McCaw’s falling polymer leaves

Sandra McCaw‘s new stunning falling leaves series hasn’t been posted on her web site yet and I couldn’t wait to share this lovely work. Her slideshow on the Crafthaus site includes Sandra’s new polymer clay pieces exquisitely photographed by Hap Sakwa.

The balance and symmetry perfectly mimic leaves floating on a breeze. Sandra pairs the tight geometric canes for which she’s known with shibori-like washes of color.

Judy Dunn gave me a shout out about the new pictures.

Powers sells polymer seashells

Heather Powers and I are in the same “seashells by the seashore” state of mind. A weekend at the beach will do that to you. Her polymer clay urchin beads captivate me and I finally have a chance to take an impression from the real thing here in Florida.

The seashell beads by Norway’s Flowermouse and more sea creatures from Tina Holden caught my eye as well.

This is not the work I “should” be doing but I’m on vacation and going with the flow. Perhaps this is the start of a go with the flow week for you too. Here’s Heather’s Etsy site.

Bohmer’s polymer rainbow

Take sunny colors and extruded polymer clay strings, stir in a dash of unexpected construction and you’ve got Margit Bohmer’s Big Rainbow necklace and a fun Friday.

Margit is part of the German guild and she’s been on a bit of a roll lately, trying everything from tranfers to faux with great results that’s she shares on her Flickr page.

We’re boating and beaching this weekend. Hope yours is sunny too.

Williamson’s cool polymer

Pennsylvania’s Genevieve Williamson (Jibby and Juna) loves gray and muted colors for her polymer clay designs. Her cool, organic designs have a very modern sensibility and you’ll want to soak up the ambience at her blog and on her etsy gallery.

I’m soaking up the ambience of this coffee shop, my wifi oasis in Florida. My in-laws long ago opted out of technology and are baffled by my need to drive off to get a daily hit of caffeine and electrons. I’m writing fast and trying to remember that I’m on vacation.

Today’s link comes from Eugena Topina’s PolymerClayChameleon site. I’m headed for the dock to watch the porpoises.

Where you get it from, where you take it to

I’m on the road today so I’ll leave you with this quote. Even if you’ve seen it before, it bears repeating and reconsidering.

Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.

Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.

– Jim Jarmusch

George’s solo polymer exhibit

Ellen George’s Nose Touches Twig solo exhibit of polymer clay sculptures inspired by nature will be at PDX Contemporary Art in Portland, Oregon through May 30.

A former dental technician Ellen pushes the clay in new directions with her abstract forms that vary in density, color and translucence.

The imagined forms are evocative of undersea life, water, clouds, and geological formations. The relationship to the wall is explored in pieces like this 14.5″ by 14.5″ Scatter where holes are carved out of coral-like pieces of large flat pieces of polymer clay.

Here’s a post about an earlier exhibit. I love the vibrancy and size of this new series.

Toops bead video

Seattle’s Cynthia Toops takes you through the process of making polymer clay beads in this quick and wonderful video. It’s sure to give you breathtaking inspiration and overwhelming studio envy to start your week.

Toops’ jewelry is featured in the installation, A Bead Quiz, on view now at the Seattle Art Museum. Her husband, Dan Adams, has a companion video here.

You might want to look at Cynthia and Dan’s self-published book and her Facere Gallery listings too.

I’m scouting out polymer clay in Chapel Hill, NC today and send my thanks to Carol Simmons for sending me today’s link.

Arscott’s polymer clay riddle

This polymer clay sculpture from Dean Arscott’s Ringling College senior illustration show is good for a Friday chuckle. It’s a twist on the old “Why did the chicken cross the road?” riddle.

Arscott says of his sculptures, “This pervasive silliness was and is a great escape for me in this sometimes up-tight world.” You can see a quick video of his polymer clay silliness here. Susan Lomuto sent the link.

I’ll be on the road for the next couple of weeks, bouncing between Starbucks and MacDonalds web connections to keep in touch with you as we visit friends and relatives in the south. Have a great weekend.

Blackburn’s polymer clay Möebius Strips

Carol Blackburn’s “Möebius Strips” polymer clay necklace fools the eye. You’ll have to look closely to see how Carol cleverly combines strips of Skinner-blended clay to look like undulating, interconnected beads. My science guy husband was impressed with the engineering of the piece.

Read more about Carol in this article in the March/April Craftsman magazine.

I first came upon the Möebius necklace on the British guild’s site. The necklace made its debut at last year’s EuroClay Carnival. This year’s event sold out quickly as polymer clay expertise and enthusiasm grow in Europe.

Maunsell’s polymer constructions

Canadian Claire Maunsell must have as much trouble with spacer beads as I do and she’s come up with a new twist and a great design that avoids them.

Every other bead nests into the next on this “Lava collar” polymer clay necklace.

Her “Armadillo” bracelet shown here has glass balls embedded in the clay and is assembled in more of a ball and socket configuration. I remember seeing a similar trick on a Gwen Gibson video.

Claire’s colors and textures are a treat and you’ll want to browse through all her Flickr pix.

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