Saturday, August 9, 2008

Polymer Mosaic Mirror

I've been working on a myriad of fun projects. This one in
particular is a polymer mosaic hanging mirror. It was made
as a gift. The persons' names are actually on two of the
tiles but have been blurred out for this post to not spoil the
surprise should they visit. You can click to enlarge.



The finished piece measures 14" in diameter. The finished
clay pieces were adhered with Weldbond glue.
Most of the clay pieces have been painted with PearlEx
powdered pigments. I have also incorporated bits of
ephemera, glass beads and assorted commercial glass and
ceramic tile.


Here are some close-ups. Your embellishments should
be able to take the heat. Glass and metal are good.


Small glass seed beads in Diamond glaze are used to fill
space left over.

You can attach smaller Polymer elements with liquid Polymer
prior to baking. Here you can see the commercial tile
incorporated and also the brighter handpainted while
tiles.

I also wanted you to see this piece its beginning stage (below)
so you could see the polymer tiles before they were
embellished and baked.

Working in the round was a real challenge. I first had this
idea for a sun/mandala and then decided to incorporate a
mirror. I decided to use a vinyl record album as the base.
First I textured the album with AcrylPro tile adhesive so I
could insure the tiles would have an acceptable surface. I
then spray painted both sides with a matte silver spray paint.

The few colored tiles you see were hand painted on baked
white polymer clay. Your hand painted color will always be
more lively on the white clay than on a colored or metallic
clay. You can click on picture to enlarge.

At this stage, the clay has been rolled to about 1/8" thickness,
stamped or textured and I'm cutting pieces and trying to
decide their placement until all spots are filled. Once I have
the design in place I remove all the tile pieces and then begin
the process of painting and embellishing. The tiles are then
baked following the recommended time on the clay package.
I've used Premo and SculpeyII for this project. I also use a
thermometer in my toaster oven to determine the real
temperature. I have found that temperatures are not as true
as the dial. (I don't use my toaster oven for food once I've
used it for clay)

If you haven't seen my first polymer mosaic you can see
it posted here and here.

Thank-you for your visits and kind words!

Thought for today:
"Take care that the face that looks out from the mirror in the
morning is a pleasant face. You may not see it again during
the day, but others will"

My other blogspot: "The Way I See It"

21 comments:

K Hutchinson said...

I am not even sure what to say - this is so cool! I can hardly stand it! I want to make one in the worst way now! I love what you have done! xoxo

Viola said...

You did a great job! Fabulous piece, love it!! :-)

Unknown said...

oooh a cul-de-sac. such a clever girl you are.

my best always,
sueokieffe

Rob said...

Very nice! i have always enjoyed working with clay and I can appriciate your work involved to create this art. So, when you bake your final project, is that in your standard kitchen oven, or, do you use a drying kiln?

The Artful Eye said...

Rob,
Thank you. Most times it's the toaster oven designated only for clay. For large quantities of tiles the standard oven. For ceramic clay..the kiln.

Deborah Truesdell said...

Andrea,

Oh my gosh - this piece is fabulous!! I am so hoping my name is one of the ones you blurred out so I wouldn't recognize that it is for me! What a fun design - you did and awesome job!

John M. Mora said...

MOst delicate and smart - very artful aye aye, captain.

Irene said...

Man, Andrea, you make some beautiful pieces of useful art. I am so in awe of you when I see that. Such patience and talent you have, I really admire that. What an eye for detail and so precise. I wish I lived next door to you and could see you at work, but I've already said that before.

Tami Bayer said...

Wishing I had something profound to say, but feeling it's all inadequate next to this amazing piece. You inspire me.

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

I'm with Kim.H. This is absolutley BeAuTiFuL!!! I am amazed at the difference before and after baking and embellishing. Your an absolute natural at this and I am green with envy!! Thankyou for all the steps and info.. I have to find the time and place for making a polymer clay mosaic!!

dianeclancy said...

This is a lovely lovely piece!!

The colors are beautiful!!

That is a great quote about the face in the mirror!

I have a blog give-away.

~ Diane Clancy
www.DianeClancy.com/blog
http://Dianeclancy.com/blog/2008/07/post-500-a-give-away/

Cory said...

Mine, mine...I just know it's my name that's blurred out. I love the piece.

Thanks for liking my necklace presentation and for commenting on it.

Cory

Susan Tuttle said...

Incredible! -- I am enjoying looking at all the fine details in this wonderful piece! I love the design!

Susan
xo

Anonymous said...

Andrea this mosaic is even lovelier than the last one!! I love the colors and the design! Makes me want to go make a mosaic right now!!

Artists With Artitude said...

Hi Andrea!!! I am finally back home in Austin and was absolutely delighted to feast my eyes on this amazing project. Your friends are very lucky to have you. What a heartfelt gift!!

I love the way you took us along the process. I like the different shapes and elements. You made the right design choice by not making it all at the same level. The jagged edge makes the mirror come alive.

I think you are a great artist and an outstanding sculptor. Working with our hands is such a joy!

xoxo

Cory said...

What a fabulous project..the colors, the round design, all are candy for my eyes.

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