Last I looked at Susan Waddington, I focussed in on her dogs painted on polymer. This time as I whipped through her site, I caught a glimpse of her pendants and bracelets.
She's got a nice way of combining companion pieces in balanced and eye-pleasing ways. And her colors are soothing. Take a look.
Election day and I'm on pins and needles. For relief let's head to some place neutral. How about Switzerland? Yes!
I just love the jewelry at the Essor Gallery. No polymer here but lots of ideas.
And for your polymer clay fix today try this MTV claymation. It cracks me up. I'll be calmer tomorrow.
I live in Ohio for heaven's sake and of course I'm nervous about tomorrow's election. I need a distraction. I've got just the whacko thing for a whacko Monday.
This video (see the MySpace link below) of Seattle's Michael Leavitt's polymer clay poseable action art figures is wonderfully entertaining. To the left you see his Van Gogh with detachable ear and starry night palette.
According to Leavitt, "Truth lies in pure entertainment and simple beauty." Take a look and then spend some time on his web site. Pure entertainment, for sure.
Grant Diffendaffer sent word today that he'd be in this weekend's BABE Show (that's Bay Area Bead Extravaganza in Oakland, CA).
While you may not be able to get to California so quickly, you can rummage through the BABE Show links. I see that Christi Friesen, Janet Farris, Klew and others are in the show. And lots of suppliers are listed for those who want to shop.
Looks like Janet has added a great new Kabuki cane on her web site along with some terrific new mosaics and other treats. Watch her build the cane in a series of pictures. Very educational. Enjoy the weekend.
This issue of Ornament magazine gives us all a boost. Not only are Ford/Forlano on the cover, but the magazine is full of our ilk…Winters, Dustin, Friesen, Van Helmert and some I've missed I'm sure (let me know if you spot them).
I'm not sure I understand the article about Ford/Forlano but I'm sure glad it's there and I have great respect for their work. I catch myself saying, "I remember when they were all about grids and tubes and cartoon colors" as I read that they've evolved from Nietzsche and Dionysus. So be it. I must have missed something along the way.
I'm awfully proud that our craft has attained such lofty heights. I love to thumb through the magazine and punch in all the web addresses. It's a great education.
Perlenkuche (bead kitchen) makes mouthwatering beads in Bern, Switzerland. Don't we wish our holiday cravings could be satisfied by these delicacies?
I'm amazed at how the ice cream of these two artists has such realistic texture. And their meringues! Hmmmm. No need to speak German to enjoy this site.
Thanks to paper mache artist Gabriele Kunze for the link.
Christopher Malone's creations are an exciting hybrid of realistic dolls with amazing facial expressions of polymer clay and fantastical creatures with wild dress and embellishment. They range in size from 14-inch "magic hands" to 7 1/2-foot stilt dancers and are simply spectacular.
What a surprise to come across this Ohio-born artist who's living in Washington, D.C. Thanks to Kathleen Anderson for sharing the link.
I'm looking forward to a vacation with polymer friends who are wonderful artists and some of whom produce works only for trade, for gifts and for the sheer enjoyment. So I doubt you'll find Colorado's Carol Simmons with a big web site any time soon but you shouldn't miss her work.
These two beads (photos of front and back) set on my window sill and are as wonderful to touch as they are to look at. I can't bring myself to drill holes in them.
Carol's an organizer, a mover and shaker and former president of the national guild. A Monday tip of the hat to those who quietly keep our craft moving forward.
Whenever I'm feeling boring and uninspired (or if it's Friday), I head to France for a pick-me-up. Their design flare is like a refreshing splash of water on my face.
Take a look at the work of Sandrine Gazzera from Toulouse, France. (Cendrillon, the name of the site, translates to Cinderella.) The site is fun to mouse around in and the work is playful. The link comes to us courtesy of Louise Gagné.
Ahhhh. Don't you feel better now? Have a playful weekend.
Carol and Jean-Pierre Hsu of Berkeley Springs, Virginia (a couple of hours away from ShrineMont where the national guild holds its annual retreat) work in aluminum but as you can see their designs are particularly relevant right now.
I'm thinking of making myself a similar pair of earrings out of polymer clay. Their designs are instructional (yes, by all means, vote) and their colors inspirational. Must make these soon.
