How do I make Swirl-StoNZ?
Selected colours of polymer modelling clay are
rolled into a ball and rotated with a flat piece of acrylic or glass. It can take up to 100 rotations to pull the colours round into the swirl pattern* and create the lentil shape. I often add some extra detail, incorporating images or words into the patterns as they inspire. Each one is unique. To finish, they are baked for approximately one hour to harden and preserve the design.
I call the resulting lentils ‘StoNZ’, as they are created here in New Zealand. They can be made in your choice of colours or personalised – please ask for special requests.
*The swirl pattern is reminiscent of the Maori 'koru' symbol, which represents new beginnings, growth and harmony.
Photos showing the making process:
 |
| 2. It is conditioned
until pliable, and the colours can be mixed |
 |
| 3. Selected colours
are rolled into thin lengths and laid out |
 |
| 4. The lengths are
chopped into lots of small pieces |
 |
| 5. The pieces are randomly
mixed for a good spread of colour |
 |
| 6. A roller is used
to compress the pieces into a sheet |
 |
| 7. The sheet is hand
rolled and twisted into a log |
 |
| 8. Gradually the log
is compressed and shaped to form a ball |
 |
| 9. The ball is
rotated many times with a flat piece of Perspex |
 |
| 10. Additional thin
lines of colour may be added |
 |
| 11. The final shape
is hand finished and smoothed |
 |
| 12. It is baked to
harden at 130o C for approximately 1 hour |
This is an un-edited 'live time' video:
