Random Question Time: What's your "Go Green" crafting tip?

Do you have one tip for people to incorporate being green into their everyday life?


I think that you don’t necessarily need to be a pack-rat to save materials from the landfill. When throwing something away, I like to ask myself if it’s something I can use in a project. I keep fabric, ribbons, cardboard, boxes and packaging (for shipping my ceramic art http://trpottery.etsy.com), and anything else that catches my eye. It's good for the pocketbook and the environment. If I can’t use it or don’t know someone who can, then I see if I can recycle it before just throwing it away.

What's your "Go Green" tip for busy crafters?

Juliespace

Today's featured artist is Julie Sweeney of Juliespace . I was struck by her unique take on polymer clay jewelry.

Julie says:

I really like trying out new crafts all the time and watching craft shows and reading craft books and cruising the craft stores, in other words I am a craftaholic. I came across polymer clay somehow this way. I started out in jewelry making and the idea of making my own beads to suit myself really appealed to me.

I like making pendants best. Now what type of technique do I like doing best? That is changing all the time. I love to experiment and I am still learning a lot about polymer clay. I do keep going back to making my mini-mosaic pendants. They are a lot of fun to do. I also do larger scale mosaics with stained glass and these mini-mosaic pieces were influenced by that.



What is so great about polymer clay is the many ways it can be used. The possibilities are endless. You are not limited to any style or technique. You do not need expensive equipment to work with it. Its colors are wonderful.

My advice for people new to polymer clay is have fun and don't expect everything to look just like out of a book. Keep practicing and experimenting.



Julies Links:
http://juliespace.etsy.com
http://juliespacedesign.blogspot.com

Artfire Cafe Mom Team Giveaway

http://artfirecafemomteam.blogspot.com/2009/04/giveaway-4-abitofcolor.html

My artfire team is having a giveaway and this time we're giving away my twiggy dangle earrings. To get in on the giveaway, check out the rules on the blog and add a comment to enter.

Go Head Over Heels

Today's featured artist is Laura Timmins of GoHeadOverHeels. She makes beautifully detailed polymer clay jewelry and the blend work she does is simply amazing. Also, like me, she likes to get her hands in the "other clay" making pottery.

What got you involved in Polymer Clay?

I come from a family full of artists and musicians and visual art has always been a part of my life. After my third daughter was born I was feeling stir crazy one day. I realized it was because I hadn't done anything artistic in a long, long time. I needed to do something but I didn't want bite off more than I could chew with three preschoolers underfoot. I found a community class offering about some sort of clay on three Saturday mornings – perfect! But I was so intrigued by the description of the class that I couldn't wait until it started. I found Nan Roche's book in the bookstore and had tried everything in it before my first class.

What is your favorite thing to make?

I really had to think about this question. This week my favorite thing to make is the new style of earrings I've been developing. Last week I was completely absorbed in a bracelet. This past summer I took a wheel thrown pottery class and went crazy making goblets and teapots. I can honestly say my favorite thing to make is whatever I'm making right now.


What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?

I love how quickly you can “sketch” an idea in polymer clay. I love that it can be both three dimensional and colored. I love the incredible detail you can get both with shape and pattern. I love that you can reuse it if your idea didn't work out. I love that there is hardly any clean up and you can leave everything out and it won't hurt it. So for me, it's not really about the products, but about how well it fits my personality.

What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?

Like any art material, it takes practice to learn a skill. Try to focus on one skill at a time while you are learning. There are so many beautiful and enticing techniques available it is tempting to try to sample everything and as a result, not master anything.



What links would you like added to this article?

www.LauraTimmins.com
http://www.etsy.com/GoHeadOverHeels
http://twitter.com/GoHeadOverHeels

Springtime Designs

Today's featured artist is Marilyn Jensen of Springtime Designs. She makes one-of-a-kind Dogs out of polymer clay.

1.What got you involved in Polymer Clay?
I enjoy sculpting. Polymer clay is easy to obtain and easy to work with.

2.What is your favorite thing to make? Why?
Dogs are my favorite subject. I just love dogs!


3.What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?
With Polymer Clay, I can get a smooth sculpt with lots of detail. Polymer clay doesn't shrink, so my embellishments stay in proportion to the piece. Polymer clay doesn't require high-temperature firing in a kiln, so my embellishments won't burn up :-)
4.What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?
Practice, practice, practice! Take classes if possible -- you can always learn something new.


Here's Marilyn's Link:
http://www.zianet.com/springtime/model-gallery2.htm

Blatant Self-Promotion

I stayed up late last night thinking about where my daughter should go to preschool next year and arrived at one conclusion. Preschool is expensive. Help me save up for it by purchasing from my smoke-fired jewelry shop today for 30% off.

Just type "Preschool$" in the notes to sender and wait for a revised invoice.

Brand Spanking New Necklace Design

Although I like making representative work, I seem to find myself migrating towards abstract designs lately in all the mediums that I work with. Here's my new abstract necklace design.

I'd love to know what you think.