Polymer Clay Daily

Timmins’ perfect polymer lentils

Polymer clay artists love the science and the process of making lentil beads (here’s Desiree McCrorey’s how-to). I see plenty of examples and no one makes a finer, more consistent lentil than Wisconsin’s Laura Timmins.

Here’s her Flickr site with some new examples like her “Ocean Color” versions shown here. She generously shares her process in a visual step-by-step on her web site.

Combined with color-coordinated handmade cording and soothing designs, her pieces captivate wearers. Have a captivating weekend.

Note: Keila commented that I missed Laura’s new Etsy shop. For another twist on lentils, you might want to take a look at Barb Fajardo’s bead gallery.

Ashdown’s ham cane

South African miniaturist Karin Ashdown makes a mean little sliced ham from a polymer clay cane. And I can’t for the life of me think how she makes sliced bread look so real. Look through her sites and her Flickr page for more mini-yummies.

Perhaps Karin’s cleverest idea was to plunge items into a roll of toilet paper to hold them while they dry. This would be great for beads on needles…and so handy. Forida’s Michele Holley sent the link along.

Gaedechens glows, Udell collages

Germany’s Caroline Gaedechens (on Etsy as NuitBlanche) is an illustrator who mostly creates 2D illustrations and soft sculptures.

She has a penchant for glow-in-the-dark polymer clay, however, and her monsters and magnets (scroll sideways) are somehow a perfect blend of scarey and reassuring.

As I was exploring the web’s nooks and crannies, I also discovered that Luann Udell has an Etsy site.

Her jewelry and fiber collages are inspired by the Lascaux cave in France. This ancient cave, long considered the birthplace of human art, is filled with paintings of prehistoric animals.

Fortner’s polymer in the NYTimes

A polymer clay illustration by Toronto’s Jessica Fortner was spotted in the last week’s NYTimes. The article, I Want My Free TV, was about the delay of the long-planned switch from analog to digital television.

Jessica is a 26-year-old art school graduate who creates 3D scenes using a variety of materials. She’s looking forward to doing stop motion animation and children’s books. Read more of her story in this interview (the interface is a little challenging, hit the jump to page button).

Fernandez polymer clay workout

Monday is a good day to flex your creative muscles. You can do some warm ups by looking at the wide-ranging series of exercises that Spain’s Elena Fernandez (Nanipollito) presents on her Flickr site. They’ll stretch your perspective.

Elena labels her results archeological, ethnic, Egyptian and seems to be equally drawn to ancient and modern, mixing and matching colors and styles as she goes.

Fantasy studio

Isn’t the studio-in-a-box furniture at ScrapboxUSA a wonderful fantasy? Their products tap directly into my need for balancing creativity and organization (chaos and control).

Faber dolls make Etsy video

Canadian artist Sarah Faber (blackeyedsuzie) doesn’t necessarily consider her polymer clay dolls to be Gothic, although some are dark and contain elements of the supernatural or uncanny.

She considers them to be, “Victorian, with a certain edge. My dolls are inspired by Victoriana, Edward Gorey, Tim Burton, and many, many talented doll artists who are have forged the unusual art-doll path down which I merrily skip.”

Sarah is featured on this month’s Etsy Handmade Portrait video (or on YouTube here). You’ll see her smoothing Sculpey across a character’s face and learn about her neighborhood and her process.

Need to play a bit this weekend? Take a look at this color tool. My tiny house daughter sent it to me. Have an unusual weekend.

Photos and spring colors

I’m reading up on how to photograph my polymer clay work and I realize how compelling the model photos are (see Perishables and Oksoon).

This picture of Eugena Topina wearing her creations is my latest find and a good example of how using a model can show off your work.

As the days get longer and the promise of spring begins, I find myself drawn to colors like these tiles from Israel’s Esterke. I assumed they were small until I saw them hanging on her wall.

Speaking of color, the pendant above from Cecilia Mabcrea (she’s French living in China) blends nicely with my site. I had to use it here.

And just for good measure, enjoy the eye-popping color of this bracelet from Spain’s Natalia García de Leániz (Tatana).

Dever and Haunani: Niche winners

Two polymer clay artists were announced as winners of 2009 Niche Awards.

Lindly Haunani’s Ruffle earrings won top honors in the fashion jewelry category. The thin folded slices create a cascade of color. We were way ahead of the crowd and featured these new creations of Lindly’s back in May!

Jeff Dever’s Summer Opulence bracelet (pictured on PolymerArtArchive) lives up to its name and took the top spot in the polymer clay category.

No complete list of Niche winners has been posted on their site yet but should be soon.

The announcements make a nice follow-up to yesterday’s post since the publisher of American Style is also the publisher of Niche magazine. If all this makes you want to strut your stuff, jump on over and fill out the online entry form for Bead & Button’s BeadDreams competition.

Two Cents Worth

You can help determine the direction for the newly internationalized guild. The IPCG board has scheduled a strategizing session in two weeks and needs your input as they consider their next big steps.

Please take a few minutes to click through the online survey and put in your two cents about the direction they should take.