Sony Bravia Claymation

Any project that requires 2.5 tons of clay merits a mention on this site. Forty animators made 182 bunnies and one giant 30-foot rabbit and more for Sony Bravia’s latest 60-second promotion. It’s plasticine, not polymer clay, but the spirit’s the same and we share a motto, “Color like no other.”

Go here for a behind-the-scenes look. The full 60-second commercial is here. The interface was a little slippery and confusing but persist and you’ll be rewarded.

I can’t pass up a chance to mention the synergy in a project like this….and of course, encourage you to sign up now for the polymer clay guild’s Synergy conference next February.

Holden’s Fall Leaves

Vancouver Island’s Tina Holden was inspired to create this polymer clay necklace by a recent drive in the countryside.

She added copper, variegated and gold leaf into a jade translucent polymer clay. The necklace itself is crocheted and four-strand braided with recycled glass, smokey quartz and other beads.

Holden also "rocks" and has swapped with other makers of PEBLS…that’s Polymerclay Evolved Beach Like Stones.

Sahl’s Seasonal Ornaments

Sharon Sahl, formerly of Ohio and now from Washington, has added her 2007 line of polymer clay ornaments to her web site enabling her Ohio collectors to get their annual fix of her charming and precise works.

Sharon’s added a couple of interesting demos. If you scroll down her demo page you’ll see an example of her process for a cathedral windows quilt and witness Sharon’s legendary attention to detail. Be sure to browse the gingerbread houses section.

Vacuum Tube and Other Miniatures

A couple of mind-expanding miniatures in polymer clay may start you thinking smaller this week.

On the left, New York’s Peter Luber puts polymer clay dioramas in vacuum tubes. A painter, modeller and writer, Luber says that the vacuum tubes encapsulate moments that matter to him.

Singapore’s Garie Sim has been working in micro-size art since the early 80s. He’s also become a supplier (check out his experiments), a teacher, and a therapist, using the clay to help people with learning disabilities.

If you don’t have any big ideas for your week, perhaps these small ones sent in by Lindly Haunani and Barbara Reider will help.

Wiiremote and Schiller’s Fantasy

The first thing you have to know about these polymer clay "Wiiremote" earrings is that they’re replicas of a very popular video game controller. They are made by Thiakosia and sold on Etsy. These clever copies are a hit, appearing on every geek and gadget site on the internet…they’re geektastic.

The second thing you need to know about this post is that it was sent to me by my artist/geek son. Now isn’t that just too sweet? Of course, I’m going to feature it.

One more oddity for your Friday amusement is Dawn Schiller’s Seidh (pronounced "seed"). According to her, Seidh take up residence in empty pods on the forest floor.

Fantasy characters usually scare me but Schiller’s make me smile. Her website is populated with all sorts of happy/creepy creatures perfect for your fall weekend viewing.

Philadelphia Guild’s Pictures

Browsing the Philadelphia Polymer Clay Guild’s blog and Flickr sites is like attending a virtual meeting, this month with Donna Kato.

There’s a wealth of inspiration on the site…like these necklaces by Ellen Marshall (left) and Susan Gross (right). Jeff Dever will teach a sold out class next week.

Kudos to the guild for delivering such up-to-the-minute pictures and information and such dynamite classes.

Bonura’s Online Collaboration

When Texas artist Elizabeth Bonura couldn’t find a suitable sculpture for the top of her wedding cake, she created one for herself out of polymer clay and then started a business making them for others. She has been sculpting since 1994.

A recent project – life size and with a two-week deadline – had her struggling. "I was having trouble capturing a likeness of the bride so I contacted the members of the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy and the members of the Professional Doll Makers Art Guild for help," says Elizabeth. She documented her progress on her Flickr site. "I could not have finished this project without these wonderful art communities!" she says. That’s synergy.

Speaking of Synergy! The online registration for next February’s conference opens next Monday. Check your calendar. Early birds are offered some tasty worms.

Polymer Clay Reminders of Faith

Here are two examples of a branch of polymer art that we sometimes overlook – religious art. The Lord Shiva sculpture is by Spanish polymer clay artist, Maria Saiz, on Craftster and Flickr which was sent in by Lea Hernandez.

Iowa’s Patricia Kimle has published a second web site, PreciousText, for her new line of fine art jewelry that is a source of encouragement and a reminder of faith.

Made from a combination of polymer clay and precious metal clay, her verses and sayings are the newest facet of her career that includes 15 years creating and writing about polymer clay.

Marie Segal’s Site

I’m so pleased to discover that Marie Siegel has a new site which includes some of her recent polymer clay work. Who else can claim to have crocheted a polymer clay sweater or to have worked in the medium since 1971?

"At one point I had 18 employees and sold to Bullocks, Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, the Icing, and lots of other major stores. I remember being the busiest I have ever been, having more money than I have ever had, and having no time or inclination to do more art or anything else. My work was in show rooms in New York and Los Angeles and I produced product lines 5 times a year," Marie remembers.

Marie knows the vagaries of fashion and vows "to be all I can be for myself and my family and not for another company or person." She and Howard have operated the Clay Factory, Inc. since 1980. You’ll want to read all about her.

Thanks to Susan Rose for giving us this heads up.

Blogging Mecca and Tabakman Works

I’m in New York, mecca for art blogging. Last night I connected with other bloggers at an American Craft Council salon event to hear about what happens when craft traditions and craft new wave colide as they have on the internet. About 40 bloggers from Park Slope and Brooklyn listened as the owners of Rare Device and Greenjeans talked about their blogging experience.

Not only was the topic thought-provoking but the renewed energy of the ACC was palpable. The first issue of the all-new AMERICAN CRAFT (the Oct/Nov 2007 issue) is out with a new look and a new voice that reflects the current convergence of craft, architecture, art, design, and fashion, pushing these connections to the forefront of the cultural conversation.

Here’s a sampling of links that will place your finger directly on the pulse of crafts and DIY arts…and polymer clay, of course.

It feels all wrong to post without a polymer picture. Here’s some lovely new work from Pennsylvania’s Laura Tabakman (sent in by Barbara Forbes Lyons). You’ll have to talk amongst yourselves, I’m off to roam the city.

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