Polymer In The Pines

Finished putting together 30 packs of my Faux Mexican Embroidery Tutorial, a cable necklace, a headpin and jump ring for finishing the pendant.  It will be a fun class to teach.  I'm ready to head up to the mountains of Prescott for 4 days of glorious polymer clay.

I love Penni Jo Couch's Best Flexible Molds for my cabochons (Above is PJ002). Her Etsy Shop "ClayLady43" is stocked with her fabulous molds also.  I just ordered two more and can't wait until they get here.  I included all of Penni Jo's websites for members to refer to as an excellent source for tutorials and supplies.  And, of course, the neverKnead is also coming with me.  I will demo it for those members who attend the retreat only.   So, if I am missing in action for a few days, you will know that I am in a beautiful setting in the mountains, working with polymer, learning and laughing with friends.

Retreat Projects

Besides starting the gourd piece and giving a demo, I worked on creating more polymer clay Zombie necklaces and a couple of donation necklaces.

My work area.  A 4'x2' folding table, 2 collaspible shelves filled with my supplies and a cup warmer I use to bake on.  I brought my own chair too.  Not too spoiled.

Gnome Home?

 No, no gnome home in the gnome home.  Say that 3 times.  I gave a demo on sculpting with Apoxie Sculpt at the AZPCG Retreat up in Prescott, Arizona.  Apoxie Sculpt is a good alternative when polymer clay cannot be used.  This gourd was unopened so it might explode in the oven.  I did not want to open it.  I just wanted the shape and the lightness of a large gourd.  I will use polymer to sculpt the accessories.

 This is just the base.  I still need to add accessories, more rocks here and there and some hardware, paint and sealer.

And, in the end.......it is not going to be a gnome home at all.  Stay tuned.

AZPCG Polymer Retreat 2013

 There's a couple missing from the photo, but we had 26 polymer artists attend the 2013 Arizona Polymer Clay Guild's Retreat up in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona for 4 days.

 Several rooms overflowed with clay.   Lots of laughing, sharing, ooo's and ah's as we all admired each other's work.  A good time was had be all.

Relaxing in the Treetops

The infinity pool and hot tub overlooked the mountains and vineyards. Can't get any better than this (have I said that enough?). Heaven, absolute heaven. I do love the colors and textures in rocks, sticks and leaves. The below photo will be the base for a simple necklace of river rocks and fall leaves.

Below was a green lush vineyard and not far from there was .......

the below vineyard. So interesting how extremely opposite they were.

Beautiful white billowy clouds nestled in the base of the mountains where rusted wire fencing surrounded a beautiful red and white barn.

A mural painted on the side of a downtown building. So cool.

Below was another mural on a building down a side street. The colors were intense.

The below two murals were in downtown Napa.

The colors were a bit faded, but nonetheless beautiful.

Another weird, crooked bridge photo that will end up as a graphic in an abstract painting at some point.

And finally, a streetcar named......

It was a leisurely lunch by the water in San Fransisco before heading to the airport. Just loved the yellow ochre with the white and black set against the baby blue sky and water. Tomorrow I will post a couple of tablescapes and recipes from the trip.

Lunch at Don Giovani's

A few more pictures from the Napa Valley area. Stopped at Don Giovani's for lunch. What great whimsical sculptures! The below sculpture was a unique sculpture/fountain. As the water poured into his mouth from the bottle, his mouth rotated from the force of the water, spilling water everywhere; creating a beautiful sound.

Lunch was phenomenal. I had never tasted a huckleberry. Didn't even know they existed. But if you ever get a chance to taste huckleberry ice cream, don't pass it up.

I had to take a picture of the parking lot only because there was a vineyard next to it. How often do you get to see that? The restaurant also grew their own tomatoes, herbs and corn right next to the vine covered outside patio. Wow, was it beautiful.

The below photo turned out too dark to see the purple wisteria blossoms. There were only a few left, but their fragrance still filled the air.

It was great to share time, see and experience new things, appreciate and be grateful for the blessings I have. What a great trip!

Renewed and Inspired

I named this retreat "OMG" because I was constantly saying "Oh my God." Everywhere I looked, it took my breath away. Serene, majestic, unbelievable and the smell of flowers and lavender everywhere were fantastic.

Went to a small french bakery for breakfast one morning and this quaint ice cream bike was parked out in front.

I have never been in Europe, but I think you could stand in Tuscany and say it reminds you of Napa Valley.

Gorgeous.

Just unbelievably beautiful.

A sweet little bike with a wicker basket was parked in front of some red doors leading to an apartment located over some store fronts.

There were two cement lions on the stairway leading to this courtyard outside the Italian restaurant I had dinner at.

The entrance to the courtyard. Pots of rosemary and thyme interspersed between the lush ivy gracing the red brick garden walls.

Dusk. The sun getting ready to settle in for the night. Watched two deer grazing not ten feet away. I did not have enough good light and could not get a picture of them. They were magnificent (honest).

Just more beautiful scenery. I am so inspired to paint, I can hardly contain myself. My weekend schedule is filled, so first thing Monday, I am hoping to start. Talk about feeling renewed, re-energized and inspired. I even kept a journal which I have never done. I didn't want to forget a moment. I did take tons of pictures, but these are a nice sampling I hope you have enjoyed.