Polymer Clay Etc.

27 videos, step by step, beginner cane workshop

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.

Workshop at West Coast Polymer Clay Guild, The Polymer Arts Blog and Art Deco

The Polymer Arts

My Circles and Squares necklace was featured yesterday by Sage Bray on The Polymer Arts blog. I do enjoy this piece very much and always have one or two people tell me how fun it is! When I’m told that my work makes people smile of makes them happy, I consider my job accomplish!

I’m always so excited to see my work featured in The Polymer Art magazine or blog, I appreciate the fine work that Sage is doing for our polymer clay community and feel privileged to included with the vast array of talented artists working in polymer clay. Thank you Sage.

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West Coast Polymer Clay Guild

No picture here! I can not believe that I spent the whole day with this lovely, funny group and didn’t take one picture. I blame the guild member actually, I asked them to remind me and to not leave without a group picture. But every single one of them forgot to remind me.

I really apologize ladies, it was my fault after all. Next time I won’t forget.

All of us at this workshop want to send a giant thank you to Polyform’s Education Manager Iris Weiss and Polyform Products for supplying all the clay and then some.

We had a really great time though, what a talented group of women. I hope to get back to New Port Richey again soon.

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Art Deco

I’ve been drawn to Art Deco all my life. Maybe it was visiting Miami when I was a kid and seeing all those fabulous art deco buildings, or just the clean lines of the jewelry or the advertisements and art work created in that style. I think it might be the romanic vision of the ’20s that draws me in. Such large changes taking place in clothing, hair styles, woman’s rights…the world was changing dramatically.

Right now I’m working on this bracelet using my pen and ink technique. I wanted something new with pen and ink to take to the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild when I teach there next week. Working on slides in this style as well.

Having a ball actually, one more panel on this one and I’m finished.

It was all about the Face, Friends and Fun

I was at the Florida Gulf Coast Polymer Clay Guild in Palmetto teaching my profile face cane and everyone did a really great job. I can’t wait to see what they make with these canes. They can use this short video to make hair canes and this video to attach everything to a bracelet blank after it’s baked.

But these funky faces aren’t just for bracelets, I’ve used them on all kinds of things.

A cocktail shaker, or

salt and pepper skakers, or

a canister, just to name a few.

I always have the best time at this guild, they’re fun and really enjoy the clay. And they always have the greatest pot luck! Thanks ladies and a special thank you to Sydney Carter for asking me and making the arrangements.

Everyone was delighted to the Premo clay for this project donated by Polyform. That you Iris Weiss.

Next week I’m teaching at the West Coast Polymer Clay Guild in New Port Richey, FL. It’s a great class to teach and I’m looking forward to seeing friends I made at Orlando Clay Fandango and making new ones. And making more great faces……..

Polymer Clay Slides

I have a slide exchange coming up and I have been experimenting with different designs. They have to be black and white with one color. The exchange is with a very talented group of polymer clay artists and I want to make something new and different. Different for me anyway.

This was the first idea that I had and I made a bracelet to go with it. I saw a pendent like this except instead of my dot-dot-dot cane there were real diamonds draped around. I like this one and got several compliments when I wore it.

Next I made these three, once again using my dot, dot, dot, cane in each one. I like the one in the middle the best.

Yesterday I made these hoping they look a bit like ceramic bisque.

And then this “just a bit crazy” one that uses… what else but the dot, dot, dot, cane again.

And the experiments continue.

Stand Ups – Different Clay – Alice and the White Rabbit

I’ve always love fairytales and Alice in Wonderland, ( I wonder why) so I’m playing with some of the characters.

I tried some Sculpey original white clay for the rabbit. It takes the alcohol ink differently than the white Premo. I need to play with it more to see which I like better. There are pros and cons to both it seems.

I’ll let you know.

Hey Snow, An Apple a Day….Just Sayin’

I’m having a great time with these Stand Ups.

Another Stand Up

Still playing with Stand Ups.

Stand Ups – Polymer Clay Characters

Okay, I’ve been working on an idea using white polymer clay and alcohol inks in both liquid and marker form. I wanted them to be free standing and collectable. Tallest one, the guy, is about 4 1/2″ tall. The small singing head is about 2 1/4″ high and has a removable, exchangeable saying bubble.,

The girl was the first one I made and I wanted the white face with black wash and color for the hair and clothes.

I think the black wash was a bit too much, so I made this guy and didn’t use as much black, I like it better. Looks more like ceramic or stone.

The dots in the background are from a new technique design block by Sculpey.

Both of the larger figures are made with scrap clay, (yes I do have real scrap clay that looks like mud, some scraps are just not Stroppel Cane material hehe) covered with white Premo. But even I will run out of muddy scraps at some point, so I made a smaller one made entirely from new white clay. Needless to say I’ve ordered more white clay.

I thought how much fun it would be to be able to use these as little greetings. Happy Birthday, Mother’s Day, etc, etc. I even make it so that you can remove the saying and replace it with another. (no it’s not my birthday). How about crazy funny off the wall humor?

This one I decided to try a little bit of color on her face, and it’s okay, but I like the other finish better, for a signature “look”.

I’m still playing and wondering if it would make a good class. I think most of the people that took my Sun class at Fandango made some great faces and I know these faces would be just as successful. I’m having a blast and my head is full of all kinds of new ideas with these stand alone, Stand Up, characters.

More later.

More than just a Colorful Journey

On Friday last week, I got an email from Ron Lehocky with several pictures of the ground breaking ceremony for a new home for the Smunnat Nepal project. A new home that has been funded by donations, much of which came from the polymer clay community with Wendy Moore, (center in the blue in this picture) Cynthia Tinapple and Ron leading the way.

Ron began by offering a matching pledge of $2,000 and the goal was quickly met. He then offered yet another match of $1,000 and again it was met. The goal was to collect $10,000 to be able to build a permanent home on land that was donated to the project. What a wonderful thing for him to do and the support and donations from our community have been fabulous.

Samunnat’s A Colourful Journey

Ron wrote to me, “According to Wendy the entire event was over flowing with love and happiness. They dig a hole where the first pillar will eventually stand and bury certain symbolic items in it which will bring good karma to the building.”

“I have been able to Skype with Kopila Basnet, the Program Coordinator of Samunnat and Wendy. This whole thing fills my heart and gives me such a kick that we are able to make a change in the world on the other side of the globe in a place so foreign to our sense of luxury and opportunity.”

I was delighted Ron shared the pictures with me and I was able to follow along with this exciting journey.All the pictures are now up on A Colorful Journey blog along with a post from Wendy.

$10,000 was just for the basic building. But how excited that the money was raise so quickly and they were able to break ground and the building can begin.

But hold on, they still need so much more, like a concrete roof instead of tin so that one day they might build up. When I was at Synergy I met Ron for the first time and sat with him at lunch one day. We had a wonderful discussion about Wendy, Kopila and the ladies of Samunnat. We talked about how each night they have to remove the generator from the rooms they are renting and bring in back in the morning. Running water is not always included in the places they have called home. Simple things we take for granted are luxuries for them.

I was thinking, over 40,000 people watch my Stroppel Cane Video when I first put it up, and over 48,000 have watched it since I moved it to Youtube.

What if each of those people donated just $1 each to the building fund, that would be over $80,000. Just think about what a difference just half of that could make in their lives.

I urge you to please take a minute to go to their blog A Colorful Journey and read more about these beautiful people and scroll down on the left hand side and click of the Paypal link to donated. Be sure to request it be for the building fund. It will make you smile, it will make them smile, you can be sure it will make me smile.

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A Colourful Journey is the website for Nepali women who have survived domestic violence and are developing ways to generate an income for themselves and their families. These women are affiliated with the non-religious, non-profit, non-political Samunnat Nepal project.

Flow Art Space – Polymer Clay Gallery Style

I’m so pleased that my Facing Forward pen and ink on polymer was chosen to be included in Flow Art Space‘s exhibit, Polymer Clay – Gallery Style.

A reception will be held on Friday May 31 from 5-8 pm. Awards provided by the Polymer Clay Guild of Minnesota and Clay Squared to Infinity will be presented to select emerging and established polymer artists at 7 pm.

This unique exhibition runs from May 29 – June 15. Hours are Wednesdays – Fridays from 2 – 7, Saturdays from 11 – 3 or by appointment by calling 612-564-3569.

Flow Art Space is located in the Northern Warehouse in the Lowertown neighborhood of St Paul. Find us at 308 Prince Street Suite 218, in the same building as Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar. Entry is free, and street meters are free after 5 pm.

Orlando Clay Fandango 2013

[youtube]http://youtu.be/dt4shOF3cJ0[/youtube]

I had a fantastic time at this year’s Orlando Clay Fandango! Here are all the instructors, the morning we are leaving after having such a wonder time teaching and demonstrating. Be sure to start saving for next year… save the date…May 1-5, 2014

I wanted to mention that I will be teaching my Pen and Ink one day workshop at the Orlando Area Polymer Clay Guild on Saturday June 29th. They meet in Winter Garden, FL . If you are interested in this workshop contact the guild for more information.