Polymer Clay Daily

Ohio polymer bonanza

It was a pleasure to find four Ohio polymer clay artists at our local art show last weekend. This bright piece with buds, beads and flowers is by Kimberly Arden. Here’s a picture of her fun booth from an earlier show.

And these snapshots of eye-popping purple beads and pendants are from Lori Wilkes‘ booth. I was too busy talking and buying to get good pix of Pat Bolgar and Valerie Wright (here’s an earlier page). The quality of all their works was top notch and made me proud.

Welcome Kim Cavender back to bloglandia this week with a visit and a comment. The time off must have done her good if her new work is any indication. Have a refreshing weekend.

Carlson’s story necklace

Maureen Carlson’s necklace tells a charming story and invites a dialogue…and isn’t that what we want our jewelry to do?

She tells of her winter trip to a family reunion in simple polymer clay beads. And she suggests several ways that you might use this technique to tell your stories.

I saw Maureen wearing this intriguing necklace and wanted to know more. Now I’m itching to make one of my own. Enjoy this little video of our conversation. Maureen’s new jewelry-sized face molds will make their debut in November.

Prophater’s pop cans

Shapes cut from soda cans and covered with polymer clay are the trick behind this playful necklace from Laurie Prophater. The telephone wire used to secure the beads to rubber cord complete this reuse, recycle design.

A complete how-to of Laurie’s process appears in the autumn issue of Belle Armoire jewelry magazine. Laurie’s working on more variations using this technique that you can see on her Flickr site.

Vacation update

Thanks for your help. The network has been repaired. Here’s a picture of Maureen Carlson’s early morning introduction to a magnificent moose in our backyard.

Danym’s African interpretation

France’s Danym (Fimoti-Fimota) loves African jewelry and it shows. A polymer clay necklace that could fall flat and be seen as clunky and crude becomes powerful and earthy instead. I wish I could put my finger on what makes the difference. You figure it out.

Enjoy traveling to France rummaging through Danym’s site and Flickr page while I head to Colorado. With any luck, one of my traveling friends will have packed some bibelot she’s made and I can photograph it for tomorrow’s viewing.

I found Danym while wandering through the French group site, Parole de pate.

Lam’s recent work

Loretta Lam’s recent work was featured on the Halstead Jewelry site a few days ago. When I saw her work, I instantly breathed a deep sigh. How is it that a necklace can calm you down?

Loretta’s colors and shapes are soothing. No wild techniques or fancy footwork but colors and shapes in a combination that feels authentic and comforting.

Between repairing blog code (thanks for your suggestions) and preparing for a trip to Colorado, I needed some calming.

Skinner submissions

Sarajane Helm has a bit more explanation of the book that she and Judith Skinner are publishing and they’re looking for submissions from you. Here’s the lowdown.

Damm’s spontaneous polymer expressions

This collaborative piece with Christine Damm’s (StoriesTheyTell) polymer beads and Deryn Mentock’s wirework looks just right for Monday.

Christine has only worked in polymer for a year and she explains that, “I have been a potter, a dressmaker, a textile designer, a graphics artist. All my creative paths have led me to this one medium, which awakened my true creative style. It is the most versatile, colorful and technically flexible art material I’ve ever worked in. And it has my favorite artistic characteristic: it allows the most spontaneous expression of my vision.”

Her work shows an ease and confidence that is expressed in simple round beads and complex color. The blogs of both Christine and Deryn are inspirational reads. You’ll find them on Etsy (here and here) too.

Belcher’s calming polymer creations

Judy Belcher has been preparing polymer clay samples for an upcoming class and she’s posted them on her Flickr page.

I’m loving her calm, precise patterns and monochromatic color palette after this week’s wild creative rides. We need these deep breaths to restore us.

But Judy’s not altogether calm. She adds surprise and dimension to the pieces with applied cane slices and juxtaposed patterns. The tiny colored o-rings used as spacers add another touch of excitement. Thanks, Judy,

Playful experts – Bohmer and Aaron

Taking a playful approach in the studio has drawn me to others’ playful polymer clay works.

For instance, this loop necklace from Germany’s Margit Böhmer is colorful and carefree with a few bead surprises tucked in the centers. Or you could interpret this as a primitive piece made from rainbow steak bones. Either way, it’s unselfconscious and fun. A browse through Margit’s Flickr site reveals more of her adventurous and capricious spirit.

Israel’s Shay Aaron posted a tiny tutorial of his miniature fish cane. You’ve got to be a bit of a kid to make tiny fish. His sandwich earrings, pizza charms and totally believable small foods are big fun.

Note: In response to your requests, I added a couple of “after” pictures to Friday’s post.

Ronna resonance and guerrilla crafts

The eye-popping color of this polymer clay necklace by Austria’s Carina Feichtinger startled me as I plowed through the web this morning.

Carina credits Ronna’s book for inspiration (see yesterday’s post) though it’s certainly Carina’s own colors and design.

I was also touched by this guerrilla craft, polymer piece from LA’s Lauren Steven which was created for submission to Stampington as a part of Monica Magness’ “AdDRESSing the Situation” campaign to bring awareness of the murders of women in Juarez, Mexico.

The front and back of her piece is shown here. See more of Lauren’s thoughtful works in her Etsy shop.

Global polymer trends

Julie Picarello’s “Boheme” polymer clay necklace reflects a little of a trend you may have spotted. There’s a looser, almost primitive style that’s gaining ground. French polymer artists excel at the look.

Ronna Sarvis Weltman gives step-by-step instructions in her newest book, Ancient Modern, and in the past few weeks I’ve been stunned and delighted by the number of versions her book has spawned.

When a style gets in the air, it starts popping up everywhere. I like how Julie has reinterpreted the wrapped wire look to go with her unmistakable designs (and she may have never seen Ronna’s book…I didn’t check).

Grant Diffendaffer’s workshops have caused a similar phenomenon with experimental recursive molded beads popping up all over the world. Today was my day to catch up on the web and these global waves of new designs really struck me.