Victoria Hughes at The Artway in May

By: ornamento.blog
Altered Art, Altered Curiosities, Art, art from recycled materials, art, creativity, crafts, inspiration, beading, beads, blogging, Blogroll, buna cord, Craft demonstration, Crafting Traditions, Design, Fimo, inspiration, jewelry, Materials, mixed media, Personal Growth, Personal History, Polymer Clay, Polymer Clay Express, Polymer Clay gatherings, Polymer Clay retail, Polymer Clay tutorials, Polymer the Chameleon Clay, recycled art, recycling, repurposing, The Artway, Victoria HughesLeave a Comment on Victoria Hughes at The Artway in May

Visionary polymer clay artist Victoria Hughes is coming to the Artway at Polymer Clay Express in May to teach classes. She was slated to to teach a class on May 25 and 26 Hinged Mixed Media Pendants, but now she is letting her students decide from among several course offerings. She is teaching a class in Pietra Dura on May 23 and 24.

Victoria’s book, Polymer the Chameleon Clay is one of my all time favorites.

There’s lots more happening at Polymer Clay Express. Their Blog is an excellent way to keep up to date on classes and new products.

If you’ve never visited the store in Damascus, Maryland, it’s worth a detour. To see some pictures from the Philadelphia Area Polymer Clay Guild’s visits, press here.

Polydelphia 2008 May 3 & 4

By: ornamento.blog
Art, art, creativity, crafts, inspiration, blogging, Blogroll, Camera, Craft demonstration, Crafting Traditions, Design, Fimo, history, inspiration, Materials, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Polymer Clay Guild, Polydelphia, Polymer Clay, Polymer Clay conferences, Polymer Clay Express, Polymer Clay gatherings, Polymer Clay Guilds, Polymer Clay retail, Polymer Clay Retreats, Polymer Clay tutorials, Uncategorized, UrbanLeave a Comment on Polydelphia 2008 May 3 & 4

     Can it be that this will be the Philadelphia Area Polymer Clay Guild’s 6th retreat?  It seems like only yesterday that my guild co-chair Ellen Marshall suggested to me, “Let’s put on a show,” and I said, “OK” without thinking.  Now the reins of Polydelphia are in the capable hands of others. including (but by no means limited to)  Sue Springer and Sarah Fisher.  The good news is that you can can still go.  But you’d better hurry. For information, go the Philadelphia Area Polymer Clay Guild’s Website

In the meantime, enjoy this slide show of pictures from retreats gone by.

 

African Beads

By: ornamento.blog
Abija, Africa, African Trading Beads, Amber, Art, art, creativity, crafts, inspiration, blogging, Blogroll, Brass, Copal, Crafting Traditions, Design, Ethnic Groups, history, inspiration, jewelry, Personal Growth, Personal History, Polymer Clay, South Africa, Travel, Urban Artifacts, Zulu3 Comments on African Beads

To me, the words Africa and beads go together like Romulus and Remus, Baskin and Robbins or Damon and Runyon. In fact, I started working in polymer clay because I wanted to replicate millefiore African trading beads.

So last year, when I was lucky enough to travel in South Africa
I bought beads and bead work in dinky little stores, outdoor markets and anywhere else I could.

I found the beads you see above at a wonderful store in Capetown called Bead Merchants of Africa.  The beads are are brass Abijas, blue glass, amber/copal, and millefiore trading beads. Most of these beads are not native to South Africa, but Bead Merchants carries everything!

I have designed a necklace with them and just need to put it together. Alas, it sits unfinished in my workshop! When it is finished, you’ll be the first to see it.

O Canada!

By: ornamento.blog
Art, art, creativity, crafts, inspiration, blogging, Blogroll, Dan Cormier, Design, Polymer Clay, risk taking, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a Comment on O Canada!

     The wait is over.  Canadian artists Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes (pictured above with their son Griffin)  finally have their beautifully designed website  up and running.  Dan’s work can be whimsical or serious,  colorful or monochromatic; it is always sophisticated and masterful.  Press here  to see polymer clay like you’ve never seen it before.   I am hoping to see some work from Tracy soon.   We might have to wait a few years for Griffin.  Don’t forget to  check out the blog and sign the guest book!