A bit too much celebratory wine with dinner last night. Perhaps that’s why I gravitated to Margaret Polcawich’s lovely wine cabinet inlaid with polymer clay panels. The polymer clay pebbles used as accents in the open spaces are a current passion of mine. I love it when I find artists using our medium in bigger, bolder ways like this.
Margaret has a whole raft of new works on her site. Take a look while I take a nap.
This multi-strand polymer clay necklace by Germany’s Bettina Welker reminds me of the glow-in-the-dark necklaces that the kids were wearing at the fireworks last night. I’m guessing that the strands are extruded and I’m wondering if they’re hollow or solid.
There are no mysteries about Bettina’s layered disk necklace at the right. You can read all about how to make it in the summer issue of PolymerCafe.
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On this American Independence Day when many stories about our country do not make us proud, we take heart from a story about a modest polymer clay project that is making a difference.
Ron Lehocky is a general pediatrician in Louisville, Kentucky who treats children with special challenges. He is a board member for the Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center that provides direct therapies for these children.
"I have worked with polymer clay for nearly 15 years. I mostly make wearable objects and sell them at art galleries and art shows. I have two pieces in Donna Kato’s new book
Over a year ago Ron started making heart pins to raise money for the KIDS Center. Each $10 donation is given to the center and Ron pockets nothing but good will and improved polymer skills. To date he has made 4,000 hearts (no two are alike) which have been sold at the center, at three galleries, a hospital gift shop, a local craft store, and a clothing boutique. His goal is 10,000 pins in 5 years. You do the math.
Ron does not sell the hearts over the internet since there are no specific patterns to choose from. If you are willing to let him choose a pattern for you, contact Ron at rlehocky@bellsouth.net.
Connecticut’s Libby Mills feels caught in a creative undertow (what a great image) brought on by summer events, a class with Robert Dancik and preparations for her guild’s Klay Karma retreat.
See what Libby’s frenzy has produced by reading her blog and looking at her new metal and polymer clay work. As a bonus, you’ll get a peak at her workspace.
The winners of the NPCG Progress and Possibilities polymer clay exhibit have been announced. Says exhibit judge Elise Winters, "There are several pieces that took my breath away. They are of differing styles and sensibilities but share some common qualities. In each case, the piece reflects a large strong personal vision. Every element of the total design – color, form, proportion, scale, choice of materials, technique, finishing – works to enhance this unified concept. All of the pieces show meticulous attention to detail and workmanship as well."
While we wait for pictures of the winning entries, follow the links from the NPCG page to each of the artists’ home sites. Most of the winning artists have already been featured on Polymer Clay Daily. The piece pictured here is from Heather Campbell, one of the winners we haven’t seen. Thanks to Susan Lomuto who was first to spot the announcement.
These hot summer days have made me lazy and my polymer clay research has consisted of thumbing through the guestbook and clicking artist links to see who’s showing new work. While these names may be familiar, their new work is not.
Judy Dunn has a whole page of new feathery and soft shapes that she’s calling "Organic Chemistry."
I’m still pondering faces and self-portraits and thought the face pin that Julie Picarello dropped in the guestbook was worth a second look. Simple and bright mokume gane faces. Have a lovely lazy weekend.
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I’ve been hoarding these fiber and polymer clay portraits by Dayle Doroshow. I have fond memories of her building these collages bit by bit over several days, her sewing machine purring quietly in the corner of the messy polymer workshop. I’m intrigued by the combinations and wonder about their stories.
Dayle has wonderful ways of showing groups how to evoke memory and meaning which are then translated into work. More than techniques and tools, it’s those skills that infuse our art with power.
Take a look at what the Etsy guild members came up with in their self-portrait challenge. Maybe it’s time to challenge yourself to create a meaningful piece.
If you’re hungry for summer color, take a look at these photo albums.
Bangkok polymer clay artist and entepreneur Ravivan Petchprepa says of her work, "My flowers are handmade out of clay dough. We have to hand sculpture them petal by petal, paint, then gather them into a bud/a blossom then into a spray/stem. We are group of housewives and maidens handmade these like real clay flowers in the suburban of Bangkok, Thailand. You may email the pictures of any kind of flowers or plants including the sizes to us to quote."
It’s eye-opening to see how women in other countries employ their artistry and fascinating to catch a glimpse of their joyous colors. Thanks again to Kim Cavender for her detective work.
I’m not usually drawn to lizards and snakes but these are spectacular ones made of polymer clay by Sandra Lee, a western U.S. artist.
There’s little information about her on her photo site and she doesn’t google well. (Please comment if you know her.) Sandra’s lizards on intricately painted gourds are something to behold.
With the fires out west, one starts to consider the fate of creatures like this regal horned lizard. Of course my eye gravitated to the Huichol-like colorful snakes she creates as well. Many thanks to Kim Cavender who spotted this new treasure for us.
Washington artist Pam Sanders signed the guestbook with an intriguing polymer clay piece so naturally I went exploring. Her loose and playful approach is very appealing with a nice sense of balance and color. I wish I could see more of her work.
And Pam gives us another example of that jewelry/sculpture pairing in her "Dream Temple" piece shown here which incorporates a wearable pin into a 5 x 7 collage meant to hang on the wall.
I’m spotting a trend.
