Changing colors

Leslie Aja eases us into fall with Toops-inspired beads on PolymerClayDaily

These beads from California’s Leslie Aja ease us back to fall. Leslie was inspired by early beads created by Cynthia Toops.

On Leslie’s Instagram, she features several groupings of simple beads in striking colors. Their simplicity and strong colors strike just the right note as the season begins to change.

Need more? Come on over to StudioMojo this weekend where we’ll finish our wrapup of fall events and look at what products and ideas are on the horizon. 

Runway polymer

Chiara Curreli hits the runway with updated designs on PolymerClayDaily.com

Whenever you’re feeling apologetic about our plastic art form and its hippie roots, take in the trendy vibes from Sardinia’s Duecentogrammi’s fashion runway photos.

This is not your grandma’s polymer…or it doesn’t have to be. Check Chiara Curreli out on Instagram.

All sides are created equal

Arden Bardol considers all sides in her Multi-Dot series on PolymerClayDaily

Delaware’s Arden Barbol was trained as an architect and that strongly informs her approach to her polymer jewelry. Her latest Multi Dots series appear in the drool-worthy issue of the Artful Home catalog.

“I usually describe my work as rich in complexity and simple in form. I focus on thoughtful craftsmanship and pay attention to the detail on every side of a composition, embracing the notion of edges, yet excluding the idea of front or back. All sides are created equal.”

See all the polymer artists represented in Artful Home and enjoy seeing Arden’s pieces on models. She shows even more of her art on Facebook.

Scandi style

Alison Wren writes a cryptic note on PolymerClayDaily.com

Manchester’s Alison Wren (White Larch Designs) stamps a cryptic bit of text into polymer and suspends the pendant at an off-kilter angle. She says Scandi style (Scandinavian) and nature influence her minimalist bent.

Alison’s a newbie on Instagram and her first effort resonates.

Back to polymer school


Cynthia Tinapple finds that Sculpey Clear offers new photo transfer options on polymerclyadaily.com

What a treat to discover (thanks to Syndee Holt) that Liquid Sculpey Clear can be used for photo transfers! Here is my brother doing his 1950s cowboy imitation.

For me, this opens up a whole new avenue for bringing computers, photos, and wood together somehow and my head is abuzz with ideas.

That’s what happens at a polymer gathering! Fires are lit and then you return home to work out the details. I’m both exhausted and rejuvenated. Want to improve your work? Take yourself back to school and experimenting this fall!

New twists and turns

Ginger Davis Allman gives translucent a new twist on PolymerClayDaily.com

Ginger Davis Allman showed us her twist on lampworking in polymer during her session about the current state of translucent polymers. Products from three manufacturers are combined to make Ginger’s glowing twist (one for structure, one for color, one for the finish).

Having a poor network connection and little access to news turns out to be a good thing as we focus on new possibilities. By day four of five, the creative sparks are flying.

No-fail petals

Carol Blackburn's no-fail graphic pin on PolymerClayDaily.com

UK’s Carol Blackburn creates stripes and patterns from scrap that have been all the rage. She’s developed simple steps that result in mod and textile-like patterns. See them on Facebook.

Some of the results she fashions into flawlessly constructed boxes. For those of us who need easier projects and instant gratification, she offers designs like these graphic Pinwheel Pins. Don’t you love a no-fail design?

Room for mementos

Laurel Swetnam swaps her footed bowls on PolymerClayDaily.com

These sweet little footed polymer bowls from Portland’s Laurel Swetnam were part of an annual swap. Luscious palette with a hint of northwest patterning.

Who doesn’t have room on a windowsill or dresser for one little memento?

Laurel Swetnam swaps her footed bowls on PolymerClayDaily.com

This year we have only the office phone and a rationed amount of bandwidth on the network but you probably won’t mind short posts, will you?

 

FOLT helpers

Leslie Blackford's pop-folk art revived on PolymerClayDaily.com

Kentucky’s Leslie Blackford revived an early series of her works with this FOLT (Finders of Lost Things) character. He has buna cord hair and a recovered treasure in his hand.

These are handy helpers at a conference like this one where we regularly misplace things. See more of Leslie’s pop-folk art on her Instagram.

Treasured bees

Jennifer Patterson layers a natural scene on Polymer Clay Daily.com

Minnesota’s Jennifer Patterson (QuiltedInClay) has been busy creating wares for her upcoming Duluth show.

You’ll have to look more closely to get the full effect of the layers here. You’ll discover the translucent bee wings that show the petals below. Remarkable.

Jennifer is famous for her extruded quilt patterns and disk sets. Here she veers off course for one-off pieces that are good for her heart and her mojo.

Oh yes, speaking of mojo, join us for Saturday’s StudioMojo where we’ll be dealing with what turtles teach us about anxiety and traveling.