ONE TUTORIAL A DAY FOR 31 DAYS – DAY 18 OF MY JOURNEY – INSPIRED BY FRIDA

I’m back. I’m sorry for my silence. I had a block. I did not see it coming, but it happened. All of the sudden I could not create anything. The more I tried, the worse was the result. So I had to stop for a moment and think again: I had to remind myself that this is what I really want to do. My lesson was that creativity goes hand in hand with relaxation, with enjoying life, not with establishing deadlines, stress and beginning the day with I have to. It was a hard lesson, but a good one.

I got my inspiration back when I realized it’s almost the end of the month and I have not made any piece of jewelry for the ArtBeadScene blog. And this is something that is important for me. I can’t wait the beginning of each month to see the inspiration painting. At least I have an idea to work on, which makes things easier.

This month’s inspiration for the ArtBeadScene monthly challenge was:

Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940

By Frida Kahlo

Oil on Canvas

It took me so long to make this necklace because I was taken aback by the sadness of the painting. I react better to happier, colorful inspirations. But I admire Frida a lot, as a painter and also as a woman, brave and strong. I wish I could be like that.

Materials and tools used: white Fimo Professional Polymer clay, brown Fimo polymer clay, pastel colors, leaf cutters,  a flexible blade, the pasta machine, memory wire, wire and varnish.

I have conditioned the clay.

I have started with the easiest part: cutting leaves with the cutters.

I have printed the image and cut out Frida’s image. I have put it on polymer clay and imprinted the design into polymer clay (using a pen and pressing on the design lines).

I have started carving a little bit, using the imprint image.

I have cut out around the drawing using the flexible blade.

I have made a pattern on the sides of the pendant (a biscuit-like pattern).

I have made a pattern on the back of the pendant using a brush.

I have used the printed image to imprint the shape of the hummingbird.

I have cut it out and carved it a little (to add more texture).

I started coating the memory wire with brown polymer clay.

I have used a piece of real wood to make the wooden texture on polymer clay.

I have made elongated beads, put them on a wooden stick and I have created the same wooden texture on them using the real wood piece.

And now the fun part!

I have colored the leaves with yellow, light green and dark green pastels.

I have colored the branches with light brown and dark brown.

I have also colored the pendant with brown and black pastels (wiping out part of the color afterwards).

Then I have put everything in the oven (according to the polymer clay manufacturer’s specifications).

I have painted the wooden branches with black acrylic paint and then I wiped out the paint with baby wipes.

I did the same with the pendant: I have painted it with acrylics and then removed the paint with baby wipes.

Thank you for understanding me!

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