What A Week!

I have been having such a great time on Christine's course and am learning so much. It's funny, I thought I knew quite a bit about polymer clay, but honestly, the more I learn, the more there is to know it seems.

The other course members are a wonderful group of people. Loads of sharing, not just of our successes but our failures too, which helps everyone to learn and figure out how to do things better. Christine must be online 24 hours a day as far as I can tell, because she is always there to answer questions and offer advice.

I have made up all the beads I have made this week into necklaces or pendants and am happy with the pendants, but not sure still about the best way to string the necklaces. Something will come to me I am sure over the next few weeks.

The bangle was a last minute idea this afternoon. I needed a break from the course and to do something completely different for awhile. Cara ( see previous post) was wearing some beautiful bangles on the PPP weekend and they inspired me to have a go at making one. Really pleased with it and will definitely be making some more of these.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Where To Start...?

It has been a full on two weeks since my last post. So much has happened that I am not sure where to start! So...just to be contrary - I'll start with now and work my way backwards!

I am taking Christine Dumont's online class "Hollow Beads" and I am having a Ball!!! We started on Saturday, and of course I was working at the Craft Fair, so had to wait impatiently until Sunday morning to start!

Making my first Hollow Bead (the middle Green and Gold one of the necklace) reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Polymer Clay in the first place. I have not had such a feeling of sheer joy (mixed in with utter surprise) that something that I made turned out so beautifully. I can blow the trumpet for this bead, because although I made it, it was Christine's vision, talent and wonderful teaching skills that helped me produce it. I could not have done it without her. I am just so happy to have produced it.

It is made with Kato clay, which for me, is a thing that I thought I would never happen. I tried Kato awhile back, but found the conditioning so difficult that I almost immediately gave up with it and stuck to my favourite, tried and tested, Premo. I think I have been converted! The new Kato formula is easier to condition which is good, but for the best results it needs to be leached to make it really firm which in turn makes it better to work with. I have rolls of clay in various stages of being leached in kitchen towel all over my work desk and window sills and any other available surface I can find!

I am fast becoming addicted to the Hollow Bead technique and all the possibilities it holds and am very excited to be a part of such a fantastic workshop. I have met lots of new polymer artists and a few old friends. There is a great atmosphere of sharing and encouragement and help - all online! What an amazing experience!

The conversion to Kato clay started started however on the brilliant Polymer Pamper Play weekend, in Portland, which I was lucky enough to attend. We had two fantastic teachers, Carol Blackburn and of course Christine who this time was teaching her amazing Butterfly Beads.

This was the first workshop I have attended and it was with some trepidation that I made my way to the reception area to meet with the other delegates. I need not have worried. I met some lovely people, some that I had "met" online before, particularly the lovely Cara http://surfingcatclay.blogspot.com/, please have a look at her blog - she does the most beautiful work! Some completely new to polymer, who then amazed and astounded me with their sheer talent and ability to take a technique and run with it to a new and unthought of place that was all their own. And obviously a large number of complete polymer addicts like me whose idea of heaven was to clay from 6.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. with just a couple of breaks for lunch and dinner (and even then we talked polymer!) One of the best moments for me was being able to look at and hold both Carol's and Christine's creations. I was blown away by Carol's work. Her finish is something to behold and to feel. The attention to detail was astounding. It was a huge inspiration for me. A level to reach for.

On the second day I was lucky enough to see not only Christine's amazing Butterfly Beads, but also her incredible Hollow Beads in person . Words cannot describe how they made me feel. Wonderful works of art. Tactile, Beautiful, they literally took my breath away.

A big thank you to Rebecca and Debbie for organising a wonderful event

Thank you so much - I had a really good time and came home inspired and not a little exhausted!! If you would like to see pictures please have a look here http://www.polymerpamperplay.co.uk/gallery.html. I can really recommend it. Rebecca and Debbie are already planning the 2nd event for next year! Can't wait!!

New Work

Just wanted to share with you my new range of work.

Tags and Buttons.

The tags were inspired by thinking about Katie's Birthday which is coming up next week.

I was wishing that I could find a really nice tag for her present, that she could keep as a memento. I had the lightbulb moment and have been working on and off on these all week. Of course, it is half term here in the UK, so not as much working on as I would like!

The buttons are just a natural progression - I make buttons to order, but have never done a range of them before. I have made 7 different types this week, but have only been able to photograph 1 set so far. I will try and post pictures on Flickr next week.

I will be taking then to the Cotswold Craft Fair tomorrow and I wonder how they will do. I am thinking of listing them Etsy as well.

If you have a minute, I would love your feedback on them.

Have a great weekend!

Oh My! I'm on Polymer Clay Daily!

My "Rome I" Necklace has been featured on Polymer Clay Daily! http://polymerclaydaily.com/

I am beside myself with joy and have still yet to come back down to earth from that very high cloud I have been floating around on since I saw the feature yesterday.

For those of you who are new to PCD, it is a wonderful site by Cynthia Tinapple. Everyday she features work by Polymer Clay Artists from all over the world. There is always something new, innovative, groundbreaking, or simply just breathtaking and beautiful to look at. It is probably the best Polymer Clay Site in the World, in my opinion. I have been following it for about 4 years now. It gets better and better each year and is my daily fix for inspiration and polymer eye candy.

When I first started visiting I used to wonder how I would feel if a piece of my work ever got featured - and now I know! I feel very honoured and simply over the moon!

Thank you so much Cynthia for showing my necklace. It has been the highlight of my year (and probably of last year too!).

Thanks to all of you who have left such lovely comments to congratulate me - it means the world to me!

I need to say a big thank you to Deb for getting the screenshot for me. Deb is a fellow member of PCAGOE (Polymer Clay Artist Guild of Etsy) and is a wonderful Artist, person and friend. Her shop is called Renaissance Gal of San Antonio, visit it here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/rengalsa. She is a blogging master and tirelessly blogs about the PCAGOE members and their work, as well as occasionally about her own exceptional work! Here is the link for her blog if you would like a look - I do recommend it: http://rengalsa.blogspot.com/Now I need to channel all this positive energy into something made of Polymer!

New Display for Cirencester Craftsmans Market

Just thought I would share what my new set up for my craft fairs looks like.

My friend and fellow crafter David made the wonderful shelf unit for me, or as we have to call it "A Display Module"!! This has given the whole display lots more height, which is great for customers, much more comfortable for them to view the jewellery. It has also created some extra space, which is always welcome!

My new Jewellery Busts have arrived and I think they look just brilliant. Made from recycled paper they add a touch of something to the whole look of the table. I think it looks a lot more professional now.

It has been nice to be able to have a bit of a revamp for spring. Now I just need to spring clean the house!

Dancing With Joy!

If you haven't already done so, you must visit Kerijoy's Shop on Esty and have a look at her amazing Walldancers. www.kerijoy.etsy.com/

These beautiful Art Dolls are made from Polymer Clay, Wire and Beads. Each one is totally individual and no two are alike.

The sheer joy and exuberance that emanates from these is sure to put a smile on your face. I love the huge amount of detail in each one, the explosion of colours and their serene faces.

Such fun!

If you are in need of a little inspiration this weekend, take a moment to read her profile - truly inspiring.