specimen7

Today's featured artist is Shing Yin Khor, a Los Angeles area artist and designer.


1.What got you involved in Polymer Clay?
I was at a craft store and was curious and I liked all of the pretty colours. Turns out I'm quite easily amused.

2.What is your favorite thing to make? Why?
Little alien monsters! It feels like I'm imbuing lumps of clay with a real personality.


3.What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?
It's the least messy, and most convenient medium for me. I also sculpt with real clay, but I can't do that while watching my boyfriend play video games.

4.What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?
Don't eat it. Preheat your oven.


Links
http://specimen7.etsy.com
http://strangelittlebear.com/blog

What do you want to do with your art/craft, but because of external factors, can't?

I had a major disappointment this week. My "real" job--aside from taking care of my little one and teaching classes (I really have a lot on my plate) is being a potter. I have a studio in my garage and producing work there eats up as much time as I can possibly give it. (You can see my pottery at http://trpottery.etsy.com) Eventually, I'd like to be able to teach at the college level and give workshops in clay and such. To do this, I need a Master in Fine Arts. I decided this year that now was the time to finally go back to school. My little one is older now and can go to preschool for longer periods of time. I applied, sent in all my stuff and confidently waited to hear that I had gotten in.
This week, I got the letter informing me that I did not get in. Now I'm at a brick wall. To advance my work to the next level, I really need some more technical training, and to teach, I need the degree. Whatever I do needs to be financially viable, and also needs to be the best decision for my daughter. So I'm looking at jobs, going back to school part-time, teaching more, etc.

How about you? What would you like to do, but because of outside circumstances, need to set aside for a while?

Momochas

Today's featured artist is Ana of Momochas. She makes beautifully intricate mixed media jewelry with (of course) polymer clay as a main ingredient.

Ana says:
I discovered polymer clay casually. One day I went with my sister to a little craft store and the variety of colors of the polymer clay caught our eyes. My sister wanted to make some adornments for the kitchen and we decided to give it a try . From that moment we fell in love with this material.

I love to mix polymer clay with different elements, specially lace. I love the romantic and misterious feel that a delicate and beautiful lace can give to a piece. Now I´m trying with my sister another materials combinations like wood an other natural components.

Polymer clay fits me like a glove. From my point of view, it´s a versatil material with endless posibilities. I love the chance to experiment with colors and different finishes, besides it´s very easy to use and suits completely differents styles.



My advice for the people who starts would be to experiment, mix, try anything you can imagine. Don´t be afraid to the result. Work until you are completely satisfied with the piece. And above all, enjoy the process of creating, the illusion is the most important part of the work.That´s the main and the most special material you want to transmit with your creations. The final point is to make a special piece that becomes special too for the person who is going to wear it.


Her links:
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6116826
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/momochas/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/momochas

TessaAnn

Today's featured artist is Tessa Ann. She makes colorful and unique buttons from polymer clay that are perfect for scrapbooking embellishments.

Tessa Ann says:
I started working with polymer clay about 5 years ago when I spotted the squishy colorful packages in my local craft store. I thought it would be fun to play around with. I started by making buttons for my own scrapbooking projects. I received so many compliments and encouragement to sell my buttons that I decided to open my little Etsy shop :)

My favorite thing to make with polymer clay is my signature handmade buttons. Their versatility lends to so many creative options. I started creating my buttons to be used as scrapbooking embellishments, but after hundreds of buttons have been used in various sewing projects, I realize how versatile this medium is.



The versatility of polymer clay makes it a perfect medium for my buttons. I don't need fancy equipment to make a beautiful product. They are light-weight, yet durable.........and you definitely have not seen these funky buttons around your craft store shelves!

If you are just starting out working with polymer clay..... Simple. Have fun with it! Remember being little and playing with Play-do and how much joy it brought. Do the same, just play....no expectations, just let your creativity be your guide. Start small and go from there!


Links: (My shop) www.tessaann.etsy.com and my (Creative Blog) www.tessaann.blogspot.com

Random Question Time: Tips for Moms

What is your best tip for moms who create art/crafts and run a business from home?


What works for me:
Naptime and/or preschool time is sacred. Whenever my little one is away or sleeping, I try to drop everything and get to work. This gives me a solid chunk of time to concentrate on my work and to get things done. Now that my daughter is getting older, I’ve also had her start doing activities with me. If I need to work on polymer clay while she’s up, I’ll give her a big chunk to make her own things out of. When I need to work in my ceramic studio, I bring her along. She loves taking a bucket of water and a sponge and sponging things down. This often ends up making a bigger mess than before with water and clay everywhere, but we’re both happy.

Please join in the conversation and add your best tips in the post section.

Purple Cactus Studio

Today's featured artist is Laurence of Purple Cactus Studio. She is part of a dynamic duo that makes unique jewelry for their Etsy shop.


Laurence says:

I first started working with polymer clay about 5 yrs ago. I was creating jewelry but wanted to make the pieces more unique. I decided to create my own beads! Polymer clay was a great discovery! The product is so versatile and the palette endless. For me polymer clay is instant gratification...from the moment you start blending colors and creating texture to the final stages of buffing, each step is satisfying and exciting! I think that for someone first starting out, it is a good idea to learn the basic techniques of polymer clay. Blending the colors, making gradients, learning basic canework and sanding...These are good building blocks. From there just have fun! There are all kinds of polymer clay artists, from jewelers to sculptors! Check out American Style Magazine...the new April 2009 issue features an entire article on various polymer clay artists!

One of her favorite French artists can be found here http://mamezellecat.canalblog.com/

One her favorite pieces is this one:

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13559002

Flower Pins

I'm still playing around with the idea of using upcycled jeans in designs--I tend to get pretty obsessive when I try new things. I found some pin-backs that I had previously been using with ceramic pins in one of my drawers this past week and decided that pins from recycled jeans would be awesome too. I pulled out the old scissors, some denim, felt, tulle, and of course, polymer clay, and whipped up some new creations. I improved and expanded on my flower shapes by creating some templates on cardstock and I like the new combinations that have come out of that.

Here are some of the newbies:

Spirited Woodland

Today's featured artist is Roxie from Spirited Woodland.


I loved clay in school... I still have some of the pieces I made (a really long time ago).... I think it's a great medium, and love that I can take a block of clay and mold it into a completely different shape.

This was my favorite piece for a while...

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=12324495

My advice is - don't be afraid of trying new ideas --- think out of the box... you can make impressions in clay with usual items... think textures! Don't be afraid to mix colors either.

This is my favorite polymer clay site...

http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/

I also use a lot of polymer in my cabinets for one of a kind details...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19793774

Thanks, Roxie!

Spring Spectacular Boutique

This Spring, I will be participating in several local boutiques (trying to save money for grad school). The Spring Spectacular Boutique in Salt Lake City will feature my smoke-fired ceramic jewelry, as well as my polymer clay work. I've attached the official flier below.

Spring Spectacular Boutique

Saturday, April 11, 2009

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Courtyard by Marriott

10701 S. Holiday Park Drive

Sandy, Utah 84070

High quality vendors & crafters!

Raffle & door prizes!

Participating Retailers

a Bit of Color

Bead for Life

Chic Boutique Jeans

Close To My Heart

Elv Stitches

Full Give

Handmade Cards

Lia Sophia

Lily Pond Soaps

Little Keepsakes

My Daisy Diva

My Shoe Shoppe

Purse Party, Inc.

Salt City Design

Scentsy

Smoky Pendants

Tastefully Simple

The Cupcake Goddess

Tomboy Tools

Tweedy Baby

Tweedy Lane

Random Question time

Today's random question:

• If there is a new craft you could learn, what would it be and why?
I would love to learn how to use PMC (Precious Metal Clay). I'm already into all things squishy, so this seems a logical extension for me. I'm also geeking out that it can be squished and sculpted, but fired to fine silver.

The photo is one of my students in class playing around with ceramic clay.

What about you? What do you want to learn?

Penguins Plunder

Today's featured artist is Penguin's Plunder. A Utah local like me, she makes adorable and unique polymer clay charms.

1.What got you involved in Polymer Clay?
My mom. She's very crafty and she wanted me to find something I liked to do. Somehow we stumbled into polymer clay and I've been playing with it on and off for years.

2.What is your favorite thing to make?
I love animals and little clay people. Why? Well I started out making small clay people, so one of my favorite things to do is to take that and run with it. I've started to do fan art of anime and video game characters. Also I have a passion for animals, and I like to give each one their own little personalities as I make them. I can't do that when I try to make other things, really.



3.What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?
I just started making products from clay. I loved playing with it and decided to make charms that people might enjoy. It's not like I could make these out of plastic or something.

4.What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?
Keep at it. My stuff was TERRIBLE when I first started. ^_^ see?? LOL. But the more you use it the better you get. Also don't be afraid to browse forums and look for advice. You can find it in very unlikely places.


Here are some great links:
Artfire shop: http://penguinsplunder.artfire.com
Blog: http://penguinsplunder.blogspot.com/
Deviantart: http://latuna6.deviantart.com/
Etsy shop: http://penguinsplunder.etsy.com