6 Tips to protect your polymer clay work from being stolen while in an art & craft show

The upcoming Christmas is a a fantastic opportunity for many of us to show and sell our polymer clay work and even though it's actually an enjoyable as well as pleasant setting, it’s also important to be aware of theft.

Here are six methods to "get rid of thieves" while working at art & craft shows:

1. Welcome Shoppers
Smile and be sure to welcome every person which approaches your presentation area. :)
This really encourages sales, tends to make shoppers feel desired, as well as discourages thieves.
I have discovered that numerous suspicious individuals will shift and then leave if you provide them with a friendly greeting making eye-to-eye contact. If you're able to recognize somebody and point them out if you see them again, these people don’t wish to be caught taking anything of your stuff.

2. Employ A Companion (friend? A teenager neighbor?) & Be Watchful
It truly helps to have more than one person in the sales space.  One could help you along with shoppers while the other one can finish a sale and wrap the gift.  That way you can continually be watchful and provide excellent customer service simultaneously.  Having someone (or even two) to work at your own presentation space is one of the ideal way to prevent theft.  An additional pair of eyes may slow down any thief's tries.
Also, do not ever abandon your booth un-watched.  Asking additional participants to protect your booth when you go to the ladies room isn't best because they could possibly be occupied with their own customers which leads the way for skilled thieves to view your display as well as walk off with goods.

3. Become An Ideal Neighbor
Speaking of additional participants, having a good working connection together with your nearby neighbors may also prevent thieves. Once you set up, be sure to clear boxes as well as packaging content. Mess could make it more convenient for any thieves to act.  Additionally, make sure to be totally organized once the people are permitted inside so you aren't pre-occupied and you will be able to focus on customers.

4. Create Your Display To Prevent Theft
Arrive early and set up your exhibit so there is nothing away from your sight. This particular is especially essential with your money.  Putting on a vendor apron with cash pouches or perhaps a  purse to hold your cash is extremely important.  Don’t leave it available where somebody might get it.

5. Know The Rules/Contract
Understand your contract with the exhibit administrators. A standard agreement says that the vendor's property is your own risk rather than the show's responsibility.  Many agreements declare that the show managers will not be responsible for theft, damage or loss of property.

6. Why Not Change The Display?
Shows running several days provide a chance to change your presentation area. Examine what worked and what is actually a better set up.  This will give you a chance to design your area better.  There is an additional advantage because some exhibits provide a lot of repeat participants who are able to become repeat customers the next day if the booth will be set up to display different items.
Also, it is wise to keep a watchful eye on potential customers even though you may helping another customer.  Remember, someone may inquire simply to draw your attention away while someone else may take products from the display.  Caution is necessary at all times.

And most of all, Enjoy! There is something SO fulfilling with the thought that your beloved jewelry or polymer clay art being worn, given or owned by a new person in a new home! (Sometimes it is hard to parted from it but this is a whole different post to discuss)...
Don't forget to check out my post regarding what to take with you to your show!

Polymeri Online 2.11.11 | Ghost Shift Fish, Kyoto Geikos mix media, Fimo tutorials & Autumn bracelet

I stumbled upon Sue Corrie's polymer clay and copper designs and was enchanted! This wonderful fish done with both materials is a refreshing combination and the possibilities are endless. When she thought to give up on being a full time artist she fell in love with polymer clay. Her projects are often completed in the moonlight hours when the family is sleeping- the Ghost Shift. She says ‘Dr Who’ fans know that the Ghost Shift was, I'm sure my son does!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ghostshift/6291429338/in/photostream

Sharon House from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada loves to clay, as a mixed media artist she entered into Fine Arts Shows and lately have had accepted into a local gallery. Among her many talents she is also a story teller, not just for kids, for grown ups as well! It took her a while to find her passion with clay and few years into it, she is starting to figure that out. Much to her surprise, it’s not caning but more sculpture and what she would consider “practical stuff”.

You're invited to take a look at her cool "toothpick bead tool" - wonderful to bake or to dry your beads after varnish!

and one of her polymer pieces -

http://www.mystoryart.com/2011/05/wonderful-birthday-surprise.html

If you haven't yet visited in STAEDTLER fimo Creative tips page with cool tutorials and colorful ideas - You are welcome!

http://www.staedtler.co.th/creative_tips_for_FIMO_home_decorating_ideas_th.Staedtler

"Autumn in Scottish Mountains" bracelet by Czech Katerina Tumova has wonderful pattern inside. She has made an additional brooch with the same technique, almost looks like wooden design.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68592908@N07/6294511439/in/contacts/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68592908@N07/6294511733/in/photostream

Stay tuned - Tomorrow is the big day - 3 "events"!! :)

1st, I will announce the 3 winners of "The Polymer Arts" Magazine, if you haven't yet entered - it's your last chance today.

2nd, I'm celebrating my 40's!! OMG, I don't feel 40!

3rd A short vacation in Italy for my birthday with DH, I'm sure it's going to be wonderful!

see ya!

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 :)

Whole Kitchen in our studio? - part 1

Our polymer clay studio is a collection of all disciplines all together :) we collect everything that is usable to our studio - don't we? Whenever i go somewhere i think about my art - every visit to the store, every walk to the park, every stone or leaf on the tree, every tour around the house - i always find something and say - "hey! This can be adapted to my studio!"

Recently the girls at the Israeli forum made a long list of all materials and tools we borrowed from other uses, professions and fields and adapted them to our domain.

I am sure the list is not full and there are many more materials we haven't thought about that can be a great addition to our polymer clay art - you are invited to add yours too!

So let's begin!

Let’s start with the kitchen (that's my real kitchen in that photo!) -

what do we take out of the drawers and shelves? :)

1st - the Oven! all of us use the oven to cure polymer clay, some of us cure in the kitchen oven (don't forget to ventilate well after use) or bought a dedicated oven for the use of polymer clay.

Pasta Machine - i never made fresh pasta myself and this tool never met my kitchen, but some of you may use it for real pasta and then it was moved gracefully to our studio.

Food Processor - this is a great tool of you can get a second one for your studio - no more mixing my hands, just add some of this. Some of that, turn “on” the button, and you have a special polymer clay mix ready to use.

Cookie cutters - my favorite tools ever, these fun tools are easy to find, usually not very expensive, you can use either the simple plastic ones of the heavy duty stainless steel ones, but as always, don't mix food and polymer clay tools together, "borrow" them to your studio and buy new ones for baking.

Roller - Plastic or metal rollers are great, wood rollers wouldn't work so well with the clay (stick), this tool is also a must have in your studio.

Baking paper / parchment paper / wax paper - i am not sure this is the right word in English, but i use this paper a lot in my studio. Place clay on it, store sheets between 2 pages, cure flat objects on it, this paper is wonderful and has many uses in polymer clay work.

Aluminum paper - due to this material durability in heat, this makes it ideal to work with polymer clay and deal with the heat of curing. You can use it as a base armature for your creations, support for designs and many more.

Peeler - we had to take this tool to our studio to peel some clay! the sharp blades are ideal to peel slices of clay, similar to the peeler used by dan cormier, make sure your peeler is sharp enough to do the work and that it is stainless steel so it won't rust.

Tooth picks and shish-kebab skewers - these disposable tools are "multiple-able" in my studio! Great for piercing your beads and used for making all kind of special effects on your clay, can be cured easily and ideal for handling. Every skewer is used many times till it's thrown to the trash - only after it is dirty and worn out.

Corn flower - kitchen ingredient that was adapted to our studio - use it as a release agent, smoothing material and why not make a pudding as a snack :) just kidding!

Salt - another kitchen ingredient we can use for special effects on clay. The salt will be washed with water after curing and will dissolve and leave the clay stamped with the special texture similar to lava effect. Other spices can be used as inclusions to your clay!

Saran plastic wrap - a great material which is also a tool. use this one for wrapping clay (not all plastic wraps are compatible with clay, but Saran™ with Cling does not interact), and it is great for making "beveled" creations.

Plastic wrap - another great way to store our clay! Plastic wrap works great to help protect clay from getting dirty and absorbing dust. However, be careful which brand you choose. Certain types contain plasticizers that can chemically bond with the clay and cause your clay to go brittle or rubbery. Check the words, "Does Not Contain Plasticizers." to be certain which is best for storing your clay. Plastic boxes are good for storing as well, you must make sure that the type of plastic used to make the storage box, is actually compatible with the clay, but you can always place your clay inside the box on wax paper.

Grater - texture tool! great for texturing for beads, especially on the rough side of it!

If you look carefully you'll see that every kitchen tool can contribute something to our clay work, it's a great opportunity to see what we don't need inside those drawers and move them to our "packed anyway" studio drawers :))

That's it for Kitchen materials, next post soon with more tools and materials from other fields.

Do you have other tools and materials from the kitchen? Add it to the list in your comment!

Hey Iris, Can you give me 3 tips for succesful caning?

Hello Everyone :)

It's time for Q & A!

I have been getting questions from some of you and wanted to help with some answers!

1st Question is about millefiori work -

"Hello Iris, can you give me 3 tips for succesful caning?"

Only 3? wow, i have so many tips for you but i'll keep it short :)

1st of all, work with clay that is not too soft and not too crumbly, when i use FIMO classic i tend to let it sit on my shelf for about 6 months before i use it, like old wine, it gets better with time goes by ;) same with FIMO soft, Leaving it on my shelf harden it a bit but not too much, this helps me make my canes sturdier, more accurate and firmer. When Premo and Kato are the clays you use i recommend do the same, either wait few months till you use it or absorb some of it's moisture by putting sheets of clay between paper for few hours.

2nd tip, plan ahead - take the time to plan your cane if you can, sketch it, see which parts you'll need, how much material, which sizes, when you're building your cane use a ruler to measure things, this is very important if you want to achieve accuracy. This plan helps you avoiding making un-necessary mistakes or mis-calculations of material needed, the last thing you want to happen is to ran out of translucent clay for your background and now you can't finish your project...

3rd tip which is also very important to me - don't rush! work slowly and find the right time for your art, caning is similar to meditation to my opinion, it's all about making these small movements, repeating actions, and relaxing your mind of anything else :)

4th tip (even though i was asked for just 3), when you get to a new material and you want to get good results in a short time, take a class or a tutorial, there many great artists all around us, I am learning all the time, even from you! some of the great ideas came from my students! and of course i am taking classes from pros, improving my techniques, using shortcuts, there is nothing like that "a-ha!" moments when you realize how things are made, and most of the tutorials available a quite affordable too!

2nd Q - "How do you keep sharp corners on square canes?

The 1st thing that cross my mind when i think of square canes is again, work slow. when i am reducing square canes, i take the time to look at each side, checking corners, checking lines and make sure i am not moving things from side to side.

you can see more in my 2 parts video on how to reduce all 3 types of canes: round, triangle and a square/rectangle. In this video i will be demonstrating how to reduce a rose cane, butterfly wing and signature name cane.

Last Question -

"I would love to know how to use the right colours when creating a cane, mine are always dark!"

I am not a colour expert but i tend to "feel" which colors goes right, the most important thing is to use lot's of light colors - white, yellow and pastels, when we make a cane the pattern sometimes is so small we loose all it's clarity after reducing, the light colors helps us to brighten up the cane. When you use darker colors and reduce to small diameter, all the colors are almost mixing and you can't see any clarity of contrasts or pattern.

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I hope this helped you guys, canning in polymer clay is one of the popular niches and it's also my favorite :) keep on the good work and enjoy the process.

Do you have more tips? let me know! i will love to hear from you, email me or send me a message via PolyPediaOnline site, i will post them in my blog with your name!

Want to ask me a question? fill in this page and an answer may come along!

p.s - i am making a special sale this week with a cool bonus of a new flower cane! Join PolyPediaOnline mailing list for more info

Have the best day :)