Polymer Clay Daily

Polymer Podcast

New York's Alison Lee interviewed me for her Craftcast.com podcast. The notion of a half-hour conversation panicked me. As a phone-phobic person I have never understood what chatty folks could possibly be talking about on their cell phones. But Alison is one of those chatters and she pulled me right along.

Give a listen and thanks to Alison.

If my name-dropping during the podcast sounds positively dramatic and snobbish, it's simply because I've met a lot of artists along the way. Here are some of the polymer luminaries that I mentioned:

Lindly Haunani, Maggie Maggio, Pier Voulkos (and here too), Elise Winters, Michelle Fanner, Carol Shelton, Hollie Mion, Jaqueline Lee, Leslie Blackford, Dayle Doroshow, Ford/Forlano, Maureen Carlson, Susan Rose

Michelle Fanner was a big influence on early polymer clay artists. She returned to Canberra, Australia years ago and we've not heard from her. Anyone know?

Holiday Tsunami

The name of this new piece by Judy Dunn, Tsunamiapple, made me smile. Until I happened upon it this morning, it could have been my nickname. I sensed a seasonal disorder rapidly approaching.

After strolling through Judy’s galleries of new works, I’m calmer and the holiday season feels right again. Here’s hoping that it has the same effect on you.

Fairy Doors

When a neighbor ask my cabinetmaker husband to make her a fairy door, it was our first introduction to the concept. I had no idea that such things existed.

Kelfae (not sure of the artist's name) makes a polymer clay version of fairy doors. Her web site is a bit challenging but fun to browse in this season of elves and fairies. (In case you can't read the text, here's a bit of it. "Each door is individually sculpted and painted using sculpey and acrylic. Prices range from $25 AUD for a single-story, to $35 for a double story. Windows are also available. Doors are ONE PIECE, the doors do not open upon their frames.") And here's a bit of an explanation of the concept.

The link was sent in by Geraldine Newfry whose site is always a treat as well.

Transfers

You may already have seen this link to the January 2007 ArtJewelry Magazine photo transfer article (download the .pdf file) on PolymerClayNotes.com.

Be sure to visit the Minnesota author's web site (Jill Erickson…go to the Cheeky Monkey section) to see more of her work. She shows some of the most effective and easiest use of transfers that I've seen in a while.

While I note that Erickson uses a cosmetic astringent for her transfer medium, others use gin, transfer gels of all sorts, special transfer papers and plain old water. After watching the masters do this, I'm convinced that it's the quality of the print, the gentle rubbing and the patience that make all the difference in the success of the transfer to polymer.

Inspired by Grandma

Laura Peery's porcelain/polymer artworks were inspired by her grandmother's dress shop. (Yesterday's post got me thinking about grandmothers.) You'll find patterns and fabrics and sewing paraphernalia embellishing her teapots and sculptures.

Peery is from Chevy Chase, Maryland and shows in galleries in that area as well as in the Guild.com catalog. She's in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian.

Thanks to Maggie Maggio for the link. Have a fabulous weekend.

Characters

Annie Wahl may be the creator of yesterday's "snow baby" according to a tip from fellow Minnesotan Maureen Carlson. I couldn't stop chuckling as I cruised through Annie's site.

Annie says of her work, "Even when I have a specific plan in my mind, someone else inevitably shows up. I just welcome them in and in truth, these characters are most often the best company."

"I sculpt dolls for the pure joy of creating and having fun. In return they have taken me on this blissful journey meeting other doll artists, organizations, events and people whom I would not have had the opportunity to meet."

If you want to see Annie's step-by-step process, download this .pdf file, a reprint of a 4-page article in the National Institute of American Doll Artists magazine. What a treasure trove I've stumbled into. Thanks Maureen.

This just in from Babs Young in Michigan. She thinks my original baby may have been from Indiana's Kathryn Walmsley. Hey, take a look at her crayon sculptures! The mystery and the great links continue.

Angels

I wish I knew who I bought this little angel ornament from at Winterfair a few years back. It's delightful and my attempts to replicate it were laughable. There's a tutorial on Robin LeDuc's site that makes the process look deceptively easy. Trust me, it's not but I am tempted to try again.

Our young neighbors just brought their brand new baby over. Talk about artistry and little angels!

If you're a baby lover, Robin's got some very nice work on her New Hampshire site as does Utah's Lorie Follett (thanks to Carol Simmons for the link). Of course there's Camille Allen, the mother of all polymer clay babies.

On a more adult note, Kim Cavender just sent in a link to Joanna Howdydoo's sculptures which are immensely entertaining.

Models for Peace

My holiday wish is that tanks could be transformed into voting booths as this young polymer clay artist envisions it here.

George Estreich's creations have been featured in major art exhibits, television ad campaigns, textbooks and adopted by New York City public schools. George is currently pursuing a masters degree in industrial design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

A postscript from Ronna Weltman

AnySoldier.com gives people a way to get care packages to soldiers, even if they don't know any. You can also give a tax-deductible donation and they'll take care of buying stuff.

While looking over the site, I ran across these polymer goodies crafted by CJ Rice, a military wife. J&C Manufacturers features handmade gifts and collectibles crafted by Active Duty United States Military members, disabled American veterans and their spouses. CJ Rice is a military wife who makes pins out of polymer.

I was really touched because the first thing I clicked on was a little polymer cake. Although it was a humble creation, it had "#1 Dad" on it, and that got me choked up, thinking a child whose father is serving overseas might buy that to send to daddy. Of course, that gave me a pang in the heart, and isn't that art pure and simple — something that says something, touches you, takes you to a new place?

Readers may appreciate knowing about an opportunity to support our troops this holiday season, and also it could be fun to give a military wife a "You go, girl" for her finding her voice in polymer clay, and to wish you peace.

Texan

Texas’ Tricia Dewey is a fresh face on this site. Her bio says she’s a nurse and astronomer who’s now pursuing an art degree. Lots of diverse interests and talents there and it shows on her site (she’s also a web developer).

New week, new name (she’s already been in several publications) thanks to Robin Johnston. A pretty palette to start your week.