Through the roof

[su_youtube url=”http://youtu.be/x6NX0Zsmo1o”]

Thanks to you, the Samunnat Raise the Roof project is building a second story for our Nepalese sisters! Since donations have come from around the world, it takes a while to transfer funds and reconcile currencies. Not to mention that PayPal decided to closely scrutinize the Nepal/Australia account that was suddenly receiving funds. That caused delay in the final tabulation (over $10,000).

But all is well. The builder has been given the go-ahead and the blocks and cement are on their way. You have provided a secure and safe base for Samunnat to flourish. In this 2-minute video, several of the women talk about themselves and express their gratitude as project administrator Kopila Basnet translates.

If you have a few last-minute gifts to purchase, pay it forward by making a donation and printing out a gift card to put under the tree. Fencing, furniture, maintenance and other items present continuing challenges and your donations are put to good use. Keep on clicking!

Thank you, PCD readers and friends. I’ll be traveling to Nepal after EuroSynergy in Malta this spring to bring you more first-hand reports.

Rubiks scrap

I bet you have a pile of holiday scrap mounting up in your studio waiting to be turned into something wonderful. France’s Pinklily (Sandrine Arevalo Zamora) has just the new trick you need and her pictures are so complete that you won’t need any translation. She calls it the Rubik’s Cube Effect.

No fancy tools or solutions required. Assemble your most colorful scrap, some screening, netting, or needlework canvas (she uses “gardening mesh”), black clay and you’re set.

Maggie Maggio first pointed this out to me and I take that as a stamp of approval. Enjoy! Here’s Pinklily on Facebook.

Polymer thief

Jewel Thief challenged Claire Wallis to work with a large cane. She’d wanted to create a magpie for some time and this one ended up as a tree ornament. The cane is subtly shaded and the diamond was made using these instructions from Tranchedecane.

See more of Claire’s work on her Deviant site, on Flickr, and on Facebook. Thanks to Sonya Girodon for catching this link. Here’s hoping you catch some fun this weekend.

Rustic polymer

This rustic feather pendant from BungalowMoon shows how polymer can be used effectively as a canvas for painting with inks.

Shop owner Trina drew and painted the colorful stylized freeform feather directly onto the off-white cured 2″ long clay oval. She then distressed the rough cut sides and applied a clear sealer.

We don’t know much more about Trina. She lets her style tell her story and we’re sure to be seeing more. Thanks to Dede Leupold for sending the link.

Polymer fight cloud

France’s Tracey Stevens (Polyflavour) launched an Indegogo campaign to help finance her booth at the Grand Marché de Noel de Créateurs show.

Her polymer canes are inspired by cartoons from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. “I want people to know the source of my inspiration and to watch the cartoons, look at the comics and learn more about them and hopefully share my fascination when they wear and display my work,” she explains.

Tracey’s exciting and complex Fight Cloud bowl is one of the perks from her campaign. Cartoon characters tangle inside the bowl while on the outside, large versions of their features become abstract art.

I don’t know how PCD overlooked Polyflavour and thanks to a hint from reader Jody Newman, she’s now on board. Tracey’s videos show her making canes, she’s got an Etsy shop and a Facebook page to acquaint you with her comical art.

Modern mosaics

Prague’s Pavla Cepelikova gathered samples of her polymer mosaic lentil beads into one long strand of color and pattern. She sells a tutorial that shows simple step-by-step instructions.

This technique was first taught by Amelia Helm in the 90’s. I took Amelia’s class back then and am happy to have updated lessons based on today’s polymer formulations, inks and materials. Pavla’s been refining her methods for quite some time (PCD featured her early mosaics a year ago). Follow along with her work on Facebook and on Flickr as well.

Cranky Monday

Karina Formanova from Russia made this polymer Crank character for her friend based on the friend’s avatar. (This may be a cultural icon. If so, please educate me.)

The hair is in charming dissaray, the eyes are bugged, and the look is so totally cold winter Monday that I couldn’t resist. And wow, Karina has some gems buried in Flickr and on her shop page – something new to shake up your Monday.

Immaterial polymer

Jeff Dever’s mixed media Violet Midnight necklace made of silk flower petals, wire, polymer and a ping pong ball will be part of the 19th annual Craft Forms show at the Wayne Art Center in Wayne, Pennsylvania for the coming month.

Jeff’s necklace was part of a series of jewelry he made from found materials as he developed his Immaterial lecture series. Flip through the Craft Forms catalog online to find the polymer and silver work of Carolyn Tillie in the show as well.

Last month Jeff’s works were on view at the SOFA Chicago show at the Hedone Gallery where he is represented. Here’s Jeff on the first night of the show surrounded by his graceful sculptures that look like they’ve just landed at the event. More pix on Jeff’s Facebook page. Note how well Jeff wears his own work at shows!

Open hearts!

We are closing in fast on the Raise the Roof goal, hoping that our weekend readers will take us over the top. With funds coming from supporters around the globe, tabulating the amounts gets complicated and we’ll have a firm number soon.

Our hearts are bursting with gratitude. This heart’s from Ron Lehocky who will add cow-shopping his list of holiday activities!

Thanks to all who clicked on links until you found ones that worked. We appreciate your persistence and encourage you to keep on clicking to send the tally through the roof!

Polymer rolex

Spain’s Sona Grigoryan created her own Rolex, or as she has named it, a Sonex, out of watch parts and polymer. Her drawings and paper prototypes show us how she worked out the design. In her words it’s an organic/mechanic combination.

Sona’s influences are wide-ranging – from Gaudi to Leonardo. Her designs are fearless and always tinged with the flavor of her Armenian home.

Tired of designs in the safe zone? Sonia’s one of the artists to check to find out what’s happening on the edge. Here she is on Facebook.

Real polymer santas

This 3-inch round santa is built over glass and painted with oils in multiple coats by Doreen Kassel. Her 2013 ornaments were awarded a 2013 Niche Award. A former illustrator, Doreen loves to tell stories with polymer characters.

Read more about Doreen’s Uncommon Creatures and her own story. There’s a whole box of Santas on her Facebook page.

If you were skeptical about Santa being real and the story being true, look no further. We wished and hoped for the funds for the Raise the Roof project and you Santas delivered.

We’re nearly three quarters of the way to the goal in only a few days. The Santas have come disguised as polymer artists, as the international guild and as friends of friends who’ve never heard of polymer clay. Lots of you bought tools on Cyber Monday which gave us a big boost thanks to Lee Ann Armstrong.

Please join the Santas and help with that last quarter push to the goal.

‹ 1 2 3 ›