Hanging polymer

“I must have been an elf,” says Canada’s Ken Fedoruk, “It’s the only thing that explains my affinity and passion for developing Kenfolks, an assortment of handcrafted figures that I’ve been crafting since 1989.”

But not all Ken’s figures are your typical elves and Santas – as in this sparkly ornament called Christmas Elf – Sweetie Ice Cream Swirl.

Oh, you’re going to have a good time browsing through Ken’s huge collection of polymer Christmas characters on Instagram, Facebook and the Kenfolks site.

Makes you think about the family members you might want to hang on the tree.

This elf needs to get back to her studio.

Harmonious polymer

You might not have noticed the polymer bracelet that Jane Pauley wore for this segment of CBS Sunday Morning. But the bracelet, which was made by the women in the Kindway polymer class at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, is our community’s link to a heartwarming story.

What a healing dose of holiday spirit is hidden in this short segment.

Notice that the warden, Roni Burkes, is also a member of the Harmony choir. Under her guidance the polymer, quilting, writing, dog-training and many other programs at ORW are thriving. The classes awaken creativity and allow inmates to heal and give back.

See more on the ORW Facebook page. Here’s a video that explains the programs more thoroughly. Polymer class is explained at the 3:35 mark.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed stashes of clay, unused equipment, books and tutorials and made generous donations to help the women tap into the creative spirit that we share. Happy holidays!

Staying warm with polymer

The UK’s Karen Walker (clayground) pays close attention to to textures and patterns in her fashionably dressed winter characters.

The faces may not reveal much but the plaid scarf, thermal weave, pleated pants and polka dots speak volumes.

Karen markets Cernit clay and these small figures are her specialty. Look at all the lovelies on her Facebook and Instagram.

Her free Snowman tutorial on YouTube is fun for a last-minute gift.

POLYmerHEDRA

London’s Carol Blackburn just had a birthday and it must have set her creative juices in motion! Remember her wall art from November?

Her new POLYmerHEDRA are made of colorful Skinner-blended strips baked over a form (cotton or styrofoam balls perhaps). Carol had an earlier career in knitting so she’s very at home with woven, geometric shapes.

She doesn’t include the size. Are you seeing sleek contemporary ornaments? Earrings? Beads? Let the lovely possibilities shift your brain into gear and propel you into the studio.

Whimsy for the weekend

BoingBoing featured Dayna Corbitt’s (WhimsyCalling) impossibly cute polymer clay figurines of whimsical and mythical animals.

This Olympia, WA artist quit her day job a month ago. “I found my happy place and it’s made of clay,” she says in a feature on BoredPanda. You’ll find her menagerie of real and fantasy creatures on Instagram, Facebook and Etsy.

Dayna’s Black Bear Cubs, 1 1/2″ high in their winter sweaters look ready for a chilly weekend. Enjoy it!

Superficial polymer

Do Shannon Tabor’s blanks appeal to you? Are you drawn to the possibilities of polymer as a vehicle for inks, paints, pencils, markers, chalks, screens, stamps and more?

If so, you’re in good company. That’s how the polymer crowd rolled this year. The winter edition of The Polymer Arts magazine brings you more about the wealth of surface treatments that have popped up. The articles all focus “On the Surface” and you’re sure to find a method that suits your style.

Here Shannon (Charleston Clay) colors and scuffs her white bases into Orbit earrings which were inspired by astronaut and Ohio hero John Glenn. See more of Shannon’s inspired creations on Instagram and Facebook and this interview plus tutorial on Paint/Draw/Blend.

Light leafed earrings

I don’t know about you, but I could use a break from the snow and the red and green holiday frenzy. It’s warmer more laid back in Melbourne, AU, where Peaches and Keen make their graphic, translucent, gold-leafed earrings.

I’m not even sure that their thin “plastic” earrings are made from polymer. But they could/should/might be and that’s good enough for me today.

If you need a jolt of color and a hit of crisp design, stroll through their Instagram, Facebook, and website.

Dashing through the snow

Jayne Dwyer and Ron Lehocky collaborated on these dashing reindeer. Jayne’s a caning whiz and Ron’s a talented scavenger who turns lowly scraps from other artists (Jayne’s cane ends in this example) into high art with a purpose.

So even if you’re dashing today, take a moment to appreciate the little things, small blessings and serendipitous collaborations.

Ron shared an animation on Facebook that says it all, “Have a heart, pass it on.” For Ron, making hearts has become meditative. Watch him do it here.

See more of Jayne’s canes here.

Closure in a bead is a snap

A good necklace closure is often the polymer artist’s holy grail.

If you’ve wrestled with hooks and clasps, you will appreciate the satisfying click of the Dots and Lines piece by Moscow’s Anna Kokareva (Annie Bimur).

Her magnetic clasp hides neatly within the big focal bead and snaps together easily. (I’m guessing the magnet has been attached with epoxy clay since magnets don’t like baking.)

Of course the interestingly beaded cord adds a lovely touch as well. There’s more on her Flickr site and on Facebook.

Polymer plaid

Katie Oskin's simple plaid for the holidays on PolymerClayDaily.com

Enjoy the festive simplicity of a plaid cane from Katie Oskin (KatersAcres). The design may remind you of the holiday tablecloth waiting to be pulled out for upcoming celebrations and meals.

Katie used the cane to create accessories for a batch of her Merry Moose figures. You can see more of her work on Facebook and her site.

What could you whip up with four or five colors and this easy over/under design? Enjoy your weekend!

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