Melissa Terlizzi’s latest polymer reminds us to seize today. The piece is actually entitled Feeding Time at the Koi Pond.
Convincing translucent splashes of water and fins flip over the edges of the crowded frame. Trompe l’oeil koi? Here’s more Melissa on Facebook.
The fish caught my attention because today I’m feeling like a fish out of water as we hit Wyoming. What do I know about cattle and boots and cowboys? Oh well, carpe diem!
Janell Berryman’s Frank reminds us of what October still has in store for us. She has a line of monsters, ghouls and gremlins available in her Etsy PumpkinSeeds shop. Janell specializes in simple sculpted designs with skinny legs and impish expressions. Zoom in to see the colors and texture she builds into her pieces.
I thought my trip to the tropics meant I’d have to forego fall colors But the weather cooperated and I’m getting to catch some autumn glory on my cross country ride. A truckload of pumpkins whizzed by in traffic today. I hope they’re headed your way.
It’s time for me to head for California. I tore a page from Kimberley Arden’s Facebook (way back in August) to illustrate my journey. Kim travels in much better style than I do. She has a ’66 Winnebago in her backyard.
The sweet little camper cane rested quietly before it was reduced and a pink flamingo completed her retro look.
I’ll be posting from motels this week as we drive cross country. I’ll divulge my destination when we arrive since it’s a new place for us. The studio’s packed and we’re off! We’ll see who we can snag along the way. Maybe Kimberley will show us what she made with these beauties.
Kim Cavender has been in the woods for a while and now she’s back in her studio with a whole range of polymer succulents like this bangle.
Here’s her woods-inspired latest gallery of work which you can also see on Facebook. Welcome back, Kim.
These simple polymer jackets from Kseniya Iokhna (Solarbird) make you look twice at the wrong-side-out construction.
On her Etsy listing she turns them over to show the construction. Clever, eh?
More breezy designs on Flickr and Facebook from this Belarus artist.
Chiara Curreli (Duecentogrammi – on FB here) puts polymer before new audiences and uses it for young fashions. Her latest video isn’t a how-to but the fast forward and strong beat inject energy and a handmade theme into her vivacious designs.
The idea of transformations appeals to me as I return from vacation and hit the ground running. Let’s see how a dreamy vacation transforms PCD. I’m a little jet lagged but I’m back! Thanks for the link, Lindly!
Jon Anderson lives and works in Bali and is one of the most prolific and accomplished artists in polymer. Years of pinching and pounding clay have taken their toll on Jon’s thumb. He’s scheduled for thumb repairs and in the meanwhile his longtime assistant demoed Jon’s process, assembling and reducing the cane according to his instructions.
Jon pays strict attention to the angle of light in his intricately caned sculptures and is always aware of how he leads the viewer’s eye through each piece. This Buddha cane illustrates how John builds large canes and plays with light to enhance the 3D effect. Slices of the reduced cane are integrated in with Jon’s distinctive repeated designs to make sculpture or jewelry.
For more photos, interviews and recordings of this delightfully eccentric and very successful artist, sign up for the Saturday StudioMojo where we’ll take a more in-depth look at what I learned on the Bali-Fiber Tour that I’m currently on. See Jon’s latest work on his Facebook page.
On my way! Posting whenever I can for the next two weeks.
Germany’s Bettina Welker made these earrings in a Czech Republic class taught by Eva Haskova. You can see hints of each artist in these classroom experiments. Bettina says she moved out of her comfort zone as she tried Eva’s methods.
I’m moving out of my comfort zone and my time zone this weekend, traveling to Bali to take a class and meet up with polymer artists and learn some new ways of working. PCD will shift into sporadic travelogue mode for the next couple of weeks.
Kicking off a yearlong celebration of FIMO’s 50th year, manufacturer Staedtler unveiled the FIMO 50 World Project, a globe-shaped sculpture to be covered with polymer tiles as it moves from place to place, generating enthusiasm for clay and revenue for several philanthropic projects. Details and instructions are being written up and everyone will be invited to participate. Stay tuned for the project’s site where you’ll find complete information.
One more thing…Iris Mishly has devised one more way to push you out of your comfort zone with her newest series of classes that mix macrame and polymer. Take a look at INKredible Macrame.
If autumn has you itching to get back to nature, revisit the woodsy section on Kathleen Dustin’s site. Her polymer rocks snuggle comfortably against the Mountain Laurel wood focal. The group is suspended on a 19″ steel cable to form her Architectural Neckpiece. She integrates polymer gracefully with natural forms in her woods and beach series.
Here’s a free 3-minute tutorial on wishing stones to inspire you to try your hand at rocks. The video is short and reminds me of how much fun it is to make realistic rocks using translucent polymer colored with distress powders (or spices).
Kathleen is preparing for the Craft2Wear trunk show at the Smithsonian in October and the American Craft Exposition in Chicago. Catch up with her and see some of her newest works on Facebook.
