Monday, October 17, 2011

Meet some of the members of the Polymer Clay Smooshers guild

This video features the work of Amazing Designs, Amy Crawley, Artfairly Aware, ArtmakersWorlds, Averilpam, The Beadcomber, and BLeeKreations. Each is a very talented artist with plenty of wonderful items in their shop. Be sure to pay them a visit and see all they have to offer!

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Saturday, October 15, 2011

Autumn Rain by CreativeCritters

Autumn Rain was the theme for the Blog Roll, created by Polymer Clay Smooshers guild member Art Asylum. I'm sitting here listening to the Autumn rain patter on the roof right now, so I'm certainly in the right frame of mind! ;-) This is what I think of as "Halloween-y weather". The leaves are starting to fall and crunch underfoot, the air has that crisp smell and is starting to become cooler. And I just love smell of woodsmoke in the Fall: it takes me back to when I was a kid and we would sit around the campfire in the back yard. My brothers and I would gather fallen sticks from the woods surrounding our house, then we'd roast marshmallows over the fire. The dogs and sometimes the cats would hang out with us, and it was just such a happy and peaceful time. Sometimes on rainy Autumn nights when I was cozy and dry in my bedroom I'd be lucky enough to see the owl that hunted the woods around my house. He'd sit up in the big Oak tree next to my window. Fall was the best time to spot him, because the tree had lost most of it's leaves and he stood out clearly. This Owl Pendant from Art Fairly Aware reminds me of him ;-)

And I can't think of Fall without thinking of pumpkins. These pumpkin earrings from Blue Morning Expressions are probably the prettiest pumpkins I've seen!

One of my favorite things used to be sitting out on the dock in the lake and watching the rain fall in the water. Looking across the lake the trees that lined the opposite shore were wearing their beautiful Autumn colors. This Raku pendant from Danas Jewelry Etc. reminds me of the patterns the rain made on the water, which reflected the colors of the trees.

Yes, Fall is one of my favorite times of the year! So enjoy these rainy Autumn evenings and spend some time browsing the shops of these talented artists!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Meet Smoosher member DreamWeaversDesigns

Polymer Clay Smoosher Jan, of DreamWeaversDesigns creates beautiful, colorful polymer clay jewelry and was kind enough to answer a few questions about her work and how she started smooshing clay ;-)

With all the mediums available for crafting why did you choose Polymer clay?
I chose polymer clay on a whim, just to see what could be done with it. I honestly thought it would be something like play-doh, and am so glad I was wrong. To be able to mimic so many things is amazing.
How did you learn to use polymer clay? Internet, experimenting, books, classes.....
I am self taught and used all the resources I could get my hands on to learn everything I could. The internet is fantastic for researching and with You-Tube, you can virtually learn anything. I also started my own library, grabbing every book I came across! It's great to go back through them now and understand what everything means.
What is your favorite tool to work with?
I don't know that I have a favorite tool yet, but, I could not live without my pasta machine. I also recently purchased a buffer and just love how it makes my pieces shine.
Do you like to work with any mediums other than polymer clay?
I did dabble in some wire wrapping and made several pieces. I'm now using a kumihimo loom and am making braided strands for my pendants.
What is your favorite polymer clay technique and why?
So many techniques, so little time! Right now I am working at perfecting the mica shift technique, and think this may be one of the top favorites. I love the 3D effect and after sanding and buffing, the glassy shine is incredible. I also like mokume gane for the different surprises that come with every slice. One cane can make so many different looking pieces.
What is your least favorite technique and why?
I don't necessarily have a least favorite technique, as I haven't been able to try them all! I must say that getting the perfect kaleidoscope cane is not that easy for me. I would love to be able to make the crisp, clear, colorful works of art I have seen others make.
What is on your "to do" or "to learn" list?
I really want to learn how to make boxes. Also, just coming up with the perfect design to showcase the piece is always a goal.
Do you mix your own colors? Why or why not?
Right now, I haven't mixed any colors "on purpose" to incorporate into a design. When I have mixed, it's random and usually as a means to use up left overs.
How do you keep your designs fresh and original?
I am always looking at jewelry and browsing the internet. I usually don't have a specific design in mind when I start working with my clay, and really try to focus on making one of a kind pieces. I just go with the flow and technique and decide how it's going to look as I continue working.
What keeps you from getting into a creative rut?
I recognize that everyone gets in ruts and I'm no different. If I find that I'm not making a piece that makes me happy, I'll stop for a while. Then I may go browsing and pick up my polymer clay books, or just visit some sites of famous polymer clay artisans and I can feel that "getting excited" spark.
What is your favorite brand of clay if you have one and why?
I mainly use Sculpey Premo clay as I find it fairly easy to condition and I like the results. Recently, I have bought some FIMO, if I couldn't find the Premo in the color I wanted.