Sometimes cats are the best answer. LOL polymer cat bookmarks from Pati Bannister in this case. Pati says that she started making these for fun when her time to play was limited.
That’s often when you hit on success…not from the technique you learned or the trick you discovered…but from an open, playful mindset. It’s a big world out there and you may chose from many paths. I’m on my way home from vacation and feeling silly.
PCDaily hasn’t visited Nova Scotia’s Kate Church for two years and when she appeared on the DailyArtMuse, it was time to look again. Kate’s mixed media jewelry, like this polymer-faced Red Queen, resides in theatre boxes when they’re not being worn.
Her droll dolls and puppets may frown but they dance joyously. They have, as one show was entitled, A Certain Mentalitea that you can experience here.
If your art could use better online exposure, check out DailyArtMuse’s Artist Online classes.
France’s Dorothy Vantorre photographed her step-by-step work on this polymer bearded collie sculpture making the story both funny and educational.
The piece was commissioned by her best friend as a gift for another person. The dog’s thick coat meshes perfectly with Dorothy’s preferred way of working in layers. You can understand Dorothy’s frustration when you look at her big pile of extruded dog hair pieces.
She captures both the look and the spirit of Joy, the dog. She even made a special show box for the gift. Dorothy has sworn off all future dog commissions saying, “I’ve been very pleased to learn that the person who received this gift was very moved! But I want to clarify that the next person who asks me to make a miniature dog will be immediately banned from my contacts.”
Check out Dorothy’s illustrations, cake toppers and sculptures. Her in-progress shots reveal a distinctive style that gravitates to friendly monsters, pink rabbits and hangman earrings. Her biggest trick may be making it all look so easy! Have an easy weekend.
Portland’s Sofie Skein describes her Poupettes as, “…spirited renditions of animals and mythical creatures in pure polymer.” She’s also a painter and grew up involved in the family vet clinic.
Her animals have realistic heads perched on simply stylized bodies that will make you laugh. See them all on Flickr including this picture that shows how she works from detailed sketches.
She sells her animal portraits (like this custom Egyptian Mau cat) on Etsy in her Menagerie of Inscrutable Magic.
Sofie is a new artist on PCDaily thanks to a link sent by Eva Menager.
Hi all! This is Christi Friesen checking in while Cynthia is off having adventures! I’ve always appreciated that PCD showcases such a diversity of polymer creations. I’m especially delighted to see what others are doing. Like this guy, Adam Rees, whose work I came across in a gallery in Washington.
I was part of a group and we were all astounded at the size of his work! His octopus was about two feet tall and at least three feet across. It’s hard to tell from his site exactly how he creates and bakes such large pieces (the gallery owner thought he had a custom-made oven). However he does it, it’s pretty impressive.
His canework reminds me of exuberant folk art, and adds a wonderful voice to his sculptures. I especially like his massive polar bear piece. Hmmmm, that would look pretty good in my living room….
Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Carol Dotin, winner of last week’s giveaway, an autographed copy of Terra Nova – Polymer Art at the Crossroads. Thanks to all who took the survey.
Guest post by Christi Friesen
Elena Samsonova takes Leslie Blackford’s lightbulb people and gives the idea a bit of a twist. Elena’s salty creatures are built over small square glass shakers.
Unscrewing their heads and exchanging their bodies could become a game at this year’s Thanksgiving dinner.
There’s still time to make a personalized version for each of your guests! Elena comes to Greenwich, CT via Moscow. Here’s the rest of her story.
Alaska’s Karen Ottenbreit gets down to brass tacks with her polymer. Actually she embedded domed brads in these polymer beads and has since moved on to leather studs and spikes as she, “…channels my inner biker chick.”
The look blends perfectly with her gothic fish and funky flowers. You gotta be tough to deal with the wildlife and weather in Alaska. You can friend her and follow along on her Facebook page. After a week of seriousness, we end the week with a lighter touch. Have a relaxing weekend.
Oregon’s Janell Berryman is the creator of Little Pumpkinseeds characters including these mummy and steampunkin originals. Her polymer Pumpkinseeds have grown and changed as she’s sculpted them over 15 years and some of her pieces have been commercially reproduced.
Mummy man is six inches tall and the punkin is about the size of an apple. Breeze through her Etsy site, website and Facebook page to get the full treatment.
Release your inner gypsy as you learn to make vintage textile replicas in polymer and turn them into colorful clanking bangles or exotic necklaces. My Craftcast online class starts at 8:00 ET with full recordings available afterward. Join us!
This polymer witch’s finger wagged at me, reminding me that Halloween’s coming and we haven’t paid much attention! While these fingers have appeared on several sites, YoungCreative Marie’s covered Bic pen version shown here is both creepy and utilitarian! Marie also offers finger jewelry.
You must read the stories that accompany Nicole Johnson’s Mealy Monsters. Her characters are mostly grumpy misfits with issues that have a certain charm about them. This lovely lavender fellow is Gilbert. How does she give them such personality?
Karly West’s polymer clay sweets, like this toasted marshmallow, have anger management issues. During the day, Karly works as a cake decorator and at night she makes non-edible polymer versions. She suggests that the creatures’ bad attitudes may be the result of her eating too much cookie dough.
It’s easy to see how her techniques with fondant translate readily into clay.
The link came via the Cakery Fakery blog. Don’t you love the name? Who knew that cupfakes had their own genre?
