Art Elements August Theme: Octopus Blog Hop Reveal
I love that Claire picked Octopus as our August theme (Art Elements Blog). They are one of the most interesting creatures that inhabit the oceans here on our planet. I love how they can transform their body shape and move super slinkily.
A few years ago I made these needle felted octopus, and I always wanted to get back to seeing about making their suckers out of some “O” ring beads. I had in mind making some small pieces that could be used as earrings, but as I started working, they just got bigger. So I embraced it and went with it. If they were any smaller, the beads would have had to decrease in size as well.
I then added some spots for color using the tiniest amounts of top coat wool.
I was in the studio creating some “fall” themed beads and I thought that I could make some tentacle inspired curved pieces – and that these could be earring sized or as a focal piece. Here are some photos of the process.
I love using stylus tools for carving into the balls (I use them for carving my texture plates for all my other designs too).
Bisque firing all the pieces can be touching. The glaze firing not so much.
Soon I will be fiddling with finished designs and making more tentacles with my chocolate stoneware clay body as well (for a more rustic look). These are literally just out of the kiln and put into photos, barely cool enough to hold.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this post, and thanks to Claire for picking this fun theme. Please take some time and check out some of the other participants of this months blog hop (thank you for participating if you are one of these artists!)
Guest artists:
Cat
Evie and Beth
Hope
Karen
Kathy
Melissa
Michelle
Rozantia
Sarajo
Tammy
Art Elements Team:
Cathy
Claire
Jenny
Laney
Lindsay
Marsha (you are here)
Tentacles galore! I love them all, Marsha <3
Thank you Cat! 🙂
So much fun! I can see those adorned on many a piece of artist jewellery 😀
Thank you Laney! I hope to get making soon 🙂
I always love your beads and the tentacle beads are a great addition to your collection.
Thanks Kathy!
I have never seen 32 gauge wire. It must be tiny!! In any case, your felted octopi are so great! Using the o-rings for the suckers was inspired! And, your ceramic drops – DROOL!!
Love, love, love all the tentacles. I love how the octopus uses them to open up jars and also swim through the ocean. They are so majestic as they glide. It sure will be fun to use all those tentacles in jewelry pieces!
Yes, chocolate stoneware tentacles! I cannot wait. But until then, your felted octopus and tentacles are so awesome and I love those ceramic tentacles fresh from the kiln. Those green glazes are glorious.
I LOVE the needle felted octopus-his eyes are so cool. But those felted tentacles with the O beads-perfect. I think having the wire inside to twist them into shape is genius. If they’re too big for earrings, I can see them as Christmas ornaments;-) I also love your clay tentacles for earrings and pendants. Those glazes are just marvelous for octopus tentacles.
The tentacles are outstanding! I keep envisioning them as a focal on a necklace. Wonderful!
Those tentacles are so cool
ALL my fav glazes on those tentacles! Looks great! Any plans to felt another? Just curious!
Ooh I like those ceramic tentacles, a lot!
Loving all the tentacles you made! Smart idea with those O beads. I adore that big felted octopus… amazing!
I love your felted octopus and tentacles, fantastic pieces!
Love the felted octopuses and tentacles! The construction of the tentacles is so creative! The ceramic dangles will be perfect for earrings!