geraldine newfry: making polymer clay awls

i like to make art pieces that are functional, like my handmade books. i think this means i'm officially a fine craftswoman, as opposed to an artist. plus i focus on really honing my techniques, which falls under good craftsmanship. there is such a debate about arts vs. craft. but i'm comfortable with fine craft.

i also like to make items at different price points. right now i have only my most expensive books in my etsy shop. it's time to add some other items. i have some handpainted books in progress, but right now i'm really focused on polymer clay.

i've had a lot of success with awls and exacto knives, covered in polymer clay canes. they have a nice feel to them, and you can't confuse yours with your friends. i'm out of exacto knives right now, so i focused on awls.

these are some of the materials i use. i've chosen a malachite cane and some translucent canes. i like to add a black top on the end of the awl. for that i use a circle cutter. then i stamp a little image on the black, using brilliance ink. i bake the awls on an accordion folded piece of paper so they don't scurry around in the oven.

a closer look at the awls.

after they're baked comes the part i dislike the most. sanding. i have a few here from earlier that need to be sanded. i think i have 16 awls altogether. that's a lot of sanding! stay tuned.

i keep forgetting to mention that jen perkins of naughty secretary club mentioned me on her blog. it's about crafty red heads. the funny thing is that i'm a brunette, but had died the front of my hair fucshia. it's growing out now so i'll have to do it again soon!

October 2010