Clowning Around

I made these fun Clown Rings in the wonderful Leslie Blackford's workshop at Clay Carnival last August.  You can read more about Clay Carnival in LasVegas, Nevada by clicking HERE.  It is tentatively set for October 12 - 15, 2016.  I'm hoping to go again.

Google Friend Connect Discontinued by Blogger

CAN'T COMMENT OR FOLLOW A BLOG?  Here's why:
"...starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.

We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.

We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers."

Posted by Michael Goddard, Software Engineer

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This has been happening over time. I have lost a lot of followers and couldn't understand why. Now I know. At this point, I don't know what good it does to post this in a blog post when those affected will not be able to see the post. But, I will do as Mr. Goddard suggests and hope for the best.

Jewelry Displays

 

I purchased two large and one medium Craftable Foam Torsos (on the left) from JoAnn's Fabric.  I used handmade papers to cover them, sanded and applied another layer of the papers.  I sanded one more time, then sealed them with Mod Podge.  They fit perfectly on tall candlesticks.

Polymer Journeys Book

 Can't stop smiling!  What an incredible feeling.  My work has been chosen to be included in the new book by Sage Bray, “POLYMER JOURNEYS”:  http://polymerjourneys.com/Details_Purchases.php.  Tentatively due for release around the end of February.  Pre-release orders will be soon.  

You can stay tuned to The Polymer Arts FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/The-Polymer-Arts-175620935829948/?pnref=lhc or The Polymer Arts Blog  http://www.thepolymerarts.com/blog/tag/sage-bray

Polymer Clay & Texture

 Aluminum foil armatures, CelluClay over the foil and then I covered the CelluClay with polymer clay and baked.  Texturing is my favorite part. However, I kept getting unwanted fingerprints and nail scratches. I couldn't pick it up or turn it without unwanted marks.  I thought, "I wish I had a pair of texture gloves" so I could handle it anyway I wanted to.  And then it dawned on me I did have texture gloves.....a pair of great exfoliating bath gloves!  And they worked beautifully!  It is taking on a life of its own.

Papier Mache

This is one of those ideas that will need to be "worked through" several times.  I'm not happy with the first go around, but I'm learning from it.

 I wanted a centerpiece for a sea food dinner; more of a tablescape.  A mermaid vase full of flowers and interchangeable pieces around it and situated down the table runner on either side of the vase.

So I built the aluminum foil armatures.  Made a huge mess with the CelluClay which is a ready made papier mache mix.  Covered the armatures with the CelluClay.  They turned out much larger than what I wanted.  But, carry on I must; I've gone this far.  Then I started covering one of the tea light holders with polymer clay and baked it.  Turned out OK.  I painted it, and moved on to the next piece.  As I am working on all this, I realize I'm using a huge amount of polymer clay experimenting with this idea and thinking, "When all this is done, where am I going to store this rambling creation?"

Needle Felted Gnome

Needle felting is a lot of fun; very meditative (as long as you don't poke your fingers).  I will add some ribbon to the tops of the Santa and this Gnome so they can be hung as ornaments.  I like how the piece takes on a life of its own.  I had one thing in mind and it went another which is my favorite thing.

Needle Felting Fun

 One of my presents for Christmas was a needle felting kit from Back to Back Alpaca (click HERE).  I have been having fun making a Gnome and a Santa.  Sue Bunch, owner of Back to Back Alpaca is a wonderful teacher and extremely helpful.  Her video on making a gnome got me started.  (click HERE)

Santa was going to have white fur around his hat and mittens, but then I decided to give him a Nordic hat instead.  Since these photos, I have embroidered white thread along the edges of his hat, mittens and bottom of the figure.  It is just that time of the year.

Crepe Paper Christmas Trees

 I was inspired by Karin Aguirre's Crepe Paper Christmas Trees shown on her blog "Creative Chaos"    (click HERE).  I thought I would give it a try and was very happy with the result.  I don't have a ruffler on my sewing machine, so I had to machine baste the crepe paper and hand ruffle each strip.   There is nothing like the happy mess of glitter during the holidays.