Polymer Clay Daily

Faux Fabric

Fran Abrams’ small-scale three-dimensional polymer clay works are on exhibit through August 19 at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Federick, MD. Many of her pieces are sculptural and are presented in deep shadow box frames. Viewers often think that they are seeing fabric. The piece at the left is called "Stay Warm."

"I find polymer clay fascinating because I can work with color, form and texture at the same time," says Abrams.

Mary Sumner sent the link along after her aunt saw the exhibit and remarked on the pieces. There’s not much on Abrams on the web and we’d love to see more of her work if you’ve got a source.

Temptation

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.

Dexterity

We end a busy week with busy polymer clay artist, Donna Kato and these lovely pieces from her latest book. Donna’s dexterity is a wonder and the ease with which she assembles these flawless inro constructions is remarkable.

Donna has some updated information about photo transfer papers (some formulations have changed) on her site along with a raft of pictures from her teaching travels around the world.

If you’re planning ahead for classes, save space on your calendar for Donna’s October 2008 cruise that departs from Tampa with a boatload of polymer clay teachers and a full roster of classes.

Wine, Caves and Classes

Lentils two days in a row! What’s happening? I couldn’t pass up this half polymer clay/half PMC variation from a class by Kelly Russell at Sonoma Wine Country Festival in August. The polymer clay/dichroic pendant at the left is by Christi Friesen who’s teaching a number of classes there too. Polymer clay and wine…ponder it.

And while you’re pondering fall classes, consider an affordable weekend in a cave! The Mammoth Cave Kentucky/Tennessee Polymer Clay Retreat will be held October 5-7. Contact Leslie Blackford for all the details.

Circus Memories

Inspired by a childhood spent growing up in the Australian traveling circus, Sonny King creates captivating polymer clay dioramas of circus life. More than 50 years after he traveled with his father’s circus, Sonny King found expression for his vivid childhood memories.

Two years ago King decided to interpret his memories through 11 three-dimensional dioramas, each about 2 feet wide and 20 inches tall. King crafted each performer, animal, scene and object from scratch, using polymer clay and LED lighting. Every person in his audiences has a distinctly individual facial expression.

His collection of dioramas is on exhibit through October 7 at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles. Museum Director Maryna Hrushetska says, "It’s the essence of folk art and craft mixed together. They draw you into this vibrant, vivid place and time."

Rosey Monday

France’s Cristalline signed into the guest book with this polymer clay roses necklace. It’s a bountiful botanical piece that combines crystals, wire, seed beeds and polymer into a virtual garden.

It will take a diva to wear this lovely sumptuous piece.

The English translation of her blog isn’t really helpful but the pictures are explanation enough. I particularly enjoyed Cristalline’s tutorials…no English translation necessary. Thanks for getting our week off to a rosey start.

Wine Cabinet

A bit too much celebratory wine with dinner last night. Perhaps that’s why I gravitated to Margaret Polcawich’s lovely wine cabinet inlaid with polymer clay panels. The polymer clay pebbles used as accents in the open spaces are a current passion of mine. I love it when I find artists using our medium in bigger, bolder ways like this.

Margaret has a whole raft of new works on her site. Take a look while I take a nap.

Fireworks

This multi-strand polymer clay necklace by Germany’s Bettina Welker reminds me of the glow-in-the-dark necklaces that the kids were wearing at the fireworks last night. I’m guessing that the strands are extruded and I’m wondering if they’re hollow or solid.

There are no mysteries about Bettina’s layered disk necklace at the right. You can read all about how to make it in the summer issue of PolymerCafe.

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Polymer with Heart

On this American Independence Day when many stories about our country do not make us proud, we take heart from a story about a modest polymer clay project that is making a difference.

Ron Lehocky is a general pediatrician in Louisville, Kentucky who treats children with special challenges. He is a board member for the Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center that provides direct therapies for these children.

"I have worked with polymer clay for nearly 15 years. I mostly make wearable objects and sell them at art galleries and art shows. I have two pieces in Donna Kato’s new book," Ron says.

Over a year ago Ron started making heart pins to raise money for the KIDS Center. Each $10 donation is given to the center and Ron pockets nothing but good will and improved polymer skills. To date he has made 4,000 hearts (no two are alike) which have been sold at the center, at three galleries, a hospital gift shop, a local craft store, and a clothing boutique. His goal is 10,000 pins in 5 years. You do the math.

Ron does not sell the hearts over the internet since there are no specific patterns to choose from. If you are willing to let him choose a pattern for you, contact Ron at rlehocky@bellsouth.net.