Friday, June 17, 2016

Inside the studio with Swoondimples

Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive, we offer a PRIZE each week to encourage you to use that keyboard and tell us what you think. 
The following week a WINNER is chosen at random from all eligible entries. 
And here are the results from last week!!

Terri Del Signore is the winner of a 20$ shop at Humblebeads!!! 
Congratulations! Please contact Heather to claim your prize.

Hello from the Swoondimples studio :) 
I have been inspired by feathers lately, which is a recurring theme/obsession in my life. 
I have an affinity for feathers, always have.

I stumbled across this Donna Kato feather tutorial while poring over Pinterest recently. 
The instructions were super easy to follow (lots of photos) and I started with my favorite color combinations, turquoise blue and rusty burnt umber. 




I add wrapped silver wire to each feather for adornment. Some of the wrappings were created to swivel to allow for movement and others were baked directly into the clay to assimilate an actual quill. Just like an actual feather, no two are alike ;) 


You will notice that the feathers below are quite different than those shown above. I started to morph the original tutorial and began experimenting with other techniques to make each feather even more unique. I began etching each piece and adding patina. I am a patina junky and there is no shame. I love to scratch things up and give pieces a worn look. Who doesn't? 



I even stepped outside of my comfort zone and experimented with a color that I tend to shy away from. YELLOW! My beady confidant, Lorelei, encouraged me to explore the color and this was the result. It took me a few days to come around but I totally dig the yellow. I plan to create some pale muted yellow ombre feathers next...


yellow feathers
So my question for you this week - What color feather would you wish to design with?

Leave a comment for a $20 credit to my Etsy shop where you can find a variety of handmade polymer wares.
Thanks you for stepping inside my studio and I hope that you have a fantastic weekend!



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24 comments:

Alice said...

WoW I love the pretty feathers. it's hard to choose but i think i i like the
turquoise blue one.

lamplight crafts said...

I love the feathers! Never thought to use p/c for feathers.

ChristinaMarieH said...

I love turquoise ombre ones, they remind me of scrub jay feathers.

Kristina said...

My go-to is usually yellow (since it would pair well with lime green (my favorite color). But in this instance I am drawn to the purple/red ones in the second picture.

Shai Williams said...

I just love the turquoise which happens to be my favorite color! And I do have to say that I really like the feathers but are there any words hidden on the back?

baymoondesign said...

I love the purple and blue combination.

Anonymous said...

Black and white magpie feathers!

Talia said...

These feathers are beautiful! The detail is stunning. I'm really loving peacock colors right now, I'd love to work with a feather in those colors!

Anvil Artifacts said...

You've done a beautiful job with your feathers! They're lovely! ALL of them! Like you, I tend to shy away from using yellow, but it certainly adds a nice pop of inviting warmth. I laughed when I read your question as my go to preferred palette is generally the absence of color. The gradation shades of black and grey into white with the possible splash of light aqua or aubergine. The colors of cool, mysterious, shadowy glaciers always seems to draw my eye. Great post!

Sarajo Wentling said...

I love your feathers! They are so cool! I think I would most want to see either the ombre blue ones or something similar with that yellow you are playing with and some green thrown in! I look forward to seeing how these continue to evolve.

Unknown said...

These feathers are absolutely fantastic! Well I love red so that is where I'd start!

Erin S said...

I actually like the yellow ones best! very cool!

Ann Schroeder said...

Super cool feathers! I especially love how you squared off the wire. Great little detail. I'd love to see a bright feather like orange or red.

Klassy Joolz said...

Love your feathers...especially the blue ones...but they are all fabulous! Like the silver touch as well!!!

Smiles, Pam

Nana Louise Nielsen said...

Oh these feathers are absolutely beautiful. So intricate. I love the yellow and green ones - those are the ones I'd choose :o)

Karen Z said...

I would love a black/grey/white ombre... what artist can't work with black?!

Here Bead Dragons said...

Lovely feathers. I'd go with Burgundy to make feathers with.
~cryssT

Baking Beads in the Keys said...

I am especially enjoying the turquoise feathers and the gray and white although they are all cool.

Blue Kiln Beads said...

Your feathers are beautiful. I would usually be drawn to purple shades but I really love the yellow and light blue so I think I would go them. Step outside my purple comfort zone.

zendegy said...

These are really lovely! I particularly love the turquoise ones (love turquoise anything!)...and I think the idea of making some so they have movement is terrific!!
I am with you on the patina thing, too. Adds depth.

rocknrose said...

They are all beautiful - I could do wonderful things with ANY color!
Laurey
RockNroses

Unknown said...

I haven't tried a feather cane yet but it's on my list! I like the two color ones that are etched and patina-ed (patinated?)...how about a deep blue and gold or bronze?

! said...

I really like the turquoise one. I am loving rich jewel tones at the moment so I would like some rich emerald green & juicy amethyst, or silver & gold together or rich fiery red for a phoenix' feather. yeah that would be fabbo.

Heather Wynn Millican said...

Thank you kindly for all of the wonderul words and FAB suggestions!!! :-)