Polymer Clay Daily

Perishable polymer

Body jewelry artist, Hermeone Lavender (Perishables), makes polymer clay jewelry that resonates with me as alien, caveman, primitive and unconstrained. The strange beauty of these pieces sucks me in.

Ear adornments meant to be worn in stretched ear lobe holes and necklaces paired with pierced nipples communicate in a language unfamiliar to me. It’s good for me to look at this perspective, even if I retreat to safer spaces. Energy and change come from the edges of convention.

When we last covered Perishables, he called Philadelphia home. Now the Etsy site lists him as Chicago-based and his line has a strong following. Thanks to Ronna Weltman for the reminder to revisit the site.

Manzi’s mosaic’s, Tessa’s rainbows

Continuing yesterday’s theme, these elaborate polymer clay switchplates from Maine’s Diane Manzi have a bit of a Hundterwasser look too.

Her mosaics are bright and sparkly. I’m a sucker for small polymer clay home decor items that add surprising touches of interest and personality to a room.

Rainbows

I can’t resist when my children ask me to help them launch their projects. They know you’re a loyal and appreciative audience. It’s nice to be needed.

That said, my daughter-in-law has launched a RainbowSightings site to build a collection of photos of rainbows. If you’ve got a favorite rainbow picture, please send it along. And if you haven’t got one, enjoy the pictures she’s archived and follow her Rainbow Magic links.

This video is a particularly good explanation of rainbow color. The picture shown here we call “Eating Rainbows” and it’s one of my all-time favorites.

Nowak/Oksoon, glamorous approach

Izabela Nowak’s latest experimental polymer clay necklace was inspired by the column’s of artist/architect (and her fellow Austrian) Hundertwasser. (Here’s an earlier Hundertwasser post.)

There’s little information about Nowak on her site but reviewing the results of her experiments on her Flickr site will give you clues about her daring and playful approach to clay.

Reading her comments, I was led from Nowak to Russian polymer artist, Oksoon. I was struck by the fashion photos of young models wearing her pieces. Both Nowak and Oksoon take photos that make their pieces look especially glamorous.

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Kato and Eakes – Polymer clay music

“A little of this and a little of that,” is how Donna Kato describes her gallery of polymer clay work. Recently she added these music pieces. They were titled that by her mother who said simply, “They look like music.”

The making of a president

You must go and see Julie Eakes’ Obama cane. His poster begged to be translated into polymer and Julie did it beautifully. (Here’s an earlier post about Julie.)

Have a harmonious weekend.

Feldman’s Iphones

One more thing…as long as we’re examining canes, take a look at Barb Feldman’s Iphone polymer clay cane earrings which were featured in a CNET post. The editors don’t know whether to love or hate them but they sure are intrigued and the link to her Etsy site is an online merchant’s dream.

Treasurefield’s heart soars

Hearts appear everywhere as Valentines Day approaches. This polymer clay winged pendant heart from Alisa Treasurefield is my season’s favorite. It’s for sale as My Heart Soars on her Etsy site.

Reading her story, I realize why it works. Alisa has been doodling winged hearts for years and it’s one of her favorite designs. “It’s pretty rare that I like something I make right away without any tweaking,” she admits. Isn’t that the way it works when you’re working on a design that’s a “natural” for you? (Here’s an older post about Alisa.)

On a similar theme, I like this quote from Tory Hughes’ latest post, “…during tough times, more people start their own businesses. These times give us the chance to act from our deeper purpose.”

Fashionable, industrial polymer clay

Melanie West is waking up from her long winter’s nap with a new polymer clay BioBangle and a line of polymer filled brass bangles for her Etsy shop.

In Fashion

In Elizabeth Yarborough’s “Collection Two,” platters of polymer clay miniature sweets and savories are perched on silver rings.

She finds unexpected beauty in traditionally unwearable objects. Her collections are handcrafted in NYC and carried by Bergdorf Goodman and other fine stores around the world. The link is from Susan Lomuto.

Industrial strength

Have you been watching Wes Warren gear up to make 4,000 beads from his soccer ball cane? His methods, which include the use of an industrial clay sheeter, bungie cords for reduction, and very precise mathematics, make for flawless canes.

Erickson’s recyclables

Illinois’ Karna Erickson’s polymer clay charms and sculptures are more Mad Max than Steampunk. Her robot assemblages include nuts and bolts, found items and erector set leftovers.

Under the names of EanyMeany and Cocoon Designs, Karna pieces together a collection of brightly colored sculptures made from recyclables.

Her soft villages are made of a material hodgepodge that includes recycled sweaters, vintage buttons, yarn and more. She uses polymer to create the creatures that populate the villages and to give found objects exciting second lives.

Creagers’ extra heads, new blog

A spare head might come in handy this Monday, don’t you think?

Jodi and Richard Creager have a pile of extra polymer clay ones on the shelves of their studio. Jodi says in her new blog that the heads also come in handy as Christmas ornaments.

The Creagers have been in the polymer clay fine art doll and miniatures business for 30 years. Their web site is a testament to their mastery of the art form.

They’ve also added four free sculpting tutorials on their YouTube page. The intriguing tutorials are small segments taken from their sculpting DVD series.

via CreatingDollhouseMiniatures

Ponsawan’s polymer mosaic

Another blast of polymer clay color and energy from Ponsawan Silapiruti (Silastones) finishes this otherwise white week. You must click on the image to get the full effect of this 6″x12″ wall piece made from cane slices.

Ponsawan explains that this technique is “…perfect for me who get bored easily and hate repetition, and can’t sit still very long.” Her Flicker site shows that even while she looks after her daughter she continues to produce work that reflects her heritage and her indomitable spirit.

For earlier posts featuring Ponsawan’s work, click here, here, and here. Have a colorful weekend.

Baker’s Yucatan polymer colors

The blinding white snow outside makes me search for warmer polymer clay colors on my computer. Betsey Baker’s work on her new 1000markets site hits the spot.

On her blog (Stonehouse Studio) Betsy talks a bit about her online experience and why she’s trying various venues.

She says her new “Maya” series was inspired by the vivid colors of the Yucatan – the azure blues of the ocean, the yellow/greens of the lush vegetation, the desaturated reds and oranges of old hacienda walls and the texture of Mayan artifacts – and that’s just what I need today.