Polymer Clay Daily

Artists

Pretty in Pink

Primitive and pretty. Primitive and pink. Ronna Weltman has taken a new tack. (Her new photos might not have gotten posted on her site yet.) This light delicate look is a nice departure from the heavier designs we’re used to in polymer work.

I guess I’m already in the mood for spring.

Judy Belcher’s new book arrived from Amazon yesterday. I’ll feature a few things to entice you in the coming days. It’s filled with pictures that will inspire you. I’m sure the text is informative too but like most of you, I’m hung up on the photos.

Seasonally Speaking

Jack Schwend of Oxford, Alabama began making these elves when he was in the service stationed in Germany and happened across some polymer clay in a hardware store. He bakes his creations a total of 20 times and gives them an incredible high-gloss finish by dipping them at least seven times in a water-based floor sealant.

His site indicates that he's done for the season but you'll want to take a look at his very precise and detailed work. For best viewing, turn the music off.

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Emerging Artist

We stumbled upon this new site…or rather, he stumbled on us.

SL Savarick was a recent emerging artist at Gwen Gibson’s Emerging Artist Gallery and will be teaching at Ravensdale (August 6-12) this summer. He works in his Los Angeles studio creating inro, minaudiere, art purses and jewelry. Be sure to take a look at his online gallery.

FYI, there’s not a lot of Ravensdale information posted online yet. They’ve got a discussion site to peruse if you’re so inclined but otherwise, don’t expect much publicity until February.

OK, I had to look it up. min·au·dière
Pronunciation (mn-dyâr) n. pl. min·au·dières (-dyârz, -dyâr)

A small ornamental case for a woman’s cosmetics, jewelry, or personal items that is often carried as a handbag. [French, from feminine of minaudier, affected, smirking, from minauder, to simper, smirk, from mine, appearance, countenance, from Old French, probably from Breton min, muzzle.]

Young Things


IRK jewelry is vintage German glass but doesn’t it look like polymer? See more of it at greengrass design.

I surf the young NY designers looking for what’s next in jewelry and accessories. I can’t say that I understand or appreciate what these youngsters are making and buying but I know it’s important to look and get a sense of where things are headed.

Missed my return trip to Winterfair. Rescheduled it for tomorrow.

The Season’s Bounty

Our Winterfair had only three polymer exhibitors, down a couple from last year. Today I shopped a bit, tomorrow I go back with a camera and get serious.

I limit myself to shopping on one day and devote another to photographing work, examining displays and noting salesmanship, ambience, etc. In my experience, shopping and studying can’t be done at the same time. The ornaments here are again from Columbus’ Sharon Sahl.

Hyde out of hiding

Seattle’s Susan Hyde makes the most wonderful polymer fabrics to dress her sassy blondes. Susan is one of those polymer artists who lurks in the background. She’s rarely in shows and sells only locally. You’ll see her work in many books, however.

I’ll hound her to get better pictures so that you can witness the colorful detail in her work.

Perhaps when she retires from her day job in the spring we can coax her into showing us more. In the meanwhile, you’ll have to email her to get in touch.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday

Humbug…no shopping for me. I’m going to stay home and work on my polymer clay projects. For my money there’s nothing better than a handmade, heartfelt gift. These beautiful bugs are from Babs Young in Michigan.

I’ll admit that I look forward to the holiday art shows (our Winterfair starts later this week) to see what’s new. Let me know what you spot at your local shows….remember to take your camera along.

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Speaking Sculpturally


Says Christi Freisen, "As with many artists, I enjoy creating in more than one media, but sculpting suits me best. I have chosen to work primarily in mixed media, embellishing polymer clay with gems, pearls, beads and found objects which are worked into the sculpture while the clay is uncured. I feel this allows for a very organic design. It’s also very interesting joining forces with nature to create something memorable."

Her new Dragons Book is available through her online store.