More New Things

I have been claying for over 7 years. Don't ask me why, but I have never bought a "how to" book, until now. I finally bought myself "The Art of Polymer Clay, Creative Surface Effects" by Donna Kato. Now I'm asking myself why did I wait 7 years to buy it? I am loving it! I have hardly put it down since I got it. I have been experimenting with all kinds of new techniques, and expanding my repertoire of techniques I thought I knew. The first thing I did was make reverse images of all my stamps and texture sheets. I had never thought of doing that before. You get twice the use out of them all just by reversing them, who knew?

This heart was the first thing I made using my new found knowledge. It is faux cloisonne. It was made using one of my newly made reverse stamps. I used pearl-ex mica powders and gold acrylic paint and finished with a layer of liquid polymer clay.

The next thing I tried was a technique where you paint on transparent clay with alcohol inks. Then you put on another very thin layer of trans. On this layer you add gold leaf and stamp images with more alcohol ink. Then you add another very thin layer of trans to seal it. This barrette and bangle were made with this technique.

This tile bracelet and necklace were made by stamping black clay with a reverse stamp and then painting the raised areas with different colors of acrylic metallic paint. Then I flattened the sheet out and made tile beads. There is a method of making the beads in the book that is much easier than I had been doing. The beads have a coating of liquid polymer clay baked on the protect and give it a great shine and dimension.

I've already ordered my next book. Hopefully it will be as fascinating as this one.

What I've been working on lately.....

I was kind of missing working with my floral canes lately. A few days ago I worked on some millefiori all day. I made the beads for this bracelet, plus some hollow lentils and some buttons. After I got that out of my system, I went back to playing with the mica powders and alcohol inks. This heart is some black clay with gold leaf on it. Then I put one drop at a time of a whole bunch of different colored inks. Letting the ink dry between each color. Lastly I added a very thin layer of premo transparent over the top to seal the colors in.

This pendant started out with pearl clay and then gold leaf. Next I stamped it with a design to kind of crackle the leaf and leave some impressions. Next I brushed some red and copper mica powders on. Then I added some watermelon and salmon colored alcohol ink. After the ink dried I smoothed it out and then added a layer of transparent. Lastly I stamped it with an Asian stamp with the character for "peace".After baking, sanding and buffing, I painted it with black and gold paint to highlight the symbol.This bracelet was made for my sister for her Birthday. It is the scraps left over from the tutorial I worked on a couple weeks ago. I just took the leftovers and marbled them together then made a veneer to cover one of my premaid Ultra-light clay bracelet blanks. It looks really cool in person, the transparent and pearls clays really add a lot of depth. Hopefully she liked it.

Did you Spring Forward?

Sunshine and Rainbows
Originally uploaded by polymerclaycreations

Spring is almost here and I am so ready!! Even though we here in the great Northwest haven't really had too harsh of a winter, I still am looking forward to some warmer weather. I could live in the tropics so easy. Definately a warm climate person here. Must be in my blood. My Mother is from Rio de Janiero, and I have lived there a couple times, so I think it could be I'm warm blooded deep inside.
This photo is of a covered CD made into a suncatcher. I titled it Sunshine and Rainbows. Two of my favorite things :) It is my most popular picture posted on my flickr photostream. It has had 2880 views and is marked as a favorite by 60 people.
I have been told my art is so colorful and bright it just makes you happy to look at it. I hope it so. It makes me happy to create it.

Another Flickr Find...Some Gorgeous Polymer Clay Artwork

One of my contacts on flickr is Sherri Kellberg of BeadazzleMe. She is a very talented artist. Here in her own words is a little about her.
About Me:
I’ve been working with polymer clay for the last 6 years, developing techniques as I go, reading & researching new ideas. I find pleasure in the process, when I work with clay it soothes me, both heart & soul, it’s a healing form of art. I’ve always liked making things and working with my hands. I’m inspired each day by the beauty of nature, & its stunning array of colors & textures.I studied Interior Design at the Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota,Florida. I have an extensive background in acrylic & watercolor painting, stained glass, mosaics & Faux wall painting/stenciling. I am also an avid crocheter,knitter,(have to keep my hands busy!)seamstress & quilter.I hope this gives you an insight into who I am. Creating art is like breathing to me, I live to do it, and POLYMER CLAY is my obsession!

Here a just a few of her wonderful works of polymer clay art. You can find her on etsy at BeadazzleMe. I hope you enjoy her beautiful jewelry as much as I do.

PCAGOE March Monthly Challenge Winners

Congratulations to this months winners!!

In the catagory of voted on by the public:

1st is Yonat of YonatDascalu

2nd is Christi of RiverValleyDesign

3rd is Dottie of Stonebrash

PCAGOE March Monthly Challenge

March PCAGOE Challenge - TEXTURE!

The theme for our March challenge is "Texture." Each member who entered this month was challenged to create a textured entry. This is always a popular theme among our members, and this month, we are pleased to present 31 fantastic entries from which to choose your top 3 favorites!

The only rules are that the entry must be at least 50% polymer clay and must interpret or depict the theme in some way.

Please vote for your top three favorites in the pull-down voting box shown at the bottom of this page. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, it may take a few moments to appear. Only one vote per person, please. One (1) vote consists of choosing a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place entry. If you choose an entry for 1st place, please do not also vote for it as your 2nd and/or 3rd place choice. Duplicate votes will not be counted.

Voting is open to the public and to PCAGOE guild members. Voting begins March 1, 2010 and ends at midnight, Eastern U.S. time on March 7, 2010.
March Challenge Entries: Please click on the entry title under the mosaic to see more views of that entry.

1. Cactus Flower Pendant by BeeTreebyME

2. Snake Skin Mica-Shift Bark Choker by 11BoldStreet

3. Leaf Topped Pendant by Stonebrash

4. Faux Handmade Paper Commemorative Wedding Invitation by SCDiva

5. Sea Grass Brooch by CrazyDay

6. Victorian Lace Switchplate Cover by ClayCenter

7. Faux Granite and Lapis Trintity Necklace by MichelesArtJewelry

8. Violet Textured Star by PhoenixRose

9. Salmon Floral Barrette by JKollmann

10. It's Alive! by RiverValleyDesign

11. Leafy Textured Bangle by HiGirls

12. Pucker Up! by Cloud9ClayCreations

13. Give That Doll a Pizza by Polyclarific

14.TH Influence Necklace by BLeeKreations

15.Picture Yourself In Spring by PolymerClayCreations

16.Lotus on a Gentle Pond Pendant by YoungCreative

17.Fun With Fantasy Flowers by ArrowDaleArtStudio

18.Big Focal Bead Pendant by Juliespace

19.N10-07 Necklace by JanGeisen

20.Can-Can Lace Ruffle Garter Bangle by BlessedBeadJewelry

21.Lost City Amulet Necklace by RozPetalzStudio

22.Bronze Age Pendant-Boadicea's Trove by RMKDesign

23.Paradise Ring by PipsJewellery

24.Faux Raku Picture Frame by Ashpaints

25.An Antique Textured Bangle from Anatolia by ArzuMusa

26.Rainbow Seashells by YonatDascalu

27.Forest Fairy Autumn Choker by TheSageArts

28.Steampunked Heart by DreamLeaping

29.Wooden Flower Pendant by WiredOrchid

30.Springtime Picnic Necklace by LauraBeeStudios

31.Textured Vase by CreativeArtCenter

Remember 5 lucky public voters chosen at random will win a lovely gift.

Many of the entries are also available for sale in our members' etsy shops, so please check them out to see these and more one-of-a-kind works of polymer clay art.

You may sign up for our monthly e-newsletter when you vote. We would love to be able to tell you about our upcoming challenges and our special promotions and charitable projects.

Our members love to read your comments. Please take a moment to give us your thoughts on the entries or the challenge when you cast your vote.

Thank you for voting, and please join us next month, when our theme will be "Inspired by Fabric", which promises to be VERY challenging!

Upcoming themes for 2010:

History/Historical Events (May)
Think Outside the Box (June)
Faux (July)

Please cast your vote for your favorite HERE.

A Flickr Find...Some Gorgeous Polymer Clay Artwork

I was browsing photos of different polymer clay artists a while back when I came across this very talented artist. Her name is Daniela D'Uva. She is from Sulmona, Italy. She combines polymer clay with wire, crystals, glass and stone to create some of the most gorgeous works of art you'll ever see. You can see more of her work on her website: www.alkhymeia.com, her flickr photo album and she has a fan page on facebook.