Polymer Clay Smooshers: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

desertrubble's favorite creation

My favorite piece? That's a tough one! I think it changes on a daily basis. I went back through my photos and this one struck out at me, A Steampunk Mechanical Eye
I love that it's otherworldly, of course, but I love how simple it is in color and detail yet still has lots of contrasting elements. I love the flow of it, too, that thing might actually be alive!

Visit desertrubble.artfire.com

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Introducing BLeeKreations

BLeeKreations

What got you interested in polymer clay as a medium?
I taught glass engraving for 6 years and wanted to incorporate clay with my glass. Now I do clay and haven't touched glass in a long, long time.

What inspires you to create?
Everything. I belong to the Arizona Polymer Clay Guild and they are very inspirational. I have really close friends who do clay and they inspire me. We get together once a week and do clay.

Do you have a favorite technique?
The first thing I teach is Mokume Gane and tell my students it's magic. I like making Natasha beads because it's always a surprise.

Of everything you have created which is your favorite?
I did a class with Tory Hughes and made this pendant.

What do you prefer to make out of polymer clay and why?
I like making beads and I love making frames. I make a lot of golf stroke counters also. These are good sellers. Some people like to use them for counting laps while walking also.

How do you decide what to make?
We have swaps at our guild so that makes the decision for me most of the time. I also make a lot of gifts and things to put in my shops.

Is there something you wish you could make in clay that you have not yet?
I'm a terrible sculptor and would like to learn how to do that. I'm taking 4 classes from Christi Friesen at the Gem show in Tucson next weekend so I'm hoping that will inspire me and I'll learn some sculpting from her. She is great.

What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?
I've done every craft there is. I knit and crochet and I've done ceramics and painting but I like the clay because I can do it at home and I don't need a kiln. However, if you look at my latest blog http://bleekreations.blogspot.com/ you will see the story about how my polymer clay oven started on fire last Monday. It was pretty scary and very stinky.

What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?
Buy every polymer clay book you can find and get inspired. Try everything until you find a technique you like and can make your own version. AND, constantly check your clay oven. Take classes when you can and join a clay guild. Go on YouTube and spend a lot of time searching the web for polymer clay related items.

Visit BLeeKreations.artfire.com

Friday, February 25, 2011

ColtPixy's Inspiration

I have gotten the best ideas just from conversations with friends. An offhand humorous comment having nothing to do with making anything at all will spark an idea. I love those moments.

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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Bring On Spring!

Curated By: Wyverndesigns

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Craft Tutorials

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wild Things

Curated By: MichiganMud

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Handmade Gifts

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

desertrubble's Inspiration

Shapes! I'm inspired by shapes, intersections, and connections. I love seeing things that fit together well and have some sort of harmony and balance all their selves.

Visit desertrubble.artfire.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

artbysusmitha's Inspiration

Anything. Everything. The kick I get from a simple cup of tea can make me want to create. But mainly, it's the urge to play with my tools which does it!

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Sunday, February 20, 2011

gundowerks' Inspiration

I never know what is going to trigger my brain, but once it happens, my greatest inspiration is the idea itself. I love to create!

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Gingerbells' Inspiration

I am inspired to create by the creative process it's self...................
The creative process takes me through a bunch of emotions that are like falling love. It starts with the dream of something that if it's right it could be beautiful. The excitement builds as the pieces fall together and rests into a calm peacefulness when the dream is realized. I like falling in love........

Visit Gingerbells.artfire.com

Friday, February 18, 2011

kbish's Inspiration

I create because I was raised to.
My Mother created, so I do as well.
If I don't get into the studio, I get a little cranky.
My passion is inspired by the books I read, the images I see, and the wonderful people I meet on and off line everyday.

Visit kbish.artfire.com

Thursday, February 17, 2011

MichiganMud's Inspiration

I'm inspired by the natural world. Humans can only hope to capture a tiny fraction of the beauty in the world around us.

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

phoenixartstudio's Inspiration

To ask me why I create would be like asking me why I breathe. It's something that I have always done and something that I always will do. I see all of this beauty in the world and feel a need to put what my eyes are seeing or what my mind is imagining into a tactile form that others will be now be able to see and appreciate.