Donations to the 2nd Annual OK Poly-Clay Twisters Retreat

Several weeks ago I got an email from Angela Mabray, the VP & Webmaster of the Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild telling me about their 2nd Annual OK Poly-Clay Twisters Retreat, to be held April 19-21, 2012.

The event will feature Christi Friesen, who''ll be teaching classes, and claying along with the participants, in addition, they will have demos, vendor tables, free breakfast/lunch and in short - 100% polymer clay fun!

Like I did in similar retreats I sent Angela 2 of my new "Disc-Chic" necklaces as donation for their raffle auction.

The new necklaces were using my recycled discs along with stamps, ink and millefiori canes left from my pen designs.
These necklaces are always fun to create as they are so easy and every combination is a sure hit.

While I was playing with the designs, I made additional necklaces and a belt with the new FIMO colors (pastels and sparkled blue), that were given to Staedtler's private collection when I was their guest in Germany 3 weeks ago.

Several of these sets are also offered for sale in my Etsy store.

I am sending my wishes to all the retreat participants and know they will have a great time! (Certainly when Christi is around!).

Happy claying!

Polymeri Online 19.7.11 | Walk on Clay, Talking Faces, Hibiscus Flower Tut and Graphic Necklace Design

Violette Laporte from Canada has a great tip for softening very very old clay.

Even after you roll it in the pasta machine, If it is still crumbly, we are moving to the heavy artillery ;) take your clay, place it in a plastic bag with all the crumbs and pieces, form a ball inside the bag, take a good pair of shoes and yourself in the shoes (the heavier the better!) and squish the ball to flat! after several times (from ball to flat) you are done with your daily exercise and the clay is ready to be inserted in the pasta machine! how about that?!

http://violette-laporte.blogspot.com/2009/11/tip-11.html

Violette has some other interesting experimental designs in her blog, take a half of hour (or more) to browse it.

If you are looking for more tips for rolling stiff clay, you can see my tip as well in PolyPediaOnline TV in YouTube.

A mans face appears out of the tile; A face emerging from a leaf; Face Pendant - ReedDesigns Etsy's gallery is "telling us something", the faces expression, colors, eyes shape - talking faces.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ReedDesigns

ZudaGay posted a tutorial on how to create a hibiscus flower using main polymer core and petals around it, Thank you Tonja for this link!

http://clayinthehands.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-make-hibiscus.html

Polyette's graphic necklace has beautiful color combination, dots and shapes. I can imagine how stylish it will look on a white dress!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/polyette/5574017229/

Polymeri Online 8.7.11 | Dori Csengeri in PC, Fantasy art in swirling, mix media with polymer and clay flowers

Art-rukodelie from Russia made a tutorial inspired by Dori Csengeri using stones, beads of different shapes and using polymer clay strips instead of ribbons.
Dori Csengeri is known for her elaborated colorful looking jewelry and this tutorial is another proof that everything is possible with polymer clay! :)

http://art-rukodelie.com/fimo/urok-3.html

Don't forget to check her Puzzle cane tutorial for more fun stuff!

http://art-rukodelie.com/fimo/Uroki-Fimo.html

Jane Priser creates original fantasy art, sculptures, paintings, jewelry, greeting cards and prints. She is all for being confident, express yourself, be special, unique and she is certain that life can be much better with this mind set, it's all a matter of our perspective!

Her sculpturing are filled with thin swirling and twirling lines of many clay colors - spectacular!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntjanecan/

and her etsy store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/auntjanecan

Maria Ivanova (vokade) is sharing in her flickr website photos from the bulgarian polymer clay workshop with Isabela Nowak and Martina Mahdavi, as well as her unique designs - raffled beads and bracelets, decoupage work and mix media art with polymer clay - fun!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vokade/5460868029/in/photostream

There is something magical about polymer clay flowers, I can almost smell their scent. Katerina is working both with polymer clay and deco craft clay (which is an air dry clay) to create her flowers bouquets.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katerina-klyopa/

and this link will lead you to a colorful flower group using clay, deco clay, cold porcelain and many more -

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1153652@N23/

I'm off to family and friends camping this weekend, tents and sleeping bags - wish me luck! (i'll need it!)

Polymeri Online 2.6.11

xixonesina flickr gallery is full of special looking figurines, this one caught my attention. According to her description, the doll, Sally is related to Tim Burton movie "Nightmare Before Christmas" (didn't see that one) :) made of sculpey and premo. You'll find many more in her flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xixonesina/5788244858/

Take a look at this hollow russian marquises necklace made of polymer clay by french artist Dorothée Vantorre's, this and many other creations made of clay -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69939106@N00/5681873546/in/photostream

also her cute acrobat on a necklace!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69939106@N00/5579641445/in/photostream

Blog - http://lesfollesmarquises.blogspot.com/

Deborah Ross describes herself as an old artist but a new clayer, she's into

jewelry, sculpturings and many more, in this photo she wanted to express her personal true story. Not an easy photo but made me think... wish I knew more about her.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25802107@N05/5735518292/in/photostream/

http://debrossart.blogspot.com

Michell Covington unique handcrafted polymer clay art and art jewelry is creepy scary yet facinating - devils, skulls and even creepy bunnies!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CovingtonCreations

Polymeri Online 21.4.11

Polymair' de Rien is a forum celebrating these days its first anniversary and 850 members.

A contest was held and the aim was to reproduce a work of art and add a signature design. The inspiration were a picture of a famous painter with his style, shapes, colors, etc. Not an easy task! Miro, Matisse, Magritte, Monet and many more.

Of the 57 designs submitted to the vote, 4 were rewarded after a public vote was opened to 850 members of the forum. You can read more about it in this link

http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2011/03/30/20760162.html

Here is one of the winning polymer clay pieces by THE ETHIOPIA Blog (didn't see her name) who was inspired by Nicholas Roerich, fascinated by its light and dark, mystical and spiritual dimension of his painting and of course the Himalayas Mountains.

http://lesethiopiques.over-blog.com/article-defi-peintre-70279617.html

Look at these cute cats by Louanneblue - a tutorial is included!

http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2011/04/12/20873926.html

Easter bunnies are always a great gift both for the holiday and for mother's day, Gesine Kratzner of Blobhouse makes these bunny sculpturing from epoxy clay (more sturdy for the delicate parts) and polymer clay. The sculptures are hand-painted with acrylic paint and a little gloss for an extra spark on the eyes and nose. Along with bunnies she has squids and grumpy pets in her etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/blobhouse

thank you Elaine for finding these lovely animals.

Wishing you all happy Easter!

Polymeri Online 5.3.11

Dimitra is a greek living in the Netherlands, since she can remember herself, she was always creating things with her hands. she has worked with different kind or materials : oil and acrylic paint, papier mache, wire, porcelain, wood,and many others. Polymer has always been her biggest passion. Take a look at her colorful circle shape beads necklace using millefiori canes

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51640107/circles

Polka dots sheet tutorial by Grgalina from Russia, and there are several more in her blog

http://grgalina.livejournal.com/99194.html#cutid1

Polymer clay crochet hook handles are one of the hundreds ways we can use millefiori canes, UK artist Cara made these lovely decorated hooks

http://surfingcatclay.blogspot.com/2010/05/crochet-hooks.html

Tapestry blog also posted about covering her crochet hooks with polymer clay and have a video showing it, she says crocheting with a hook that has a handle is better than crocheting with a naked hook. Not only do you look very cool crocheting with a one-of-a-kind work of art, the handle makes crocheting tightly much easier.

http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/blog/?p=398

To tell you the truth, i am starting my affair with crochet, you'll be hearing about this soon, this is one craft i can take with me anywhere!

FloRaeMe decorated drill tools handles also using colorful millefiori canes

http://floraeme.blogspot.com/2010/11/tool-handles.html

You may also want to check her Makeshift light box post on how to photograph her art

http://floraeme.blogspot.com/2011/02/makeshift-light-box.html

Have a great weekend!

Polymeri Online 5.2.11

Isabelle d'Hauterive is from Québec Canada, when she was twelve, a neighbor ceramist introduced her to the art of modeling clay. Creating, giving life has enchanted her, thus giving rise to her passion for sculpture. Years has passed and she paralleled her work as a ceramist with obtaining a degree in teaching. For years she left the arts behind, until the discovery of polymer clay, and her creativity has since been reanimated along with her passion.

http://www.isabelledhauterive.com/anglais/figurines.html

ClayCenter / Berit Hines has worked many years in ceramics. She has moved from Holland to the US in 1999, and retired from Ceramics, after having sold her studio and most of her work in order to be able to immigrate. After just doing some water coloring she couldn't stay away from clay forever, and now indulging herself in the art of polymer clay and window paints.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21863654@N07/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/claycenter

ArtWen / Ainhoa is originally from Barcelona but now living in Avellino, Italy, her smiling figures, lovely eggplants and cute carrots are so sweet!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ainhoacr/5311464411/in/contacts/

Tampinha from Portugal started her polymer clay work in 2007 as a joke according to her flickr profile (and google translate) and since then it has taken shape, she is considering herself a perfectionist and her polymer clay art looks not less than perfect with her tiny designs and delicious miniatures :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tampinha/5264420614/

Pile of crumbs all over your table and floor?

Did you ever try conditioning dry clay and got a pile of crumbs all over your table and floor?

Here is my solution to this mess!

I took a chocolate box and after it's content has vanished (I'm innocent!! ;) ) I used it for storing short canes and I figured that the lid can be used as a small tray under the pasta machine to catch all those crumbs falling from the dry clay conditioning.

This way you don't have to clean the table and floor, and the tray is helping us to collect the leftovers back into the clay sheet, every falling crumb or piece is waiting to be cleaned or back to the clay for further conditioning.

When you're done, all you have to do is take a baby wipe and clean the tray!

Watch my Youtube video demonstrating it! In the video you will find other conditioning tips i am using for old, dry and even fresh clay.

Now, get yourself some chocolate :)

Polymeri Online 10.10.09

Horriblesweet from The Netherlands is making amazing fantazy looking sculpturings with air drying clay and polyester. her head-body shape conbinations are what turning the items from sweet to a bit scary (cat face with a bird body) :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22634850@N07/3885897049/

http://horriblesweet.blogspot.com/

want to make something with kids? try this Woven clay basket tutorial by first pallette - Your step-by-step guide to kids' crafts

http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Colors/wovenclaybasket/wovenclaybasket.html

Wanda's designs (Wanda Shum) made some cool new Santa, snowman and snowflake canes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10799328@N00/3886535996/

Ma-Betlette has some cool photo tutorials in her flickr - home-made roller bead, curved bead, damascus cane alternative, skinner blend beads, express colorfull cane, Mosaics Chinese brush & pastel tutorial

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24199592@N07/sets/72157616450692981/

Polymeri Online 9.8.09

Cat's home lady is designing cute smiling cats which made me smile too, her humoristic sculpture's of cats (and some dogs) makes the animal kingdom sweeter, she is from Izmir, Turkey.
http://www.catshomestore.wordpress.com/
http://www.catshomestore.blogspot.com/
http://www.catshome.etsy.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/catshome/

This tutorial demonstrates how to use a ball marble to bake a cabochon using black acrylic color too - great result.
http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2009/03/30/13112197.html

SPecimen7 monsters are hand sculpted, The current collection of specimens is curated by Shing Yin Khor, a Los Angeles area artist and designer. each specimen has it's own story :)http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6989534

Need some jewelry displays? - Timothy Adam Designs's Modern unique metal jewelry, art, furniture clocks jewelry displays and much more. Every item is handmade and designed by Timothy Adam.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5074716

Polymeri Online 23.7.09 - Carrie Tasman

For the next few days i would like to feature some ladies, each with her own amazing polymer clay work. i didn't want to put them all in a list in my polymerionline weekly post because each of them deserve her own "stage" :)

I came across Carrie Tasman when we discussed business, i didn't know how talented this lady was! she is a painter who stumbled onto polymer clay quite by accident ten or so years ago. she started stamping and painting sculpey to make small frames for tiny prints of her larger acrylic paintings. This year she experimented with colored clay and then after reading every book in the library (she is sending her thanks to all) she became obsessed with how to make millefiori canes. she is a painter, so she want to make beautiful, colorful pieces to hang on the wall. she started with small 5x7 still life collages with stamped clay and millefiori canes and have been making progressively larger pieces. those floral pieces (see photo attached) are 8x10 mounted on board, she used techniques from my tutorial and she wrote and told me that the tut stepped her canes up a notch : )
Carrie loves pattern, texture, and the piecing quality of working in clay, and the endless variations of millefiori canes. Please stop by her website to see more at http://www.tasmanstudio.com/Clay.html

How wonderful!!

Polymeri Online 20.11.08

Australian Lorell Lehman realized after studying painting and illustration at the South Australian College of Advanced Education in the 1980’s, she discovered my passion for figurative sculpture and doll-making in 1993. her dolls are amazing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23166258@N03/
http://web.mac.com/lorelllehman/Not_all_Faeries_are_Beautiful/Enter.html

Kathi from Dragonsglass.com posted on the delphi forum a link to a nice guy building a motor for his pasta machine, don't think he was making any canes, it's for his Pasta - can you imagine? pasta in a pasta machine? i have never heard of it... lol
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/852501/motorizing_the_pasta_machine/

Sushi art work - beads, kaleidoscopes - great inspiration and admiration for those artists chefs:
http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2008/05/30/incredible-sushi-art/

Peggy Dembicer is a a mixed media artist with a fiberarts background. she was a handweaver in the early '80s, fond of tapestry. In the '90s she shifted to framed and sculptural mixed media that she exhibits in galleries and private collections.
http://flickr.com/photos/90228408@N00/65680598
http://www.peggydembicer.com/

Polymeri Online 23.10.08

Laura Bocchi is from Genoa, her sculpturing of flowers and millefiori are delicate and fine, and you can find a heart bead tutorial in her photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/verdevescica/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/verdevescica/2710980792/

Food that smiles back to you? that's elfa's creations! she's from Italy and she also have an ebay store
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elfa-creations/
http://stores.ebay.it/elfa-creations

barbie_cyberpunk's photostream has a white clay doll that caught my eye, i wish i could see more of these interesting and unique looking dolls

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96257880@N00/2817575740/

Mae Holley has lovely miniatures and jewellry, she twists and knead polymer clay into all kinds of fun and interesting things and hope to pass on this crazy obsession to any one looking for a new and exciting way to expand their creativity. check her tutorials too!
http://www.twistedkneads.com/

what can we do with a clay gun?

How about some extruded collection of projects?
or, what can we do with a clay gun?

Here are some great projects for a start, feel free to add more in your comments!

Extrudinary tutorials
Polymer clay extruder projects

My PolyPediaOnline "Extrudinary" tutorials! 15 projects to sparkle your imagination, 14 videos in 3 super informative tutorials -
http://www.polypediaonline.com/extrudinary_polymer_clay_tutorial_extruder.html 

A football cane by Miriam Cohen from Israel - in hebrew but you can follow the pictures -

http://img2.tapuz.co.il/forums/1_117937392.doc

More ideas on Extruded Clay by polymerclayexpress.com
http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/mar2001.html

Make your rubber stamp with polymer clay using extruded snakes #1 by
http://artfortheheart.blogspot.com/2007/10/rubberstamps-polymer-clay.html

Make your rubber stamp with polymer clay using extruded snakes #2 by craftygoat - Stamp Your Own Message in Polymer Clay

http://blog.craftygoat.com/2008/03/stamp_your_own_message_in_poly.html

A special way to use clay and making a ooak cracked effect -
http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2006/11/14/3163137.html

Modeling and Sculpting Tools for Miniaturists By Lesley Shepherd, About.com

http://miniatures.about.com/od/toolsforminiatures/tp/Modeling-Tools-for-Miniatures.htm

Cynthia Tinnaple is demonstrating a great bullseye cane pattern -
http://www.polymerclaydaily.com/dreammachine.html

More from craftygoat - Video: Extruder Basics PLUS Making Coiled Extruder Beads
http://blog.craftygoat.com/2008/06/video_extruder_basics_plus_mak.html

Getting to Know Your Extruder's Discs
http://blog.craftygoat.com/2008/06/extruder_discs_get_to_know.html

Lazy Woman’s Mokume Gane (LWMG) by Barbara Forbes-Lyons

http://penguintrax.com/chatter/?p=113

Braided Clay Bracelet by Nan Roche

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_jewelry/article/0,,HGTV_3238_1378538,00.html

Clay-Gun Quilt Cane Pt. 1 by hedgeapplecraft

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW3xU4Ouppg

Fold Over Beads Polymer Clay Filigree Bead Project by Skygrazer

http://www.skygrazer.com/polymerclay/reference/foldoverbeads.htm

Polymeri Online 5.6.08

A great project to all you artists!
365 artists and crafters around the world can design 1 page in this beautiful and artistic diary, a free participation and a free publicity. You don't need to buy a book, but if you want one or more, all the participants will have a special price. To participate, you need to have a website or a web space (ex. Etsy, Flickr, MySpace, any blog,...) from where you sell or promote your art. you can also download an example page from the following link - we need 96 more artists!
http://www.fantazya.ca/diary2009.html

tofu nutloaf
Tofu Nutloaf makes whatever she wants, whether it's robots, block prints, satiric greeting cards, or photographs.
Ulde Yrth Clay This is a vanity site established to showcase the sculpture art of K.A. King.
Atlantic Puffin Cane -
http://2goodclaymates.blogspot.com/2008/04/atlantic-puffin.html

Oh Ya! another Clay Carnival!

After several years of doing the Clay Carnival in Las Vegas, The 'Euro Clay Carnival' is set to take place August 1-3, 2008 in Nottingham, England.

It will have an international flair as special instructors were added - 2 from England and 1 from Spain. The instructors for this event are: Donna Kato, Judy Belcher, Carol Blackburn, Leslie Blackford, Kim Cavender, Alison Gallant, Cathy Johnston, Sue Kelsey and Natalia Garcia de Leaniz.

There will be a total of nine different classes included in the package as well as daily lunch, tea/coffee and the fabulous Clay Carnival Dinner. You can read more about all the details on Donna Kato's website here.

Sign ups are starting to come in quickly so, if you'd like more information, visit our good friend Helen Cox for all the registration details.

Now you tell me, why did i choose to do my daughter "Bat Mitzva" in USA this summer? i should have chosen England... ;)

and this is not an April's fool joke... :)

Polymeri Online 13.3.08

Claudia Raffa is an Italian girl age 29 , who lives for a long time in Madrid. She loves the artisan imitation jewellery and the modeled ones. She dedicates herself to graphical design and has a true passion for cats (see photo)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewelleryweb/
http://claudiaraffa.blogspot.com/

cookiescreations / Rosemarie Fernandes is a a retired nurse. She's doing what she enjoys doing, Creating with polymer clay.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookiescreations/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5048780

indiandollartworks / Carla loves creating art with all it's highs and lows. She couldn't imagine not creating it, no matter what it is or what medium. Keeping the creative process evolving is the challenge. She enjoys working with art dolls, printmaking, drawing & weaving.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indiandollartworks/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=81447
http://www.indiandollartworks.blogspot.com/

Simple Inspirations by Sandy - paw canes and more stories!
http://blog.simple-inspirations.com/

6 steps on how to make a teddy bear - by T.'s Polymer Clay's, and check her other photos as well!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14939649@N08/2258787116/

Polymeri Online 31.1.08

Garie Sim just opened a new blog, he is currently teaching kids from 4 plus to 16 years old. According to him the only way to encourage kids to try out the clay, is to starts teaching them in making some basic things relating to their interest. Show them the various possiblities in using the clay plus their ideas.
http://gariesim.blogspot.com/

Chris Pellow is a self-taught artist, still learning as he goes along, with a love for mainly acrylics, clay, paper clay, leather and cork.
http://www.chrispellow.com/
Take a look at his first attempt at Arabesque Caning -
http://www.chrispellow.com/canes.html

Jessica and Susan Partain (sisters!), they hand-sculpt all of their charms from polymer clay.
http://www.inediblejewelry.com/about.html

toothfairyminiature / Rachel (see photo)
Rachel is a miniature lover and a self-learning miniature artisan. She collects and make her own dollhouse miniature and also enjoy trying and practicing new techniques and materials.She started collecting 1:12th scale miniature in 2002, since 2004 she makes her own dollhouse size miniatures using air dry Polymer Clay. She specialized in miniature cake, tarts, pies, cookie and some flowers.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5372559
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toothfairyminiature/
http://miniaturesbyrachel.blogspot.com/

Want to see some dogs? Bakari Dobermans!Dogs and Art! great combination! Their dog pendant heads are handsculpted using polymer clay.
http://bakaridobes.westhost.com/
http://bakaridobes.westhost.com/statues.htm

Yen (Elenora) from Rome, Italy with lot's of cute food miniatures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yenhmstore/
http://www.yenn.etsy.com/

Linda Hess from polymercreations4u features a variety of creations made of polymer clay
http://www.polymercreations4u.com/

Polymeri Online 17.1.08

River Wolfe - 15yrs ago he started making and selling Polymer Clay jewelry. He began beading as a hobby after a long stay in the hospital, then as a way to make unique gifts for family and friends. When he discovered what he could do with Polymer Clay, quickly began making his own beads and then making jewelry with the beads.
http://www.polymer-clay-art.com/
http://www.polymer-clay-art.com/techniques.html
Take a look at his Valentine Bracelet - lovely project!
http://www.polymer-clay-art.com/bracelet.html

Cuties! Animals and cake toppers, by Louise Hunter
http://www.huntersdesigns.moonfruit.com/
and her Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5290008

I found this Kaleidoscope cane at Nikkiken20002000 - Linda Riopel flickr gallery - take some if your skinner blends or spirals and joining them to a one-of-a-kind cane -http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikkiken/sets/72157603674073426/

Kreative Karma - her artistic creations have spanned many years and many mediums from Sketching to Digital Art to Fiber Work, and on to her latest interest, Polymer Clay.

Beautiful geometric canes using an extruder, her other work is also great!http://www.flickr.com/photos/kreativekarma/
http://www.kreativekarma.net/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5224021

Sheryl Westleigh, a 25 year old sculptor, trying to make a career of it. It's a lot of work but she thinks it's worth it. She creates fantasy and animal sculpture in polymer clay and mixed media.
Noadi's Art - Fantasy sculpture, jewelry, etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/noadi/
http://noadi.cywh.com/
http://noadi.blogspot.com/
Don't miss her video - how to build an armature stand to support your sculpts while you work on them

Hamsa Cookie Cutters Anyone?

30 days and counting...
Soon, 13th of February and i am in NYC :)

I was contacted by several artists regarding Hamsa Cookie Cutters which are hard to find in the US.

In case you are wondering, the Hamsa figure is an old and popular amulet for magical protection from the envious or evil eye. (here are some of mine -http://www.flickr.com/photos/irismishly/sets/72157594494143674/)

Let me know if you are interested, email me to imishly@gmail.com for details and prices.