Wire Decorators

Do your stencil and stamp designs leave a little to be desired? If you've looked for easier tools with better results, you're not alone! These wire decorator tools are great for getting the look you want with much less effort. We were excited to try these after a few of our customers recommended them to us. And what a great recommendation that was! Once we got started, we were able to create this beautiful platter in no time.

Each kit comes with a set of directions and a tin for your paint. Simply select the shape you want, dip into your paint tin, and stamp onto the piece! Make sure to dip your tool back into the paint between each application. It's also important to keep a thick layer of paint in your tin, so that the tool picks up an even amount. (Tip: in order to waste less paint, let the tins dry once you're done and create paint chips!)

We think these tool will be great for beginners and seasoned artists alike, since the possibilities and combinations are endless. The kits come with nine different shapes that you can mix and match to create patterns or shapes. We had a lot of fun with this project, and it was super simple! 

Hydrangea Haven

Your customers will love this sweetly springy platter!

Materials

177 Metropolitan Coupe Platter 
CN112-8 Bright Delft 
CN121-8 Light Nautical 
CN182-8 Bright Kiwi 
CN202-8 Bright Grey 
CN244-8 Really White 
CN263-8 Dark Grape 
CN342-8 Bright Pink 
CN505-8 Neon Green

Tools

KDS13 Decorator Set 1

9599 Hydra Art Sponge

9630 Detail Writer Bottle
9636 Medium Writer Tip

R2850-4 Royal Aqualon Fan Brush No. 4

RAQUA144 Assorted Royal Aqualon Brushes

1.   Lightly wipe ware with a damp sponge to prepare surface for painting.

2.   Layer CN244 and CN112 and CN121 on your palette. Dip a fan brush into the paint mixture, making sure to keep the colors separate. Spread in long horizontal strokes across the platter to create a sky. Remember to frequently refresh the paints to keep the colors distinct.

3.   Apply a quick coat of CN505 with a fan brush along the bottom of your platter. Create details in the grass with a quick light stroke of CN182.

4.   Using your square spiral wire tool, create butterflies with CN342, CN263 and CN262. Add lines and dots in alternating colors. Then, create the small butterflies with the diamond Kemper tool. 

5.   Dip the spiral tool into CN342. Start creating the shape of your hydrangea, dipping the tool into the paint between each application. Let CN342 dry for about ten minutes and start your second layer with CN262. Once that layer has dried, add a final layer of CN244 with your spiral tool to blend the colors.

6.   Use a Detail Writer filled with CN202 to fill in the shape of the flowers. 

7.   Add stems to your flowers using CN505 with CN182 accents.Alternate the leaf wire tool on either side of the stem.

8.   Let dry. Dip in Pure Brilliance Clear Glaze and fire to cone 06.

 We hope you enjoy this project! While you're at it, make sure to check out our improved Resources area with tons of Technique Sheets!

Happy painting :)  

Studio Spotlight: Bisque Imports Studio Advisory Board

 

Pictured from Left: Stephanie Magennis, Trisha King, Hillary Moulliet, Katie Yallaly, Shana Bridges, Julia McNair

I love working on a team. Hearing other people’s opinions and ideas is refreshing and helps the entire organization move forward together. Listening to our customers and acting on what they say is even better!

Earlier this year, the Bisque Imports Crew invited six of our customers to become the inaugural Studio Advisory Board. They graciously agreed to join us for a two-day discussion about how Bisque Imports can be a better partner to our customers and better member of the industry at large. Since they share the same values and passion for the industry as we do the guidance these studio owners gave us has been of utmost importance and value as we move forward. We asked for their feedback and boy did we get it! These savvy studio owners know what they want and were collectively a great voice of inspiration and to us. They challenged us to look at the way we present our products, gave us direction in product design and helped us understand what is really important to our customers. We have already begun implementing many of their suggestions and are working diligently to fulfill the items on their wish lists. It was really a fun meeting and we enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other better personally and professionally.

The people within our industry are such a great resource! I have not seen other industries share as much as paint-your-own pottery studios and am always pleased to hear from any customer that calls with ideas, comments and constructive criticism. As our mission statement indicates: Bisque Imports exists to make our customers, company and industry successful through determination, creativity and passion.

Thank you to our Studio Advisory Board for sharing your time, ideas and passion for the industry with us!

Stephanie Magennis
Ceramics In The City
Denver, CO
http://www.ceramicsinthecity.com/

Trisha King
The Royal Brush
Columbia, TN
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Royal-Brush/115943734430?sk=info

Hillary Moulliet
Art Space Studio
Charlotte, NC
http://www.artspacestudio.com/

Katie Yallaly
Doing Dishes
Jacksonville, FL
http://www.doingdishes.com/#!

Shana Bridges
Sunshine Glaze
Southlake, TX
http://www.sunshineglaze.com/

Julia McNair
Do It Yourself Crafts
Birmingham, AL
http://doityourselfcrafts.com/

Do what you love, love what you do!

-Crista

New Glass Bits Blog

Hello friends! We've got a new glass project for you! Head over to our Glass Bits Blog to check out the Nifty Name Plaque Project. http://bit.ly/oSMFTc

From now on, all project ideas and blog content will be located here, so you're in the right place! Chris will still be bringing us all the best advice on glass fusing, and Crista will serve up the studio spotlight, while I'll bring you everything in between! Now it's one blog with three times the content. Sounds pretty sweet to us.

We're working away on tons of great things that will soon be coming down the pipeline, straight into your studio. Stay tuned!