Perhaps the best view of the Synergy conference is from the newer polymer clay artists who were there. Cynthia Blanton continues to post pictures and her impressions. Ponsawan dropped her jaw repeatedly. “I am happy to be here among all other fine artists. The first time in 26 years living in this country, I felt I belong,” she says.
Lisa Clarke (aka Polka Dot Creations) gives a great glimpse of what she experienced.
Lisa’s a self-described “wife, mother and geek” who sells various products, publications and her own artwork on an assortment of sites. She has an impeccable color sense and creates buttons to embellish trendy fabrics and handmade items. Lisa seemed astonished when I told her that I’d been following her charming blog closely.
Be sure to see Lisa’s photo of the international attendees at the Synergy conference. We’ll soon put names to all those faces for you. I’m worn out from the long drive home and still riding high on the positive response that my keynote address received at the banquet. And I can’t miss the Oscars!
If you have any good vibes lying around, send them my way. My camera is resting under a chair in a convention hall classroom. With any luck (and your spare karma) it will be there in the morning and you’ll get your post…just a bit late.
Word is that the male polymer clay artists have dreamed up their own event, billing themselves as the “Clay Hunks.” They’re overwhelmed by our estrogen-laden atmosphere and long for something manly with more power tools.
Found the camera. Thanks. Here are a couple of quick pictures. Susan Lomuto and I are posting hurriedly from the coffee shop. The chic pendant above is from Maggie Maggio. The pin is from Linda Loew who’s new to polymer clay. I like the way it uses rough clay to good effect (similar to the European guild post the other day). 
And here’s a pile of business cards from Laura Tabakman onto which she’s glued a thin textured piece of clay stamped with her web address. On the opposite side is her normal business card. Very clever, very effective.
Cynthia Blanton gives a great update on the conference if you’d like to follow along.
Polymer clay artists from around the world are on their way to Synergy in Baltimore. England’s Carol Blackburn sent these pictures of her colorful, cheery bowls that will be offered in the silent auction.
Israel’s Iris Mishly shopped ’til she dropped in NYC and is blogging about it as she rubs her feet and prepares for the flight to Baltimore. Browse her Flickr photos from the comfort of your home. 
Germany’s Bettina Welker blogs about a layover in Cincinnati that she’s dreading. Wish I could make her brief stay in Ohio more pleasant.
Melanie West is unveiling a great new bangle design that she’ll be selling and Martha Aleo has pictures of the bracelets she’s added to the auction.
Check in with PCDaily to attend the conference virtually. I’m gathering all my techno gear, cameras and batteries to keep you in touch with the action.
LAST MINUTE DONATIONS: Bring an auction item with you to the conference. There’s still time! Simply fill out this form and present the item at your check-in (there are forms at the desk as well).
Three polymer clay artists who have never done a major wholesale show have been chosen by the NPCG to share a booth free of charge at the American Craft Retailers Expo in Las Vegas next April.
California’s Meisha Barbee (right), Washington’s Julia Sober, and New Hampshire’s Sandra McCaw (left) were chosen from a large slate of entrants. Thanks to Judy Dunn who headed up the process for NPCG.
Slow internet connection tonight…oh my, you folks with dialup are a patient lot. More news tomorrow.
Get busy and get smarter this Monday…
Three polymer clay artists who have never done a major wholesale show will be chosen to share a booth free of charge at the American Craft Retailers Expo in Las Vegas next April. They’ll be taking orders from a wide audience of buyers. The online entry deadline is October 31 (soon, soon, hurry).
Jump start your color knowledge by watching Maggie Maggio’s new 8-minute video on color. She has several tutorials available free on her site. See Maggie’s pins at the left. The link was sent by Jean Anderson.
News from "across the pond"
The British Polymer Clay Guild reports the outcome of their meeting with Fimo manufacturer, Eberhard Faber. The company has reformulated the clay to make it softer and to remove phthalates. The new clay is stronger and hardens at a lower temperature. Its consistency and elasticity are noticeably different. Big changes ahead.
England’s Sue Heaser has a new book out, Encyclopedia of Polymer Clay Techniques
. Heaser is chair of the British Polymer Clay Guild and runs her own company, The Polymer Clay Pit, which is the largest supplier of polymer clay products in Europe. This is Sue’s eighth book and she demonstrates over 50 techniques in it.
Judy Kuskin, the business brain behind the Synergy Conference, has given an interview to Lori Greenberg on her bead business site along with some great pictures (like this Christi Friesen necklace). Bargain hunters will want to sign up for the Baltimore conference this month to get the best deal.
Be sure to scroll way down Lori’s site to see some of Sarah Shriver’s latest works and a read a bit about Sarah’s career.
A look at great work is a fine way to start your week. New Jeff Dever pieces have been spotted on the del Mano Gallery site, part of their "Beyond the Basket" exhibit in Los Angeles.
In case you’re not familiar with his work, here are a couple of candid shots (try this and this) from last year’s Ravensdale conference.
Thanks to Grant Diffendaffer for bringing the new work to our attention.
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If you’re stuck on the same old designs, you might be inspired by the extravaganza of contemporary earrings published in "500 Earrings: New Directions in Contemporary Jewelry" from Lark Books this year.
To celebrate the publishing of the book, Seattle’s Facere Jewelry Art Gallery will show over 250 pairs of earrings by 29 different artists, all in the book, from across the country. There’s a lecture and champagne on Monday, October 8 if you’re in Seattle. Julia Sober who’s moved to Seattle, will be among the luminaries.
Thanks to Elise Winters for the tip.
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