I was going to call this a new 'toy', but actually, it is equipment (although it is a lot of fun!)It is a polymer clay screen printing kit and with it, fabulous surface patterns can be applied to polymer clay, using acrylic paint.
The kit has four sheets of patterns, paint and squeegee and instructions and I found it really easy to use, once you gauge how much paint is needed. I made some round pendants as there are two sheets of round patterns, but there are also two sheets of full sheet patterns as well. The sheet is placed onto the rolled out clay, then a squirt of paint is applied just above the top of the pattern and is squeegeed down across the pattern. It has to be left to dry before baking and the sheets need to be put into warm water as soon as the pattern has been printed as they can't be rubbed to clean them in case the pattern came off. The sheet needs to be left to dry before using again, so time is needed.
Here are some of my pendants, nearly ready to wear. The patterns came out clearly and look lovely against the skinner blend blue background.
This flower pattern looks a bit japanese-inspired to me.
Even the tiny dots in this design can be seen.
This back was a happy accident. I like to make the backs of the pendants interesting, but I hadn't realised that I had made a landscape, or perhaps seascape, with this one.
To use some of the scrap clay I had, I also created some kaleidoscope canes and made a few more pendants. It's always fascinating to create new patterns. I think I'll be experimenting much more with the silk screen and the kaleidoscope canes.
All I can say is: woooooooow!! So pretty Ellie!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, love from Mirjam.
Thanks, Mirjam. I would like to do some more of this very soon, perhaps using a different background and gold paint.
DeleteHave a lovely rest of the weekend too.
Best wishes
Ellie
Your work is so BEAUTIFUL
DeleteThank you, 'Unknown'. I really enjoyed 'playing' with this equipment.
DeleteKind regards
Ellie
Very good Ellie. Just love those metallic colours and as you say a Japanese influence to the designs.
ReplyDeletekeep well
Amanda x
Thanks, Amanda. It was good fun to use the kit and I think there may well be lots of variations to keep me busy!
DeleteHave a good rest of the weekend.
Best wishes
Ellie
What fun. They are beautiful - and I love the seascape you created. My father made jewellery and insisted that the piece of the earring which connected to the stud to go through your ear also had to be attractive. And in keeping with the overall design.
ReplyDeleteThanks, EC. It is great fun and I think many happy hours will be spent playing! I am always aware of finishes and try to make the backs interesting. I'm not quite at the standard I want to be at, but I'm getting there.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Wow, that is so effective.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Thanks, Briony. Yes, it really is and it is simple too - best of both worlds!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
I have never seen anything like this before, it is fascinating and the results very beautiful! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. I knew that I would have to get this and I have really enjoyed using it. The possibilities definitely are endless, as background colours and paint colours offer plenty of variety.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
They are beautiful, as rich as silk damask. The happy accident is wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Toffeeapple. They turned out really well and I shall be experimenting with different background colours and the rest of the silkscreen patterns. Some of my best pieces have been of the happy accident variety!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Wow! These are so beautiful, all the different effects are so pretty
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elisabeth. There are more patterns to experiment with, so I'll post the others as I use them. It is a great technique and I am really enjoying using the kit.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
The "seascape" is the best of all!!
ReplyDeleteThanks and welcome, Jaime. Sometimes the 'happy accidents' are the things that work out best - even if they weren't planned at all.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Thanks for sharing your work. I had been looking at this kit for some time but wasn't sure I really wanted it. Now I do!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary and welcome. It is a great little starter kit and there are loads of screens out there now and loads of acrylic paints to enjoy (some work better with polymer than others). You will need to protect the surface once complete with a varnish just so that the paint doesn't get rubbed. The results are really good and it is a simple surface effect which gives a different look.
DeleteHappy playing and experimenting!
Best wishes
Ellie
I know this was posted in 2014, but where do I find this kit? My granddaughter is just getting into the polymer clay jewelry making, and I think she would love this! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. The kit is called 'Sculpey Clay Silk Screen Kit' and is available on the internet. I did a quick search and found Amazon have it (around £12.00) as well as other suppliers from different parts of the world.
DeleteI would have emailed you, but wasn't able to - I hope you find this reply!
Best wishes
Ellie