Saturday, July 28, 2012

Trial and Error – The Next Bits

Following my last post, this one shows the next stages of my TBAI gallery piece. As a project, it required the most diverse tools and materials of any I have created.

First there was the wood of the base and the birch logs. Here you can see them cut to size.

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Then there were some twigs that also had to be cut – much smaller. These little slices are about 1/8th of an inch thick and about ½” or so in diameter. Funnily enough, they were not the smallest ones.

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Many of the bits and pieces of this project required some new technique or a serious review of one learned long ago. I spent some time reacquainting myself with polymer clay. I could hardly wait to do some practice runs. As you can see in the following photo, I started by trying to see how some small berries would turn out.

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Then I tried some chocolate covered strawberries – not so happy with these first ones. Eventually, I made some that worked out pretty well.

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From there I experimented with making some leaves using a leaf shaped cutter and a few strawberry topped tarts. There was definitely a learning curve.

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I mixed some clay to come up with a blueberry color for blueberries. I had blue hands for a time,

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but I ended up with lots and lots of blueberries.

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I think I had the most fun making cherries. Maybe I will put together a tutorial for them. Quick, easy and fun – you know, stuff I can handle. While I’m no expert, I think the cherries were probably my most successful berry.

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As you can see, I had several things going at once. I also spent a lot of time looking at the timer while things baked or dried. I tried to count the different tools I used and gave up after I got to about thirty. That was most of them anyway.

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When I summarize these steps, it looks like it should have taken about half a day but in reality it took days and days and days. I finally gave up trying to keep the bits picked up off the floor. In fact, I’d almost be willing to bet there are still some teeny tiny little blueberries rolling around in some far corner of my kitchen.

Next up: The Layout.

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20 comments:

  1. The guessing game: Am I looking at a bushland table and stools with a berry picnic??????
    hugs

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kays Kids,

      Hm-m-m. If I knew what a bushland table was, I might be able to respond. I have a good idea though. It sounds pretty fun - a bushland table and stools picnic!

      Thanks bunches!
      ~ginger

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  2. I wonder if we will find any berries when we come to visit?!

    This looks like it will end up the MOST wonderful gallery piece, I can't wait to see it, maybe I should start saving.

    xxxxx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Elanor,

      Oooh. I'm afraid for you to look that close! Oh my! I must get out my broom.

      I'm a bit nervous putting it out there but then that's what we do isn't it? Put our all into something we make and then see what happens at the end.

      See you soon!!!!
      ~ginger

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  3. Boy! You've been VERY busy-all of those berries and leaves and tarts LOOK like days and days of work to me. Can't wait to see the finished project!

    Heaps of Hugs,
    Cheryl

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl,

      I'm glad that it does look like days and days because when you look at 10 or so photos in retrospect you start to wonder what all the sweating was about - did it really go on for weeks?

      I'm a crazy person anyway - nothing new!

      See you soon!
      ~ginger

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  4. this is exciting to see all the work that goes into something that looks absolutely fantastic when finished.
    It makes the finished work all that much more enjoyable to know what went into it.
    I like the little berries and leaves and the hints of what comes next.
    thanks for taking us through the process.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ladytats,

      I'm glad you are enjoying seeing how I put this thing together. I hope you will not be disappointed at the whole piece when you see it.

      I do think it helps to see what goes on because otherwise how would you know. I like to watch those "how it's made" shows every once in a while because it really helps to see what goes on behind the scene.

      Thank you!
      ~ginger

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  5. Oooh, we're beginning to imagine what this might turn into now, and we want to come to tea, but only if you have some real berries for us by then...

    Hugs

    Jack and The Clan

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jack and The Clan,

      You are very very clever. But then, let's look at your family tree. Loads of clever bears in those branches. Some silly ones too but then every family tree has a few nuts right?

      We'll check into the real berry thing for you.

      ~ginger (& Sebastian)

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  6. Your berry fruits look wonderful, Ginger - good enough to eat. I love the texture of the birch bark, don't you? Can't wait for the next post!
    Hugs, Kayzy

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    1. Hi Kayzy,

      Thank you! I should probably have more practice but it has been fun. I do LOVE the texture of the birch bark. I wish I had a whole yard full of them! I would dance under them.

      ~ginger

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  7. oh my - your fruit creations are awesome Ginger - can´t wait to see this spectacular piece you´re working on. I´m sure it´ll be amazing.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Tina,

      You're very kind. Thank you. I hope it will make you smile when you see it.

      Thanks!
      ~ginger

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  8. Not Trial and Bearror?

    I love all the little bearries... I hope Sebastian didn't try to eat any!

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    1. Hi Heather,

      Ha ha! You are right - it should be trial and bearor! Glad you like them - they aren't very tasty I'm sure. Sebastian was busy sorting out invitations. To what I'm not sure, but he's always up to something!

      ~ginger

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  9. I'm enjoying watching this project take shape! The blueberries and cherries especially look good enough to eat. That must take a lot of patience, but I bet it is fun to see it all come together!

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    1. Hi Kay Joy,

      I am so glad that you are enjoying the progress of this project. When I was photographing it, I could hardly stand waiting to share them, but I knew it would be spotty due to the ups and downs of working and waiting on the different aspects. Thank you for saying the berries look good enough to eat. It was quite the experiment sorting out how to get that little blueberry crown.

      And yes, it was fun. So very much fun!

      Thanks!
      ~ginger

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  10. wow, that's so exciting to look back at your making, should show my kids as they're having fun with making tiny fruits and treats from soft moldering clay.
    you creating desire and dreams!

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  11. Hi susana,

    I'm glad you enjoyed it. Clay is easy and forgiving so it's a great thing for kids to enjoy. I wish that when I was a kid, that I had access to these things. I loved little things! I wish them lots of luck and fun!

    Thanks for reading!
    ~ginger

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