I have been a wood carver for over 20 years. Wood was a medium that I loved. I have made and sold over 500 small wood carvings, and most of them were dragonflies and butterflies and birds. I have also made a few boxes and wrote about it in my book on the subject: The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book
To see my past work please take a look at my web site: www.woodworks-by-donna.com
A couple of years ago I saw how you could make butterflies using polymer clay- and the effect was mesmerizing. The colors- the ease with which the shapes could be made. . . I was hooked from the get-go.
Once I got the idea to make translucent dragonfly wings I just had to do my best to emulate nature. Unlike wood- which I had to paint to try to give the iridescent look, I could use mica powders to give the same effect- and still make translucent wings.
Along the way I have learned many different ways to work with this wonderful medium, and as I did with wood I am selling those things that I think customers may want to own.
All of my work is handmade and original in design. There will never be two bowls that look exactly the same. Each piece is 'one-of-a-kind'. I make my pieces with polymer clay, in the style of the Italian Murano/mosaic millifiori, (many-flowers), glass canes. Think of candy canes.
Many shapes and colors are put together and then the whole cane is stretched to make it longer, and the design smaller. From there I make thin slices that are arranged to make a bowl shape. Many of my pieces have more than one size of the same cane, and that contributes to the complexity and interest for the eye.
Polymer clay is inherently colorful and by using different canes interesting designs can be created. Sometimes I'll use translucent clay so that light will show through the design. Sometimes gold/silver/copper/fluorescent/ iridescent clay will be used. It is lots of fun.
The design is usually the same on the inside and outside. They are sides of the same slice of cane. The thickness of the bowl ranges from egg-shell thin to 1/8” thick. The clay is rather expensive, so small items are common.
Although polymer clay is not harmful, the items are not to be used for food; they are also not oven or microwave safe. The items are decorative and can be used to hold small and precious treasures, like jewelry, keys, coins, hair ribbons, paper clips, etc.
I welcome ideas for new designs, and if you are interested in a custom made bowl of this size I'm would be happy to make it for you. The cost would be similar to that of the bowls I have here.