workshop – Ornamento

Boris Discovers the Workshop

By: ornamento.blog August 25, 2016August 23, 2016

Art, art, creativity, crafts, inspiration, Cats, inspiration, Polymer Clay, screen printingCats, inspiration, Polymer Clay, screen printing, Silk Screening, workshopLeave a Comment

I have to admit that I was very sad when I wrote last week’s post. But Boris is is coming out of his shell and worming his way into my heart. There is nothing like a kitten to beat the blues.

Plumpton used to hang out in my workshop and Boris seems interested in doing the same. It will be nice to have company s long as Boris behaves himself. But what are the chances of that?

He was fascinated with the pieces of baked polymer that I am playing around with for a wall piece I am making for a fund raiser for the Fleisher Art Memorial. Just the thing for a kitten to bat around.

Playing with the colors, shapes and textures inspired me to try a new earring design.

So it looks like Boris might be inspiring me! That’s good. I could use some inspiration right about now.

What’s Going on in the Workshop

By: ornamento.blog July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

Art, copper, projects, workshopArt, Beads, etching, wire, workshopLeave a Comment

This has been a very challenging summer for me. Lots of changes with loved ones coming and going from my life. There’s the 5th year anniversary of my Mother’s death, my impending retirement, more and more silver appearing in my hair (which I refuse to dye-been there done that) and the feeling that things are moving slowly, but that I can’t keep up with them.

It is at times like these that I find myself going into the workshop to make components without any idea of how I will use them, if I end up using them at all. I am past the point in my life where everything has to have an immediate goal and purpose. Sometimes just “being” is the best thing for me.

So here are some pictures of the meanderings I have taken with my materials this summer.

Some etched copper.

I am trying various kinds of chain making, soldered and unsoldered.

etched copper pipes

Mixing chain components with polymer beads

These pieces will become toggle clasps,

Spirals for dangles

Clasp experiments based on vintage belt buckle design. Front

And back,

And here is a bracelet where I try to pull it all together with glass and polymer beads.

This picture shows a spiral dangle and one of the finished toggle clasps in use. (after a bath in liver of sulfur) The wrinkled bead between the red (one glass and one polymer) beads is a copper bead made from crushed pipe.

What’s Going On in My Workshop

By: ornamento.blog October 2, 2014October 3, 2014

ArtArt, creativity, workshopLeave a Comment

Click on the picture below for a panoramic view of my workshop.

I’ve had the kiln going with more glass fusing and casting adventures. I made these pieces from frit that I cast in molds

These pieces are made from cracked and broken beads

Here are some more. Can’t wait to bezel these with beads or metal. Speaking of metal, look at this.

Door hardware. I had thought the two pieces on the left were copper or brass but after cleaning them, I think they might be tin. They offer some possibilities for found object focal pieces

Here’s one that I’ve sawed in two.