Polymer Clay Canes for Beginners

27 videos, step by step, beginner cane workshop beginner Cane Tutorial What people are saying about this tutorial. jennifer rose Just finished this first workshop on how to make canes, and I must say I learned so much. This is exactly what I have been looking for, someone who could explain cane making in a step by step that process that I could replicate. I watched the videos, went into my studio and began to create all of the canes Alice showed. I finally have results I can be proud of, and I say thank you so much for doing this workshop. My only question now is when do we get more workshops. If you are only going to take one online class let it be this workshop. Thank you Alice for your hard work, and your dedication to helping others learn the joys of polymer clay.

Online Workshops with Alice Stroppel

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[caption id="attachment_102" align="aligncenter" width="100" caption="Member IPCA"]Member IPCA[/caption]

Making new friends at Florida Gulf Coast Polymer Clay Guild

What a great group and what a good time I had in the Palmetto at their monthly get together. Thanks so much everyone and especially Sydney Carter.

I’m just sorry that as usual, I forgot to take a picture before some of the group had to leave. I did manage to get one of Sydney and me, yay.

 

Stopping by Marie Gibbons’ evb studio in Denver

 

When I was in Denver last month with Artybecca, we stopped by Marie Gibbons’ evb studio early in the morning on our way into town from our two day stay with Ann Kruglak in her absolutely gorgeous home in Boulder.   Marie wasn’t there, it was still early, but after a quick phone call, she invited us back the next night to visit with her Mud Club women. What a fun group and what a great idea. They meet regularly and get to enjoy each others company while expressing themselves in clay. You gotta love it.

We wanted to get a picture of her fabulous window. She always has something inventive and so cool in her window, not only her work but other simple, time consuming, but simply spectacular ideas for her windows. You should see what she’s doing with cardboard toilet paper rolls.

Isn’t this the greatest picture? Thanks Rebecca for the picture and being a great traveling buddy. I think I might have to frame this one, it’s so artistic. The picture above you guys….. not the one of me below.

 

Rebecca got this picture of me in front of the window but we both failed to take a picture that night. I do that all the time, get too busy talking and looking that I don’t take pictures.

 

I did get to buy this head rattle from Marie while we were there. I think it’s so funny and enjoy him laying around on my desk.

 

Marie Gibbons - head rattle

Here’s a picture from last year when Meisha and I stopped in to visit in 2011, it’s turning into an annual thing.  I am thinking about a class with Marie when I go to Denver next year. If you’re ever in Denver, you should stop by the studio and enjoy.

I’ll be on the road again and teaching in Jordan, MN at Maureen Carlson’s Center For Creative Arts. If you’re close by, come on a take a class, we always have fun. Give Maureen a call at 952-492-3260

Cane Mapped Mosaic Fish Featured on Polymer Clay Daily

I was thrilled that my cane mapped fish slides were featured on Polymer Clay Daily last week. Thank you Cynthia! And I was so happy that all my swap buddies liked the little guys. But they couldn’t have liked the fish as much as I love each and every slide that I got to bring home with me. Thanks to all the swappers…..is that a word?

I would have posted this thank you sooner but I was without phone service and internet off and on. But oh what a wonderful time of just clay and friendship spent in a beautiful place.

I also spent two days after our retreat in Denver with Meisha Barbee. Meisha doesn’t have a website or blog but you can see her work on Polymer Clay Daily. We had the best time exploring galleries and museums and getting to know downtown Denver. It’s a beautiful city with lots of great places to eat and shop.

We visited Pismo Contemporary Art Glass Gallery where Meisha’s work is featured. It is an incredible gallery full of the most fabulous glass and jewelry, put it on your list if you’re going to Denver. We walked over to Show of Hands and what a wonderful shop it is, just my kind of funky, fun place with lots of interesting things to tempt you. Both places are so friendly and welcoming.

We also went to Boulder for a wonderful visit with Polymer clay artist Ann Kruglak and her husband Ivan in their gorgeous mountain home, thank you guys.  Talk about view envy, what Ann gets to look at everyday out her windows is truly amazing.

Meisha and I  made time to visit Marie Gibbons who is one of the featured artists on my other blog The Figurative Artbeat. I was so glad to get to see her studio and spend some time with her.  I was delighted to be able to take pictures of her new work and add another piece of her fabulous swimmers from her Float series to my collection. I’ll be featuring Marie, her new work and the story of her swimmers in the next week or so on The Figurative Artbeat so check in often.

I’m back and full of inspiration and ideas that I can’t wait to get to. But first things first, I had to go to the grocery store first thing yesterday because…….. there was not one thing in the refrigerator, seriously! Then I decided to take just a small little nap and slept for hours so that today I am rested, excited and ready to get to work. The clay is calling me, I can hear it.

I have the best husband, he had such a wonderful surprise for me when I got home! I’ll share pictures tomorrow, think black and white checks.  Thanks for checking in with me and to all those who signed up for my newsletter in the last couple of weeks, I’ll be sending one out in the next week or so.

I had the best time, but there is no place like home . (Clicking my ruby reds)

Road Trip to Florida Gulfcoast Polymer Clay Guild

FGPCG

FGPCG Play Day with 20 children and parents.

My friend Sherry McKinney and I set out on a road trip Saturday to join the members of the Florida Gulfcoast Polymer Clay Guild in Palmetto, FL. We both had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone. The  kids had a fabulous afternoon and I’ll bet some of those kids will be begging their parents for pc supplies.

The Manatee Public Library-Palmetto Branch at 923 6th Street West in Palmetto, FL  is the meeting place for the FGPCG. They have been meeting in the large room with tables, chairs and a kitchen all for free. For 3 years the guild has enjoyed these arrangements and wanted to give back the to library and the community.

The library’s Assistant Branch Manager, Debbie Reagan was please with the response and hoped to be able to do it again. She’s sure the interest is there, over 20 children were on the waiting list.

Sydney Carter, Marcia Kaszuba and Rachel Kindon all took a few minutes to do short demos to introduce pc to the kids. Several members manned the ovens that baked all those wonderful creations from those inspired young artists. I met Sydney and Rachel Kindon at Orlando Clay Fandango this year and it was great to see them again.

Sydney Carter

Sydney Carter

Sydney Carter showed the children a pen covered with clay as an example of what they could make with polymer clay that very afternoon.

It you live in the area, you might want to give FGPCG a visit and join in the fun. Next month Sydney will demonstrate Bobbin Beads.

Polymer Clay Steps Aside for Sunrises and Mermaids

I haven’t been claying, I’ve been beaching…………

I went away for a four day week-end with 6 of my girl friends and we stayed on a fabulous island off the coast of Florida. You can only get there by boat and once there travel around on foot or by golf cart.

The house belongs to a very good friend and I love going there, it is the most relaxing place to be that I can think of. We are all praying that  it will stay free of oil from the spill. Both on the inlet side and the ocean side, the water was unbelievably beautiful and clear. We all were so appreciative of everything on this trip, we don’t want to lose it.

Glorious! I got up very early one morning to catch the sunrise. It was beautiful as you can see by the photo and I just had to share it.

I do want everyone to know that the coastline of most of Florida is still oil free and you should come and enjoy it. Tourism has practically stopped here, and we need you to come if you were planning on it. Please don’t stay away because of what you think might be happening.

I also remembered this time to take a picture of the mermaid we made for the our friend that owns the house. On one of the trips a couple of years ago, I brought some fabric and some paint and gave everyone a piece of fabric and asked them to paint something. I didn’t tell them what I was going to do with it until later.

I took all the pieces home with me and made them into the body of this mermaid. I did her face and hair, added a few things of my own and then sent her off to one of my friends with instructions to add whatever they wanted to and then pass her on.

That Christmas, we presented our friend with the finished mermaid. She has lived at the beach house ever since. I didn’t take pictures then, so I was happy I remembered to take some this trip. I thought it was fun and I’d really like to do it again.

I’m Going to Orlando Clay Fandango 2010 Are You?

Mokume Gane - Julie Picarello

Mokume Gane - Julie Picarello

I just sent my registration in to the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild for the Orlando Clay Fandango 2010. I excited to be going and to be meeting some of the people I have gotten to know online.

Fantasy Garden Mirror - Christi Friesen

Fantasy Garden Mirror - Christi Friesen

It should be an wonderful experience with classes with Christi Friesen, Julie Picarello and Sarah Shriver. Maureen Carlson and Barbara McGuire will be giving evening demos.

Sarah Shriver - Beautifully mixed Skinner blends

Sarah Shriver - Beautifully mixed Skinner blends

Come on and join me and all the other enthusiastic Polymer Clayers that will be gathering for this 3 day – 4 night Workshop/retreat. They have several different options for you to choose from. Take the full workshop experience or just come and clay on your own. Take a minute to check it out. OAPCG

Other Shops To Sell Your Polymer Clay Art Work

New Work for New Shop

New Work for New Shop

When I went to Tampa to visit The Creative Native and take some of my work for Pam, the owner, to feature.

Earlier in the day, I had lunch with my son, and we stopped by The Red Herring, a delightful shop with “curious goods for your home.” I thought I would ask inside if they knew of any art galleries or funky crafty gift shops that might be interested in my work.

I showed the woman behind the desk the bracelet I was wearing and told her what I was looking for, she asked me to wait while she found the owner. She thought the owner might be interested in my  pieces.

And she was. She would have bought all my wine stoppers I think, but I had promised to take them to The Creative Native. I told her I would make her more and send her a picture of them once they where complete. She also showed an interest in the business card holders and the bracelets.

So the picture above is of the new work that I did for her. I emailed her the picture and a price list. I’ll let you now how things turn out.

My point is, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just galleries or “craft” gift shops. I really didn’t realize that this shop might be interested in my pieces.

I knew that they had wonderful things and I loved just walking in the shop, but it didn’t cross my mind to put the two things together…”Curious goods for your home” with my wine stoppers, but I should have at least considered it. Her shop is full of well used and loved items that, once placed in your home will feel like it’s been there for years and belongs.

So I learned something very valuable and I will have to widen my circle when looking for more outlets.

A Successful Trip to The Creative Native Gallery

The Creative Native

The Creative Native

I went to Tampa to meet with the owner of The Creative Native Gallery, Pam Moody. She really liked my work and I left everything that I brought with me. But I already knew that she would like my things because I had found Pam’s gallery website and emailed her the link to my flickr site.

She told me that she really appreciated the way I introduced her to my work. She said that when artists simply stop in the gallery, sometimes it just isn’t convenient. Pam is a ceramic artist and in addition to running the gallery, waiting on customers, etc., she is working on her things as well.

So she was happy that she could look at my work when it was convenient for her. She emailed me and asked me to bring my things and meet with her. She has a very nice gallery with lots of wonderful art and funky fine crafts as you can see by the picture above. That’s the front page of the The Creative Native’s website.

The gallery has a great feeling about it and it makes you happy to have walked in the door. Pam is friendly and fun, and creates wonderful ceramic pieces that you will enjoy. If you are in the Tampa area stop in and take a look, you might just find something you can’t live without.

I’ve added this post to the Selling Your Art Category. It works, it’s working for me. I also stopped into another shop on Bay to Bay in Tampa before going to The Creative Native. The owner wanted to buy some of my samples. I’ll tell you all about it in the next post.

Interview with Tampa Area Gallery

Salt and Pepper

Salt and Pepper

I spent part of an evening last week searching out and emailing galleries that are close by. I emailed three and have an appointment to visit one with my work. Another road trip, that’s good news. I just wanted you to know that I am actually doing what I suggested you do in my post Selling Your Polymer Clay Artwork. I need to sell my artwork, so I’m taking my own advice. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Have you contacted any galleries or shops? Tell me about it in the comment section so others can here how you have succeeded. they’re out there just waiting for your work!

Oh, and I sold two bracelets last night during our downtown artwalk. Sold them right off my wrist. That felt good for sure.

Road Trip

My friend Alice Hansen and I took a road trip down to Matlacha, FL and Pine Island to Julia’s Arts Gallery.

Julia's Arts

Julia's Arts

Julia’s Arts is featuring some of my polymer clay work, bracelets, bottle stoppers, perfume pens, and my fish mosaics. The Mermaid on the blue bottle and the new fish bracelet are living there now too.

Julia's Arts - Gallery

Julia's Arts - Gallery

It’s a delightful gallery with some really wonderful art by some very talented artists. I’m thrilled to be included.

I love little Florida coastal towns, the “artsy” buildings are so colorful. They grab your attention and make you feel happy, lift your mood if you’re feeling glum. Get you ready to kick back, grab that drink with the umbrella and relax. You’ll find some of the most unusual art work in these cool, colorful galleries.

Alice and I had a great time, we stopped in Punta Gorda to have lunch on the way home and visit some galleries there. Charming little town and they have made a great effort to come back for the devastation from hurricane Charlie several years ago.

Alice has had her painting and prints at Julia’s for several years now. Alice’s work is amazing! She is famous for her marine life watercolors. Manatee and fish of all kinds fall under Alice’s spell and no color escapes her brush. She sells her original artwork as well as prints and note cards of most of her paintings. You can contact Alice through her gallery page at Highlands Art League. Or see more of her work on Julia’s Arts website.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to create these wonderful gentle manatees in polymer clay. Don’t you just love the colors Alice uses?

Manatee Family - Alice Hansen

Manatee Family - Alice Hansen