Polymer Clay Daily

Looking for words

Dayl Goulsbra-Jones (planetisis) confounds us with a trendy mix of styles and colors

What? It’s Monday already? I’m not ready!

I’ve been looking at the work of UK’s Dayl Goulsbra-Jones (planetisis) for some time trying to come up with the right words for what’s going on and why it appeals. Here she is on Instagram.

Words fail me. What’s happening here? You tell me. Most of her pieces are reversible. How does that fit in?

I’ve been busy preparing for our first virtual conference. Sounds easy but there’s a whole lotta work behind the scenes. Today is day one. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Give me your words for Dayl’s work.

Putting your own stink on a technique

Valerie Anderson's abstract brooch plays with colors and shapes on PolymerClayDaily.com

Scotland’s Valerie Anderson (bedeckedbeads) has played and played with Sonya Girodon’s free tutorial. With this latest brooch, Valerie puts her own spin on the process with deep watery colors.

Valerie Anderson's abstract brooch plays with colors and shapes on PolymerClayDaily.com

And if you look at the side view you’ll see how her curved strips add another departure. When you put your own “stink” on a technique and take off in new directions, you make it yours. Here’s Valerie’s shop.

I’ve run across such an astonishing array of new work that we will have to ponder what’s happening in this week’s StudioMojo newsletter. It’s as if you’ve been unleashed! Are you feeling it? Come see where polymer is headed.

Puzzling polymer

Ivana Svobodova puzzles her scraps together on PolymerClayDaily

Czech Republic’s  Ivana Svobodová makes a game of collecting all her thin, tiny scraps and then sitting down for a game of assemblage. Nothing goes to waste as she creates a series of puzzled brooches.

The face parts mixed in with all the patterns add an element of surprise and mystery.

Ivana Svobodova puzzles her scraps together on PolymerClayDaily

Polymer shows off spring’s bounty

Linda Loew assembles a stunning vase from polymer circles on PolymerClayDaily.com

Two big thick circles with a narrow slab in between are all it takes to make a stunning polymer vase like this one from Baltimore’s Linda Loew.

The periwinkle and purple colors are lush, the edges are smoothed and there’s a freeform design in the circles’ centers.

Why not show off some of spring’s bounty in a vase made especially for the occasion? Here’s Linda on Instagram.

Ya gotta have heart…

Ron Lehocky's dimensional hearts taste yummy on PolymerClayDaily.com

This batch of hearts from Ron Lehocky has an energy that I can’t quite explain. They buzz and vibrate in an unusual way.

We’ve got a Skinner blend base with a layer of opposing Skinner blend slices that are accompanied by depressed dots. Up/down, in/out over shifting colors.  My impulse is to fondle these delicious hearts and take a tiny nibble.

Don’t you love it when polymer engages all your senses?

(My husband’s tests came back all good so I can breathe a little. Thanks for all your support during my meltdown.)

There’s no place like home

Leslie Blackford offers classes to put you in touch with Oz on PolymerClayDaily.com

Kentucky’s Leslie Blackford (MoodyWoods) wanted to make clear that she wasn’t planning for the good witch in her new Oz series to look like me. It just happened…and I’m honored.

Leslie’s been offering online classes and everyone who joined in has been delighted at the creatures that fly off their fingers. There’s still time to jump into the Oz group by messaging Leslie.

Don’t we all wish we had a wand right now? Leslie shows you how to find yours. She has a special gift for putting you in touch with your inner Oz character.

A polymer antidote

Rozen Martel shows us a polymer accessory that helps on PolymerClayDaily.com

There’s no better antidote to fear and ennui than service. France’s Rozen Martel shows us another great way to make polymer art that can be helpful. Here’s her free video tutorial. 

This small addition to a mask creates a useful and decorative polymer accessory that alleviates ear chafing and discomfort.

Mask holders can be simple or ornate. They can be personalized or spread your message. For those of us who don’t sew, Rozen provides an outlet for our altruism.

There are many ways to be helpful, stay creative, and contribute in these strange times. That’s what we’ll be exploring in Saturday morning’s StudioMojo. What’s helpful and exciting and perhaps hidden from view? Come explore with us. 

The art you need

Laurie Mika's Corona series shows us the power of art on PolymerClayDaily.com

Yes, we featured Laurie Mika’s Corona series just recently. But I need her works just now.

One friend dies, a neighbor tests positive and moves to hospice, a husband fights cancer. And I’m in Ohio, a state that is behaving responsibly!

Laurie’s art presses all my buttons. Wish us well today.

You may have been skeptical about the effect your polymer art can have. Laurie shows you how powerful it can be.

Her birds take wing

Joan Tayler's birds take flight on PolymerClayDaily.com

Vancouver’s Joan Tayler has a way with birds like this little one she’s calling “Dicky Bird”  that’s now a zipper pull. She also makes them into whistles, earrings, necklaces, and more.

Joan Tayler's birds take flight on PolymerClayDaily.com

Joan is creating a flock of various species for her 100-day challenge. Her drawings and in-process shots on Instagram are captivating. Joan knows her birds.