Thursday, January 23, 2014

Susan's January tip & game: Wood armatures for sculpting.

Greetings from Susan at theboredzombie.com! I'm so glad you stopped by today for a few thoughts on wood armatures for sculpting. Armatures are important in your work for several reasons:
  • Strengthen your work by giving the clay a stable surface to adhere to through the entire sculpture
  • Can be used to permanently attach your work to a base
  • Saves clay and money by using inexpensive materials (such as wood or foil) for thick areas
One benefit of Creative Paperclay® Modeling material over polymer clay is that Creative Paperclay® can adhere to wood.  Wood is a natural material that shrinks and expands with varying amounts of moisture. It almost always leads to damages and cracks when used in polymer clay pieces. Creative Paperclay® is unaffected by the wood shrink which opens a world of options for this polymer artist.

I went on a trip to the craft store to take a look at some of the wood shapes they had. Here's a selection of them that have potential and all cost less than $2.75, most around $1.00.


Being able to use wood is so exciting to me! There's so many options and things to be made I just can't seem to make a decision. I thought it might be a fun challenge to make it a little game. You've all heard about the Creative Paperclay® Modeling Material Blog Hop coming up on February 8th right? I'm going to let you pick my armature! Choose which shape you like best for whatever reason you like it, even if that reason is to challenge my brain! Put its number in the comments and any suggestions you have to help me along. I'll buy the armature with the most votes on Jan 27.


If you're feeling really froggy, maybe you'll try the winning shape too?



25 comments:

Bettina Groh said...

you sure have me thinking about an armature... keep your fingers crossed I find something to use for a project I have in mind!!

Sabrina said...

I just order my new baby chicks for the year, so I have eggs on the mind... Number 8!

Phyllis Curl said...

I like number 5 so many ways you can dress up a box and boxes are usefull

Unknown said...

I'm going to say number 8, because the possibilities are really endless!

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said...

Kate has voted for number 3.

"so I just wanted to vote for #3. Not sure why other than it has me intrigued! Kate"

Thanks Kate! And thanks for everyone's votes. This is getting exciting!

Diana @ Red Delicious Life said...

I also vote for #3 - mainly because I think it's the shape that will surprise me the most. Good luck with whatever shape is chosen!

MC said...

I vote for the cube (#4). It's pleasingly symmetrical and seems like it's got the most possibilities!

Michelle@factotum-of-arts.com said...

#2

Lorna McMahon said...

I vote for #8. Love that eggie!

Rachaeldaisy said...

I'm like Kate, I pick 3 just to see what you'd make.

The Madre said...

Number 6 for the Madre. Shocked??

Unknown said...

I'd like to see what you will come up with any shape, but #3 has my vote ;)

AmandaK@whatthebobbin said...

7...this is gonna be interesting :)

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

#7...mostly to challenge that incredible brain of yours ;)

-Soma

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

I vote 7 because I'd love to what you come up with :)

Quilting Nonnie said...

I was going to pick #2 just because my last name is Bohling. But I really liked #3. They look so intriguing! Can't see what you pick and what you do with it!

Paula@TheSassyQuilter said...

4 for me:) should be exciting!

Dianie said...

Well hello Susan :)
This is a GREAT TIP and SUPER FUN!
I'm with Kate, #3 :)

cant wait to see what you create!

~Diane

nicole said...

I vote number three!

Anonymous said...

I pick #7, just to be perverse....lol.

xo Linda

TwynMawrMom said...

8!!!! Duh. Eggs are everything and zero at the same time :) have fun!!

Charmed Confections said...

Great idea Susan! Love this. Can I pick? I pick 8...love eggs! LeeAnn

Jacqui S. said...

I'd vote for 4 because of the endless ideas you could find in it.

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said...

Awesome! Thanks so much for the votes. Letting go and letting the world pick for me was quite out of my wheelhouse and a lot of fun!

Looks like we have a winner in #3 with #2 following close behind. Headed to the store shorty to pick them up! Be sure to swing by on Feb 8 to see what happened to them. :)

DaisyLiz said...

I missed the vote, but I'll stay tuned to see what you make! I was going to vote for the clothespin anyway.