Polymer Clay Daily

Picarello’s magic

There’s something alluring about the graduated color of the side beads which are interspersed with silver discs on this polymer clay necklace from California’s Julie Picarello. It’s part of her winged design series that gives a sense of movement and motion.

Julie has also posted pictures of her Bead Dreams entry (a winner in my book) and some new primitive, asymmetrical designs.

Julie’s technique is another lovely variation on the magic/mokume bead that’s been gaining popularity (see yesterday’s post). Have a magic weekend.

Appealing spring choices

Some days everything appeals to me. I couldn’t decide which of these polymer clay finds to feature today so I’m showing you all of them.

Barcelona’s Tatiana Franchi’s little figure has such a casual lifelike stance that I was totally charmed by it. Check out the Crocs on her tiny feet.

Perhaps it’s because I never learned to crochet that Portugal’s Sandra Rodrigues’ bright beads with crocheted covers draw me in.

And then there’s Scott Mizevitz’ magic bead (refer to basic how-to’s here and here). The colors glow and I wonder if you can make that magic happen consistently or if it’s just, well, magic.

It’s a spacey, spring Thursday. Everything looks lovely. Enjoy. (Comments may not be working right until this weekend. Send yours to cynthia@tinapple.com.)

Benzon shifts to surfaces

Spring blooms have prompted a change in Jana Roberts Benzon’s polymer clay work.

She’s shifted her focus from canes to surfaces. Her crumpled brooch series has a luxurious fabric look and her new beads shaped from flat sheets have gone all organic.

I like to think she was working on a crane for Judy Dunn’s project and gave up in frustration only to discover a great new look. Perhaps she’ll let us in on how and why she was able to work in this new loose style. Thanks to Ronna Weltman for the link.

Slow Loading

The site’s been loading slowly since I added new bells and whistles. I’ll be streamlining this week in hopes of making your experience faster and smoother. Forward one step, back two.

Following me?

I’ve been trying to get hip to Twitter and Facebook and such. I hope I haven’t offended those who wish to be my friend or follow me. I have little idea about what I’m doing and following me is probably pointless…unless you’re as lost as I am.

Polymer clay and Earth Day

As I considered which polymer clay artist best captured the spirit of Earth Day, Cynthia Toops‘ work came to mind….because she uses so little clay in her fine micromosaics (pictured here). I was thinking small and I laughed at my knee-jerk reaction to our environmentally incorrect medium. Many art supplies fall into the same shunned petroleum-based category.

Using less clay shouldn’t be the sole criteria for being sensitive to the environment. Using the clay carefully and wisely is important. Kathleen Dustin has posted an article about thinking big that is more to the point both for Earth Day and for our own artistic growth.

I’m also reading more and more articles about the development of biopolymers and I look forward to the day when we no longer have to make apologies on Earth Day.

Xana and Te’s inro

After a hectic spring weekend, a splash of Portugese color in this inro from Xana and Te (Alexandra and Teresa) is just what I need to start my week. What sets this work apart is the attention to detail and the way the onlay pieces are carefully positioned and applied. I particularly like the subtle Skinner blend in the background. Have a happy, colorful Monday.