I often use felted beads in my freeform work incorporating them into the fabric or attaching them to tassels & what not but always have some left over & so a little stash grew – what to do with them? A friend suggested necklaces… hmmmm…. not really my thing… but I decided to give it a go anyway…. what fun & I think they look great, if I do say so myself
I originally created these polymer buttons/beads for my own use in conjunction with, & to be incorporated into, my freeform crochet work mainly because I couldn’t find what I wanted elsewhere – Over that last few months I’ve many enquires about them so have decided to offer some for sale in my Etsy shop
I love making these buttons/beads… it’s a lovely change from fibre… but you will notice that I do not disguise the handmade nature of these pieces & there are some anomalies such as: fingerprints, brush strokes, distress scars & many a wonky edge & of course, no two pieces are ever the same – & it’s these unique imperfections & differences that I love most, I never really know what I’m going to end up with – so very freeform… just wish the photos would do them justice – they look so much better in the flesh.
All my polymer buttons/beads are freeformed either by pinching the clay into shape or pressing it into one of my own handmade moulds. They are baked at the recommended temperature & roughly sanded. Depending on the effect I’m trying to achieve, each piece is hand-paint with a variety of acrylic/oil/metallic paints/powders then sealed with 2 coats of Polyurethane (indoor/outdoor) water based satin varnish & left to cure for at least 48 hours
here’s a little peek at what’s inside my new book Freeform & Beyond
had these pieces unfinished for the longest time – always niggling in the back of my mind – UFO’s what pests… but now… they’re done & doesn’t it feel great……