Ink & Polymer Glazing
One of the wonderful things about polymer is that it is not ceramic; it’s not restricted by the limitations of mineral clays, the weight, the tricky kiln firing, and the uncertainty that is inherent in glazing. But the gloss and depth of those glazes can be so remarkable that, of course, we would try to imitate it in polymer!
I’ve seen quite a bit of faux ceramic glazing created with alcohol inks and liquid polymer clay. I don’t know of any other colorant that will work with LPC to give it that translucent and vibrant look. And I’ve yet to see anyone top the shimmer and depth of the work done by Debbie Crothers with her faux ceramic glazes. Look at these beads. A monochromatic, simple form, and yet just so intriguing and luscious.
It’s that texture peaking out from the clearer part of the glaze and the way the deep color is dripping over the form that makes these beads so, well, tasty! Oh … now I’m going to crave glazed berries or juicy, fruity, hard candies all day!
Debbie has been working with this effect for a few years and has it down perfectly, I think. Do hop on over to our Aussie sister’s Flickr page and take a gander at the other beads and pieces she uses this technique on. Just lovely work.
aw Sage you’re such a sweetheart for including these in your inky special. I must admit the technique is lots of fun to play around with. I know what I might spend the day doing. xxxx
Any way a tutorial could be published on how to make these luscious beads?
We’d have to ask Deb. Maybe she’d write one for The Polymer Arts magazine. Hmmm … Deb?