Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Orchid Class in San Antonio this month-Jan 27, 2013

 This last weekend I taught the Faux Eagle Feather class in Corpus Christi and the weekend of January 26 and 27, I'll be visiting the San Antonio Polymer Clay Guild* meeting on Saturday the 26th and teaching an Orchid class in the same place on Sunday. Price $60.00 USD.

Cattleya Orchid Pin or Pendant on Faux Bois backer board.  Orchids are widely known for their large, showy flowers. The flowers of the hybrid's can vary in size from 5 cm to 15 cm or more. They occur in all colors except true blue and black.

The typical flower has: 
1. Three rather narrow sepals.
2. Three usually broader petals as follows:
   a. Two petals are similar to each other,
   b. The third is quite different with a conspicuous lip featuring various markings and specks and an often frilly margin. At the base, the margins are folded into a tube.

Each flower stalk originates from a pseudobulb. The number of flowers varies; it can be just one or two, or sometimes up to ten.

Purple Orchid
 Materials needed:

Polymer Clay: Translucent, small amounts of white, green, purple (or red and blue), black, and brown. Optional: metallic gold and pearl clays.
Findings: Pin Back or pendant bale and neck cord.
Glue: E-6000 or Cyanoacrylate (super) glue.
Large Petal Center Color: Oil based colored pencils or acrylic or Genesis paint for throat of orchid.
Tools: Craft Tools | Stylus | craft knife with sharp, clean blade | Small pointy tool like a round toothpick.
Acrylic Paint: Burnt or Raw Umber for antiquing solution.
Water based Varnish: Must be compatible with polymer clay. Add a tiny bit of paint to a small amount of varnish. Brush onto the background to bring out the detail. May also be used to bring out the detail in the leaves. Do not use on the flower as it will give it an “antique” look.
Brushes: for varnish, paint or mica powders or chalks
Clay tools: Your favorite clay and jewelry tools, you never know....
Optional: Makin’s Extruder - Pasta Machine dedicated to clay use.

The class tutorial is three pages long with 33 full color photos, one illustration with five steps of assembling an orchid, a work sheet and two patterns.

Shown here is Step 34b, one of the photos in the tutorial showing how the central
petal is attached to the flower. The center petal is secured using a Peej Pick.
Also included are instructions to make this tiny orchid from skinner blend. It is 1/2 inch by 7/8 inch. 

If you would like to join the class, you can reach me by email.

pennijo (at) bestflexiblemolds (dot) com 

(remove the words and spaces and put the symbols as shown.)

Original design, photos, illustrations and tutorial by Penni Jo Couch 
creator of

*San Antonio Guild meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Chandler Senior Center, 137 W. French Place, 78212. (come early to set up)

Orchid on Faux Bois backer board will be in the same place Sunday at 10:00 am. $60.00 We take cash, checks or Credit Cards

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