Polymer Clay Daily

Biconal Bounty

Wisconsin’s Laura Timmins has updated her web site and added some new polymer clay pieces. She has perfected the biconal swirl bead and her use of 66-strand hand-twisted cording embedded in the clay adds a finishing touch. Scroll down on this page to see a great picture of her process.

The abundance of biconals in her multi-strand Noyoko necklace with solid black biconal spacers makes a sumptuous presentation. Laura is one of those former research scientists (see yesterday’s post) drawn to clay by its ability to repeat patterns. Have a grand weekend.

Patterns

I wrote to Ohio artist James Lehman whose work we looked at over a year ago to see if he had some new polymer clay work. He wrote back to say that he is currently focused on laser/computer work. His laser work looks very much like his polymer and I thought you might enjoy the comparison.

Polymer clay art attracts a fair number of computer programmers, graphic artists, medical researchers, botanists, biologists, physicians and other scientists who love to touch the colors and translate the patterns they see in the lab into three dimensional art.

Thanks to Jo-Anne Bartley who prompted the follow-up.

Fishy Art

What I look for in polymer clay artwork is authenticity and passion and sometimes it pops up in the strangest places. Wisconsin’s Joshua Knuth has a passion for fish and wildlife which he recreates in polymer clay, resin, wood, bronze and taxidermy.

This Black Crappie is painstakingly crafted from polymer clay and faithfully replicates nature’s palette. Thanks to Susan Rose for sending the link along.

Humble Beads

It’s hard to keep track of Heather Powers and her Humble Beads. This Texas artist has been blogging for so long that her blog sprouted a blog. Check out her most recent offering. A multi-talented artist/illustrator, Heather posts to Humblearts, Humblebeads and elsewhere.

Heather’s palette is soothing and distinctive…lots of copper and olive. She does a masterful job of mixing seed beads and polymer clay and metals. Her polymer clay sea urchins and embellished felted beads are a marvel.

No squinting for details here. I am grateful for the clear, bright pictures of her stunning work. Take a look.

Where credit is due

Laura Balombini shows some new lovelies on her site. She credits Tim Burton and Shakespeare among her influences!

Laura is one of those polymer clay artists whose works are often emulated. Donna Kato addressed the issue of unauthorized copying on her blog this weekend.

It’s considered good manners to tip your hat to your muse with a mention in print or a link online. Before you benefit financially from teaching a technique to others, be sure to get approval from its originator. Most artists only want credit for their ideas and innovations.

While there are gray areas in matters of design, it’s best to err on the side of politeness and to make apologies and corrections where necessary. I’ve suffered a red face and offered a mea culpa or two myself.

The polymer clay community has a long history of generosity and sharing. We can help sustain that spirit by minding our manners and acknowledging those who have worked hard to blaze a path ahead of us.

Swap Peek

Swappers are gushing over the works they’re receiving in the mail. I find that I’m a better viewer than participant. For those of us who prefer to watch, there are sites like Dorothy Greynolds’ and the two links from yesterday to satisfy our curiousity.

Michigan’s Dorothy shows a sampling of luscious polymer clay work she’s contributed to swaps over the last few years including the "pretzel beads" shown here. Dorothy’s graphic style translates well into a delightful mask formed over the back of a teaspoon. Take a look at her creations. Have a lovely weekend.

Bubble Beads

Ponsawan Sila is on the move and she faithfully records her progress on her blog. She includes pictures of her workspace and step-by-step tutorials on this method, a twist on mokume gane.

What this generous artist takes for granted is her color sense and her knack for pattern creation. No muddy colors or uninteresting patterns on her worktable! Take a look at her homemade texture plates. Thanks for letting us look over your shoulder, Ponsawan.

Monster Minis

Sarajane Helm organizes monster swaps of miniature masks. The one she’s just sorting and mailing exchanged the works of 100 artists. Every participating artist makes ten masks which must each fit inside a three inch by three inch square. Other details are left up to the individual artist.

The designs of the masks are wild and varied (the ones here are from Valerie Aharoni). Even more amazing is the organizing and packaging that Sarajane has mastered to make these events happen.

The masks from swaps in 2001-2006 will be featured in her upcoming book “The Art Of Polymer Clay Masks” due out in Fall 2007. Melanie West has some of her swap contributions posted on her site too.

More Pots

More Canadian teapots! These are from from Gera Scott Chandler’s updated site which sports lots of new work. I like the way that the glass base of these teapots is not completely covered with polymer clay.

Each of Gera’s creations are a celebration of the beauty, color and texture of the natural west coast environment. She’s teaching a 2-day Secretive Woman workshop in April if you’re in the Victoria area.

Shum Monday

Wanda Shum’s quirky polymer clay teapots are migrating across Canada in the country’s "By Hand" shows (and she’ll be moving from Winnipeg to Victoria this year). Wanda says of this teapot, "This piece also has a mixture of texture sheet mokume gane techniques, carved and inlaid work. It took around six bakings to complete it and wet sanded to a satinlike finish."

Her Flickr site has great pictures of other works including beautifully patterned bugs and dragonflies. On Wanda’s blog she shares the trials and tribulations of her works in progress. A colorful start for your week.