Wearable Art
By Linda Campbell
The Process
Step 1: Choose Colors
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Usually I grab whatever colors I feel drawn to. But, for inspiration I will sometimes look at color pallettes, consider what season is coming up or look at items in my sorroundings for good color combos.
Step 2: Mix Colors
I add a pouring medium to the colors to get the correct consistency
Step 4: Add Colors to Canvas
I add coors to the canvas making sure that the colors next to each other look good together. I might do lines, or random patterns. Each type of pattern creates a different result. Doesn't look much like a beautiful piece of jewelry at this point...
Step 3: Mix Swiping Medium
I use a combination of black Amsterdam paint, a single drop of silicon oil (less is more, here) and Floetrol. This is the combination that creates the cell effect when I swipe.
Step 5: Add Swiping Medium to playing card
I have tried several different swiping tools but currently my favorite is a playing card. I can bend them, cut them to varying sizes and they allow good control.
Step 6: Swipe!
This is where the magic happens. As I swipe the medium across the painted canvas, the colors and medium interact creating the desired cell effect. It is very freeing to focus on making small designs I can use in my jewelry rather than having to create a good piece of art that takes up the entire canvas.
Additional Swipe Video
I love this part of the process. I love the surprises as the colors intermingle and patterns form. If you like it as much as I do, here is another video. You're welcome :)
(Note: I often listen to true crime or spiritual growth podcasts as I work. If you listen carefully you can hear today's show in the background)
A close up look at the patterns on this canvas here you can see the unique patterns beginning to form. It will take the canvas two days to fully dry. I obsessively check it during the drying process to see if the patterns are still holding up as sometimes they change shape.
Step 7: Look for Patterns and Glue On Cabachons
Once the canvas is fully dry, I cut it off the wooden frame and begin looking for sections that would make a nice piece of jewelry.
Once i find an area I like, I glue to glass cabochon to the canvas and let it sit for a couple of days.
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Here is an image of a different piece of artwork being turned into jewelry. ​
Step 8: Glue cabochons into bases
Once the glass cabochons are glued on, it is another two days for them to set.
At that point I cut the cabochon off the canvas and glue it into a base. We now have a pendant!
Step 9: Create Chain Links
stay tuned as I walk you though how I create chain links, add beads and stones and assemble everything together