16 Januari 2009

History of Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a sculptable material based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It usually contains no clay minerals, and is only called "clay" because its texture and working properties resemble those of mineral clay. It is sold in craft, hobby, and art stores, and is used by artists, hobbyists, and children.

Polymer clay is a relatively new medium for arts and crafts. Though it was first created in the late 1930s, it has been readily available for only the past thirty or forty years. Compare this to the centuries over which many mediums have been explored and you'll understand why there are still untold possibilities for polymer clay.

The history of polymer clay as an art medium is only decades long, unlike many media that have been around for centuries and have long traditions. This newness means that there is a great deal of innovation by users of polymer clay. Often, ideas are born by borrowing from the traditions of some other materials, such as metalworking (mokume-gane), ceramics, glass (millefiori, lampwork), paper, etc.


The Early History

Polymer Clay has been around, in one form or another, since the late 1930s. The idea was born in Germany, where Fifi Rehbinder, a doll maker, was having trouble finding her usual supplies, due to the political upheaval of the time. A resourceful woman, she developed a plastic clay she called "Fifi Mosaik", which she used for sculpting doll heads. It wasn't until 1964 that Rehbinder sold the formula to Eberhard Faber. The manufacturer tweaked the formula into the Fimo brand of polymer clay and sold it in toy stores in Europe, where it was viewed primarily as a toy for children or a medium for sculpting dolls and miniatures for use in doll houses.


By the 1990s, polymer clay's popularity was obvious, and other manufacturers took notice. AMACO developed Friendly Clay, departing from their existing line of natural clays. Premo clay came along in the mid-90s, when polymer clay artist Marie Segal indicated to the makers of Sculpey that there was demand for a higher-quality American-made clay. The newest variety of polymer clay, Kato Polyclay, was developed in 2001 through collaboration between artist Donna Kato and manufacturer Van Aken.

Today, there are several brands of polymer clay from which to choose, as well as specialty clays (liquid polymer clay, mica clays, glitter clays, glow-in-the-dark clays, etc.). Polymer clay continues to gain popularity, and new techniques are still emerging in this (comparatively speaking) new medium. And to think, it all started with Fifi Mosaik…

13 Januari 2009

Papertole : Jesus's Birth


This big papertole is the biggest papertole I ever made. It was easy to cut but... making it to be 3 dimension was difficult. I never imagined it. I needed more 1 metre of wire and 3 tube of sealant to make it. And I don't know how many times I fixed it. But When it finished, I look it .....and it's so beautiful and look alive. I am so proud:p

07 Januari 2009

Flanel Again

At last, I made all of them. Because of my busy day, I made them 1 week...long week. I love felt...no .....I love any craft. I want to sell them. So if You interested... please visit http://www.souvenirunik.co.cc and you will find them with good price.

05 Januari 2009

Clay : 2 dimension


I made this last week from Chinese Craft Book and Book by Monica. They are simple and easy to make. My son love them too especially pigs. He always wants to play with them and try to pull them out.

03 Januari 2009

Clay : Zoo


I made these when I was at Semarang, maybe i made this on MAY 2008. They were my first animal clay. Some of them made from polymer clay, but the pig and frog were made from powder and PVAC Glue. I love them, they are so cute. I made and learn the dough from book by Monica. I like Monica, she is so creative and one of my favourite aouthor. The books make everything so easy and simple. And I want try every models in that books.

Flanel


My first time i knew Felt when I was lived at Bandung but Everytime I tried to make it, I failed. And I tried it again when I was in university but failed again. Now, after years I tried again and this time I did it. And I am so proud because I didn't give up. This time I didn't sew it but glue it and it makes look better. I copied the pattern from book "Kreasi Tokoh Fantasi Anak dari Kain Felt" by Emi Risna Imawati and the tecnique I learned from " Terampil Membuat Boneka Mini dan Lucu dari Kain Felt" by LInawati. Too bad, the felt in Banjarmasin is more expensive then Semarang, double expensive. But This month I will go to Semarang and I will buy tyhe Felt there and make a lot of pattern and making bussiness from felt. I love that idea.

02 Januari 2009

Happpy New Year 2009


Happy New Year 2009. This new year I will try to make this blog in English. Please don't laugh with my bad writing. I just want to practise my writing. And this 2009 will full of craft not like the old years. Every day will full of art, reading, craft and the important thing is my family. I will and must do knitting, crochet, felt, pergamano, quilling, clay, papertole, papercraft, ribbon embroidery, embroiderry. There is one craft I really eager to learn, WASHI. It is so beautiful.