PMC Paste Fuschia

[Kwant]

This fuschia flower was the most difficult real flower painted with PMC paste I have done to date. The problem with it being, I discovered, fuschias are loaded with nectar. This made the paste dry much slower but at the same time the weight of the paste made the petals droop. After much propping and teasing of the paste, applying it to different areas to give support to the petals at their weak points, eventually I got it done.

I made the stamens from 0.5mm and 0.8mm wire, soldered on to a long piece which I poked through before firing, thinking the shrinkage would grip it. It did not, but all was well as the hole at least was there to deal with after.

[snow_imp]

I like that a lot.

[emroyjewels]

Ooh - very nice! I love fuschias, wish I had the patience to play with PMC. My one and only attempt was an expensive disaster, so I really admire those that can. Great job!

[Dennis]

Very special, but what if Harrrods wanted 6 dozen for Christmas? Dennis.

[Kwant]

Well Dennis, I expect if that were ever the case, I would do as I imagine most of the suppliers to Harrods do, and outsource to penny an hour child labour in China.

[wheely]

That's so sweet! Would love to play around with PMC paste but I don't have a kiln

[Kwant]

Neither do I, I used a torch, and so far nothing has fallen apart.

[Loopy]

Beautiful!

[Bluechair]

Neither do I, I used a torch, and so far nothing has fallen apart.

What a lovely piece, fuchsias are my mums favourite flower.
How long do you let them 'glow' for when you are firing with a torch?

[Kwant]

Thank you Bluechair, as the parts of this piece kept cooling as I heated another part, I gave it a good five minutes with the torch trying to keep the heat even. I also supported it throughout the firing process in a position to minimise the collapse of the petals.

I suspect this was on the limit of the size of pieces that can be done without a kiln.