Moonies! <pout>
I'm developing some new ideas for the WA workshop and am happy with the opal effect using Arnold Grummer flakes and liquid clay but very unhappy with the moonies that have developed on the translucent clay I like to use to protect the paint. It could be the paint's moisture that is causing the moonies although I left it to dry overnight and I've used them before without any trouble. I'm beginning to suspect it's because the air is so damp here right now...we've had two days of non stop rain here in the semi tropics and it's playing havoc with my Premo Frost! By the way, the one on the right has been sanded and buffed, I thought that it might help but it didn't so I didn't even bother with the one on the left. However, see the fine silver bail I've made and inserted...adds that touch of class doncha reckon? And this next one is kinda interesting...I like the fine silver band around the top, will make a silver bail to insert into the polymer too.

send em all to me! I love em...moonies and unsanded and all. I am an easy american yanno

LOL..funny woman. But it's interesting you say you like moonies cos I had a friend visit today and she loves them, didn't know that the moonies were unintentional and thought they actually added to the look of the piece. Ha! So your comments and hers are a good reminder to me to look at things freshly!

they are gorgeous mel i think it just adds to the effect and gives it an organic feel

Hi Mel, I don't think you'll get any complaints from us West Aussies-they are stunning! The silver setting/bail really make the pieces look special and I think the moonies just add another dimension to the pendant-so many lovely things to look at in the one piece Cheers Zarina

All delicious Mel, especially the green ones. You must have been channeling rain when you made them. In for a very wet night here. Greer

I happen to like moonies!!! I think they DO add something to a piece!! Just bring these with you when you come over...i shall take them off your hands...easy...problem solvered!!! ;)

Looks great to me!

hmmm I guess that means they won't be traveling to me here in the US? ok...I will go pout now. They are truly stupendous Mel.

Well thanks girls...at least you get the idea where I'm heading with these anyway. It's amazing to hear that you all like the moonies. Sorry Kath, guess I'll be finishing these off properly and using them as examples at the workshop after all! It's still raining out there and while that's great incentive to get cosy in the studio, I think I'll play with silver till it stops: would like to make at least one example without moonies! Thanks everyone, it's very heartening to hear I'm on the right track... :wink:

okay call me stupid...............what the hell are moonies???????????????? Never heard of em before!!!!! can't see anything that looks out of place to me so they can't be too bad. counting down the days till march!!!!!!

<grin> Moonies are roundish shaped 'moons' that can appear in translucent clays. It's actually called plaquing and is a wonderful effect when making faux stone like rose quartz or amber but a damn nuisance when you're looking for the translucent to be as clear as possible. I often use a very thin sheet #9 Premo Frost translucent as a top layer to my pieces cos it looks fabulous all sanded and buffed and generally, I can count on it to be nice and clear. In this case, I got lots plaquing probably due to the moisture in the air...so it's got milky coloured moons through out and not the transparency I was going for. It's more of a bummer if you've got a picture or a pattern underneath. If I was in fact going for the plaquing, I'd use Fimo translucent, it loves to plaque.

Any chance you will do tutes on these two designs? :mrgreen: Would love to try them out, if not :twisted: :wink:

LOL...yes Charlotte, I'll most likely write a tutorial. In fact, it's time I get my butt into gear and think about what tute I'll be writing for Australian Beading next...if it's this one, I'll get you to '-*test*-('")' it for me like you did with the MG, that way you get it about 4-6 months before the mag. Glad you like em!

Oh gosh Mel.... thsoe are gorgeous...moonies and all:-)