How to catch Love Bugs

Nicole Johnson's love bugs scramble away quickly on PolymerClayDaily.com

It only took seven minutes for fans of New York’s Nicole Johnson’s Mealy Monster s to empty her shop of Love Bugs, Love Grubs, and Infestation Monsters when she updated her shop last weekend.

Her loveable, horrible characters are perfect for Valentine’s Day. They’re ugly and often they hold strange, irreverent signs and sayings.

Nichole has a loyal following who appreciates all the work and whimsy she sculpts into these polymer characters. They creep out every holiday to say something sassy. You have to move quickly to catch them. Here they are on Facebook.

2020 moves forward

Kristi Thorndike-Kent and Jen Young make joyful 2020 hearts on PolymerClayDaily.com

There’s plenty of party left in Washington’s Kristi Thorndike-Kent and Jen Young (Go Inside and Clay).

These joyful hearts are made from bits of color, slab work, and wire. Look at their Instagram to see how they’ve skipped right ahead to Valentine’s Day. Lookout 2020!

Texas art machine in gear

Texas’ Susan D (suzicq) outfits her hearts with antlers, crowns, flowers, and flames. “My studio is constantly overflowing because everything is fodder for the art machine,” says Susan.

Her tastes run from Voodoo dolls to goblins and monsters so these slightly dark hearts continue her vibe which you can catch on Etsy.

Over at StudioMojo, we’ll look at our own art machines. What are we making these days and why? Plus, the 3D printed cutters of my own design arrived. Would custom designed cutters help your process? Join us for Saturday morning musing.

From valentines to easter eggs

Last week Meg Newberg (PolymerClayWorkshop) showed us her fun repeating hearts made from a bullseye. With a few additions and sleight of hand, she makes that cane work from Valentines Day to Easter!

If you look closely at the slices in the photo you’ll see hearts on the edges. By cutting the original cane slightly differently and shaping it into triangles, then hexagons, she covers a hollow egg with slices.

Don’t take my word for it, watch her give one of the quickest, cleverest classes ever. Her videos are on her Instagram.

Heartwarming hearts

Sizzling thank you hearts from Fabi Perez Ajates on PolymerClayDaily

These thin hearts in sizzling hot colors were thank you gifts from Spain’s Fabi Perez Ajates to students in her classes in the Czech Republic and France.

“I love happy colors, a song to happiness and love of life,” she says.

Look more closely at Fabi’s happy hearts on Flickr. Are your hearts ready for the holiday?

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