Polymer Clay and Wood - a Collaboration




 Sometimes working with another artist produces a unique piece of art.  In this case my older brother, Dave, turns wood and makes beautiful vases, bowls, platters and any other item that comes to his mind and hands.

Another polymer artist Cynthia Tinapple and her husband's work combining combining polymer inlay in wood intrigued me.  I've wanted to try it for quite a while.  I researched the technique and invested in a digital thermometer and a heat gun.  I knew some day I would use them.

When Dave said he was turning a walnut vase I asked him to make two recessed bands about 1/8th inch deep and 1/2 to 1" wide.  We collaborated to determine the placement and size.  He lives in Kansas and I live in Arizona so there were lots of emails and phone calls.

My job was deciding on the pattern and design to use in the grooves.  With a lot of experimentation  I decided to make a Stroppel cane.   Using old polymer canes layered between black and another set layered between turquoise, I started building my designs.  Some layers of cane colors are thicker that others making a difference in the design. As you can see in the photo below,changing the layer colors changes the look.

Examples of Stroppel Cane - and earrings waiting to be finished!
The mail came and I opened the box to find a beautiful walnut vase with a natural organic top edge.

Now I had the exact size of the grooves and could start applying the polymer.  It is important for it to be even with the wood and fit exactly.  At this point the polymer is very pliable and easily marred.

This is the design I chose for the vase.
Ready to cure the polymer.  Usually the polymer is baked in an oven with a temperature of 275 degrees.  Obviously that would dry out the wood.  In one hand I held the digital thermometer and in the other I held the heat gun.  Slowly moving the heat gun back and forth and occasionally taking the polymer's temperature, I could see the texture change becoming more satin and firmer.  I did a test piece first to be sure of the technique.  It worked! 

Finished Walnut and Polymer Hand Turned Vase 
 Dave has about 8 hours of work in this piece and I have a few more.  We talked about making more pieces and I guess we will think about it.  By the time we add shipping, I think the cost will be greater that is practical.  We both are really happy with the result.   Just the fun of working together on this project made it worthwhile.

The vase is back in Lenexa scheduled to go to a wood workers show and tell meeting!



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Location: Prescott, AZ, USA

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