Polymer Clay Daily

King’s inventive portraits

“Endlessly inventive” is what some call Arkansas’ Jay King who makes polymer clay heads that are remixes of other faces and molds of found objects. The hybrid personalities and the accompanying descriptions act like a fun house mirror. You may find yourself peering intently, trying to figure out the strange reflections.

I was particularly tickled by this one, called “Multitasker”.

But Jay doesn’t stop at visual jokes and stories, he also has a rollicking audio podcast. For the full treatment, visit his Flickr page and his blog. I lost myself in his artwork and I’ve completely forgotten how I got here. If you sent me the link, remind me so that I can credit you.

Have a rollicking weekend.

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Portugese portraits

Ana Reimundo is a Portugese artist who has recently begun turning her portrait sketches into a series of polymer clay brooches called Deditos.

She combines basic shapes and bright colors into engaging portraits that convey an innocence and openness.

Enjoy her work on her site, fric_de_mentol, on Etsy and on Flickr. Thanks to Philadelphia guild president Sue Springer who brought the link to us.

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Creatures from Ellen June

Ellen June prefers her polymer clay critters in the shapes of griffins, serpents, dragons and such. From Hamilton, Ontario, Ellen (or Creaturesfromel) shapes ferocious things in elaborate detail and with regal finishes.

The pictures on her sites are small and it’s only when you see her work close up that you can appreciate its complexity and detail. Look here and here. She incorporates "…an understanding of animal physiology with a love of the fantastic, grotesque and absurd."

I admire artists who can conjure up the wild creatures within them, transform them into clay and share them with us.

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Polymer squid and octopi

California’s Amy (aka SocietySedSo or BunnyXProductions) is taken with sea creatures and has created many jointed variations on this theme (including a zombie one and this gas-masked version) in many colors of polymer clay.

Her love of this species comes through in the color and detail she obviously enjoys adding to each tentacled necklace and squid pendant.

Amy’s in touch with her sunny side and makes graphic and flowery pendant designs as well.

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Morris’ bohemian beads

Mixing polymer clay beads topped with delicate 3D petals and leaves, New York’s Jennifer Morris crafts romantic jewelry. She adds vintage findings, filigree, rhinestones and fabrics to heighten the retro effect.

Jennifer gives her pieces playful poetic descriptions that win you over to her bohemian worldview. What a romantic way to begin your week.

Stroll through her Etsy and Flickr sites.

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Zlatkis’ mobile

I was searching for red, white and blue today in honor of our July 4. What I found was beautiful white – a polymer clay mobile by Mexican artist Geninne Zlatkis that looks like it washed up on the beach.

Geninne is an illustrator and fabric artist who has just a few polymer pieces on her site. I loved her links to felted, painted and crocheted rocks (my weakness).

Geninne has lived in over 50 houses and her husband just designed and built another one that will leave you wanting more. The light and the workspaces in this newest one are breathtaking. Take a look at her old studio here. Great daydreaming and web surfing for Independence Day.

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Your tools

“Make your own tools. Hybridize your tools in order to build unique things. Even simple tools that are your own can yield entirely new avenues of exploration. Remember, tools amplify our capacities, so even a small tool can make a big difference.” – Bruce Mau

Clarke’s summer colors

Cantelope, mint and grass with a bit of sky blue…these summer-colored polymer clay buttons by Lisa Clarke match the July day.

Lisa’s afternoon experiment demonstrates the value of accurate color mixing. She tried using premixed colors and couldn’t tolerate the off-key results.

You’ve got to have cool hands and patience to reduce canes in an 80 degree house. The results are pure summer.

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