Polymer and Wire - Laura Tabakman Jewelry

Over the years, Laura Tabakman has developed
a broad range of polymer jewelry including
pieces that are geometric and architectural
along with some that are more relaxed
and organic in style.

My favorites are her

hand-sculpted floral necklaces featuring

delicate-as-tissue-paper blossoms.
 

Created using polymer and wire

these particular floral designs

look like gently-brushed watercolors.

 

 

Some of these pieces remind me

of work created with glass, especially

when it seems like light

is traveling through them.

See more of her work at

Laura Tabakman’s website.

Layers of Dimension & Texture - Betsy Baker Jewelry

Betsy Baker interprets in polymer clay

 various smooth and textured surfaces of

natural materials like marble, rock, sand, linen

and paper, using numerous mixed-media

surface techniques. Once that portion of her work

is done it's then combined with a focal point of

hand-forged fine and sterling silver.

Her meticulous attention to surface effects allows

for a wide range of patterns and textures, as well as

investigations of color, dimension and geometric forms.

These forms blend harmoniously

with those tiny focal points. Each embellishment is

protectively placed into a recessed opening

 reminiscent of a window or portal to

another enchanting dimension.

 

There is a lot to admire and to enjoy in her jewelry. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One's attention is continuously drawn to 

multiple levels of distinctive

dimensional and textural effects. 

It's not easy to select a favorite.

 

Be sure to visit Betsy Baker's website
to see all of her work.

 

Fun and Colorful - Liz Hall Jewelry

 Colorful jewelry created by Liz Hall

makes me think of fun every time I see it.

Her work is recognizable yet most of it

is one of a kind.

Creating her elaborate work with PMC

and embellishing it with stones, polymer clay,

 glass, or whatever other found objects

 may catch her eye, this artist

has a wonderful ability to translate her ideas

into delightful and intricate compositions

of ever-changing patterns and sequences.

It never gets dull.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a whole lot more to
see on her website.

 

Polymer Treasures - Judy Kuskin Jewelry

There is no doubt that
Judy Kuskin has a

strong, recognizable style

With roots in metalworking, she

combines traditional metalsmithing techniques

with contemporary techniques in
polymer to create work that is

as noteworthy as it is beautiful.

Her one-of-a-kind pieces incorporate
a soothing use of natural earth tones.

 

 

I especially appreciate her asymmetrical
yet balanced designs.

She creates intriguing displays of

dense richness and complexity.

To see more of her work

visit Judy Kuskin's website.

Zen Inspired Beauty - Tish Collins Jewelry

There is alot to experience in the zen-inspired jewelry created by Tish Collins.

Whether in her polymer work or her metal series, most of her pieces depict a tableau of images and words that seek to describe universal experiences and emotions.

Her colorful and thought-provoking designs are based on shape, color and pattern. Her use of her collages within her jewelry evoke symbols and imagery from various cultures.

 

Her metal pieces are hand fabricated from etched, patterned and oxidized metals, and each component adds so much to the overall effect.

Each piece is an experience to enjoy.

For more images and information about her work, visit Tish Collin's website.

Exhibition - Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads

Every so often something truly

groundbreaking occurs.

The Polymer Collection at the

Racine Art Museum will make its

debut this weekend.

To celebrate the establishment of

this permanent collection

 RAM is showing a group exhibition

of polymer artists who are considered

 the groundbreaking,

early adopters of this specific material.

The purpose of this exhibit is to highlight

 the history and development of polymer

 art and craft over the last 30 years.

Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads

reflects on the history of all things polymer.

Featuring a comprehensive collection of

over 200 objects made of polymer,

it includes jewelry, sculptural objects,

 and furniture.

This exhibition features exemplary pieces from

34 artists. From this large group a smaller group of

 "8 Boundary Breakers" are being showcased.

These artists are recognized for their

extraordinary contributions to the field.

The "Boundary Breakers" are Bonnie Bishoff and

J.M. Syron, Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Kathleen Dustin,

Steven Ford and David Forlano, Tory Hughes,

Cynthia Toops, Pier Voulkos, and Elise Winters.

Each will be represented by new work as

well as historical pieces showing their

experimentation with polymer.

Other participating artists include: Jamey Allen,

Kathleen Amt, Rachel Carren, Dan Cormier,

 Debra DeWolff,  Gwen Gibson, Linda Goff, Michael Grove,

Ruth Anne Grove, Lindly Haunani, Carl Hornberger,

 Donna Kato, Ronnie Kirsch, Judy Kuskin, Maggie Maggio,

Wendy Wallin Malinow, Sandra McCaw, Linda Pedersen,

Nan Roche, Sarah Shriver, Carol Simmons,

Barbara Sperling, Melanie West, and Amy Zinman.

 Additionally, this exhibition will be memorialized

by an accompanying

illustrated hardcover 140-page book,

 "Terra Nova:  Polymer at the Crossroads"

published by RAM.

It includes portfolio sections highlighting

each of the exhibition's "Boundary Breakers"

with images of their work, a brief artist statement

 and a concise exhibition history. 

The exhibition will run

October 21, 2011 through February 5, 2012.

For more information see the

Racine Art Museum website.

All photos via Polymer Art Archive