Workbench Wednesday: Silicone Molds and Polymer Flower Pieces

A couple weeks ago, I showed you my workbench with some silicone molds I made using fresh flowers and plants from the yard.

You can see it here if you like.

I wanted to share today how I have started to use them.

I tried to show you the mold with the polymer pieces made from each mold.

The funny thing about the process is that sometimes I think the mold turned out great or not so great.

Then when the clay is molded in them, I may completely change my mind.

For example, the one below has more detail than I originally thought.

This first batch of pieces has a variety of purposes.

The double-holed pieces are intended to be bracelet disks.

This next mold was made from clover...weeds.

But I love the way they turned out.

I made pendants and little clover beads...

More weeds....

Aren't they lovely?

The next mold I was meh about.

Once I saw the molded pieces, I was in love.

How cool are these?

It is fun to see how you can change the design by changing where you push your clay on the mold.

I like to add bails to some.

The next mold I made with lavender...a favorite of mine.

I love the way the mold turned out.

Once I actually molded the clay, it did not have as much definition as I originally thought.

I made some lavender chips or petals.

I also rolled some to make beads.

They look completely different depending on how thick you roll out the clay before molding.

These are going to be so much fun to paint and color and finish.

I also made some lavender pendants.

This mold looks promising...

What a delightful little meadow of wildflowers.

I love disks with holes in the centers for bracelets.

I varied the size of some of the holes.

I used yarrow for this mold.

The detail in the molded pieces is remarkable.

I love deep definition...

Lots of variety just from one mold.

I made some more of those chips/petals...

Even just the foliage from plants can be lacy and lovely.

More thin petals...

Last but not least, these pendants.

Next steps: color and finishes.

I'll show you how they look when they are done.

Until then, thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.

Workbench Wednesday....

Happy Wednesday!

I am ultra busy this week with my day job but wanted to show you a glimpse of what is on the workbench.

Those two little dress forms are waiting for little fabric skirts like the one got here.

The skirts are done...

They just haven't made it to the dress forms yet.

Hmmm...

A hairdryer. 

Nope.

I am not getting ready here for work...

Just using it to melt off glue webs from the Sheet Rose Bracelets...

You can see a couple stacked on the jar.

You will be seeing more of those soon...

My parents came for a visit recently and brought a beautiful bouquet of Oak Leaf Hydrangeas...

You can also see some embroidery hoops from a recent thrifting adventure.

Here are those Sheet Rose Bracelets...

These are just started...

A couple done.

You might remember my daughter dying sheets in the yard.

She used them to make an awesome Shaggy Rag Rug.

She let me have some of the leftover strips.

These little bracelets were created while watching tv....

Thanks for stopping by...

Workbench Wednesday: Warning! Some images may be disturbing...

If you are an organized person, please be warned that the following images may be disturbing to you...

I am not an organized artist.

I want to be...

I try to be...

But I don't think it is part of who I am....

My creative muse works best in utter chaos

for it is there that she sees and combines new elements to make something special....

Each week I will try to show you what is on the workbench.

There will be scattered bits of lace

glitter sparkling on each surface

scraps of paper and fabric mixed among the images.

I apologize...

It is how I usually work.

A few times of year I clean it up for parties.  It takes weeks.

You will see why over time.

 And yet, I want to share this with you because maybe you are the same way.

Maybe it will be freeing for you  (and your significant other) to know that you (and he or she) are not alone.

There is no shame in that which brings you joy and beauty to the world.

And I want to share it for those of you that work neatly.  

It is good for you to see it as well.  

Maybe you will try it just a bit....pieces of this project left out instead of whisked away immediately.

The next project begins and you see some of the last projects pieces lying there...

Hmmmmm...you think.  That is just what this piece needs.

And it is.

And it may not have happened if you had not left the pieces there.

Thanks for stopping by...  I better go clean up a bit....

Welcome to Artistic Endeavors 101!

Hello there!  I am so glad that you found us here.  I am excited to be able to share some creative and (I hope) inspiring ideas for you and your friends and family.

So what can you expect to see here on Artistic Endeavors 101?

• A peek at what I am working on for Workbench  Wednesdays.
• A look at what finds I have picked up scrounging on Thrifty Thursdays.
• My plan is to sprinkle in plenty of easy tutorials for a variety of creative things: art journaling, paper crafts,recycling and re-purposing, jewelry making, garden décor and more.
• Occasional fun photos from my junking adventures and desperate attempts to organize my creative and living spaces.

So be sure to sign up to receive our posts via email !