Friendly Plastic with Cloud Clay

I made this Ball Pendant recently (during the last run of exhibitions) and the same practice would work equally well for beads.  The centre of the pendant is Cloud Clay which I have then painted with the Multi-Surface Paints.  Cloud Clay works particularly well for the centres of beads/pendants because even when it has hardened over 24 hours it is still very easy to push a hole through it.  I then heated some small strips of Friendly Plastic onto the ball and as it softened it took the shape of the ball.  Finally I added a few strips of peel-offs to add a little sparkle!  The ball was completed by adding an bead end cap top and bottom to push the pin though and make the hanging loop.  I have just realised that these would make very striking and economical Christmas Tree Decorations - I think I will now make some more to hang around the fascia of my Exhibitions Stand!

Molten Designs at Malden, Essex

This show has moved about a little - from originally Excel, to Braintree last year and then Malden this year.  I did wonder at first where I was going when I arrived to set up the show on the Wednesday (it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere) and on arriving things did not get better.  I was greeted by the Electrician saying he had not been able to do my socket because he could not find my stand - and neither could I!!!  However we did not panic and the problem was sorted out - but apologies to those who tried to find me on the invisible stand E06.

However my initial fears were quickly dispelled - what a busy show it was.  Thursday was a little on the quiet side but the Friday and Saturday were very busy.  Many people had not visited a retail craft/stitching show before and absolutely loved it.  I know there were a few parking problems with it being so busy, but I have every confidence the organisers will pay attention to this problem for next year.

One of the highlights of the exhibition for me was when one of my regular customers visited me and brought some of her work to show me.  I was overwhelmed by it and here are a couple of photos.  Many thanks for bringing in your work Jacqui.  Jacqui's mixed media work, incorporating Friendly Plastic, is superb.  She does undertake commissions, at I might add a very reasonable cost.  If anybody would like a commission let me know and I will put in contact with her.

Mixed Media work by Jacqui Mansfield incorporating Friendly Plastic and other mediums

Over the course of the exhibition 3 of us took the opportunity to say with friends (from the exhibition world) as they only lived about half an hour away.  Many thanks to them for their hospitality and relaxing evenings - good food and wine was enjoyed by all.  On the Friday evening of the show as were driving back I could not help myself saying 'stop the van' so I could take the following photo of a beautiful sunset over the reservoir.

Finally when the exhibition closed on the Saturday night the 3 of use drove to Coventry (not quite in convoy) where we stayed the night before visiting the Stitches Trade Show as visitors on the Sunday at the NEC.  From a lovely sunset on Friday to a very cold iced morning on the Sunday.  I could not resist trying to capture the pretty ice patterns on my van windscreen.

Friendly Plastic on MDF

As you can no doubt tell I have a weekend off this week, so its time to do some more blog posts.  Here is a new idea for Friendly Plastic - there seems to be no end for its different and varied uses.

The three photos above are made using the MDF Blanks which have been painted with Multi-Surface Paints, Friendly Plastic and Stella Flash.The MDF was painted first. 

 On the Tub the Friendly Plastic was added to the edge of the tub and the 'snakes-skin' effect comes from ribbon (coloured with the silver paint) laid onto the warm plastic and finished at the front with the Friendly Plastic flowers. The rippled shiny finish on the front is Glossy Accents.

The letters were done the same way by painting and adding Friendly Plastic, in this case rubber stamped to add texture.  The Friendly Plastic was also painted to co-ordinate with the background and in the case of 'Dream' Friendly Plastic Butterflies were added using the Butterfly Cutters.

Unfortunately the photos do not show the 'sparkle' very well - this was where we used the Stella Flash.

Hope you like them.

Molten Designs at Bluewater

Just a couple of photos I took recently at the exhibition in Bluewater - used my new camera courtesy of Santa Claus.  It gives you some idea of what I now have on the stand (the untidy bit at the bottom left of the bottom photo is my demonstration area - this was at the beginning of the show.  You should have seen it at the end - I will never be a tidy worker!).  What I loved about this stand was the new black background - so much better than the previous dull grey.

Just about to start a hectic run now with 4 weekends on the trot - Malvern, Glasgow, Olympia and the NEC.  Just a reminder that at Glasgow and the NEC I am in the Creative Stitches Halls (not the Hobbycrafts Halls).  At Olympia I am on the ground floor.  Come and see me.

Friendly Plastic Pendant

I hope you like this pendant which I made at Sandown Park this weekend.  I have mounted it into a blank base.  (I do have a very small supply of these if anybody is interested - I have a trial order and if you like them I will order more).  I worked on the White Friendly Plastic and heated on small scrap pieces.  I then softened down the white (it looked too bright against the antique finish of the base) by brushing over the gold multi -surface paint.  It was then finished with Glossy Accents to glaze.

Web site link

Well I'm a bit like a bus at the moment, haven't had chance to work on the blog for a while and now 4 posts in 2 days!   I have just noticed there is a problem with the link from this page to my web-site (this must be after I had the web-site updated last year).  Here is the link to my website and I will get the proper link sorted with the computer people.  The Frame Workshop & Molten Designs.

Friendly Plastic with Cloud Clay

This pendant has been made by combining Friendly Plastic with Cloud Clay and finishing with Colourful Thoughts Multi Surface Paints.  Cloud Clay has the advantage that it is air drying - no kilns or ovens required! 

Cloud Clay can be modelled by hand, rubber stamped and is ideal for using in molds.  Create your desired shape, or texture and just leave to air dry for 24 hours and it hardens and retains its shape/pattern.  Do remember however to keep your Cloud Clay in an airtight container (I wrap mine in cling film first)!
The textured face of the pendant is Cloud Clay which has been rubberstamped.  it was then flashed over with the multi surface paint, and heated with the heat gun to seal and blend the paint.  As an aside the Multi-Surface Paints are exactly what they say - multi surface.  The work on fabric (and heating the paint makes it washable), brilliant on Friendly Plastic & FP Pellets, Paper & card etc.
The reverse of the pendant is Friendly Plastic, which was heated on the reverse - the cloud clay then fuses to the Friendly plastic.  (The silver bail is trapped between the Friendly Plastic and the Cloud Clay).

Friendly Plastic Reverse of the Pendant

New products - Chains

I have just added some silver plated chains onto my website.  They are the snake type of chain and are 18" long.  Packed in 10's at £3.99 for the 10.  Visit my website to view them via this link.  This should be the start of me extending my jewellery components.  I have other things in the pipeline but have only just received the minimum order at the moment and need to play with them first before I launch them and order more stock.  I will have examples with me at Sandown Park and the forthcoming shows.

Sandown Park Show

I can't believe it is already time for the first show of 2012 - Sandown Park at Esher in Surrey.  The show starts on Thursday 19th January for 3 days until Saturday.  We are not there on Sunday!!  So many things I was supposed to do between Harrogate and Sandown - it must be Christmas and New Year inbetween that spoils all my plans.  It will be nice to see all my friends again and have a few drinks - just a few!!

Friendly Plastic - £1.25 per strip

I have just reduced the price of the Friendly Plastic Strips to £1.25 each, and of course the free UK 2nd class postage for all orders over £35 still applies.  This price will certainly run for December, but I am not sure how long I can hold it after that.  Now is the time to take advantage of these prices.