Polymer Clay Daily

Smithsonian

Prepare to spend some time on this link to the Smithsonian Craft Show. While the show contains only two polymer artists that I could find (Bishoff/Syron and FordForlano), the works shown throughout are those jaw-dropping inspirations that you shouldn’t miss.

Bonnie Bishoff and JM Syron combine polymer and wood in furniture, vessels, lamps and more. If you’ve been stuck thinking small, this site will force you out of your rut.

Thanks to Lindly Haunani for sending the link to the Smithsonian site. Turning the pages of the book is nearly as much fun as the work itself.

London Jewels


Kotomi Yamamura fashions her jewelery from natural and semi-precious stones set in polymer clay mountings. Born in Osaka, Japan, Kotomi Yamamura obtained a degree in lacquer at Kyoto City University of Art. Following a decade as contract designer she moved in 1998 to London.

Her main source of inspiration has been the decorative arts of the European mediaeval world…Gothic, Byzantine and Russian. Kotomi says she has found a ready and enthusiastic market at galleries, shops and craft fairs in London. Read about her here and see her catalog here.

Ashcroft Update

It’s such a treat to locate artists who started "way back when" in the early days of the NPCG and see what they’re doing now. Check out Pierrette Ashcroft’s site (thanks to super-googler Ronna Weltman). While Pierrette’s signature colors and canes are still very recognizable, she’s integrated them into fresh designs and concepts.

Be sure to check her links and her story about the flying trapeze.

Glowing work

These pieces, gleaned from Flickr, are from a mysterious artist (no name, Portugese perhaps) and show a young, painterly, childlike approach to polymer clay. You’ll find polymer embellished postcards and pins. She’s experimenting with bright colors and glow-in-the-dark flourescents.

Whatever this artist may lack in familiarity with the clay (no caning here) she makes up for in creativity. Fric_de_mentol is no copycat, she’s an original. A breath of fresh air.

Teapots

Canadian artist Wanda Shum has a delightful collection of wares on both her blog and her web site. She has a thing for teapots and I particularly like this "I Dream Of Jeannie" version.

Wanda’s delicate earrings and necklaces filled with extruded patterns show a nice twist on that theme as well.

Many thanks to Barbara Forbes-Lyons for the tip.

Morning coffee or midnight snack

My apologies to those of you who like your daily post with your morning coffee. The day slipped away from me but I figure it's still within the "daily" definition if I post before midnight. 

And luckily I have a treat in my stash (thanks to Laura Curran).

Marcia Herson's site is chock full of goodies so I'll just let you wander through and find your favorites. She's a New Hampshire girl and her story's a good read.

Opera Vessel

I don't even know what an "Opera Vessel" is but I like it anyway. These fanciful creations are by Katerina Musetti of Pennsylvania. Katerina is a singer as well as a polymer artist and that influence comes through in her purses and vessels and necklaces, reflecting the art, music and literature of a bygone era. She was featured in the June 2005 issue of Belle Armoire.

I upgraded the PolymerClayDaily site software last night. If you see any gremlins floating about, let me know.

Another new artist

Rasa Lazauskaite Bead

This site is loaded with spring colors! We could all take a lesson from the way Rasa Lazauskaite has photographed her creations….close up, white background (my color of choice). Of course it helps that her polymer designs are well constructed and immaculately finished. 

 
Rasa's "About" page says that her country of origin is Lithuania.  She now lives in Illinois. Thanks to Mona Kissel for the tip!