Posts Tagged ‘designs’

Jun

Strandbeest: Beach Striding Lifeforms by Theo Jansen

Posted by: Kenneth Rougeau in Art & Artists, Sculpture

Kinetic artist Theo Jansen creates complex and bizarre new lifeforms that the artist hopes will one day roam the ocean-sides in herds. The creatures, called Strandbeests, at first glance may look more on the order of installation art than a living thing, but more than a cursory look will have you exclaiming, “It’s alive!”

Strandbeest by Theo Jansen

Jansen explains, “Since 1990 I have been occupied creating new forms of life. Not pollen or seeds but plastic yellow tubes are used as the basic material of this new nature. I make skeletons that are able to walk on the wind, so they don’t have to eat. Over time, these skeletons have become increasingly better at surviving the elements such as storms and water and eventually I want to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives.”

Strandbeests by Theo Jansen

Theo Jansen has evolved his Strandbeests several generations over the twenty years he’s been working on them. They have become increasingly adapted to their harsh environment (the sand and sea), can be programmed to understand where they are on the beach & in which direction they are going, and have even be taught to have a sense of self-preservation; one Strandbeest creature was designed to pin itself safely down when it detected high winds. Incredibly impressive for a series of plastic tubes, bottles & string!

Strandbeest by Theo Jansen

Most recently, Theo has been trying out his lastest model, the Animaris Siamesis. “The Siamesis is a twin animal, which is armed against strong winds. The two animals hold each other and prevent in this way being blown over. It has the largest wind stomach untill now, so it can save a lot of spare wind. Since the wind has been the friend and enemy of the strandbeests, the Siamesis is a significant step in evolution.”

Strandbeest by Theo Jansen

Jansen will be testing the Animaris Siamesis June 25, 2010 through June 27, 2010 from 2pm to 4pm on the beach of Exmouth UK, and again in the same area/time from July 2, 2010 until July 4, 2010. If you’re in the United Kingdom or plan to be during these times, it would certainly be a magnificent sight so don’t miss it (and send me pictures)!

Strandbeest by Theo Jansen

A film about Theo Jansen & his Strandbeest creations is also in the works. For more information & a behind-the-scenes look, visit http://www.strandbeestmovie.com/.

Behind the Scenes - Strandbeest The Movie

If you’re interested in learning to creature similar kinetic sculptures, you’ll be happy to know that Theo Jansen‘s Strandbeest designs have been re-invented on the small scale for those of you with K’nex brand motorized construction toys.

Read the tutorial
on Instructables.com

K'Nex Strandbeest

While the small motorized design is limited, it’s still really neat & would make a great family project. Read the comments for lots of great tips from others who’ve tried the design.

Strandbeest by Theo Jansen

For more information on
Strandbeests
visit Theo Jansen at
http://www.strandbeest.com/

Strandbeest by Theo Jansen

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Tags: adapted, Animals, animaris siamesis, artist, beaches, behind the scenes, bizarre, designs, evolved, exmout, exmouth uk, film, harsh environment, herds, installation art, instructables, jansen, k'nex, kinetic art, kinetic artist, kinetic sculptures, lifeforms, motorized, plastic, plastic tubes, programmed, self-preservation, siamesis, skeletons, storms, strandbeest, strandbeest movie, strandbeests, surviving the elements, theo, theo jansen, theo jansen's strandbeest, tutorial, united kingdom, walk on the wind

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Aug

Today On Paperstreet: Making Photo Charm Pendants

Posted by: Charlotte Self in Jewelry Design, Techniques & Tutorials

oday on PaperStreet we’re sharing a tutorial for making Glass Photo Charm Pendants, from our friend Chelle Lee, aka Mystic Moons. Chelle is a yoga instructor, jewelry designer and jewelry maker, and an amazing person to speak with about all things metaphysical. She makes and sells Inspired Unique Handmade Jewelry. Chelle says, “The inspiration for my jewelry comes from the things in life that inspire and interest me.” Her jewelry designs are a lovely expression of her mystic spirituality.

I’ve been adding pendant images to our digital collage sheets collection. I’ve still not made a real dent in the collection though, there are so many more to list! If you don’t see what you need here you can always check out our PaperStreet Etsy shop or our PaperStreet Artfire shop.

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I love making these little works of altered art for photo charm jewelry, and I love the challenge when I’m asked to come up with new images. I also love to see what our customers do with our images.

Chelle, or Mystic, as I like to call her, makes beautiful glass pendants from some of our images. .Here are three pendants she made from our Wiccan Charms collection.

Black Widow Glass Pendant

She’s also given us an easy to follow glass pendant tutorial.

Glass Pendant Tutorial
By Chelle Lee ~ Mystic Moons Shop

Materials needed: Judi Kins Diamond Glaze, E6000 Glue, Judi Kins MicroGlaze, 1×1 Glass Tile, 1×1 Image, piece of paper backing, medium silver bail and scissors.

**You can find everything you need to make beautiful glass pendants, photo magnets and many other fun crafts at thosesweetsensations on Artfire** She even has a Complete Crystal Clear Glass Pendant kit.

Materials Needed

Step 1: Apply a VERY small amount of Microglaze to the image. This keeps the ink in place and prevents smudging. Wipe of any excess with a clean cloth.

apply microglaze

Step 2: Apply Judi Kins Diamond Glaze to the textured side of the glass tile. Once the tile is covered flip it over and place it on the image and press down firmly. Don’t worry about the glaze coming out of the edges.

apply diamond glaze

Let the tile sit and dry

Let the tile dry

Step 3: Cut the excess paper away from the glass tile and clean any glue stuck to the sides off. It comes off pretty easy.

Cut off excess paper

Step 4: Flip the tile over and apply a thin layer of Judi Kins Diamond Glaze to the back of the tile. Have your backing ready (placed upside down)

apply thin layer of diamond glaze to back

Step 5: Once you have the tile covered, flip it over and place it on the backing and allow this to dry. Again, don’t worry about the glaze coming out the sides.

apply backing

Step 6: Once this is dry (about 15-20 minutes) you can cut away the backing to the size of the tile. Cut tight to the glass and make nice clean cuts.

trim backing paper

Step 7: Turn the tile over so the backing is facing up. Get your bail and glue ready

prepare to glue the bail in place

Step 8: Put a small dab of E6000 on the inside of the silver bail and glue it onto the backing at the top of the pendant. Let that dry. At this point I usually allow the pieces to dry over night.

glue the bail in place

This is the finished product. Hang them from leather or a chain and enjoy!! Although they are very study they are not waterproof. To keep them looking lovely do not shower, bath or swim with your pendant on.

the finished product

Many thanks to Chelle for sharing her technique and her time with us. Be sure to visit her Mystic Moons Shop website and her Mystic Moons Shop on Artfire.

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