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Endless Pattern and Color and Metal Sandwiches: Integrating Polymer Clay with Metals
Learn about the basics of working with polymer clay to create highly patterned and colorful surface design that can be integrated with wire and sheet metal in jewelry. The sky is the limit for color and design with polymer clay and because it has a low temperature for curing and can be baked multiple times so there are a myriad of ways that it can be incorporated into your fine metal jewelry designs. Instead of looking for the perfect gem, you can create your own wonderful components.
In this 5-day class we will explore creating patterned canes for intricate sliced designs and veneers as well as my marquetry techniques for more intricate applications of these patterns. We will examine ways to hold polymer clay with metals and how to capture metals with polymer. Techniques include polymer bezels, polymer rivets, using 3-d and flat wire armatures to support polymer clay, wire frames covered in polymer and articulated joints between metal and polymer clay. Also examined will be methods for embedding pin backs, bails, and earring posts in a clean and professional manner. Students can create pins pendants and earrings of completely original design. Finishing polymer and metal combinations will be addressed including patinas, polishing and paint.
Beginning metals experience is expected including simple soldering but polymer experience is not necessary.
General 5-Day Outline:
- Days 1-2: Working with polymer to create design canes and marquetry veneers
- Day 3: Design concepts and order of operations when combining polymer and metal creating samples for metal/ polymer techniques
- Days 4-5: Building with veneers and metals to create a pin, pendant or earrings.
For more information about our refund policy for Metals on the Mountain, visit our Registration and Refund Policies page.
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- About Bonnie Bishoff
Bonnie Bishoff attended Oberlin College studying Studio Art and Environmental Studies. She has worked collaboratively with her artistic partner and husband J. M. Syron since 1987. Starting as furniture makers, her primary focus was as a wood carver and designer. Upon being introduced to polymer clays, Bonnie became enthralled with the patterning effects for surface design. They began to incorporate large panels of polymer veneers in their furniture and explored this for over 28 years. Eventually Bonnie delved into the use of metals with polymer, and they shifted their focus to creating jewelry and large mixed media wall art. The focus of their current jewelry has been creating metal armatures, textured and oxidized metal surfaces, and polymer marquetry surface designs. In addition, Bonnie and J.M. still employ their large scale techniques with wood and polymer veneers in the creation of wall sculptures ranging from life sized birds to huge flowers and abstract panels.
Bonnie and J.M. have exhibited their work widely in galleries and fine craft shows for years, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft shows. Their museum exhibitions include the Fuller Craft Museum, the Peabody Essex, The Museum of Art and Design, NY and they have several large furniture pieces in permanent collection of the Racine Art Museum. Their wall sculptures have been acquired for public art including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Maine Medical Center.
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