Snails and Slugs

What do snails and yucky slugs have to do with polymer, you ask?  My city garden fights a losing battle every year to said critters.  I don't use pesticides, so I'm constantly on the lookout for natural controls.  A few years back, I bought copper tape.  Supposedly, it keeps out snails and slugs (something to do with positive/negative electrical charges).  I never got around to using it and it's been sitting around ever since.

Well, as polymeristas the world over already know, those of us who work in polymer are constantly on the lookout for stuff to use in our work.  Our medium is so new that it doesn't have a lot of established tools and materials.  We use pasta machines to sheet and condition, medical tissue blades to slice, coffee stirrers to make holes.  Not to mention knitting needles, tinfoil, packing peanuts, toilet paper rolls, sandpaper, screws and dirt.  

So when I ran across that roll of thin copper tape while cleaning out my garden supplies, I did what comes naturally:  I used it with polymer.  I cut thin strips, rolled and fanned it to make a flower and added a brushed copper disc.  I'll bet those snails and slugs are breathing a sigh of relief!

White on White

While at CraftBoston last month, I was mesmerized by Kathleen Dustin's new piece "White Pollen".  The piece, with its subtle tones and hints of gold leaf peeking out of the holes, is elegant, urban and so very chic.  The use of white also brought to mind Dan Cormier's "White Necklace", a masterful study in texture from a couple of years back.  

I've been doing a lot with color blocking lately - no subtle Skinner Blends for me these days!  I've also been doing a lot with textural and satin finishes.  Over the winter, I played with color and black,  but now that the warmer weather is upon us I want to lighten things up a bit.  Inspired by Kathleen and Dan, I've started to work on a new series of window pendants, adding pops of bright color to creamy white.  

"Grids" in lime, red and blue

"Grafitti"

"Bumps" in red

While on the subject of inspiration, I'd also like to share some refreshingly candid comments by Austin Kleon on creativity, originality and living the artistic life.