Debbie Jackson’s got the blues

Debbie Jackson showcases her indigo patterns on PolymerClayDaily.com

Yes, I’ve really got the blues, not because I’m sad, but for the love of the rich blues of African Indigo-dyed textiles produced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

The hinged vessel pendant above is titled, Gathering of the Masaai, an ethnic group from Kenya and Tanzania. I love how they adorn themselves in layers of beaded neckpieces.

This mixed media piece includes African Indigo Textile, seed beads, and cane work. To see more of how I’ve had the blues over the summer, click this link…

Challenge home run

Dayle Jones finishes her 100-day challenge with a winner on PolymerClayDaily.com

UK’s Dayl Jones (Planet Isis) slides into the end of her 100-day challenge with this collaged veneer two-sided home run.

The soft watery colors of the oval pendant are impressive but she tops it off by repeating the colors in the polymer tubes and thin-sliced beads on the cord. Now it all hangs together with panache.

It’s those little touches that bump Dayle’s pendant up a notch.

Culture on a string

Ohio’s

Debbie Jackson and I had a conversation today about recent events. We decided to lean into the discomfort of the issues that have been swirling around us to get some clarification and to be able to move ahead.

I knew I’d make some blunders (I did) and Debbie knew she wouldn’t have all the answers (she didn’t). But it was a start.

Debbie is exhausted and emotionally drained by recent events but she’s also hopeful that society can be repaired.

Come see how a black artist who has worked hard to make her living in polymer has plowed through a difficult landscape and succeeded. Debbie’s works are sold at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and she has taught and written, collaborated, and organized in amazing ways.

Her Miami University summer workshop (now postponed) is entitled “Culture on a String” and that says a lot about how Debbie envisions her polymer art.

Our StudioMojo interview was a start in my education and a necessary first step to better understanding and healing.

Easy does it

Sofie Pollion's pieces have a carefree casual attitude on PolymerClayDaily.com

France’s Sophie Pollion (s0fi_insta) favors strong shapes and graphic simplicity on her polymer jewelry. The oversize oval holes on this pendant look casual and confident on the multi-strand leather cord.

Her Instagram is full of clever designs and quirky closures that she tosses off with seeming ease. Of course they are more considered and thought through than it might appear. Here she is on Facebook.

Enter your studio with an attitude of nonchalance and ease and see what happens. Kind of a “fake it til you make it” trick. See what happens.

Playful design and simulated retreat

Angela Garrod mixes textures and shapes with a delicate touch on PolymerClayDaily.com

UK’s Angela Garrod builds her long pendant with square tubes that end in birch-like round beads.

Childish Games We Played ends in a pendant that’s textured and worn with a surprising top to its shape.

Just when you think she’s finished, Angela adds a length of handmade chain. It all adds up to a refined and elegant yet playful piece. Her works are consistently well-considered and thoroughly designed in a way that makes it look effortless.

You have to visit her website to get a full view of her impeccable taste.

We translated the Virginia retreat into a Zoom meeting this week. For an hour and a half every day, we simulated the annual gathering. It was nostalgic and fun and reminded us of what we were missing. We left feeling hungry for next year. Come on over to StudioMojo to see our takeaways.

Looking for words

Dayl Goulsbra-Jones combines a whole lotta impulses into her works — 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.

Crackling crazy

Sherri Thompson likes her crackle barely held together on PolymerClayDaily

Michigan’s Sherri Thompson (lunamerakistudio) takes crackle seriously.

She refers to her chunky look as “newspaper crackle.” It’s a great look for this black and white oval pendant.

I had no idea what a rabbit hole crackle techniques have become. Is it because we’re feeling fractured that we’re so attracted to this barely-glued-together look? Whether you like fine crazing or chunky crackling, you can find the effect of your choice here.

Getting the blues

Betsy Baker feels the blues along with hidden gems on PolymerClayDaily.com

“All this sheltering in place is giving me the blues,” says Boston’s Betsy Baker (Stonehouse Studio).

Are you surprised by the small gem tucked in the middle of Betsy’s folded layers of polymer? There are gems hidden in this hardship and heartache. Look closely.

Back with a splash!

Wendy Moore comes back online with a splash on PolymerClayDaily.com

While most of us are squirreled up at home, Australia’s Wendy Moore (after_the_monsoon) comes back online with a splash.

Wendy’s been watching quietly from the sidelines for a while as she took a break. Now she’s collaborating with Dissonance Fashion and creating new work inspired by Helen Breil and Bonnie Bishoff. Wendy’s resurgence shows us the value of taking time off!

Of course, her heart is never far away from the ladies of the Samunnat Nepal project that she has nurtured since 2006. Welcome back to good health and polymer, Wendy.

Make time on Wednesday for the free Fun At One on Craftcast. This week watch Deb Hart create her polymer eggs and see Deb Karash (prismacolor on metal) demo her black block tool.

Tubular trends

Mona Ferrar stacks up an arty pile of embellished tubes on PolymerClayDaily.com

Spain’s Mons Ferrer (Bisuteria Creativa – Fi-Mons) brought tubes home from a class with Lucy Struncova. She’s been making and arranging them into pendants ever since.

With an assortment of diameters, lengths, colors, and patterns, they stack up into geometric tubular art to wear.

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