Picking up where I left off

Cynthia Tinapple dusts off old bowls and adds new on PolymerClayDaily
Cynthia Tinapple dusts off old bowls and adds new on PolymerClayDaily

This Mendocino bowl brings back memories. I made it while on vacation with friends in California some years back.

I loved that walnut bowl and its polymer inlaid pattern. The photo is being used to promote an upcoming exhibit of works by seven black and seven white artists.

I decided to revive these lively stripes on a new bowl. Finally, I’m tackling the stack of polymer-ready bowls turned by my husband. The bowls languished in my studio while life got strange and creativity waned.

I’m excited (and nervous). Can I do it again? Come back next week to see. Can you tell that I’m forcing myself to finish this project?

Hold me to it.

Working outdoors

These visitors are welcome in Gael Keyes' garage studio on PolymerClayDaily.com

New Mexico’s Gael Keyes works with the garage door open. It’s no wonder that she is visited by bugs.

She gently returns her inspirations back outside as she makes her own fantastical versions from leftover patterns and bits of shimmer. They’re delightful and harmless.

 

Hidden secret

Donna Greenberg makes the back as interesting as the front on PolymerClayDaily.com

New Jersey’s Donna Greenberg adds a secret to her scrappy leaf earrings. On the front, she adds dots for interest.

Donna Greenberg makes the back as interesting as the front on PolymerClayDaily.com

Only the wearer knows that the back is as interesting as the front. Donna added an overlay of cutout clay. It’s like a private message from the artist.

Donna reminds us that the back is as important as the front.

Gone too far

Belinda Broughton likes to go too far with surface design on PolymerClayDaily.com

Australia’s Belinda Broughton has gone too far. Paint, powders, inks, crackle. You name it, she wants to try it on polymer.

The farther she goes, the more crazy, juicy, color-soaked patterns Belinda brings to life. Here she has a Thelma and Louise moment and drives off the cliff. It’s a joyous moment and she’s got the earrings to prove it.

Surface design is not for the timid. It’s going to be that kind of week. Hang on.

48,283 and 500

Ron Lehocky turns scrap in love on PolymerClayDaily.com
Ron Lehocky turns scrap in love on PolymerClayDaily.com

48,283 – That’s the number of hearts that Ron Lehocky has created for his Kids Project since 2005. Year by year he moved the goalposts and predicts he’ll crack 50,000 in 2021. Each heart raises $10.

When Ron put out the word, scraps from artists far and wide started arriving. He transforms scrap into heart brooches. This scrap is from Canada’s Susan Andrews. Ron rolled, twisted, and textured her cane end into all these variations.

Ron Lehocky turns scrap in love on PolymerClayDaily.com

“I certainly have enough “remnants” from generous and supportive fellow polymer artists to help me reach the goal,” Ron says. Happy Valentines Day to our King of Hearts.


“And the 500?” you ask? This Saturday’s StudioMojo is my 500th edition of the weekend insider’s newsletter. Hard to believe where one step after another will get you! I’m turning 500! Come celebrate with your StudioMojo friends.

Dog lover polymer

Retired RN Lea Gordiner focuses on mixed media creatures on PolymerClayDaily.com

Oregon’s Lea Gordiner says, “My recent fantasy is a combination of birds and animals with human features. They are meant to be silly, fun, playful, nonsensical…really. Seen any birds lately with nostrils and lips let alone shoes?”

If the holiday hoopla has you in a dither, you’ll be set straight by a wander through Lea’s website and her Instagram. She has shifted to finely finished polymer boxes as well.

Lea’s Portland guild mate Laurel Swetnam turned her in. We thought it only right that Lea has a PCD post among her presents this year. Thanks for making us smile.

Reverse mosaics from Maine educator Diane Manzi

Teacher Diane Manzi teases us with a basket of reverse mosaic ornaments on PolymerClayDaily

It’s Monday and I really didn’t feel much like trolling through Instagram and Facebook. Maine’s Diane Manzi must have sensed my overload.

She emailed me photos of her reverse mosaic ornaments and switchplates which set off a series of alarm bells that chimed gaily, “We have a winner!” Her ornaments and switchplates have a woven, scrappy, graphic, contemporary look.

What in the world is “reverse mosaic” and will she share her magic? She claims to be a doodler. Tell us more!

Teacher Diane Manzi teases us with a basket of reverse mosaic ornaments on PolymerClayDaily

Photos of the ornaments and switchplates show off her style much better than the little photos on her website. She’s an art educator. Lucky kids to have such a teacher. I’m jealous.

Bravo for Diane bravely sending her work to PCD. Now we want more, more from her. Here she is on Facebook. Let’s coax her out of her shell.

Out of clay, full of imagination

Kathy Koontz turns scrap into not-so-ugly Christmas sweater ornaments on PolymerClayDaily

Soulth Carolina’s Kathy Koontz (FlowertownOriginals) thanks the pandemic for one of her best sellers this season. Yes, Covid slowed the manufacture and shipping of clay but she didn’t let that stop her as she saw her supplies running low.

Kathy Koontz turns scrap into not-so-ugly Christmas sweater ornaments on PolymerClayDaily

Kathy got creative with her scraps. “Whether it’s old canes being reimagined or unsuccessful veneers that I somehow knew to keep, they both found a place in these Christmas sweater ornaments. So thanks corona virus!” There are a few left on Etsy.