Ponsawan Sila‘s polymer clay flowers were inspired by one lonely dahlia bloom she grew in her garden this year. Her enthusiasm and optimism may help you find yours this Monday.
She generously shares her tutorials for the canes on one site. On her blog Ponsawan shows the results, jewelry she assembles from slices that have been stacked, stretched and manipulated into a wild garden of blooms.
This row of simple, rustic pendants by Lynn (UnaOdd) is even more appealing when you see the molds she made using plants from her garden and Knead-a-Mold. “The final mold can be used in the oven (for polymer) and is food safe as well,” says Lynn.
Here’s a lovely mosaic photo of her results and more examples are sprinkled throughout her Etsy gallery and her Flickr photos.
I try to stick to my “no products” rule on PCDaily but this idea grabbed me and I had to share.
Genevieve Williamson’s blog (JibbyandJuna) led me to the link. The two artists went to college together and you can feel a sympatico vibe in their work. Have a simple, rustic weekend.
If, like me, you overlooked the hands-on classes that have been added to the Synergy2 lineup, be sure to look again. There are some gems being offered before and after the Baltimore conference.
The trick is that you have to contact the instructor directly (or his/her website) to get in on the deal.
Check out these whimisical narrative sculptures from Leslie Blackford’s “Off With Your Head!” class on the Tuesday before the conference. Their heads are built over small lightbulbs and you can change their head/body combinations to suit your mood.
If you’ve never seen Leslie conjure up creatures from a heap of polymer clay scraps, you’re in for a treat. Her spontaneous, direct way of bringing an idea to life will light your imagination. Here’s her Deviant site and here’s her email.
It’s rare to have access to this many top-notch teachers. The rest of the hands-on class roster includes: Seth Savarick, Tracy Holmes, Bettina Welker, Dan Cormier, Robert Dancik. Add to that the Cabin Fever Clay Fest workshops and their long list of experts. Take a class and your head will be spinning like the ones on Leslie’s sculptures!
Polymer clay illustrator Paula Pindroh (here’s her professional portfolio) created these cake toppers based on US Postal Service stamps. They look terrific on the orange wedding cake of her Denver clients and are a great example of an artistic phenomenon.
A recent New York Times article confirms what polymer artists have been seeing – a trend to customized cake toppers. Says one expert, “…it singularizes the couple and communicates that this couple is like no other. That is the dominant movement in the wedding planning industry right now.”
A follow-up CNN story talks about the money side of the trend and links to examples at Younique Boutique (though I’m not quite sure who the actual creators of their toppers are).
I’m home from my nephew’s lovely mountain top wedding….a “singularized” event indeed.
Christine Harris is an art therapist whose polymer clay tableaux are dense with myth, meaning and introspection. She’s created a site where she hopes to talk about using polymer for life enrichment. You can join that conversation here.
Christine’s images suit me just fine after a family wedding weekend that stirs up old memories while new ones are being created. I’m winging my way home from the west coast today.
I also direct you to Susan (Da Muse) Lomuto’s site today where she may delve into my myth and meaning on her High5 series of posts.
The posts were all international last week! Perhaps that’s because the heart of the action was moving to the Euro Clay Carnival in France this week. If you study their class descriptions and photos you can experience a bit of the thrill vicariously.
You’ll want to read the updated class descriptions for November’s Las Vegas Clay Carnival too. Lynne Ann Schwarzenberg debuts her Filigree/Foliage Fusion class.
Kim Cavender introduces her Pearl Burgers that mimic the look of dyed silk ribbon and pearls without any of the sewing.
Donna Kato has branched out into toys with her new polka dot spinner bracelet. The rings spin so that you can wear the piece and entertain yourself too.
You may have heard rumors about polymer clay being accepted into major museums. The rumors are true!
Read today’s post at the PolymerArtArchive to learn how the dream of recognition for the polymer medium was brought to life by Elise Winters and others.
The Board of Trustees at the Racine Art Museum (RAM) in Racine, Wisconsin has confirmed their commitment to establish a permanent collection of polymer clay jewelry, beads and objects (like this early leaf necklace by Pier Voulkos). The museum will assemble a world-class collection of works, preserve study pieces for future research, establish a small library, set up an exhibition and more.
While the museum will absorb some costs and solicit grants for this project, much of the support will have to be raised through our community. You, your guild, your group can help elevate and secure this artform. PolymerClayDaily will join in the fundraising efforts. Your tax-deductible donations will provide crucial support.
Thanks go to Elise, her colleagues and collectors for their work and their generosity which has helped our art take this major step forward.
Polymer clay is at its best when it’s transformed into diva jewelery and here’s some big, confident glamor for your Thursday from Barcelona. Elvira López del Prado gives a new twist to wire wrapping (easiest to see on her Flickr site).
Elvira graduated in Fine Arts with a major in sculpture which is reflected in her approach to polymer. She combines wire, felt, resin, paper, and textiles into her pieces.
Elvira is active in the Spanish PC Guild (Arcilla Polimérica de España) and the link comes from fellow guild member Marivi Ricart Engel.
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Pendants – Side A
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Pendants – Side B
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Jana Lehmann’s (Feeliz) polymer clay Cosmic Blossom pendants have color and texture and shape that delight the eye on both the front and the back.
What is even more interesting is to follow her progress from the Cosmic Cookies that she made in Grant Diffendaffer’s class to this version. Jana, from Stuttgart, Germany, reinterpreted Grant’s methods and ideas to reflect her own vision. I love seeing a technique grow and change as it migrates around the world.
The link comes to us from Bettina Welker.
Eva Haskova’s site (EH Multidesign) pops with young colors and designs, simple lively patterns that exude confidence and a love of the medium.
This Czech Republic artist graduated from fine arts school and got her introduction to clay at the first Euro Clay Carnival. She now sells online and through her own website.
When UK class host/organizer Helen Cox signed Eva up for more classes, she sent the link to introduce her to you.
