Diffendaffer’s re-entry beads

Grant Diffendaffer begins his new textured tube beads by making blanks. He explains that, “Any time I’ve been away for a while from the practice of making beads, I find I need an easy re-entry to get things moving again in the studio. These beads are perfect. I roll out a batch of core beads to start with. It’s a straightforward task with zero creative demands.” A good Monday tip?

The depth and texture that Grant achieves are the result of texturing and carving the color layer applied to the blank base beads. His style is agressive, sculptural and distinct. You can see more textured tube beads on his Etsy shop and his Flickr stream. Thanks to Leila Bidler of Germany for the link.

Perspective

Seeing the pictures from Heather Campbell’s show opening put her polymer clay/mixed media artwork in better perspective for me. Judging from the visitors standing beside works in her exhibit, the art is much bigger than you might have envisioned. The pictures are stunning and the show is impressive. Congratulations, Heather.

Krohn’s hot colors

Several people told me to look at the polymer clay work of Denver’s Valerie Krohn (NovaFolia) and I’ve been lurking in the web weeds waiting for the right day to feature her bright, hot colors.

Valerie’s only been working in polymer for a year and a half and already she’s made her mark with a distinctive color palette and graphic style made more complex with mica shifts. If you don’t mind a little more summer heat, check out her Etsy site.

Thanks to Janice Abarbanel and Dede Leupold for pointing me in Valerie’s direction.