Polymer Clay Daily

Winter wonders

Yesterday’s post about translucent caused concern about where to purchase Pardo translucent polymer. When Ponsawan mentioned that she gets hers from Creative Journey Studios in Georgia, I called to make sure they have a supply. They do and you can call 404-314-5767 for details.

That call led me to this dazzling picture of Daniel Torres’ hollow polymer pendants. He and Natalia Garcia de Leaniz will be teaching a class on March 10 and 11 (right before Synergy) at Creative Journey Studios. There are a few spots left. Plus a bus trip from Synergy and other festivities are scheduled.

In the mood for a class to beat the winter doldrums? Be sure to check out this year’s Cabin Fever, beginning February 15 in Laurel, Maryland. I’ll be there teaching along with a great cast of characters.

Freebie

Be sure to tune in to the free Craftcast webinar on Wednesday, January 30. The gang from the Polymer Clay Master Class book will be there with lots of tips and giveaways. It’s a party, it’s free and you’re sure to pick up a trick or two.

Polymer goes BAD

Ponsawan Sila uploads her latest experiments to Flickr (and Facebook). Here she shows us Pardo translucent stretched over a steel wire armature, colored with watercolor pencils, and highlighted with gilder’s paste.

“Two years ago, I join the group called Ring A Day and we finished 365 rings in one year. My rings were exhibited and in a book, and I sold many of them,” Ponsawan says. This year she joined the brooch-a-day group (BAD) and she’s right on schedule.

Facebook polymer

Greece’s Anarina Anar displays her vibrant polymer works only on Facebook. (Thanks to Conny Brockstedt who found her on Flickr as well.) Anarina’s textured and painted surfaces have very aggressive, passionate energy.

While the pieces are primitive and rough they are also distinctive and very personal. She makes each technique her own.

Facebook flood

My apologies to those of you who aren’t fans of Facebook. PCD links to where the art appears and for many people around the world, increasingly FB is the easiest gallery to set up and maintain. I’ll try to give you all the info you need here and you can choose whether to explore further.

Do you have a suggestion about how to integrate Facebook so that it’s easier for readers? I’m listening. Leave me a comment.

Polymer goals

These six polymer pendants are part of Angela Garrod’s personal challenge to herself to make entirely hollow forms with unusual polymer bails.

She tints mica polymer with alcohol inks for the patterned pendants. On the black ones Angela uses matte and hi-gloss surfaces to provide more subtle tone-on-tone patterns. Rivets embedded in the clay add metallic accents. You can see more views of the pendants on Flickr.

Angela’s study reminds us that we don’t have to join a group or commit to a year-long experiment. We can simply set ourselves a goal and work toward it.

Lonely-hearted polymer

You may not be acquainted with Munny, Zukie, Bub, Trikky, Raffy, Rooz and the vinyl character gang but you have to admire what Dave Webb does with them. This Phoenix artist sculpts polymer over the plain DIY vinyl toys. His sculpts are both dark and cute. How does that happen?

It’s unclear whether Dave bakes his creations on the form. The manufacturer recommends sculpting on the form then freezing the piece. According to their instructions, the blank toy is removed from the cold sculpture and the hollow polymer shape is baked. (Let me know if that’s not correct.)

Take a walk on the wild side at his Pinterest and Facebook sites. The link was sent by Annie Pennington who was charmed by the little creatures. Have a wild weekend.

Heartfelt polymer

Just a few days after the big holiday season and already the hearts are popping up for the next celebration. Tejae Floyde is in her element and this year’s line includes a polymer heart with a love-me/love-me-not indicator. See the video for her Spinner Hearts.

And in the “awwww” category, Melissa McCarthy shows off this 2-inch tall miniature love tree that’s topped with a heart. Her Etsy shop is appropriately titled Made with Clay and Love.

More to come in the heart department!

Polymer with legs

When you deconstruct these wonderful yellow bugs by Debbie Jackson, you’ll see how she parlays limited colors and basic cane shapes into delightful insects with quirky personalities and a fashion sense.

Even those who don’t like creepy crawlies will be won over. You can see how she used these canes in other applications on Debbie’s Facebook page.

Big faux

More faux batik beads from Pavla Cepelikova in Prague. These are hollow big beauties that will have you wondering which layer came first.

If you simply must know the answer, you may have to navigate to her Etsy site where she sells the tutorial for her solution to the problem.

Sweet wet kisses

Those vacation kisses from my grandson proved problemmatic and I’m recovering from his cold. All in all, the cold is worth it.

When Helen met Judy

Washington’s Tonja Lenderman loves to experiment. With this polymer pendant she’s introduced Judy Belcher’s knitting techniques to Helen Breil’s twisted shapes.

From the angles of the knit strips to the forming of the shape, this design will challenge the math-side of your brain and get you primed for the week.

The best overview of Tonja’s work is on her Facebook page. You’ll also like her free crackled pottery tutorial on Polka Dot Creations.

Back from vacation

If you’ve sent me a link or a note, hang on! I’m easing myself back into work mode and plowing through a pile of email. Many thanks to all who sent their site links.

Polymer links

Nikki Blanchard and a number of other polymer artists started their new year right by sending me links to their sites. Why be shy and hide your work? You’ll be surprised at how much more confident you’ll feel just by throwing your electronic hat in the ring.

New links are like belated holiday presents for me. You’ll be making my research easier. It’s a win-win.

Nikki gave up her glass studio after 18 years and found a home in polymer so she’ll bring lots of relevant skills to her new medium. I like the placement of the findings in these earrings. Her photos show that she’s off to an promising start. Have a great weekend!