Gotta luv purple!

This weeks blog roll, for the Polymer Clay Smoosher's is purple.  I know you may have heard this before, but purple really is my favorite color.  Might have a little something to do with our hometown football team....The Ravens!  

Purple is often associated with royalty in a lot of cultures.  I just learned purple was the favorite color of Cleopatra.  Anyone remember the group Deep Purple, or the song Purple Rain?  The lavender plant has multiple uses; oils for perfumes, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits, and relaxation to name a few.  And, last but far from least, the Purple Heart is a decoration awarded to U.S. Military wounded in battle. 

 In my opinion, there is no other color that is quite so rich or relaxing.

Look at this beautiful pendant by ArtMakers Worlds.

Love cats?  Here is a cute one sleeping by TTE Designs.

Another example of the versatility of polymer clay by TinaHolden Design.

SecondSister at MoArk Jewelry made this necklace.

You can see the talent of the Smooshers by following this link:  http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/.

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

New pendants

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Holiday.  Thanks to all the men and women who have served to keep us free!

During our last guild meeting, we had some time so I showed the members what I've been working on.  Something I call mokume gane focus.  It's kind of a combination of, {but slightly different than} all the mokume gane designs I've seen on line {from great artisans like Cindy Lietz, Julie Picarello and a multitude of others I can't seem to recall right now.}  The idea is to have a multicolored "focus" design/picture/word that will be the center of your pendant, but will be smooth, not raised or impressed.  The goal was to have it look like the design was painted on.  See, my daughter asked me to make a pendant for one of my granddaughter's teachers.  She said I could choose between a butterfly or hearts.  I chose the butterfly.  I didn't want to make a butterfly shaped pendant, so I put on my thinking cap and started playing around.  As opposed to the general mokume gane, the focus is one object, with multiple colors surrounding or in the actual picture.  I'm still perfecting the process and have a lot of ideas in my head for other designs.  

Here's another piece I made for our upcoming show on Saturday.  I wanted to get some summer colors in my pieces and am also working with pinks, yellows and oranges.  

This next piece hasn't been buffed yet.  I just love the color combination.

And, last but not least...

 Til next time, stay safe and be happy!

I'm so happy!  I entered my sunflower clock for Things Crafty {http://thingscrafty.ning.com/} for their April Flowers challenge and received second place!!!  I was thrilled and honored to have been chosen with all the wonderful pieces submitted.  Check out their site.  It has all kinds of craft information, tutorials, discussions, classes...you name it.  

Here's the clock that won.










We had our monthly clay guild meeting last Saturday.  Donna showed us how to make a sutton slice; thanks Donna!  Unfortunately, I couldn't get mine to turn out.  8^( Guess I'll have to practice more.  Here are some of the results from other guild members.

A lot of talented people in our group!




Til next time, stay safe and happy!

Critters in polymer clay

If you ever wander around the internet, searching for polymer clay information, you are sure to come across many artisans that sculpt and/or make animals, insects, birds, you name it.  Though I have done a few pieces {just playing around}, I'm not sure I could ever match the talent I see on a daily basis.  Some do whimsical, fantasy creatures, others do miniatures.  Still others do amazingly realistic reproductions.

Take a look at the following items I found while browsing through the shops of the Polymer Clay Smooshers on ArtFire.

I've always been fascinated by dragons.  I don't think I'm alone.  How cute is this baby, done by Chibitude!

Creative Critters does a lot of scupltures.  It's hard to believe this adorable mouse is made from polymer clay.

Like steampunk?  DesertRubble does wonderful steampunk work.  

Hope you have enjoyed the small sampling of "critters" here.  Check out more on http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/

Til next time...stay safe and have a great day!