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Polymer clay isn't very readily available where I live, so I used another alternative: cold porcelain, which ...
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January 14th 2010

Inexplicable Forces

Filed under: Philosophy, Walk of life

Have you ever felt like there was an unknown force working against you in ways you couldn’t explain?

Like when you’re reading a book and a ginormous cockroach lands next you. The kind that inevitably flies in your direction. You let out a scream and jump off the bed only to realize that it’s running towards you. Running. On its nimbly legs. From across the bed. And before you know it, you’re locked in the bathroom with your book, thinking, “That could’ve happened to anyone.”

A chapter later, you figure it’s safe to venture out and notice the pillow that somehow landed on the floor. You stoop to pick it up and scream as your fingers touch antennae. Within seconds, the pillow flies across the room and you watch with a touch of amusement as it scurries across the floor into some dark crevice.

That, too, could’ve happened to anyone.

Then later at night when all is silent and you find yourself immersed in the world of Lady Gaga videos, you feel an annoying itch. It’s too dark to see, and you absently brush the feeling away. But the itch remains. And this time, it moves. You freeze as you finally comprehend.

It’s only later when you’re standing there – throat raw, breathing labored, and a few articles of clothing missing, that you realize that maybe, just maybe, some inexplicable, terrible force was out to get you after all.

Because, surely, that couldn’t have happened to just anyone.

January 10th 2010

Porcelain Clay Charms & Things

Filed under: Art & Crafts

The sad thing about living in this side – or actually, just living in India is that some things are just hard to find. Like Polymer Clay or Fimo? I guess it’s called. And instead of ordering online, I decide to go for another alternative: Cold Porcelain Clay. That’s glue, flour cornstarch, and some other odd stuff over the stove. Yes, I cooked glue. It was fascinating. :D

After some research online, I found I could get away with substituting Nivea for cold cream, and Vaseline for glycerin which I did have at home. It air dries, so there is no need to consume electricity or draw unwanted attention to the tray with smiley faces on it. But it shrinks as it dries, so it’s not perfect.

But here’s what I’ve made so far:

I used heavy silver eye make up, purple hair dye, and black stamping ink to color them and then sealed them with clear nail polish. The texture ones were made from pressing the clay into irregular surfaces, painting over with black and then lightly brushing over silver.

Those are the only painted/finished ones I’ve made so far. Clear nail polish, by the way, has no longevity. So until I order in some Sculpey Glaze, I left the rest unpainted/unglazed:

Unpainted Charms

The Unpainted Charms: sad, and neglected