Silk Screen on Polymer Clay

 One of the silk screen on polymer pieces I finished during the Arizona Polymer Clay Guild's Polymer In The Pines Retreat.  Syndee Holt did Gelli printing on polymer demonstration as well as silk screening on polymer clay.  Syndee Holt is a wonderful master teacher.  She spent the day patiently teaching, answering questions and sharing her tools and paints.

I love this technique.  More to come.

Polymer In The Pines

Finished putting together 30 packs of my Faux Mexican Embroidery Tutorial, a cable necklace, a headpin and jump ring for finishing the pendant.  It will be a fun class to teach.  I'm ready to head up to the mountains of Prescott for 4 days of glorious polymer clay.

I love Penni Jo Couch's Best Flexible Molds for my cabochons (Above is PJ002). Her Etsy Shop "ClayLady43" is stocked with her fabulous molds also.  I just ordered two more and can't wait until they get here.  I included all of Penni Jo's websites for members to refer to as an excellent source for tutorials and supplies.  And, of course, the neverKnead is also coming with me.  I will demo it for those members who attend the retreat only.   So, if I am missing in action for a few days, you will know that I am in a beautiful setting in the mountains, working with polymer, learning and laughing with friends.

Polymer Necklace Slide

I slipped the corral and jade beads through the back of the polymer clay faux jade/cinnabar enhancer and slid it up to the top.  I secured it between the coral and it wears beautifully.  Not quite a bolo, not quite an enhancer, but a necklace slide.

Polymer + Pearls = Perfection

 I love the combination of faux jade/cinnabar enhancer with the pearls.  I love the elegance of it.  A completely different feeling from the southwestern look of last Wednesday's post.   Polymer clay never ceases to amaze me.

Faux + Real = Fo-Real Beauty

I have been wanting to make this polymer clay faux jade/cinnabar enhancer for a long time.  I also have wanted to string the 8mm round turquoise beads, the branch coral and the large bamboo coral.  Finally did.  I was so pleased when I put them all together.  My polymer clay enhancer has proven to be an extremely versatile piece.  It has inspired the next several posts.

Tribal or….

Ethnic or Native, I don't know.  It's a first try.  I'm working on the second.

neverKnead

As many of you know, several years ago I lost my left wrist bones to a rare disease called Kienbock's.   My surgeon moved 3 upper bones down to become my new wrist.   Conditioning polymer was good therapy to strengthen my hand after the surgeries.  But, there are still times when I need to wear a brace or just rest my hand.  When I saw this kneading machine invented by a polymer clay artist, I thought it was worth a try for me.  I ordered it, used it and love it.  It has been worth every penny for me.  I don't get anything for endorsing it, I just thought I would pass it along.  It is basically a press that gives a ton of pressure; extremely well made.  You can learn more about it on their website:  neverKnead.com. 

Old Friends

I attended an art demonstration by Aileen Garvey.  As she demonstrated her skill in using florescent acrylic paints, she talked about her paintbrushes.  There were so many that should be thrown away, but, she said, she just couldn't part with them.  She smiled and said they were like old friends she wanted to hang on to.

 Her paintings are vibrant, full of life, expressive pieces that keep the eye moving throughout the compositions.

 It was a wonderful time spent with friends observing and learning from this gifted artist.

Translucent Flower Necklace

 I made these flowers using Pardo Translucent clay colored with pastel chalks.  After baking and cooling, I painted the centers with blended alcohol inks.  I used headpins to thread through the center bead and form a loop for the jump ring.  I left a long length on the headpin for the tiny flowers so they would peek out between the flowers.  They are strung on a simple cable.