Polymer Clay Daily

No particular reason

Linda Loew lets loose with bowls of balls on PolymerClayDaily.com

As I sorted the posts and pictures grabbed for this week’s StudioMojo I realize I’ve collected exciting polymer works made for no particular reason. These bowls of balls are a case in point.

Baltimore’s Linda Loew admits that her bowls of balls aren’t very functional. She liked the colors…so why not add a few more? And some texture just for fun?

I take it back…there is a good reason. The pieces we’ll feature this week were made joyfully to please the artist. In Linda’s case, she was making bowls for a swap at an upcoming polymer conference. The point is that perfection can be tedious, driven, and controlled. Come on over to StudioMojo and watch polymer artists let loose, have some fun!

Paste and polymer

Leah Lester uses high voltage color on PolymerClayDaily.com

Seattle’s Leah Lester (LittleLazies) started as a full-time cake decorator in a small Bakery in Virginia. She sculpted with edible sugar paste and fondant until she discovered polymer in 2010. Read her story in this Discover Geek interview.

Her mix of monsters, cuteness and high voltage colors is a huge hit and perfect for Cinco de Mayo.

Spring slotted flowers

Anne (Baublehaus_) reminds us how to draw tulips #polymerclaydaily https://wp.me/pegT3-7iZ

Did you draw tulips like this as a kid? Me too. Which may be why Seattle’s Anne (from Baublehaus_) is so absolutely right today.

Slotted shapes of leaves and flowers are slipped together to bring simple tulip blooms and leaves to life in polymer. What could be better?

Pastels for polymer

Helene Jeanclaude pulls out the pastels for soft spring colors on PolymerClayDaily.com

These earrings from France’s Helene Jeanclaude whisk you into the weekend. What makes them so soft and soothing?

Seems Helene dusted her polymer with pastels for that soft suede effect. She credits a new tutorial from Debbie Crothers (they’re free) for giving her inspiration.

Need more juicy inspiration for your weekend? Head on over to StudioMojo for a Saturday morning jolt to your system. Loads of ideas and eye candy. Try it out and see what you’ve been missing.

Hop, skip and jump into spring

Mary-Lynne Moffatt's critters hop into spring on PolymerClayDaily.com

Pennsylvania’s Mary-Lynne Moffitt hops us into Spring with a lineup of wayward rabbits and toads. They’re fashionably dressed in dots.

Mary-Lynne sees multi-media critters like these in the most unlikely places. Old paintbrushes become a troupe of arty monsters. Watch her play on Facebook and Instagram.

Simplifying the complicated

Meg Newberg simplifies cane-building on PolymerClayDaily

Arizona’s Meg Newbert (polymerclayworkshop) thinks canes. She likes nothing better than to take designs that look impossibly complex and make them doable for both beginners and experienced caners. She’s done this every month for years!

It’s like mental gymnastics for those who’ve been at this a while. Lots of us may not make the cane she suggests but following along still gives us a thrill. Did I mention that at $5/month, she’s the best deal around for those who never tire of the thrill of slicing into a snake of clay for the big reveal?

What do you suppose Meg’s stash of canes looks like by now?

New products are coming off the production line, clay is climbing back on the shelves and shows are starting up. It’s a crazy world but in some corners, we’re trying to stay sane and creative. See what’s blooming this spring in Saturday’s StudioMojo. 

Tied in knots


Amy Koranek's prototype for a new twist on Souffle on PolymerClayDaily.com

Sculpey brand ambassador Amy Koranek cured strands of Souffle and then consulted YouTube for how to tie the pliable strings into a decorative knot. Now to finish the piece with a closure. This was an in-progress shot from our recent in-person event in Ohio (Buckeye Bash).

Leaning over shoulders as artists work out new ideas is a terrific way to learn and see where trends are headed.

If you like being on the cutting edge, join us at StudioMojo. Every Saturday sit down with a cuppa and follow links to the most happening events and most clever products about to come to market. We scour our sources to keep you up to the minute. Join us tomorrow.

Nailing it with small talk

Makesmalltalk's Lisa makes wrinkles that radiate on PolymerClayDaily.com

Dallas’ Lisa (makesmalltalk) has been draping, wrinkling, and wrapping polymer for some time. As the Olympics have us saying this week, “She nailed it,” with this translucent striped vessel. Lisa had been creating big earrings but now she’s gone even bigger.

Can’t you see it filled with brushes or tools? Or hanging with a light inside? The container has a tactile, fabric quality that’s exuberant and fun.

Lisa sells her new collections every Friday evening.

If you want more examples of polymer artists who are veering off course into new territory, join us at StudioMojo each Saturday morning where we suss out fresh ideas, emerging trends, and other artists who are nailing it!.