I am active on a polymer clay forum and have started a challenge. Each month or so we will be trying a different technique, color combination or what ever to help us develop new skills. The challenges are set at the first of the month and by the end of the month, we just have to post pictures of what we have done.
Since I came up with the idea, I get to “pick” the first challenge. Oh, what to do! I know that many people have not tried mokume gane but I really enjoy doing that technique and currently have two different blocks of it on my work table with the pains to make at least one more. (I have a one in purples and one in blues and silver and am planing on doing on in pinks, red, whites and gold.) I could also choose doing something with alcohol inks but I am not sure how many people have them or want to buy them. (Alcohol inks are expensive but you use very little of them to get the effect that you want so they last for ever, it seems.) I am not into color combinations right now, I tend to stick to the tried and true ones. I also use the color wheel and figure out how to make the colors work together.
I am thinking that I might do a texture challenge. I don’t do a lot with texture but I have seen some wonderful pieces done with just texture. I am think that that might be a good challenge. To create a piece that is accented with textures only, no different colors or hues, just texture.