Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

Flexible Copper (Hadar's Quick Fire) There's been a flurry of metal clay in my studio.   My late winter goal was to use the older Hadar  clay that I have so I can focus on her new One-fire clay.   Over the years (yes it keeps that long in powder form) I've collected many containers of Quick-fire bronze, copper, steel, etc.  They take longer to fire and have 3 stages of firing instead of 2.  Hadar's Flexible Copper  My mid-west background of using and saving kicked in and I would not allow myself to use the new One-fire clay until all the other was gone.  So I started creating.  First I was just going to make some simple earrings and then a pendant.  Pretty soon I wondered how I could make some pieces using tools not used before.  One thing led to another. Crisco Ad Engraving A metal engraved stamp for a Crisco ad that my mother saved became a necklace.  When this piece was fired, it separated in two parts.  I liked it so much I repaired it and fire

My Inspiration - Collection of Sea Shells Every year my collection of seashells increases.  If I find a really interesting shell at an estate sale I buy it.  If I'm walking on the beach I'm looking for unusual shells.  Apparently the love of seashells runs in the family as I now have incorporated some of my father's shells.  I love the variety of color and shape and love learning about the animals that left them. When I saw Donna Greenberg's latest installations of underwater polymer, I knew I had to use my seashells as inspiration to create my own polymer beach segment.  It was such fun to develop the shells.  The following pictures show the development of the mushroom coral. Basic shell shape I cut each oval in half and used a paper punch for the holes. I stacked each half and put a wire through them to create a circle. Find the finished mushroom coral below in another photo.  I experimented with many shapes and as I finished one I like, it went

Collaboration - Wood and Polymer  Collaborating is a wonderful way of achieving success in producing unusual products and in developing friendships.  Throughout my interior design career I collaborated with my clients as we set out their goals for the projects.  I collaborated with many craftsmen and artists to develop those goals into finished products. After my retirement I realized I could use those same skills to work with other artists and craftsmen in creating art.        before finishing and insetting polymer        Complete As my older brother increased his skills in woodworking I wanted to see how we could work together. Cynthia Tinapple's   work with insetting polymer clay into wood gave me the idea to combine my brother's wood turning with my polymer art.   Stroppel cane inset The success of collaborative work seems to be based on recognition, trust, authenticity and passion.   I knew I would have to learn more about woodworkin