Thursday, January 21, 2010

Grunge Beads

Last week, looking for beads to make rather than biting my fingernails down to the nub, I took out my stash of polymer clay. I worked up a batch of faux ivory with my hands mostly because I couldn't find my pasta machine (TBC keeps trying to organize me, problem is, I never know where he puts things!) I intended to work on some prototypes based on drawings I'd made for pmc. I made some prototypes but then started making other kinds - just to experiment.



I kept thinking about the "inchies" I bought. They are a "grunge style" Alice in Wonderland set. I printed them, grunged up the back with alcohol inks and stamps, added a layer of Diamond Glaze and pounded eyelets into them. I like the slightly dirty/dark look and who cares how much ink I got on my hands?




Somewhere in the back of my mind was the grungle style. I wanted a lots of color but not bright color. I wanted the worn but not antique look - more akin to the Chinese ink and wash painting with a dark, deeply colored worn look seen below.


(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

So I went to the local art supplies store and bought some India Ink. Rubbed it on to the beads and rubbed off the excess. I wet sanded with fine grit sand paper to give the worn appearance. Like your favorite t-shirt or jeans that you really should throw out but they're so comfortable, you just can't!




Grunge beads! What do you think?

21 comments:

J said...

The grunge beads are great, but I am in *love* with the inchies!

Rose said...

I love those beads! I'm going to try the india ink idea... if I ever get off my butt and start playing with clay.

Very nice :)

Lorelei Eurto said...

i want some!

skygrazer/Christy said...

Love them!

SummersStudio said...

I like the grunge! I like the muted tones you got with the India ink on the polymer and the inchies. Soon it will be warmer. I've been in the same spot you are with my studio and the cold. You should see my dining room table right now.

EmandaJ said...

WOW! I love 'em Cindy.

Emadna

Silver Parrot said...

When I saw the name of the post - I just had to take a look. Grunge beads - love it! And the beads look awesome!

Unknown said...

I love the grunge look, I think its the last vestiges of having grown up in the end of the 80s, and I also love Alice in Wonderland so kudos on bringing together two awesome things!

mairedodd said...

these are terrific! i love them - one talented lady for sure!! off to see if they are listed..

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...

I love your Grunge beads Cindy! I am a huge fan of Tim Holtz and all things Grunge. Plus as you may know I am also an enormous fan of polymer clay, so of course you can't get better than combining the two!

rosebud101 said...

Those are great grunge beads. You are so talented, Cindy! I've tried polymer clay, but I can't compare my work to yours at all!

Cindy Gimbrone said...

Wow! I didn't expect so many comments on the grunge beads! Thanks for your comments! Glad you like them!

Now to go and put them up in my etsy shop :-)

Cindy

Michelle said...

Love the Poly pendants. When I saw the original post the other day, swiped a lump of clay from my mom's stash and made my 1st "cool" poly clay pendant and beads. Thanks for the inspiration! Really love the India ink idea...had some sitting around for 20 years!
Bead Happy!
Michelle

Cindy said...

Hi Cindy
I {heart} your new grunge beads!

Jen Judd said...

Now I want to go grunge! Very cool!

Lisa Crone said...

Every time I read your blog and look at all the arts and crafts you are doing, it makes me wish I could be there crafting with you!! Looks like so much fun!! PS, love your letter to rings and things! :)

Cyndi L said...

You can call them grunge all you want, but I think they're GORGEOUS!!

Tammy said...

Love them, and enjoyed reading how your design processes developed.

Jeannie said...

I think you nailed it. I want one.

Createology said...

I like your grunge beads out of polymer clay. Well done. Oh what you did with your inchies! How Tim Burton. Keep creating...

Courtney Breul said...

I love these! Oh, the possiblities.