It’s been fun to watch Dayle Doroshow work on several polymer clay projects this week. Here are five mask pendants that she made and embellished with rivets and metal parts.
Whatever creative spark she’s following, she makes in multiples, not just one. Five is her number but it could be any number. Creating five versions of each idea allows her to refine the technique, explore the possibilities of production and decide if the idea is worthy of further exploration.
Dayle will be teaching more about the care and feeding of the creative spark at Synergy.
It’s turning cold. Nearly time for snowflakes. As a kid I loved folding and cutting paper to reveal an endless variety of snowflake patterns.
Sandy from Canada is having a grand time doing the same thing in polymer clay with a simple cane pattern she’s developed. She calls it "cookie cutter caning." I found this post on her site in August.
After a class with Marla Frankenburg in September, Sandy started creating her flakes in translucent clay. This almost makes winter look like fun.
Donna Kato’s been in her studio bangling away and you can sneak a peek at the results on her site. (It loads a little slowly because she shares so much.)
A number of us have revisited bangles after admiring the flawless work of Sharon MacLeod. Sharon’s bangles and memory wire bracelets are remarkable for their design, color and workmanship.
Of course, if you’re in bangle mode, you must see Margaret Regan’s version. She came up with her curved tube design at Shrinemont many moons ago and the design still works wonderfully.
Those of you hankering for more details about how to fire polymer clay with a heat gun
can see final pictures of my project, related links, and instructions here. Thanks for all the great comments.
Encourage Fellow Bloggers
Look at Lindly Haunani’s new blog here. And Sarah Shriver’s taken baby steps on her blog with a bit about her history and a picture of her backyard studio. I see Judy Belcher’s even put a toe in the blog water. 
If you’ll send them some comments, it’ll reassure these techno-shy polymer artists that we’re watching and anxious to hear more.
Kathleen Dustin’s uploaded more samples of her new work (like these pod earrings) to her website as well. Thanks to Loretta Lam for spotting that one.
Even though this is a first effort and not my finest work, I had to show you my first YouTube video. My children have been bugging me to get moving on YouTube and I’ve spent hours teaching myself how to edit and record. Whew!
This jigsaw puzzle face cane is a simple and fun technique I learned in a class with Australia’s Michele Fanner. I used the Picasso black and white image for simplicity sake. It works on more colorful and complex designs as well. (I wish I’d spent as much time on the cane as I did on the editing.)
The looped blade tool was an idea from a Mike Buesseler class. I have several that my husband created for me. I’m off to a conference next week and plan to use my newfound skills to capture more snippets for your viewing pleasure.
It was like old home week except that I’d only met Todd Popp and Doug Motz online. Local gallery owner Sherrie Hawk threw a glitzy party for Motz and Popp (PoMo). Their polymer clay jewelry personalized to local and personal themes has developed quite a following.
Illustrator Jeanette Canyon was there (she’s got a new book) and we were surrounded by the works of Ford and Forlano which were on exhibit. Pretty heady, small world stuff.
Todd and Doug recently did a segment on HGTV’s That’s Clever about their bracelets that was playing in the gallery. They use hot glue to attach their photos to the glass pebbles and their process, which they generously share, is terrifically smart and easy. Be sure to take a look…and have an easy weekend.
Ponsawan Silas’ necklace stringing slide show is worth a bit of clicking. (It first appeared as a very small image but if you click around or wait a bit it turns into a workable viewing version.)
Not only does Ponsawan string polymer clay beads in fanciful ways, but she makes very clever use of the slideshow software (and it’s free). No need for a video camera, just add your step-by-step pictures to a slideshow. Genius!
Make sure you scroll down her page and see the rest of her "wild things" necklaces.
Oregon’s Marcella Brooks is tempting us with a new liquid polymer transfer technique. The pictures on her photo site are intriguing and you can see a sample in this week’s slide show. Marcella’s liquid polymer expertise was also recognized in one of Polymer Clay Central’s challenges.
Says Marcella, "I’m still refining techniques and finding new applications. I’m able to coax sturdy but flexible design elements out of liquid polymer clay which normally wouldn’t be interested in doing much more than spreading out into colorful puddles. I wake up wondering what else I can do with it! For PolymerCafe’s upcoming Big Bead challenge, I submitted images of a 4" hollow bead featuring panels of liquid lace suspended on tulle netting."
This looks like a lovely new twist with great possibilities. Keep Marcella on your "must watch" list.
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