Polymer Clay Daily

From the far northwest

Canadian Gera Scott Chandler came upon the idea for "ethni’Zens", the first of her art dolls when she was beachcombing and stopped to study the form of some bull kelp that was strewn upon the sand.

Says Gera, "I saw the suggestion of a long skirt cascading from a dancer’s hips and visualized an exciting way to combine polymer clay with fiber and found materials to create an evocative character who is subtly beautiful and unabashedly aloof."

Gera’s studio is located in Victoria BC. Her site’s full of eye candy. Thanks to Laura McIntosh for the tip and the link to her Southern Ontario guild.

Finishing from the start

Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes will teach in San Diego for a double weekend January 14 and 15 then January 21 and 22. Classes are $140 for both days for guild members or $160 for non-members.

As I cruise through hundreds of polymer sites, I have become a firm believer in Dan’s approach to "finishing right from the start." So much polymer work suffers from a lack of attention to finishing.

I wish I were nearer San Diego so that I could learn more. Look on the guild’s site for information and for pictures (black necklace, pin and domed necklace) of their beautifully finished works .

A little pick-me-up

I was just going to lounge today but a hot tip from Jan Norwood sent me to funnysculptures.com and I just can't wait to introduce you to the work of this nutty polymer person. Marcia Rocha is a Brazilian-born artist now based in New York, if I'm reading her web site correctly.

If you're in the post-holiday doldrums, this will pick you up in a hurry. Thanks to Jan for the tip.

Queen for a Day


I’ve been intrigued by the Renaissance pieces created by Jennifer Parrish of Parrish Relics. While the pieces aren’t specifically labeled as being made from polymer clay (resilient resin, resin-based…is how they’re described), I’m assuming that this is polymer clay.

It’s fun to see these departures from the usual millefiore, mokume gani designs. The pieces are well crafted and interesting. If you’re needing to feel like a Queen for a Day or have a theatrical bent, take a look at her site. Don’t miss the journal pages.

Polymer Cloisonné

Tennessee’s Jai Johnson has developed an interesting twist on cloisonne which she plans to pursue in 2006. She talks about her plans and has the best pictures on her blog.

Jai first created the setting with genuine gold leaf on the edges. Then she built a network of "cloisons" (cells or compartments) by forming 14K gold filled bezel wire into a pattern for the center of the pendant. Each "cell" was then painted using tinted polymer, filled gradually until she obtained the shading and coloring she wanted, with multiple firings between layers.

Head South…it’s cold in Ohio

These nicely shaped swirls from patsy monk at the Tampa Bay's September meeting caught my eye. 

Makes me wanna go Skinner and swirl.

If you're heading south this winter, you might want to check out the Florida calendar of events. Dayle Doroshow will teach Niches, Shrines and Secret Places, a one day workshop, on Wednesday March 15, 2006 in Clearwater Florida. For more info, go to the guild's web site.

Then March 16-19 Dayle presents two workshops at the Florida Tropical Weavers Guild Conference in Leesburg, Florida in March. Ancient Cultures and New Frontiers explore the versatile, exciting, and playful possibilities of polymer clay, as it is used to create artifacts, jewelry, and embellishments. Maggie Maggio will teach Smashing Color Theory for Dyers at the same conference.

Scribbler

Connecticut’s Libby Mills calls it "textural glazing" or scribbling with liquid clay. I call it fun. The colors in her Blue Split Silver are yummy and a great way to integrate techniques she learned from Kathleen Dustin into her work. Take a look.

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More Than One Fish

It’s a big sea of polymer out there and I’ve snagged another one. Judy Dunn caught word of the site and sent me a link to her work. You’ll want to be sure to take a look. If you know of some polymer artist whose work has gone unrecognized, send me a link and we’ll reel ’em in.

And today, Judy’s sent me three new links I would never have discovered. It feels like Christmas came early…what a gift! I’ll let you open them, one at a time (slowly…just like my mother doled out presents) in the next few days.

More Humbugs

We’ve been dealing with our late cat’s legacy….fleas. I suppose that’s why I’ve been drawn to all the polymer bugs. Luckily it’s winter and my red-spotted legs are hidden from view. How inhospitable is it to have fleas during the holiday season? The charmers on the left are from Karen Kozak.

Jody Bishel (right) has some great ones on her photo album site too. It’s a shame they’re so darkly printed and hard to see on the web, they’re really wonderful.

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