Fabulously Lit
Let there be light. And there was light, and we saw that it was…oh, pretty! It’s like that isn’t it? Light and glow are such visual draws and with the colors in polymer, especially with all the improved clarity of translucents, I’m surprised there are not more actual lights, lamp shades, wall sconces, night light covers and candle holders created with polymer these days. I guess we do kind of get into our jewelry, but now that you’ve seen this fabulous lamp by Wanda Shum, are you considering some interior lit item of your own?
Wanda created this beauty back in 2011, but I thought it might inspire some lighting projects today. This particular shot made me wonder if it was actually polymer, but her blog post with multiple shots confirmed it. I love the concentric circle ripple in the background clay connecting everything in such a subtle manner. Even when it’s not lit up, this is a beautiful piece. It was something Wanda created for her own pleasure and to feed her artistic soul, she said. This waterlily themed lamp with dragonflies emanates not only light, but that personal creative joy that comes from those pieces that just come together for us. Do you know what I mean?
Wanda has not updated her blog in quite a while, and her Etsy site has been on vacation since at least last summer, so I’m not sure what she is up to, but I do hope all is right in her world and that she will be back to amaze us again someday soon. Her blog and gallery pages are there to peruse on her Blogspot site. At least take a look at the many images of this lamp. They are just, well, fabulous!
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I have always loved Wanda’s Night Circus piece!
I am always worried that using polymer clay for things like this is something of a fire hazard. Having often fantasized about making chandaliers, or even light-light covers out of poly-clay, I would love to hear from others about this issue.
How far away from a light bulb or candle does poly clay need to be so that it won’t burn or discolor, or even send out fumes?
Lyone–that ends up being a bit of a complicated question because it would depend on what kind of lights and candles you are using. The basic rules seem to be, never have polymer any where close to touching a bulb, never use halogen light bulbs, no incandescent bulbs over 60 and no polymer directly around candle flames although on glass around a small candle has been done quite often. To be extra safe, LED lights can always be used quite safely as they don’t emit any real heat.