Watermelon

Summer days, family cook-outs, sticky faces and hands - these are the images I think of when I think of watermelon.  There's nothing quite like a good, crisp, sweet slice of this fruit.

The colors of this pretty swirled pendant from 2 Good Claymates reminds me of a slice of watermelon;

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--20666_product_898254088_thumb_large.jpg


What goes better with a summer picnic days than....sunshine.  Check out the designs by Valerie's Stuff, including this bright sun necklace;

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--60000--32982_product_980023111_thumb_large.jpg

As you get ready for your summer outing, why not spruce up your wardrobe with colorful flowers to celebrate the wonders of the summer?  So what if you're going to a picnic; you can still look great with these beauties made by Phoenix Art Studio;

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--90000--79869_product_493094531_thumb_large.jpg

As this season starts to wind down, I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer and is looking for some cooler weather and wonderous colors for the upcoming fall.  Make sure you continue to check out the Polymer Clay Smooshers for beautiful works of art and unique jewelry pieces.

Til next time remember.....

"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."

- Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

Black and White

Black and white brings to mind; classic old movies {and very old televisions}, penguins, many typed term papers, zebras, and of course traditional bride and groom garb.  With all the wonderful colors available in polymer clay, you would think black and white would take a back seat in the creativity department.  Not so!  Black and white jewelry can be very chic and make a powerful statement.

Take a look at Averilpam's creations...

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--90000--81077_product_1026456308_thumb_large.jpg

Dana's Jewelry Etc made this interesting piece combining polymer clay and beading...

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--90000--84004_product_1107710919_thumb_large.jpg

Handmade Specialties incorporates polymer clay with her crocheting...

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--120000--103917_product_1772226841_thumb_large.jpg

Hope you enjoy these picks. 

Til next time......

Have fun browsing the Polymer Clay Smooshers ArtFire shops to find that right piece for you or someone you love!

Outside the box

The polymer clay smooshers guild has regular challenges.  This months theme was beach.  The challenge is not mandatory, but, a way for the artisans to "think outside the box" and create something we may not have otherwise thought to do.  I had several ideas for the challenge and ended up with a necklace that incorporates some new techniques, new to me that is. 

I think I am most pleased with the palm tree and the parrots.  If other artists are like me, they rethink and critique their work all the time.  Even though I love this necklace, I keep wondering how it would look if the shells and parrots were set a little different, maybe lengthwise vs hanging off the stringing wire.  I'll keep looking at it...and critiquing....and looking....and critiquing...and....

Saturday show

It was a gorgeous day for a show....as long as one had some shade.  Nice breeze, plenty of people, just a few sales.  But, what else would you do on a Saturday?  I certainly didn't feel like cleaning!!  One of the things I've learned about crafters is, they are really nice people.  Met a few the past two weeks.  It made the days even better. 

Our site on the grounds of the fire department.  It was nice to have the car right there.  Sorry about the glare on the picture, had to use my cell phone because I forgot my camera.

This is Sara, another vendor at today's show.  She makes the cutest baby gifts.  We were both a little slow with traffic, so we ended up bartering a onesy for my grandson for the pendant she is wearing.  It worked out well for both of us!  Check her out at http://alittleannafaith.com/ 

No more shows for a while, so I need to rearrange my crafting area.  Will probably move it downstairs so I have more room to spread out and, hopefully, get a little better organized.

Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Rainforest

This weeks Polymer Clay Smooshers blog ring topic is Rainforest.  Funny, my daughter and I just watched the movie Medicine Man, with Sean Connery.  For those of you who haven't seen it, it is set in...a rainforest.  So, I have fresh visions of what this word brings to mind.  Of course, heat and humidity, but also green, green and more green.  Spots of brightly colored birds, plants, and of course plenty of water.

The colors in this Green Goddess plaque fit in perfectly to the theme this week.  Check out more items from Sassy Clay Creations to view her other wonders!

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--19206_product_1333448314_thumb_large.jpg

Amazing Designs makes polymer clay flower magnets {among other things}.  Here is just one of her orchids.

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--90000--81862_product_2094846521_thumb_large.jpg

Green, green and green.  That's what you see in a rainforest.  DesertWindDesigns made this leafy pendant.

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--90000--82760_product_1874394451_thumb_large.jpg

Remember to check out the smooshers on ArtFire for the Christmas in July sale.

Til next time, remember:

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Americana

Hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th.  Lucky enough to have a 4 day work week, though what a week it's been.  I almost think it's not worth the extra day off, what with all the work you have when you return!  

This weeks Polymer Clay Smooshers challenge is Americana....quite appropriate, don't ya think??!! Of course, what better representation of America, than red, white and blue. 

Here is a beautiful bracelet made by Blue Morning Expressions;

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--3672_product_1921028173_thumb_large.jpg

Need individual beads to make your own unique creation??  Look at BeadsbyHaffina.

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--29747_product_2145588719_thumb_large.jpg

Cane work comes in all types of designs.  The idea is to make a continuing pattern throughout the clay, that can be sliced for use in any number of ways.  Think rolls of cookie dough.  Canes can range from a simple bulls eye {one color wrapped around another} to very intricate patterns that simply amaze.  If cane making is not your forte, just browse My Polymer Clay Canes for creations you can purchase and use in your own jewelry making adventures.  Here is one that shows the true meaning of Americana.

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--60000--34712_product_611061148_thumb_large.jpg

Well, I need to get busy for our show Saturday.  Let's hope the weather cooperates and the shoppers are out ready to buy.  Oh, by the way, look at our shop on ArtFire for the Christmas in July sale. 

Til next time;

"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame."

- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Tickle Me Pink

Gotta say, with a new grandson on board, my mind has not been focused on pink.  However, having 4 daughters, we had a lot of pink in our house.  Pink brings to mind Easter candy, spring flowers...lovely fragrant roses, summer drinks...pink lemonade, and of course, cotton candy!  Light hues, dark hues and all those in between can create wonderful works of art.

Popnicute made this unique, beautiful pendant.  Check out her site for more great pieces.

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--120000--103917_product_1564576942_thumb_large.jpg

Just look at the color in this piece by Handmade Specialties.  Reminds me of a frozen pink lemonade bar!

  http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--120000--103917_product_1564576942_thumb_large.jpg


 And, in honor of Easter memories, what could be better than a chocolate bunny perched on a pink egg.  Love this one by ColtPixy.

 http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--5830_product_1527095401_thumb_large.jpg

Make sure you browse through all the great shops of the Polymerclay Smooshers.  You never know what memory will come back to you.

Til next time, remember;

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."

- Sun Tzu

New works

Getting ready for an upcoming show and I am trying to think of different techniques for my clay pendants.  Luckily, I had the opportunity to attend the Bead Show in town last Saturday and stopped by the booth for Craft Fantastic.  I had never heard of her before, but was excited to see her wares.  Basically, she has put together packets with glass, glue/glaze, bails and image sheets that one can use to make great looking pendants in minutes.  Bought some and am incorporating my clay work with the glass covers.  Here are a few of the pendants I made.  The one on the far right was made using one of her image sheets.

The green, black and white piece on the left was made with a mokume gane cane I made.  The tree was made using a punch out of a tree for the pattern, silver leaf and alcohol inks.  It didn't quite turn out the way I expected, however, I think it looks ok.  The purple, black and white was made from some scrap clay, twisted and rolled through the pasta machine.  Each clay piece was baked onto the glass {trying to get all those little air bubbles out was difficult}, then the clay back was covered with the Fantastic Glaze and Glue included in the packet I bought.  The pieces were finished by gluing on the silver plated bail with E6000 glue.  All in all, I was very pleased with the results.  If you are interested, check out her site @ craftfantastic.com. 

Just for fun, I have been trying my hand at some sculpture {inspired by some of the great artisan in the PolymerClay Smooshers}.  Keep in mind, this was done by someone without a significant art background, but I think they are pretty cute.

On to the next task....work!

Have a great day and see ya next time.

Busy month!

Well, I can't believe the end of June is almost here.  This month welcomed the arrival of my 4th grandchild, a boy, on June 1st.  My 13yo finally got out of school for the summer and softball finally finished.  Wow, seems like just yesterday that it was cold and raining every other day.  Finally able to get back to the campground and just sit, read and relax by the creek under the trees.  Though I must admit, I didn't take any clay with me.  Just had to relax and re-energize.  Times like this I wish I was a teacher, so I could have the summer off, then I would have time to do everything I wanted to. 

Meet my beautiful grandson:

Here are a few pictures of our trailer and the creek.   

I did have time to attend our monthly polymer clay guild meeting last week.  They are a great group of ladies and so very talented!

Hopefully in the next few weeks, I will have more time to devote to clay work, try different techniques and get some more jewelry made!  Here's to a great, productive summer.

Til next time, remember:

"Try to learn something about everything and everything about something."

- Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895)

Turquoise

When I think of turquoise, I think of the Southwest and Native American tribes.  I think of statement making pieces of jewelry, unique designs, and beautiful works of art.  There is such a variety in turquoise, they can easily be copied in polymer clay, and it seems everyone has their own recipe or method for making the faux version of this stone.    


Look at this wonderful set by ArtmakersWorlds;

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--5864_product_554707872_thumb_large.jpg

I'm just drawn to this unique piece by ColtPixy:

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--5830_product_1092029479_thumb_large.jpg

Would you like to purchase the "stone" and design your own unique piece?  Look at BeadsByHaffina.

http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--30000--29747_product_653080316_thumb_large.jpg


Hope you enjoy searching for that perfect item!

Till next time remember:

"Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."

- Henry Ford (1863-1947)