Polymer Clay Daily

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.

Polymer clay in style

Need a shot of inspiration to jumpstart your week and validate your choice of polymer clay as your medium? Take a look at American Style magazine’s February April issue. (I must have gotten an early copy…it should be on newstands very soon. Read the web version for now.)

Arts Focus: More Than Meets the Eye looks at how polymer clay is stretching the boundaries of art and covers a few artists who are moving the medium forward (like Merrie Buchsbaum whose pendant is pictured here).

Not only are there flattering profiles of fourteen polymer clay artists, but also three full pages of polymer art ads (click each page to see a larger version). Pretty impressive showing!

Royal polymer clay hearts

Polymer hearts abound on the web this year…altered, broken, anatomically correct, steampunked, candy, fragile and untamed. Scroll down to see some favorites.

I am waving my wand and declaring two Queen of Hearts for Valentines Day.

Tejae Floyde is all about hearts. She bounded into the limelight with exhibitions, classes and sites. And she has generously shared her encased heart technique (check the October issue of PolymerCafe). Tejae embellishes her creations with a romantic collage of patterns and words that softens the most hardened heart.

Paula Pindroh‘s polymer illustrations for American Greetings are on sale as valentines. You can see her proudly posed at Target with her rack of cards. Target is becoming design central and I’m delighted to see polymer clay illustrations in the mix.

And for the King of Hearts? Ron Lehocky, of course. Read Kim Cavender’s post about her collection of Ron’s hearts.

You will find previous years’ valentines for 2007 here , and 2006 here and for you last-minute shoppers, a tutorial from Diane Villano. Have a lovely valentines weekend.

Perishable polymer

Body jewelry artist, Hermeone Lavender (Perishables), makes polymer clay jewelry that resonates with me as alien, caveman, primitive and unconstrained. The strange beauty of these pieces sucks me in.

Ear adornments meant to be worn in stretched ear lobe holes and necklaces paired with pierced nipples communicate in a language unfamiliar to me. It’s good for me to look at this perspective, even if I retreat to safer spaces. Energy and change come from the edges of convention.

When we last covered Perishables, he called Philadelphia home. Now the Etsy site lists him as Chicago-based and his line has a strong following. Thanks to Ronna Weltman for the reminder to revisit the site.

Manzi’s mosaic’s, Tessa’s rainbows

Continuing yesterday’s theme, these elaborate polymer clay switchplates from Maine’s Diane Manzi have a bit of a Hundterwasser look too.

Her mosaics are bright and sparkly. I’m a sucker for small polymer clay home decor items that add surprising touches of interest and personality to a room.

Rainbows

I can’t resist when my children ask me to help them launch their projects. They know you’re a loyal and appreciative audience. It’s nice to be needed.

That said, my daughter-in-law has launched a RainbowSightings site to build a collection of photos of rainbows. If you’ve got a favorite rainbow picture, please send it along. And if you haven’t got one, enjoy the pictures she’s archived and follow her Rainbow Magic links.

This video is a particularly good explanation of rainbow color. The picture shown here we call “Eating Rainbows” and it’s one of my all-time favorites.