Retreat to Pittsburgh

By: ornamento.blog
Art, Polymer Clay, Polymer Clay conferences, Polymer Clay gatherings, Travel, , Leave a Comment on Retreat to Pittsburgh

Patty’s car died so we decided to take the bus from Philly to Pittsburgh rather than rent a car, or go by train or plane.  It was pretty easy for me since the bus station is a few blocks from my house and my husband dragged my suitcase for me which was filled mostly with a pillow, some clothes and some beading implements.

OurBusIt’s a free for all when people disembark from a bus.  People don’t wait for the seats in front of them to empty before entering the aisles like they do on planes.   It’s like everyone on the bus forgets his manners or else they think someone on the sidewalk is giving out twenties and you won’t get one unless you trample the person in front of you.  But I found out that if I waved my arm cast around, people would stop in their tracks.  I had already decided that the cast looked like part of a super hero costume and I was right!  I wave it around and people fall aside like dominos. TAKE THAT!

MyNameTag.
I dressed my cast with this lovely name tag when I got to the Retreat.

WorkroomWe had a large and lovely work space although it soon became clear to me that I could not do much beadwork.  I can bead left handed but supporting the work with my right hand was not comfortable.  So I put the beadwork away and schmoozed.

KoiPondSpiratancenterI also got the changc to wander the grounds of the Spiritan Center where the retreat was held.  They  have lovely grounds and an incredible Koi pond.

Typing is still a bit uncomfortable for me.   So here are some pictures from the retreat for you to enjoy.  There was a lot of talent there!

Connecting with Clayers in Connecticut

By: ornamento.blog
Art, ClayConnection, Polymer Clay Retreats, , , Leave a Comment on Connecting with Clayers in Connecticut

I just got back from ClayConneCTion 2018, the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild’s bi-annual retreat.   The event took place on the Connecticut College campus.  The food was great, the demos even greater and the campus was in full flower.

The birch trees outside the dorm I stayed in looked so spooky at night!

I spent some time walking around the campus which is loaded with trees and plants.  There were some new residents living behind the Crozier-Williams College Center where our workroom was located.  They were very sociable and eager to pose for pictures, unlike Boris.

HensandRoosters

Here are some more pictures of the campus.

And here is the spacious workroom.

Workroom

Two things I love about the Connecticut retreat.  1.) They allow pasta machine motors (no, I didn’t bring mine but I like the idea.) and 2.) Oven Anarchy is the order of the day.  Each person decides when her work goes in or comes out of the oven.  There are no oven monitors, no schedules, no sign-up sheets and no hassles.  And it all works very well.  Remember, anarchy does not mean no rules; it means no government.

I didn’t make much this year being distracted by a few matters including misplacing my iPad. I am due for an upgrade and everything was backed up. But Debbie from Rhode Island found it for me! Thanks!!!

MyWork

I experimented with some new bracelet shapes and hollow beads.

NewBeads

My friend and travel partner, Patty Pickup, was downright prolific.  Look at this wonderful Octopus necklace!

PattyOctopus

More of Patty’s stuff

And here are the entries in the Bottle of Hope contest.

BottlesofHope

Thanks to all the great people who planned Clay ConneCTion 2018 and kept things running flawlessly! Let’s do it again in 2020!

Clay Connections in Connecticut

By: ornamento.blog
Art, Clay ConneCTion 2016, Polymer Clay Retreats, , , , Leave a Comment on Clay Connections in Connecticut

02.Conn Retreat

Patty and I headed up to Connecticut this week to attend Clay ConneCTion 2016, sponsored by the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild. We left Philadelphia and the Democratic National Convention behind us as we sailed up I-95 to the Connecticut  College campus, replete with beautiful trees and the occasional skunk.

03.Conn Retreat 1

We had a big work room with plenty of space to spread out.  Demos, and there were plenty of them, were held in a separate space.   Pasta machine motors are allowed at the Connecticut retreat which, although I didn’t bring mine, is fine by me.  The room was so large it hardly mattered.  Someone thoughtfully  provided ear plugs.  Another thing I love about the Connecticut retreat is the Oven Anarchy.  Anarchy does not mean no rules, only no government.  So there were no oven monitors, no baking schedules, and everyone was responsible for his or her own project.  I think this is the best way to handle baking at a retreat.  Some might disagree: I know that  ovens lose heat when you open the door, but oven heat cycles when the door is shut too.  But unless you are baking a temperamental soufflé or  a wedding cake, it hardly matters and it is certainly not mission critical to a successful polymer baking.  Besides, retreats are supposed to be relaxing and fun.  So, there.

I tried my hand at making a Bottle of Hope and I made some geometric cane tiles for the Left Right Center game on Saturday night.  I met some lovely new people, rekindled relationships and hung out with old friends.

Here are some pictures

 

Thank you Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild!