Polymer Clay Daily

Po

Another Etsy artist with a bit of a seasonal twist for your viewing pleasure.

These polymer clay "Po" characters are from Tomoko, who calls herself a Japanese bird who "perched herself in the New England area and never left." She says of her work, "I can’t explain it well, but Po seems to have this weird presence to lift your spirit up. Whenever I feel a bit cranky, I look at him and I feel better."

In her blog Tomoko shares some introspection and insights into her process. If you’re in the mood for pure sweetness and smiles, visit her Flickr site. Thanks to Cassy Muronaka who led us to the links.

My own backyard

A leisurely weekend surf of local web sites turned up polymer clay artists right in my own backyard. I didn’t realize that Ford/Forlano were represented in the Sherrie Gallerie here in Columbus, Ohio. Their pieces are always a treat.

And on the same site I found the work of Todd Popp and Doug Motz. Motz and Popp (PoMo) have created an arty upscale version of a photo bracelet that’s quite fun. On a bitter cold day this is a wonderful way to wander the neighborhood.

New Hearts

Jennifer Morris is an Etsy artist from Los Angeles, California. Her pieces are deceptively simple with a distinctive vibrant palette. There’s an obvious attention to detail and personal passion in each piece.

While these pieces bring to mind the 3D work of artists like Christi Friesen and Klew, there’s no confusing her work with theirs. Thanks to Susan Rose for forwarding this find.

French Ones

I love the interplay of the gradations on this piece by Catherine Verdiere from Le Havre, France featured on her Ethno-Polymere blog. There’s a wealth of novel ideas and clever solutions on her site.

And her French/English translations are a real help. I’ll have to figure out how she does that. (Oh, she translates it herself since she’s an English teacher! Nice to be bilingual.) Nothing like a lovely new discovery from Susan Rose to shake me out of the doldrums.

Historic Ones

I woke up worrying today. My better self told me to "chill" and give myself a day for breathing and reflection. I found this 15-year-old silly self portrait cane in a cabinet the other day and realized I’ve been playing with polymer for a very long time. FYI, the cane sliced nicely.

Jump in the way-back machine with me and visit some of these old friends and projects (some links are outdated). A day for historic reflection and calm.

Mysterious Ones

It seemed like a good day for simplicity and I was drawn to these photo-transfers on polymer clay pendants which are threaded onto ball chains. There’s something very appealing about the designs and the straightforward execution.

The artist, who works in textiles as well as polymer, is from Ypsilanti, Michigan and can be found on multiple sites (etsy, myspace, flickr, etc.) under "suchprettycolors." Her web sites are long on chic and short on details. Enjoy.

Shy Ones

Karyn McCorcle from Missouri and Margaret Regan from Montana are two long time polymer clay artists. Getting a glimpse of these shy artists on the web has become harder and harder. Colorado’s Karen Sexton spotted their works recently on the web site of the Minneapolis Art Fair. Though you only see a bit of polymer clay work, the whole site is a pleasure.

I’ve composed a little page of McCorcle pieces I own just to give you a taste of Karyn’s cane work. She makes the most complex canes I’ve ever seen and is the only artist I know of who uses open space within the canes.

Thanks to Loretta Lam who relocated Margaret’s site for us.

McCaw Page

Here’s a page that will wake up your Monday morning. Sandra McCaw has published a web page of her work. One page is all we get so far and her work is stunning.

In case you missed it a few months back, you can view a McCaw cane building demo that I photographed at ShrineMont more than ten years ago.

Sandra has moved to Massachusetts and joined up with polymer clay artists there. Judy Dunn sent the link along. Judy’s blog is a fun read too.

Leftovers

Susan Rose made these lovely vessels out of the leftovers from her extrusions class. What a wonderful use of materials.

If you haven’t wandered around in her polymerclaynotes site recently, you’ll want to revisit it. Every time I turn around there’s some fabulous germ of an idea or tool or technique that has totally eluded me. Very inspiring!