Polymer flora

Iris Mishly and her collaborator, cake decorating artist Sharon Peled, have teamed up to address an overlooked artform. Though lifelike flowers made from sugar and synthetic clays are popular in many area of the world, they’re just catching on in the US and Europe.

Iris and Sharon call their tutorial set The Flower Academy. Their course covers 20 types of polymer flowers that end up in 40 final projects including bouquets, boutonnieres, headbands, and jewelry.

To give you a taste of the content, watch the academy’s free video on how to make lifelike mistletoe (in time for the holiday season).

Iris and Sharon are offering one FREE online version (Silver Set) of the academy to one lucky PCD reader. Leave a comment and you’re entered. Comments will close on Thursday night with the winner announced Friday.

Petrova’s summer polymer blooms

Russia’s Olga Petrova sent in these links to her polymer and DecoClay work and her flowers hit the spot for a lovely summer’s Tuesday.

DecoClay is an air dry polymer clay most popular beyond the US borders, particularly in Japan, Thailand and Russia.

Put down that cane, stop rolling that bead or sculpting that doll and take a look at these lovely bright blooms from Russia. Olga’s site translates nicely and gives you a look into the vibrant polymer community there.

If you have some time and want the full tour, click on some of her links to other clay sites.

Thai flower arts

Tarapat van Gulik, from Thailand, and her husband Hans have just launched their website, ThaiflowerArt.com and I thought a burst of spring color could be rejuvenating – like the seed catalogs that arrive at this time of year.

The Guliks’ site showcases Tarapat’s realistic works which are produced in the Netherlands where the couple now live.

Most flower artists use Luna clay from Japan, an air-drying version similar to Lumina clay. The Guliks’ sell their own clay and their site contains pages and pages of techniques, tools and tutorials that apply to polymer clay as well.

While I have not often featured clay flowers, there’s a growing audience for this craft and you can see more at several additional sites like Suphattra and LilyCharter. Earlier I touched on Ravivan Petchprepa’s work as well. Have a warm weekend.