beaded object class
unit 5
finishing
There is always a bit of sadness when a class ends, the friendships we have made, the things we have learned and shared. But the journey isn't over in fact it has just begun. As I had mentioned in the first unit you will never be able to look at an object without thinking about covering it with beads.
So if that is all you take with you from this class than I have a huge smile upon my face. Because it will remind you of this class and our time together.
In this last unit we will be exploring with Apoxie sculpt also known as epoxy clay. Basically it is a two part clay that once mixed together you have two hours to work with it. There are many things you can do with this clay, and I will walk you through a small handful. Perhaps it will be the icing on your piece, or maybe not, but one thing is for sure trying new things, challenging oneself is good medicine.
The Story of road trip
I designed this piece for the Bead Dreams competition, sadly Bead Dreams never happened that year because of Covid and Bead & Button ending their wonderful service. It is these competitions that have always challenged me and allowed me do my best work.
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The VW bug was my first car I covered in beads so why not have a trailer to match. I have always enjoyed looking at vintage Air streams, I love the way people decorate the insides. I found an Etsy shop that made laser cut items, one was a bird house made to look like a vintage trailer. It was the perfect size and even better was that you assembled it yourself. This allowed me to bead each side separately.
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This was such a fun project, I was even able to decorate the inside. I figured a way to lift the top off so I could add things when needed. The sunroof on top was made from a Crystal Clay container. All the aluminum siding I cut and hammered flat from soda cans. I drilled and sewed each rivet hole, this way the aluminum was secure, even though I glued it too.
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I replaced the wooden wheels included with the bird house, with a real axle and toy white walled tires, along with the spare tire. I cut the wooden door out so it would open, and used mica for the window glass. This was one of the most enjoyable objects I had ever made. Not only was it a challenge but is was just plain fun. Reassembling this pieces was a bit complicated but the end result is amazing, I wish you could see it in person.
Epoxy clay
Materials needed
• Needle and thread
• crystal clay 25 gram in black
• beads or components
• baby wipes
• sandwich stick or toothpick
• micro beads
Epoxy clay is a great way to add beads and components when it is difficult to stitch them. It's good to have baby wipes or wash you hands after mixing the clay, so your hands don't remain sticky. It's important to use equal amounts of of clay A & B. You have two hours to use the clay up before it turns into concrete.
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You can stick anything into the clay and pretty much at any angle and it will stay. I like to string beads on thread lay them in the clay and than pull the string out. You can use a bees was tooth pick, crystal katana or jewel picker to help pick up the small beads and place them in the clay. I find using micro beads is a great way to give your clay a finished look, you can find micro beads on amazon.com or your local craft store.
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Once the clay dries you can't change it so make sure you know what you want to do with it before you start. If you drop the piece it will most likely break the bead not the clay. You can use headpins to anchor beads and flower beads into the clay, this is a great way to cover up those spots your needle can't get to. Sandwich sticks are great for repositioning beads and components in the clay.
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There are so many things you can do with the clay I encourage you to play with it a bit. Perhaps put some in a blank setting and add some beads to it before using it on your beaded object. You can make some amazing focal
Epoxy clay was used on the lid of this pot. Petal beads were secured into the clay around the top next to the antler. I also used clay to attach the dagger beads that were first strung onto thread.
Another good example of using headpins to anchor flower beads into the clay.
By using a metal setting as a foundation for the clay, you can than push different beads and components into the clay for great focal.
Headpins were used to anchor the flower beads in place.
Other examples of settings for the clay, the large one was a vintage celluloid belt buckle.
Video below
adorning
Materials needed
your beautiful and insightful imagination
And here we are, the end of our journey together. I hope that you will continue onward and don't get swayed away from what can be so rewarding.
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Adorning your piece is magical let it be so. What little dangle here or there can just help make it complete. For my trailer adding the moss in the window boxes was so thrilling it made the piece home. The pig in my VW car holding a whirligig was the final satisfaction.
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And than sometimes art is never done, we can add to it as we live with it, when we find that something special along our path.
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I don't have a video here, because in a way it's almost to personnel. How you adorn and complete your object is something only you can know.
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I hope this class has sparked you to look and explore outside your comfort zone. There is nothing you can't create, there is nothing you can't imagine and accomplish in life. I so look forward in seeing your beaded object creations, please post them in our FB group or anywhere. I hope to offer this online workshop for many years to come so I hope you share your experience. Please feel free to email me any improvements I can make so the next group can prosper.
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And Thank you, thank you for joining me on this journey
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Peacefully Heidi F Kummli
