Polymer Clay Daily

Books/Magazines

Gracing the Cover

The graceful polymer clay designs of Ohio’s Grace Stokes are featured on the cover of the September issue of Art Jewelry Magazine. "Less is more sophisticated," says the table of contents, "Spare lines and contemporary materials rejuvenate a traditional brooch motif."

Along with the article, Grace has unveiled her web site which is full of her works which mix polymer clay with precious metal, pearls, seed beads and other materials. Her delicate lines have a very up-to-date design feel.

Definitive Color

After ten years of teaching polymer clay color, Maggie Maggio and Lindly Haunani are writing the book. They’re looking for your previously unpublished images to illustrate their pages. See all the details on the NPCG site. The deadline is November 1.

Loads of Pix

I was all set to send you to some mouthwatering polymer clay photos (like this "Spondylosis" from Maryland’s Rachel Gourley) when I realized that they were from a Lark’s 400 Polymer Clay Designs volume. Someone had simply scanned the book and put the pictures on her own photo site. Very tacky, very copyright sticky. Let’s not go there.

So instead, I found a stash of photos from the book on Google Books site which looks to be a legit use. Not only can you look at lots of pictures from this book, but you can thumb through pages and pages of information from many polymer clay books and get a very good idea of what a book’s about before you invest.

Perhaps I’m the last one to figure out this Google Books thing, but I’ve been having such fun here that I just had to share.

Sue Ossenberg recommends Fetchbook for the serious book shopper.

Bad Hair Day

It’s Friday and I’m frazzled. Reminds me of these "good hair/bad hair" earrings I made some years ago.

Just for fun, I’ll hit the bookstore this weekend. I understand that Pat Bolgar has an article in Belle Armoire Jewelry, Volume 2 and LuAnn Udel is quoted in More magazine’s March article, "The Mentor’s Manual." I know there are other polymer clay articles popping up on the newsstands too. Have a refreshing, replenishing weekend.

Blackburn Book

If you need a "hit" of polymer clay inspiration, you’ll want to take a look at this new book from England’s Carol Blackburn. She has a way of taking standard techniques and enlivening them with her own vision. I’m a big fan of her backfilling tips.

The book is a colorful treat that’s laid out in a way that makes every step obvious and clear. True to its title, the book focuses more on beadmaking than on the construction of finished pieces. This isn’t a project book, it’s a hefty primer for beginners and accomplished clayers alike.

If you’re in a listening mood, be sure to tune into Alison Lee’s Craftcast chat with Donna Kato who talks about work that transcends the material it’s made of. Nice concept to ponder this weekend.

Good Company

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.

Loco

Whenever I'm stuck in the design doldrums, I head for France (well French web sites) to give myself a whole new look.

I'm not sure who's behind "Benita Loco" but the site is chock full of strange and interesting polymer clay creations. The technique is usually rough but the sensibility is self-assured and chic. And the necks of the models are always young and lovely.

If you tire of the polymer section, you'll find colorful treats in the rest of the site too.

LA’s Potter

She's listed in the most recent issue of Los Angeles Magazine as one of the best things about the arts in LA!

Carolyn Potter is a multi-talented textile, metal, polymer clay and gourd artist. She's got a whole list of classes scheduled at the Barnsdall Art Center. (Here's a .pdf file of their fall brochure.)

Carolyn's polymer inlaid gourd looks like the epitome of fall to me. And if you're a Day of the Dead (or Halloween) celebrant, you'll love this link that Carolyn passed along. These sugar skull molds could certainly be adapted for polymer!

Additions

Here are three new sites for your viewing pleasure. Holland's Annette Duburg (her necklace is at the left) hasn't been featured here and I ran across her lovely work at Ravensdale. She also appears in the The Art of Polymer Clay book.

Michelle Petelinz recently appeared on my radar as well. She embellishes boxes and masks and mirrors with polymer clay.

Colorado's Janis Holler's site came to my attention compliments of Crystal Gourdine. Janis' career history shows a high geek factor, she's an electrical engineer with wide-ranging interests and artwork. I'm fascinated by the number of scientists, engineers and other geek-types who are attracted to polymer clay.

Home Schooling

Can't get out to a class? Try home schooling with DVDs and videos.

Lisa at Polkadot Creations pointed us to some new polymer clay videos by Dayle Doroshow (International Inspirations in Polymer Clay – Volume 1: Provence and Volume 2:China). Take a look at the trailers in either Quicktime or Windows Media. There's a great gallery of Dayle's work on the site too (takes a moment or two to load).

And Weefolk's Maureen Carlson has put out the word that her site's been updated with a new look and updated info.