A Review of May 2009

"I have always loved iridescent/metallic colours and have been fascinated by fused glass – I believe Friendly Plastic will allow the creation of similar effects without some of the limitations – it is full of creative potential and an exciting new medium to work with."

I cannot remember how I came across Friendly Plastic, since moving to New Zealand. I had seen it many years ago at a craft fair at Alexandra Palace, London - it was the bright metallic colours that caught my eye, when passing a jewellery stand. I think because it had been used for jewellery, I did not think of using it myself - I had not appreciated the full potential of the product. Anyway, I am just glad to have rediscovered FP.

There is so much information available on the internet - I still have not read it all. I have spent a lot of time looking at http://friendlyplastic.blogspot.com/ and also looking at the web sites and blogs of Liz Welch and Jana Ewy, which I have found very inspiring:
www.rarebird.ltd.uk and http://rarelizzie.wordpress.com/
www.justbananas.com and http://www.janaewy.blogspot.com/

I have been thoroughly enjoying creating pieces of marbled Friendly Plastic - it gets quite addictive. Although jewellery is something I have never made before, I intend to make the best pieces into pendants, to enter The Heart of Friendly Plastic 'Marbling Magic Design Challenge'. The deadline for this challenge is 15th June - I will post a photograph of my competition entry.

I have also ordered lots of exciting goodies from www.rarebird.ltd.uk in the UK - this website seems to have the greatest range of accessories for, as well as colours of, Friendly Plastic. I just cannot wait for this order to arrive. So far, I have just been experimenting with marbling for this challenge but I know there is so much more to try and learn. My main idea at the moment is to make mosaic tiles out of Friendly Plastic, reminiscent of fused glass, for creating pictures and decorative mirror frames.

One of my first pieces of 'marbled' Friendly Plastic. I was enjoying myself so much I started to cut it up, to make a pendant, before taking a photograph, which is why there is a cut line down the middle.

Two small NZ inspired paintings

I guess everyone has to paint Rangitoto and Pohutukawa flowers. I have completed these two small paintings, titled ‘Rangitoto Island’ and ‘Amongst the Pohutukawa’, to take to Auckland East Arts AGM and party tomorrow. I have joined this art group, after seeing their exhibition marquee at the St Heliers Festival, with the hope that it might provide some opportunities to exhibit.

All ready to marble now

My second order from ZigZag arrived very promptly, again. I now have a further 20 sticks of FP and a ‘marbling comb’. I also rushed out and bought an electric frypan, so I can use the griddle method recommended for marbling. So now I am all raring to go!

Joined the Friendly Plastic Yahoo Group

I have joined the Friendly Plastic Yahoo Group and also discovered the Friendly Plastic Blog, http://friendlyplastic.blogspot.com. Through this I received notification of the 'Marbling Magic Design Challenge' – a competition to design up to five pendants from Friendly Plastic, using marbling techniques.

As I want to try marbling, I thought this would be a good thing to enter, as it would give me something to make from my practice pieces, even though I have never ventured into jewellery before. Also, the prize is a stash of Friendly Plastic, which would be good to win, as I need to build up a stock. I will need to order some more supplies first.

Friendly Plastic strips arrive

Yesterday, I ordered a some strips of Friendly Plastic out of curiousity, from www.zigzag.co.nz. To my amazement they arrived today - I could not believe how quickly they came. And what fabulous metallic colours.

Without having all the necessary equipment, I just had to have a play with it and I was pleased with my first attempt at melting the plastic. It definitely has potential and I feel fired up with enthusiasm.

Introduction

On 28 February 2009, I emigrated from the UK to Auckland, New Zealand. A naturally creative person, I have tried most types of painting media and many crafts. This new chapter in my life has brought renewed inspiration and also a new medium to try – Friendly Plastic.

This blogspot will replace the paper diary I used to keep, for recording some of my creative thoughts, ideas and experiences. As I write this, I intend to experiment and perfect my techniques with Friendly Plastic. However, from my past record, as time goes by my working medium may change and so this blogspot will change and develop too.