Polymer Clay Daily

Christmas mystery solved

Cynthia discovers matching earrings from Karen McCorkle in her Christmas collection on PolymerClayDaily

As I layered up for the snow today, I figured out why I had these plain Jane earrings in my collection.

They’re the companions for this Karen McCorckle beautifully caned angel pin that I love. Oh, that goes back a couple of interesting decades!

Karen told us that she conditioned clay when she went to the movies with her family. In the darkened theatre, she could twist and knead the stiff version of polymer that we used back then. Her production schedule was so tight that she couldn’t waste any time.

Can anyone update us on Karen?

The trap of looking easy

Vasso Tzima makes charming ornaments look simple on PolymerClayDaily.com https://wp.me/pegT3-7pl

Every once in a while a polymer artist like Vasso Tizma (ClaylandStudio) from Greece makes us think that we can all be polymer clay sculptors.

You’d think we’d learn that “making it look easy” is a trap. I’m trying to resist rolling out some red and green clay and giving it a go. Is there time to become an expert before the holidays? Hope springs eternal.

Plan B is her Etsy shop.

Upcycled ornaments

Rosanna Cappelino rescues ornaments and gives them new, whimsical life on PolymerClayDaily.com

I’m stuck on the sculpture and holiday ornaments that I could, should, might be creating. Full disclosure: I have a lovely poinsettia plant on the hearth. That’s it in the decorating department.

Today’s ornaments that fall into the “I could try that” category are from New York’s Rosanna Cappellno.

She transforms old ornaments into jesters, Humpty Dumpty, pigs….you name it. Dead lightbulbs become elves! They’re quirky, whimsical, and recycled. Perfect for the tree. Oh wait, no tree.

Just because I’m not making ornaments doesn’t mean that I’m not enjoying, remembering, savoring them. I have made a few new pretties just in case the grandchildren can get vaccinated in time for a visit.

In the meantime, I’m taking vicarious pleasure in Rosanna’s site. Sumptuous!

 

Hanging out with family

Lisa Clarke makes families that hang together on PolymerClayDaily.com

Lisa Clarke (PolkaDotCottage) brings families together on the Christmas tree. Her jaunty characters have big smiles and quirky clothes.

Catching kids and pets together for a picture might be tough but Lisa gathers them into one cheery, memorable ornament that will be treasured. She’s stopped taking orders for this year so it looks like you’ll have to take a stab at a family ornament yourself.

Check out her polymer crochet hooks, tutorials, and other goodies.

FRIDAYFOLLOW: Bre at Hosmer Co

Bree at Hosmer Co gives us a holiday on a hoop on PolymerClayDaily.com

Bre of North Carolina’s (shophosmerco) Hosmer Co. brings us her version of holiday earrings in these minimalist Christmas trees on hoops. Very sleek and trendy.

She’s most known for her more extravagantly spotted and complex moth designs but a girl’s gotta go with the seasonal vibe and stay fashion-forward.

Follow her to get up to speed on one important direction polymer is headed.

On StudioMojo we’ll be tracking everything from pop-up shops to galleries and shows to see artists who are trying new ways to build a following, a business, a life. 

Hangups on your tree

Dani Rapinett hangs polymer transfers on the tree on PolymerClayDaily.com

Australia’s Dani Rapinett (daniartandjewellery) puts memories, pets, and other mementos on the tree. These days it’s easy to snag special effects to layer onto a photo.

Print out your creation and transfer it to polymer. (YouTube is full of videos to assist.) A cut-out, a ribbon, voila! Handmade, heartfelt…what could be better?

When Black Friday beckons, defy the system and redirect your muse to making memorable hangups for your family.

I was worried the StudioMojo would be difficult in this week of distractions but not so. Take a gander at what’s for sale in the online shows, see super trendy polymer high fashion photos. Thumb through lists of classes to propel you into the new year, and always a few new products that promise to solve all your problems. Join us!

A festive pile of circles

Dani of the Whimsical Bead makes simple circles sing on PolymerClayDaily.com

This darling tree made from a stack of polymer clay circles is a reminder to me courtesy of the Whimsical Bead in Australia.

Every year I tell myself to make some ornaments and every year time gets away from me. Something about these is so simple and light-hearted and yes, easy. And dots are very in.

I count 27 circles in 4 colors. Yikes…but only half of them require painted dots or stripes. And some circles are the same size.

Ok, I’m getting my Tuesday night girls together in the studio for a session. String circles onto a wire, slap a star on the top and we’re done. My friends swear they’re not artists but for an evening, I’ll persuade them otherwise.

Check out the other color palette Dani offers in her kits.

Ornamental puffins

Linda Leach adds puffins to her Christmas tree on PolymerClayDaily.com

It’s not surprising that Maine’s Linda Leach has sold out her puffin ornaments at CraftBoston. Who could resist the mix of canes and wire with a dash of color on their bills? Dangle them from the tree or stand them on the mantle.

Her flamingos have flown the coop too. She may still have a few loons left but you’ll have to move fast to catch them.

Why limit your holiday art to the usual candy canes and red/green palette? Linda shows us that all sorts of fanciful designs bring joy to the holidays.

Slabs just for fun

Ashley of heyletsclay delights in holiday decorating on PolymerClayDaily.com

Often slab earrings seem too repetitive and predictable. Where’s the fun, the heart, the Christmas spirit?
Oregon’s Ashley (heyletsclay) brings the delight back to holiday decorating. She drapes and tangles Christmas lights on a white background using extruded strings as cords and dots as lights. She cuts the meandering results into a bunch of shapes. Using an assortment of cutters, her carefree dance turns into pins, earrings, charms, and ornaments.

There’s the spirit! Bet the kids would like this!