo, Fimo Soft, Kato, or Sculpey III polymer clay from Polymer Clay Super Store, Joann Fabrics, Munro, or Sculpey Products (no one supplier has them all so do your best):
- 5-10 colors of polymer colors - coordinating or contrasting
- 5-10 simple polymer clay cane designs - already made by you
Metal/raw material:
- 30ft x stainless nylon bead stringing wire - 7 stand, 0.024" (Fire Mountain)
- 1 pack x any finish brass, 2x3mm tube with 1.4mm hole (Fire Mountain)
- 1 pack x any finish brass, 1.9x1.6mm tube with 1.25mm hole (Fire Mountain)
Polymer tools (please ask if substitution will work):
- 1 x pasta machine with crank (Bed, Bath, & Beyond or Fire Mountain Gems)
- 1 x acrylic sculpey roller (Munro Crafts or Polymer Clay Superstore)
- 1 x pack tissue blades "polyblades" (Munro Crafts or Fire Mountain Gems)
- 1 x precision knife with #11 blades (Amazon)
- 1 x plastic cutting board or cutting mat (Amazon)
- 1 x burnishing tool - spoon, door knob, clay tool (Jerry's)
- 1 x translucent liquid sculpey (Munro)
- 1 x set of small shape cutters and/or nesting tube cutters (Web Restaurant)
Hand tools:
- 1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x snips / flush cutters (Rio Grande)
Other/miscellaneous items:
- work surface suitable for cutting with blade
- cotton swabs
- rubbing alcohol
- masking tape
- small ruler or calipers
- waxed paper or "deli sheets"
- cleaner for board and blades (rubbing alcohol, windex, etc.)
- notebook and writing implements
- paper towels or soft cloth