Polymer Clay Daily

Circus Memories

Inspired by a childhood spent growing up in the Australian traveling circus, Sonny King creates captivating polymer clay dioramas of circus life. More than 50 years after he traveled with his father’s circus, Sonny King found expression for his vivid childhood memories.

Two years ago King decided to interpret his memories through 11 three-dimensional dioramas, each about 2 feet wide and 20 inches tall. King crafted each performer, animal, scene and object from scratch, using polymer clay and LED lighting. Every person in his audiences has a distinctly individual facial expression.

His collection of dioramas is on exhibit through October 7 at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles. Museum Director Maryna Hrushetska says, "It’s the essence of folk art and craft mixed together. They draw you into this vibrant, vivid place and time."

Rosey Monday

France’s Cristalline signed into the guest book with this polymer clay roses necklace. It’s a bountiful botanical piece that combines crystals, wire, seed beeds and polymer into a virtual garden.

It will take a diva to wear this lovely sumptuous piece.

The English translation of her blog isn’t really helpful but the pictures are explanation enough. I particularly enjoyed Cristalline’s tutorials…no English translation necessary. Thanks for getting our week off to a rosey start.

Wine Cabinet

A bit too much celebratory wine with dinner last night. Perhaps that’s why I gravitated to Margaret Polcawich’s lovely wine cabinet inlaid with polymer clay panels. The polymer clay pebbles used as accents in the open spaces are a current passion of mine. I love it when I find artists using our medium in bigger, bolder ways like this.

Margaret has a whole raft of new works on her site. Take a look while I take a nap.

Fireworks

This multi-strand polymer clay necklace by Germany’s Bettina Welker reminds me of the glow-in-the-dark necklaces that the kids were wearing at the fireworks last night. I’m guessing that the strands are extruded and I’m wondering if they’re hollow or solid.

There are no mysteries about Bettina’s layered disk necklace at the right. You can read all about how to make it in the summer issue of PolymerCafe.

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Polymer with Heart

On this American Independence Day when many stories about our country do not make us proud, we take heart from a story about a modest polymer clay project that is making a difference.

Ron Lehocky is a general pediatrician in Louisville, Kentucky who treats children with special challenges. He is a board member for the Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center that provides direct therapies for these children.

"I have worked with polymer clay for nearly 15 years. I mostly make wearable objects and sell them at art galleries and art shows. I have two pieces in Donna Kato’s new book," Ron says.

Over a year ago Ron started making heart pins to raise money for the KIDS Center. Each $10 donation is given to the center and Ron pockets nothing but good will and improved polymer skills. To date he has made 4,000 hearts (no two are alike) which have been sold at the center, at three galleries, a hospital gift shop, a local craft store, and a clothing boutique. His goal is 10,000 pins in 5 years. You do the math.

Ron does not sell the hearts over the internet since there are no specific patterns to choose from. If you are willing to let him choose a pattern for you, contact Ron at rlehocky@bellsouth.net.

Creative Undertow

Connecticut’s Libby Mills feels caught in a creative undertow (what a great image) brought on by summer events, a class with Robert Dancik and preparations for her guild’s Klay Karma retreat.

See what Libby’s frenzy has produced by reading her blog and looking at her new metal and polymer clay work. As a bonus, you’ll get a peak at her workspace.

Monday’s Possibilities

The winners of the NPCG Progress and Possibilities polymer clay exhibit have been announced. Says exhibit judge Elise Winters, "There are several pieces that took my breath away. They are of differing styles and sensibilities but share some common qualities.  In each case, the piece reflects a large strong personal vision.  Every element of the total design – color, form, proportion, scale, choice of materials, technique, finishing – works to enhance this unified concept.  All of the pieces show meticulous attention to detail and workmanship as well." 

While we wait for pictures of the winning entries, follow the links from the NPCG page to each of the artists’ home sites. Most of the winning artists have already been featured on Polymer Clay Daily. The piece pictured here is from Heather Campbell, one of the winners we haven’t seen. Thanks to Susan Lomuto who was first to spot the announcement.

Lazy Days


These hot summer days have made me lazy and my polymer clay research has consisted of thumbing through the guestbook and clicking artist links to see who’s showing new work. While these names may be familiar, their new work is not.

Judy Dunn has a whole page of new feathery and soft shapes that she’s calling "Organic Chemistry."

I’m still pondering faces and self-portraits and thought the face pin that Julie Picarello dropped in the guestbook was worth a second look. Simple and bright mokume gane faces. Have a lovely lazy weekend.

Challenge Yourself

I’ve been hoarding these fiber and polymer clay portraits by Dayle Doroshow. I have fond memories of her building these collages bit by bit over several days, her sewing machine purring quietly in the corner of the messy polymer workshop. I’m intrigued by the combinations and wonder about their stories.

Dayle has wonderful ways of showing groups how to evoke memory and meaning which are then translated into work. More than techniques and tools, it’s those skills that infuse our art with power.

Take a look at what the Etsy guild members came up with in their self-portrait challenge. Maybe it’s time to challenge yourself to create a meaningful piece.

Thai Flowers

If you’re hungry for summer color, take a look at these photo albums.

Bangkok polymer clay artist and entepreneur Ravivan Petchprepa says of her work, "My flowers are handmade out of clay dough. We have to hand sculpture them petal by petal, paint, then gather them into a bud/a blossom then into a spray/stem. We are group of housewives and maidens handmade these like real clay flowers in the suburban of Bangkok, Thailand. You may email the pictures of any kind of flowers or plants including the sizes to us to quote."

It’s eye-opening to see how women in other countries employ their artistry and fascinating to catch a glimpse of their joyous colors. Thanks again to Kim Cavender for her detective work.