Pure silliness today. Talk about shrinking pocketbooks! Russian artist Alexandra Garnik used her miniature polymer clay purse in a whimsical necklace that may be a comment on our times.
This very real-looking severed finger was found in one of the brown bag swaps at a recent conference. It was so realistic that we were tempted to file the jagged nail. Turns out the maker of this Halloween surprise was Susan Detwiler.
Wouldn’t you love to be invited to Lorell Lehman’s Halloween party? Australia’s a bit far for me so I’ll have to enjoy her polymer clay party decorations online. (See the pix from last year’s party. I’m particularly fond of the salvaged and repainted dolls.)
She explains that, “Halloween (and Christmas) seem to bring out the manic in my personality and I can do the work of three ordinary mortals.” On her blog she shows the process for this polymer clay spell book and other spooky party props.
“I used an old, ratty looking book and sculpted directly onto the cover with polymer clay. I embedded a glass eye and some metal findings and the baked the whole thing (watching VERY carefully) for around 20 minutes. I then painted the entire surface with acrylic paints and added spider web and a lovely glass bead tassel. Voila!….creepy spellbook!”
Lorell’s art dolls are even more fantastic and rich with folklore. See some of the newest ones on her Flickr site. Thanks to Barbara Forbes-Lyons for the link!
Let’s tiptoe over to the darker side of Halloween and begin with these slightly frightening polymer clay “Candy Cornaments” from Lance Perry of Crescent Designs.
“I like to think that my work can ease one’s growing pains by taking them back to their childhood, if only for a moment,” Lance says of his art.
He shows and sells his wares on Etsy, Flickr and also hangs out at SpookyTimeJingles where their tagline says “sweet ‘n spooky commingle.” That should get you in the spirit.
I’ve been batting aside the spooky cobwebs in my attic. I’ve avoided tossing and sorting up there for ten years. This year my husband wouldn’t accept “working on the blog” as an excuse and I no longer have a job to insulate me from attic duty. Taking family portraits out of their frames and scanning them (see my early avatar) has been a fun and time-consuming side benefit.
Jenn McGlon of Noodle and Lou Studio takes a lighthearted approach to Halloween. Her polymer clay witches have style and sass without scare. Who could be afraid of witches in polka dot hats?
We last visited her in July. Her signature little house sculptures, Lulettes, have taken on fall colors and themes. I always spend a little time listening to Jenn’s music and leave her site feeling hip and snappy.
This polymer clay turtle magnet that Camille Young made for her Grandpa is perfect for Friday. Camille’s work is innovative and wide ranging and I’m grasping at this latest piece in the hope that she’ll show us more.
Next week we’ll tap into my stash of Halloween art. Polymer clay artists love Halloween. How did that happen?
It’s been a stressful week for all Americans and I could use a slow and easy "turtle" weekend. Have a good one.
