“Soul-stirring works” is how Patina Gallery in Santa Fe describes the art they represent and they did not disappoint. You’ll have to look at the detail of this Cynthia Toops polymer clay work to see why it was our group’s favorite.

The gallery doesn’t show any of Cynthia’s work on their new web site but they’re working on it. In the meanwhile, look at the great selection of Ford/Forlano pieces and note this polymer and diamonds brooch.

We spent a lovely day in town, including lunch with Barb Fajardo and her husband and a visit to Lee Kellogg’s great rubber stamp store. This is livin’.

  • reply Lunes ,

    Wow the detail of the necklace is stunning!

    • reply Barbara Forbes-Lyons ,

      We were in Patina Gallery last January and they are very supportive of fine art polymer clay work.

      I also visite another rubber stamp store that was downtown and owned by a (remote) member of the San Diego Guild. In addition to rubberstamps, there was a nice selection of inks, clay-friendly tools and papers.

      • reply Kathi ,

        OOO you got to have fun with Barb and Rudy eh? They are a great couple. Lee is a sweetie. She comes to Sandy Camp every eyar with her goodies for us to buy. Looks like you had fun. Cynthia’s necklace is amazing.

        • reply Sherry Bailey ,

          Toops is always a favorite — and always trying something new.

          I’m boggled at Ford and Forlano, though — it must take a lot of confidence to combine diamons with polymer!

          Both are making polymer clay something the fine art world appreciates…

          • reply Laurie Mika ,

            Thanks for sending me on my way (for the last hour or so and I was supposed to be sleeping) looking at all of the wonderful art work from Patina Gallery artists to Ford/Forlano’s incredible pin. I absolutely love that they are combining polymer clay with diamonds I love their juxtaposition of unlikely materials. Cynthia’s piece is also stunning in its detail….just beautiful. Thanks for sharing! Ok, off to sleep!

            • reply Sera Pinwill ,

              Cynthia Toops is a polymer goddess. Whenever people look at my elaborate seedbeaded collars and tell me how much patience I have to do that tiny work – I think of Cynthia Toops incy wincy tesserae and shudder!
              I loved F&F’s polymer/god/diamond pin. Inspirational, to say the very least 🙂

              • reply Elise Winters ,

                I had a chance to see this piece first hand last week in Sante Fe. One can’t tell from the picture but…
                those silver discs are really the edged of sewing machine bobbins! Cynthia used various size bobbins as “spindle” beads -similar to the way she uses the glass spindle beads made by her husband, Dan.

                Cynthia, if you want a jpeg of a glass version, I’ll send it along
                Merry Xmas!

                • reply McMillan’s polymer bobbins ,

                  […] of sewing machine parts from her fabric store manager daughter. Dotty was pleased to see a photo of Cynthia Toops’ bobbin necklace in Polymer Clay Color Inspirations. “We don’t do them the same, but it was good to see […]

                  • reply McMillan’s polymer bobbins | Metal Clay ,

                    […] from her fabric store physical education instructor daughter. Dotty was gratified to see a print of Cynthia Toops’ axis necklace in Polymer Clay Color Inspirations. “We don’t do them the same, but it was great to see […]

                    • reply chama navarro’s polymer | Daily Art Muse ,

                      […] spin on polymer and stainless steel thread bobbins – a technique introduced by Seattle artist Cynthia Toops a few years […]

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