Huichol artworks are made using an ancient technique. Seed beads are pressed into a layer of bees wax which has been applied to a form. As you can imagine, the sculptures are quite fragile on warm days or in the sun.
Deanna Moore (tigerpurple) demonstrates a new twist on the ancient art. She presses seed beads into polymer clay. Granted, it's a laborious process but quite clever and more stable.
Sometimes you find interesting techniques in the most unlikely places. Have a delightful weekend.
I'm in a bit of a rush to get things wrapped up in Ohio so that I can head west on vacation (including two days at Ravensdale). Today's a bit of this and that. I plan to post from the road so that you won't miss a thing.
Facere Gallery in Seattle is exhibiting a polymer display that will accompany the Ravensdale conference. These bracelets from Sara Shriver are in the show.
These chocolates from Lindly Haunani's class won't melt even in this heat…and they look delicious.
Techniques that are such fun to create often become mind-numbingly boring. Take those square extrusions. A professor of fluid dynamics bought a bowl of mine that was inlaid with square extrusions. He excitedly explained the physics of how the colors merged and formed. I was fascinated. After a while, however, they all look the same.
Some artists take these techniques to another level. These "Klimt pins" photos from Donna Kato illustrate the point. She takes a simple technique, renders it in unexpected colors and then pushes it further. In this case, she gave the pieces interesting shapes, added pearls and accented one with a textured layer.
It's that second effort that makes these pieces different from the rest. We must learn to obey that inner voice that says, "Take it farther…keep going"
The Ronna Weltman article in ArtJewelry Magazine was nicely written (I just got my copy) and I loved Steven Ford saying that polymer clay jewelry is "diva jewelry." He's right, of course (his new site is working a bit better today). These colors and styles are not for the shy or faint of heart.
Here's a new name for me…Kristine Taylor from Knoxville, Tennessee. Thanks for the link go to Jayne Hoffman, who will be teaching her own techniques at Ravensdale.
Another young up-and-comer is Cynthia Gordillo from Seville, Spain. Interesting to see adaptations of Dan Cormier's techniques migrating their way around the world.
Here's a bit of a sampling from the Ravensdale conference in Issaquah, Washington which is only a week away. These beads from Barbara Fajardo will be on display in "The Rave." If you can't get to Ravensdale, visit Barbara's site for lots more info.
Or if the conference is just too far away, you might be interested in the Judy Belcher/Kim Cavender workshop in Columbus, Ohio this weekend. Only a few seats remain. Sign up now for an informative polymer weekend with two of polymer clay's most entertaining authors.
The national guild's second juried exhibit is now on view on their web site. Julia Sober took top awards in both the personal embellishments and the best of show categories.
Be sure to look for the September issue of Art Jewelry Magazine. PCDaily gets a mention in the sidebar of an article by Ronna Weltman called "A Rarefied Medium: Polymer clay is now on the A-list for wearable art."
From an earlier Art Jewelry Magazine's "gallery" section, this description of Celie Fago's multimedia bracelet which is made of polymer clay, metal clay, acrylic paint, brass, and sterling silver. "Polymer clay and metal have a relationship of mutual benefit," Fago says. "Metal offers weight, both actual and aesthetic. Polymer clay adds richness of color." Good explanation.
I've looked for more information on Ai-ping Yeh who has been teaching her "closed form box" pin method for a couple of years. There's very little about her on the web. Perhaps students of hers can fill me in. Here are pictures from her June class in Philadelphia.
I learned from web bits and pieces that she "has worked in polymer clay for eight years, is a member of the South Bay Polymer Clay Guild and received a MA in jewelry design in 1991."
Her forms are intriguing with their depth, angles, curves, windows and holes…there's a lot happening in a little space. I'd like to know more. Glass Attic has a long description of Ai-ping's method that you might find helpful.
Doreen Gay-Kassel has illustrated many stories and books in polymer clay (check out her list of stellar clients). She's adding these wonderful clay and wire sculptures which she calls "polymorphs" to her repertoire. And she'll be giving classes in her Hopewell, New Jersey studio.
Doreen's site is a treat and I can't wait to see what her poly morphs into. Thanks to Louise Fischer-Cozzi who sent Doreen our direction.
Did you see the new pictures on Lindly Haunani's site? Luscious colors, naturally, and all reflecting Lindly's Hawaiian heritage and her passion for food.
Several people wrote to tell me that Ford and Forlano had updated their site. It's coming up slowly and badly on my Mac….boo-hoo. Let's hope they get it up and running soon.
As I was rechecking links, I also see that we lost links for Karyn Kozak and Chris Bevins. Anyone know the story?
