Claire Fairweather - polymer clay artist and instructor

Polymer Clay Workshops for 2012

2012-01-31T20:30:00.034+13:00

The weather turned out to be good for this years Auckland Anniversary Art & Craft Market at Mission Bay, bringing lots of visitors to the market.

My display advertising the 'Introduction to Polymer Clay' and the 'Polymer Clay Mosaics' workshops that I will be running through 2012 attracted a lot of interest. I hope this will follow through with some bookings. The fact that I was actually working on making a mosaic picture seemed to draw in by-standers.

Working on 'Coffee Time' mosaic

It was nice to have some 'regular customers' return to buy from the 'clearance' table, where I was selling off trial pieces and the last of my stock of Art-Brooches and HANGAs. I no longer intend to make these, as this year, I will be concentrating on teaching workshops and creating larger scale mosaic artwork.

Coffee Time at Mission Bay

2012-01-15T16:15:00.008+13:00

Auckland Anniversary Art & Craft Market

Monday 30 January 2012 from 10am - 4pm

on the Selwyn Reserve, Mission Bay

'Coffee Time' is the title of my latest polymer clay mosaic, which I have sketched out here. I intend to be working on this mosaic at this years Auckland Anniversary Art & Craft Market at Mission Bay. I am hoping that the 'work in progress' will attract some interest in my display and the workshops I will be advertising for 2012.

If there is anyone in Auckland who wants to learn more about polymer clay, my Introduction to Polymer Clay Workshop could be just what you are looking for. If you like mosaics but do not want the expense of buying traditional mosaic tools and materials, learn more about an alternative on my Polymer Clay Mosaics (Introduction) Workshop. More details can be found under the 'WORKSHOPS' tab - or come and see me on the 30th at Mission Bay (I hope to be in my usual spot, Row 1).

New Year, New Look Studio

2012-01-08T16:20:00.037+13:00

'Studio' is used with 'artistic licence'. I have been working on my folding craft table in the apartment - a far cry from the custom built studio at the end of the garden that I once had in the UK. Several house moves later and then the decision to emigrate to New Zealand meant my whole art and craft set up, including tools and materials, was greatly condensed down to a few large cardboard shipping boxes and my trusty folding craft table.

As we are currently living in a rented apartment, any furniture has to be free-standing so, in an attempt to improve my creative working space and make the apartment look more tidy, I have invested in a new desk and a large bookcase, which will become my very 'compact studio'. The photo shows this transformation in progress. The idea is to eventually have some sort of drop down covering on the front, to hide all the clutter when it is not in use.

The immediate advantage I have noticed so far is having my pasta machine at a height suited for use when standing up. It also means that I can screw the machine down to the shelf it is on, rather than relying on the clamp to hold it in place, which tends to work loose.

I am not sure when this project will get completed, as I am busy preparing teaching aids and advertising material for my 2012 schedule of workshops, but I will eventually post a photo of the finished look.

New Year, New Approach

2012-01-01T19:45:00.003+13:00

As 2012 begins, I am looking forward to a year of new opportunities.

Towards the end of last year, I made the decision to try a new approach to creative enterprise. I intend to focus on teaching polymer clay workshops/classes and, to support this, work on selected mosaic artworks to showcase my skills as a polymer clay mosaic artist.

This will be quite a change from my previous production of items in volume, such as the HANGAs and Art-Brooches. I am fired up with enthusiasm and hope this will show through in my work and teaching.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - AND HAPPY CLAYING!

My last post of the year

2011-12-31T09:30:00.018+13:00

One of my New Year Resolutions for 2011 was to "enjoy and prosper from my creativity". I have certainly “enjoyed” everything I have done with polymer clay – and have learned so much more in this last year. The “prosper” part has been a little more difficult in the current economic climate. Here I will take the opportunity to review my goals for 2011:

To expand my range of HANGAs in both surface decoration and shape, and to find more sales outlets – I have experimented with many different types of surface decoration and did try out some heart and square shaped HANGAs as well as the original circular shape. I have continued to sell my HANGAs through Craftworld (Westgate) but apart from trying Etsy.com on-line, have still only sold them through craft markets. I have not pursued other outlets, as I intend to wind down production next year, to concentrate on teaching workshops/classes.

Open an Etsy shop to sell my HANGAs, and other pieces of polymer clay art/craft work, to a wider audience – My Esty shop was launched on 1 August, however, I feel a lot more study is required to make this method work for selling, when so many others are selling through the same site. Next year, I may try www.trademe.co.nz (New Zealand website similar to Ebay) but I much prefer the physical interaction with customers at the markets/fairs, than waiting for an on-line sale.

To create some polymer clay mosaic artwork. (This was my original reason for trying this medium, which has somehow got lost as the Art-Brooches and HANGAs developed, when I had less time for creative work) – I have created several polymer clay mosaic pieces that I am proud of and have ideas for many more, which will gradually become realised as time permits.

To get some polymer clay art/craft work in a few selected galleries, to establish some credibility here in New Zealand – I have exhibited polymer clay work twice in the gallery at the Mairangi Arts Centre. Next year I will need to look at other galleries, particularly as the New Zealand Art Guild, with its exhibiting opportunities, sadly closed down last week.

Try teaching some polymer clay workshops, initially through the Mairangi Arts Centre, to introduce others to the joy of working with this fantastic medium – I am currently preparing material for two different workshops (Introduction to Polymer Clay and Polymer Clay Mosaics). I accepted a number of dates for Spring 2012, to do Saturday workshops at the Mairangi Arts Centre but for some reason (which they have failed to explain to me) these were not published in their brochure, so I am now working on running these myself and creating my own publicity.

HOPING 2012 IS A PROSPEROUS YEAR FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE POLYMER CLAYER ARTISTS AROUND THE WORLD

Six different methods for making polymer clay mosaics

2011-12-06T17:30:00.000+13:00

I have sketched out this flower design to use in an excercise to show different methods for creating polymer clay mosaics. I have six different methods, which I will show to students who take my 'Polymer Clay Mosaics - Introduction' workshop. So, I am currently working on making this same design using each of the six methods, to illustrate and for comparision.

One down, two to go

2011-12-03T22:15:00.020+13:00

This was the first of three Christmas Night Markets, held at the Mairangi Arts Centre. (I still find it hard to get used to Christmas in New Zealand being warm, with light evenings - so different to the colder weather and dark nights in the UK). The market will also be on the following two Saturdays, 10th and 17th December, from 6.15pm - 8.15pm.

Delay to start of 2012 polymer clay workshops

2011-12-02T10:00:00.002+13:00

Last week I received a summons for Jury Service on 16 January 2012 and I could be required to serve for three weeks. My schedule of polymer clay workshops for 2012 was due to start on 7 February but due to me having to do Jury Service, this will now have to be put back a month, so will be starting from 6 March 2012. See 'WORKSHOPS' tab at the top of the page, for more details.

My first 'Stroppel' cane

2011-11-22T19:45:00.004+13:00

The 'Stroppel cane' has generated a lot of interest (in the Clay-Polymer Yahoo Group). It was introduced recently by Alice Stroppel, as a way of using up scrap canes - so I thought I would give it a try. I do not have many scrap canes but I just added some blobs of coloured clay as well. It was great fun to do, as you do not know how it will turn out. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos during the construction process, as I was having such fun. Here is my first Stroppel cane, which I am really pleased with.

The two slices are the ends of the long sides that I trimmed off, when making the cane a rectangular shape.

I then ran all my trimmings through the pasta machine, so the pattern has stretched (see above); pieced them together and cut out a few shapes (shown below). This is just from the scrap - from a cane made of scraps!

I love this technique, as it is so easy to do. I will have to include it in my teaching workshops, giving full credit to Alice Stroppel of course. As for what I make with my Stroppel cane - I have some ideas but I am waiting for some more black clay to arrive first.

Mairangi Bay Christmas Extravaganza - Saturday Night Markets

2011-11-04T10:25:00.002+13:00

I will have a craft stall at the Saturday Night Markets, in the Mairangi Art Centre, on December 3rd, 10th and 17th. Here I will be selling a range of polymer clay items, which would make ideal Christmas gifts, including the HANGA brooch/pendant.

Planning for 2012

2011-11-01T11:45:00.003+13:00

Following on from my last post, the discovery that my trial 'beachwear accessories' became too soft when exposed to intense sunshine, has led me to rethink my way forward for the next few months. I have decided to halt the launch of the beachwear accessories, which I was intending to promote over the summer months, until I have done some more trials with different thinknesses of polymer clay in the hottest months.

Instead, I will concentrate on preparing material for teaching workshops, with the view of having these up and running for February/March 2012. Due to the Christmas/January holiday period, I will start promoting the workshops at the next Mission Bay Art & Craft Market on Auckland Anniversary Day (30 January 2012) with a concentrated effort during February.

To begin with I will do half day 'Polymer Clay Mosaics' workshops, using my own custom made mosaic tiles, while I accumulate enough equipment. Then I will also be able to offer a full day 'Introduction to Polymer Clay' workshop, which will cover all the basic aspects of working with polymer clay, plus an insight into the many techniques and uses; hopefully inspiring further interest in this wonderful, versatile creative medium.

Labour Day Art & Craft Market at Mission Bay 2011

2011-10-24T20:15:00.037+13:00

The weather was perfect for this years market but things were pretty quite during the morning - I guess a lot of people were sleeping in after celebrating New Zealand winning the Rugby World Cup last night. Despite the All Blacks Parade around the city centre in the afternoon, a lot more people came to the market later in the day.

I had a wide range of polymer clay items for sale including brooches, HANGAs, artwork and many one-off trial pieces. However, I made a discovery which was rather alarming, for my most recent line of 'beachwear accessories'. The intensity of the sun was so great it caused the sarong buckles, and other thinner items at the front of my table, to get so hot they became extremely soft and flexible (like when they have just come out of the oven).

After pulling the whole table into the shade, the pieces returned to normal once they had cooled down. It was only a nice Spring day, not the height of Summer, but because there is a whole in the ozone layer over New Zealand the suns rays are extra intense. This may put a stop to my range of polymer clay beachwear accessories. I will have to see what happens if I wear the sarong buckles and other items on the beach during the Summer.

Labour Day Art & Craft Market at Mission Bay

2011-10-11T09:45:00.001+13:00

I will be there, on Row 1, selling off a lot of stock at great prices (to make room for new designs) - so, start your Christmas shopping early.

Ready for Summer (in the Southern Hemisphere)

2011-10-11T09:05:00.014+13:00

Ready for Summer - here are some Flip Flop Clips and larger Beach Clips, which can be used to clip a sarong or to decorate beachwear, a sunhat, beach bag or just be worn in the hair. I am still waiting for my special clip findings to come from the UK, so I hope they arrive in time for these to be completed for the forthcoming Art & Craft Market at Mission Bay.

And just for fun...

2011-10-04T14:55:00.002+13:00

This is my artifical garden of succulent type plants and pebbles, made from polymer clay - the fun thing is that it glows in the dark...

Glow-in-the-dark garden

Creations from clearing my cupboards

2011-10-04T14:40:00.063+13:00

I have not posted for a while because I have been busy making and gaining more experience. As the Mission Bay Art and Craft Market it coming up towards the end of this month, I thought I would clear my cupboards of all the things I have bought and never got round to trying - hopefully I can then sell them off at the market and other events leading up to Christmas.

Here is a selection of things I have been doing:

Kiwi picture - polymer clay baked on canvas

Glow-in-the-dark bangles

Glow-in-the-dark brooch

Red Indian inspired mask

I have experimented with Sculpey 'Bake and Bend' clay, as I thought it would be good for making rubbery flowers and other decorations for flip flop clips. I know it is really a childrens clay but I was disappointed that it was so sticky as well as soft. Will not be using it again! Have not photographed these yet, as I am waiting for my supply of shoe clips to arrive, to complete them.

After reading posts on the Clay Polymer Yahoo Group about creating faux rocks and pebbles, I had a little dabble at that. Here is a piece of rolled clay with black pepper inclusions, a couple of pebbles (I think they look more like birds eggs) and a granite effect 'boulder'. I have used them in my 'artifical garden', which is featured in my next post.

Faux rocks and pebbles

I have also made eight more HANGAs that I started a long time ago and never finished. They were trial pieces, heart and diamond/square shaped. I will add photos of these to my HANGA website www.hanga.co.nz

While I may have got a little distracted, trying all these different things, I have really enjoyed myself playing and experimenting - but now I need to get focused on my next 'big idea'.

The ideas keep coming...

2011-09-19T19:35:00.003+12:00

and consequently I have had a few sleepless nights! It is a month since I first had the idea of 'Fairweather Beachwear Accessories'. I have been making some trial sarong buckles and flip flop clips to try out at next months art and craft market on Labour Day (24 Oct). At the same time I have also been working on the scarf ring idea, which has developed into a much more exciting project. I am waiting for some findings, which I have only been able to source from the UK and unfortunately they are going to take about four weeks to arrive. As soon as I receive these, I will reveal my lastest idea for a great fashion accessory.

Trial scarf ring

2011-09-11T17:10:00.002+12:00

I have finally found a use for my first curved piece, a scarf ring. I made a polymer clay strip to go across the back and baked it on – and it works!

This is much less time consuming than finishing the backs of my brooches (it never seemed right that I would spend longer on the back than the design on the front) and could be a different way to wear a ‘small piece of art’. I will do some more work on this, including looking at a ‘fashion clip’ version (this could be the modern brooch).

Trial sarong buckles

2011-09-11T16:05:00.001+12:00

Since my idea last month for making some beachwear accessories, here are my first sarong buckles – they are prototypes because I am still experimenting with the overall size and the hole size.

I also decided to make a ‘Kiwi’ one, as I recently purchased a kiwi cutter and it seemed about the right size. This shows the double sided (patterned/plain) idea.

Then I thought it might be better curved and that they needed to be a bit bigger. Obviously if I make them curved they can not be double sided.

The curve on my glass teapot is too much for the larger size (I may have to find a different form) but the single thickness of the curved buckle was too light and did not feel right when I actually tried it with my sarong. So I think I will stick to flat double sided but larger sarong buckles.

Baking curved shapes

2011-09-04T16:50:00.008+12:00

I have had this left over piece of blue/purple marbled polymer clay for ages. I liked the pattern but was not sure what to make with it. I decided that I should use it, so I cut out a circle from it and baked it on a glass teapot (removed from the cheap plastic handle/body casing). It has made a perfect convex disc – I still do not know what to do with it but the dimension makes it look so much more interesting than when it is just flat.

I made some more curved discs, in pairs, to try putting them together to make hanging decorations. This is a precursor to perhaps making some Christmas baubles/decorations. Here they are applied to the glass tea pot (luckily it just fits in my little craft oven).

I joined the two baked halves together with liquid polymer clay and rested them on some fibrefill.

This was a scary experiment! I have heard of polyfill being used (in America) for supporting 3D shapes but I am not sure what it is. I was hoping that it is the same as this fibrefill that I bought (very cheap) to try. I guess it must be because it all worked fine – it did not melt at the clay baking temperature. What I was not expecting was for the fibrefill to fuse slightly in the supporting shape (I was expecting it to spring back to its original shape) but this could be useful if I bake the same shapes regularly.

And here are the finished items, complete with hanging ribbon/thread.

Email from Sydney (Australia) enquiring about classes

2011-09-04T08:50:00.000+12:00

If you were the person who sent me an email enquiring about dates for my next classes/workshops, please can you send it again - it has disappeared from my email account, so I cannot reply to it. Thanking you for your interest - Claire Fairweather

Experimenting with Pearl-Ex powders and lpc

2011-09-02T14:40:00.002+12:00

I love the effect of Pearl-Ex powders on polymer clay but am concerned about it wearing off and it just does not look the same if you seal it with Sculpey glaze or a layer of liquid polymer clay (lpc). I have heard that Perfect Pearls actually bond with the clay and so they do not need a protective sealing layer – but unfortunately I have not found them for sale in New Zealand. For the first time, I have tried mixing Pearl-Ex powders into liquid polymer clay. I used it on the silver clay pendant (see previous post) but mixed far too much so, to save wasting it, I rolled out some pale scraps of polymer clay and pressed it onto the lpc containing Pearl-Ex (which was blobbed on a glass chopping board). When I pulled the clay off the surface, the coloured lpc left interesting patterns on the clay. I sprinkled on a little more powder and swirled it around with a cocktail stick. The baked samples are shown below.

I will definitely explore this idea further. The iridescent/pearlescent effect of the powders are captured in the lpc when it sets – it reminds me of the pearlescent glass paint sold by Rainbow Glass, which gave a great effect and I used it a lot when I used to do glass painting.

Polymer clay and silver clay

2011-09-02T14:35:00.001+12:00

Finally I have got round to using the silver clay items I made at my first silver clay workshop, back in July. The recess in the silver swirl pendant design has been filled with different coloured Pearl-Ex powders mixed into liquid polymer clay (see the next post for what I did with the surplus). The two tiny silver clay moulded flowers have been used as the centres for a floral brooch and a dimensional floral pin/pendant.

Crocus mosaic complete - with step by step photos

2011-08-23T15:30:00.040+12:00

Here is the completed Crocus mosaic - it measures 8" x 8" (20cm x 20cm)

It started life as this...

And here are the stages inbetween...

1 - This is my sketch design of how the finished mosaic artwork should look.

2 - The Pro-Panel block board, that will form the base of the mosaic artwork, is sealed with two coats of diluted Weldbond glue.

3 - The outline design is transferred onto the board, using carbon paper, and then the edges and the back are given several coats of black acrylic paint.

4 - Custom colour blends are created, from the blocks of polymer clay, for the different elements of the design. I roll out thin sheets (2mm thick) of the different colours, using a pasta machine to ensure they are an even thickness. The sheets are then baked to harden the clay.

5 - Each piece of the design is cut from the baked coloured sheets of polymer clay. The edges are sanded smooth and the back is roughened with coarse grade sandpaper, to help create a ‘key’ for gluing.

6 - All the pieces are glued in place, using Weldbond glue, and left to dry for at least 24 hours. Minor trimming of some edges may be necessary to ensure neat, even joint lines.

7 - Acrylic paint is used to colour the tile grout, which is spread over the artwork, pressing it into the joints. The excess grout is wiped off with a damp sponge before it begins to cure. This process may need to be repeated to ensure all the joints are evenly filled.

8 - After the grout has dried for at least 24 hours, the tile surface is lightly sanded (with grades 400 through to 1000) to remove any remaining grout residue. It is then hand buffed to give a soft sheen.

Two bowls ... and scrap clay

2011-08-11T19:30:00.036+12:00

Here are two bowls I have made from polymer clay. I used a small glass bowl as a form and pressed thin pieces of clay to cover the outside. After baking, I carefully prised the moulded clay from the glass.

Autumn Bowl

Patterned Bowl

And here is the scrap! I thought I would use up some old Kato clay (I bought it a while ago to try but personally do not like the strong smell it has) but it turned out to be a disaster.

The old Kato Polyclay was very crumbly

It still cracked after extensive conditioning

I am only posting these photos because I want something to show for having wasted a good part of the day trying to condition this old clay. In the end I gave up and threw it in the bin!

Disappointing news - artwork sale retracted

2011-08-10T16:30:00.001+12:00

I receieved the disappointing news today that the sale of my mosaic artwork, 'Our Future', has fallen through. The purchaser had problems with their credit card on the opening night of the exhibition and despite assuring that they were going ahead with the purchase, they have failed to pay. Perhaps I should not have been so hasty to post the sale on my blog - but I was told it had been sold.

Exhibition piece sold on the opening night

2011-08-07T19:20:00.023+12:00

Today it was take down day for the NZ Art Guild Annual Members Exhibition. I was thrilled to learn that my mosaic artwork 'Our Future', created specifically for this exhibition, sold on the opening night.

A new mosaic - step by step

2011-08-05T14:44:00.003+12:00

I am currently working on my next polymer clay mosaic artwork. Here is the sketch design. I have used this crocus design before, many years ago when I was doing glass painting, but it will fine for this next exercise.

I have decided to take step by step photos, to document the different stages in the creation of this artwork, which I will post when it is complete. It will be useful to have on display, when I am selling my work, so people can understand how my polymer clay mosaic artworks have been made.

My Etsy Shop opened today

2011-08-01T19:20:00.001+12:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClaireFairweather

The above link will take you to ClaireFairweather's Shop on Etsy.com.

Close-up of my panel in the 'Light of my Life' collaborative project

2011-07-26T21:30:00.002+12:00

NZ Art Guild Annual Members Exhibition 2011

2011-07-26T21:05:00.010+12:00

This evening was the opening night of the New Zealand Art Guild's Annual Members Exhibition. I have two polymer clay mosaic artworks in this exhibition, as well as having done one of the 56 panels in the collaborative project 'Light of my Life'.

'Light of my Life'

My panel is on the bottom row, second in from the right (see next post for a close-up picture). This large artwork will be auctioned on TradeMe and all the proceeds will go to the charity KidsCan, supporting disadvantaged Kiwi kids.

Featured on Sandy's Creations in Clay blog

2011-07-20T09:20:00.002+12:00

Today I have been featured on Sandy's blog

http://sandyscreationsinclay.blogspot.com/2011/07/mosaic-tile-masterpiece.html

It is the first time (to my knowledge), I have been featured on another polymer clay artist's blog, so I feel very honoured.

Our Future – mosaic artwork is now complete

2011-07-18T14:30:00.000+12:00

Here is the finished piece.

“Our Future” by Claire Fairweather

30.5cm x 30.5cm, polymer clay tiles on canvas

Designed for the NZ Art Guild Annual Members Exhibition 2011

This mosaic tile artwork has been designed to show the different phases of love during the course of a lifelong relationship – the future for a couple in love

Key to the meaning behind each tile – start at the bottom left hand corner and work round in a clockwise spiral to the centre

5	6	7	8	9
4	19	20	21	10
3	18	25	22	11
2	17	24	23	12
1	16	15	14	13

1	The heart is a universal symbol of love, which is something most people want to experience during their life-time
2	The script style writing reminds me of old fashioned hand-written diaries, where young women often write about their thoughts and feelings for the future
3	The butterflies represent that feeling you get when you first fall in love, along with the dreams, hopes and wishes of how you would like the future to be
4	Is Cupid really responsible for the initial attraction to that special person in your life?
5	Flowers are often given as a gift of love
6	Romance – the word can be written with a flourish and it certainly brings happiness and excitement to everyday life
7	Your heart seems to be bursting with joy when you are in love
8	The blooming rose symbolises a growing relationship
9	The lace texture is evocative of lingerie, worn when a relationship becomes more intimate
10	Passion – this phase in a relationship can be very intense
11	The lips symbolise a kiss, which is often given with great passion
12	The tying of two ribbon ends into a bow, symbolises the joining of two beings as one
13	This tile bears my signature seal, which is incorporated into a pattern of hearts, hugs and kisses
14	Love – the word is impressed into the tile with strength like the emotion it conveys
15	An engagement ring symbolises the beginning of a lifelong committed relationship
16	Commitment – as defined in a marital relationship
17	Wedding bells ring out the joy of marriage
18	The linked hands represent the joining together of two people in holy matrimony
19	A loving background forms the basis of a stable, long-term relationship
20	Shelter and protection are symbolised by the house
21	The different layers within the heart reflect the different types of love
22	The tiny hand and foot prints represent a new arrival
23	Having children makes a family
24	Caring for your partner and family never ceases
25	Into grey, old-age two hearts should still be entwined as one

Looking forward

2011-07-14T19:10:00.008+12:00

Today was the last day in my part-time job, so for the time being I can concentrate fully on my polymer clay work.

Having reviewed the goals I set at the beginning of the year, I need to focus on completing as many of them as I can. It is now more than half way through the year. I have nearly finished my second piece for the exhibition coming up later this month. Once this is done, I must finish the HANGAs I start a while ago (trialling some different shapes) and get my Etsy shop up and running. Then I can concentrate on preparing the visual/teaching aids for my introductory workshop.

Image transfer

2011-07-10T16:30:00.048+12:00

I have also experimented with transferring images onto polymer clay. I started using some waterslide transfer paper but was not happy with the quality of finished pieces. Printing from the computer onto the paper gave very crisp clear results and it was quite easy to apply the transfer paper to the rolled surface of the clay. However, it almost impossible not to get tiny air bubbles under the surface of the film. Even when it looked smooth, baking seemed to accentuate or even create minor surface irregularities – also, it was noticeable that areas with no print, showing white (as I did the transfers on white clay) looked quite yellowed, compared to the second method I tried.

The lips image was cut out and
applied to a pale pink polymer
clay background

Toner transfer method - you can
still see some fine paper remains
on the surface at this stage

Not happy with the waterslide transfer paper method, I consulted one of my Donna Kato books on creative surface effects and tried the ‘direct toner copy’ method. This meant taking a copy (in reverse) of the images I wanted to the local printing store and getting them to do a colour photocopy. With it being a digital copier, I was not sure if this was going to work but when I asked, the operator said that it was not ink, so it must be toner.

I was much more impressed with the results of this method. You just cut the image you want to shape and burnish face down on the surface of the clay. Then spray, to saturate with water, for a minute or so and then gently rub the paper with your finger to gradually roll away the layers of paper. You need to be patient and take your time, keep spraying and rubbing. The idea is to remove all the paper, in layers, to reveal the toner left on the surface of the clay. If you rub too much, you will smudge the toner, so you need to know when to stop.

Baking the clay bonds the toner to the clay but it should be sealed afterwards with a layer of liquid polymer clay. (This was my only problem in this trial – my lpc is quite old and has thickened, so it was difficult to get a thin layer). Although it takes much longer to transfer the image, I think the result is better and I will use this method again – you do not have a film over the surface, so it looks more natural and it can be easily cut after the image has been applied, which you cannot do with the other method. Also it much cheaper, as you can fill an A4 sheet with images and just pay for a colour photocopy when you need it, rather than buying the packs of waterslide transfer sheets, which are much smaller in size.

Fabric imprinting

2011-07-10T16:20:00.003+12:00

As I have been making the tiles for my second artwork for the ‘Our Future’ exhibition, I have been trying some new techniques. I am really pleased with the way the fabric imprint came out on this tile.

I rolled out a darkish red/pink colour, pressed a piece of interesting lace onto the surface and then rolled it through the pasta machine again. Carefully, I removed the lace, leaving a perfect imprint in the surface of the clay. I selected the area I wanted for my tile using a square cutter and baked it for 20 minutes. I then painted white acrylic paint all over the tile and while it was still wet, I wiped as much of it off the surface as I could, leaving the white paint where it had collected in the impressions. I baked the tile for another 10 minutes, to help bond the paint to the clay, and when cool, sanded the surface to remove any remaining paint residue. The contrast between the white paint and the coloured clay and the amount of detail it has picked up is incredible. In fact, at first glance, it looks like the lace material is still embedded in the clay.

Invitation to the NZ Art Guild 2011 Annual Members Exhibition - "Our Future"

2011-06-30T14:50:00.005+12:00

Sketch for 'Our Future' mosaic artwork

2011-06-24T19:55:00.012+12:00

This is a rough sketch for my other artwork for the NZ Art Guild's Annual Members Exhibition. It will be made up of twenty-five large 'mosaic' tiles, each measuring 2¹/₄" x 2¹/₄" (5.7cm x 5.7cm). Starting in the bottom left hand corner and following round in a clockwise spiral, it has been designed to show the different phases of love during the course of a life-long relationship - the future for a couple in love.

I am now setting about creating each tile. When the piece is complete I will post a photo, along with a key to explain what each tile represents or the meaning behind it.

Preparing for Etsy shop

2011-06-21T19:45:00.005+12:00

Today I have registered with Etsy.com and plan to launch my Etsy shop some time in August. It will be called Claire Fairweather's shop and initially I will sell my HANGAs and some Art-Brooches. Gradually I will add other pieces of polymer clay artwork.

First polymer clay mosaic artwork completed

2011-06-20T17:50:00.004+12:00

Living in Browns Bay
16¹/₂" x 11³/₄" (42cm x 30cm)

Here is the first of the two artworks I am creating for an exhibition at the end of July. This style of mosaic uses free-form shapes, carefully cut from different coloured sheets of baked polymer clay, to fit the design - similar to cutting the glass shapes for stained glass (lead light) work. I have done much of this before in the past with glass but this is the first time I have tried it with polymer clay, on a larger scale.

I am really pleased with the finished piece but it was a 'labour of love', cutting all the pieces to fit. This photo does not show the pearl effect in some of the colours - I will have to try photographing it again, when it is not raining, to get better lighting on it.

Now I am starting work on designing my second piece for this exhibition, which will be in a totally different style.

Nearly finished

2011-06-18T14:30:00.007+12:00

All the pieces have been stuck in place and had an intitial sanding - just waiting to be grouted

All the pieces have now been cut and stuck to the board. I need to decide how I am going to sign this artwork - with initials or a signature? Really looking forward to seeing it when it has been grouted, as this should really pull it all together. I will do the finer grades of sanding, after it has been grouted, to help remove any residue from the grout that has not wiped off.

Progress photos of my mosaic artwork

2011-06-03T17:25:00.002+12:00

I have been busy over the last week or so, creating different coloured pieces of polymer clay to cut into shapes for my first piece for the NZ Art Guild exhibition. I have posted some 'in progress' photos below, as I am going away for a long weekend, so it will be a while before I can do any more work on it.

Design sketched on to MDF board, backed with a wooden frame. (The first polymer clay pieces have been laid on the design)

Balsa wood has been cut for the top and bottom pieces, as they would have been too large to fit in my oven, if I had made them out of polymer clay

The balsa wood has been sealed with diluted PVA glue and then painted with several layers of acrylic paint

Here are some of the different coloured pieces of baked polymer clay I have made for this artwork. They are 2mm (3/32") thick and will be cut into shapes to fit the design

The first cut pieces have been glued on to the board

I will post the finished piece when it is complete.

Sketch for Browns Bay mosaic artwork

2011-05-24T19:45:00.002+12:00

This is the sketch I did yesterday, for one of the artworks I intend to create for the NZAG Annual Members Exhibition. In line with the theme of the exhibition ("Our Future"), it will be called "Living in Browns Bay", as this is the future that my husband and I are looking forward to.

Exhibition opportunity means rescheduling priorities

2011-05-23T09:45:00.008+12:00

The NZ Art Guild's Annual Members Exhibition is at the end of July, at the Mairangi Arts Centre - the theme of the exhibition is "Our Future". This is a fantastic opportunity to show case my polymer clay mosaic work, at the venue where I am hoping (in the future) to be able to teach some polymer clay workshops.

However, I will have to create some new mosaic artworks, as so far I have only done the six trial pieces experimenting with different mosaic styles. My problem is the limited amount of time. I have applied to have half a panel (rather than a whole one) and intend to do two artworks, in quite different styles for variety. I am going to have to work every spare minute I have to be able to complete these two pieces in time. (It is always better to submit pieces for an exhibition that you have already done - but it never seems to be that way with me!).

In order to make as much creative time available as I can, to meet the exhibition deadline, I will need to re-prioritise my work plan for the next two months. This basically means delaying the opening of my Etsy shop, which I am rescheduling to be sometime in August. The goals I set myself at the beginning of the year, to achieve during 2011, included setting up an online shop - but even if this is not done until August, it will still be done this year.

Back in New Zealand...and feeling inspired

2011-05-09T17:20:00.002+12:00

I have so missed this view, which I see at the end of the passageway when walking from the main shopping street to our apartment. I think it will be the inspiration for my first polymer clay mosaic artwork. Having just returned from a 16 day trip to the UK, I am now eager to get back to my polymer clay – it is nearly half way through the year and I have so much to do, if I am going to achieve all the goals I set myself at the beginning of the year.

This is me reminiscing, eating Yorkshire puddings in Yorkshire. While back in the UK for my step-daughter’s wedding, I had a great time catching up with family and friends. The weather was fantastic for the whole trip, which was a bonus as all the driving about was a little tiring, but it did feel homely coming back to Browns Bay, here in New Zealand.

POLL: Pohutukawa mosaic - different styles

2011-04-17T17:20:00.005+12:00

I have finally completed and photographed the exercise that I started last month. Before designing a larger polymer clay mosaic artwork, I have been experimenting with different styles. Based on a representation of the New Zealand Potohutukawa flower, I have created six small mosaics, on 4" (10cm) square block canvases. Please take part in the poll (to the right) and let me know which style you like best. The results of the Poll have been added at the end of this post.

1 - Simple squares

2 - Micro mosaic

3 - Micro and larger shapes

4 - Design cut into squares

5 - Cut out design and squares

6 - Various shaped pieces

This will be my last post for a while, as I am going back to the UK on Friday (for a couple of weeks) to attend a family wedding and to catch up with family and friends. On my return, I will consider the results from this poll, when I start my first larger scale polymer clay mosaic artwork.

Postscript: Results of the Poll - which mosaic style do you like best?

Thank you to everyone who voted.

Completed piece for NZ Art Guild Collaborative Project 2011

2011-04-09T18:55:00.005+12:00

Selected portion of my contribution

to the 2011 colaborative project

- Light of my Life

I have completed my part of this collaborative project and posted it off today. Made of large polymer clay 'mosaic' tiles, this is a small portion of it, when it was in progress. I cannot reveal the whole piece until it has been unveiled at the Annual Members Exhibition - Our Future, in July.

Last time at Coatesville Market

2011-04-03T17:13:00.004+12:00

Last set-up at Coatesville Market

Close-up of my 'thank you' sign

It is sad that this was my last time at Coatesville Market but I know that it is not the right venue for selling the larger pieces of artwork that I am going to be creating next. Everyone has been really friendly here and made me welcome, so I will have to come back now and then as a visitor.

For anyone reading this who still wants to by my HANGAs, I am intending to open an on-line shop on Esty.com to sell these and other smaller items. I will start work on this when I get back from my trip to the UK, in May, and hope it will be up and running some time in June.

Sketch for trial mosaic style

2011-03-31T20:00:00.003+13:00

This is a sketch for one of the trial mosaic styles I am working on, in the exercise referred to in the previous post. However, I have had to suspend work on this while I concentrate on my piece for the NZ Art Guild collaborative project. I want to get this done and posted back before I go on my trip back to the UK at Easter.

I have been busy...

2011-03-28T11:20:00.012+13:00

I have not posted for a while but I have been busy. This month, I have been making my own polymer clay mosaic tiles and carrying out a learning exercise. I have used small 4" (10 cm) square canvases as a base for creating a series of small mosaic pieces based on the Pohutukawa flower. There will be six in total, when I have completed this exercise, using different styles of mosaic. I will post some photos when they are all complete.

I am doing this to decide which style of mosaic work to use before I attempt a larger size of mosaic artwork. I have a couple of 12" (30 cm) square canvases that I am intending to work on next - but I am still undecided as to whether to work on board or canvas. The canvas is good because it is all ready made and can be hung straight on the wall, but I am not sure as the size gets larger, if the canvas will start to sag with the weight of the tiles - I will find out when I start one of these larger pieces.

I am also experimenting with different acylic mixtures to grout the tiles as I fear that if I use normal tile grout, it might eat away at the canvas (?). If I stick the tiles on to a wood or MDF base, then I could just use ordinary tile grout. I need to make a decision about which type of base to use soon, before I start to spend time creating larger pieces of artwork.

NZ Art Guild 2011 Collaborative Project – Light of My Life

2011-03-21T15:30:00.002+13:00

Last week I received all the instructions and my piece of board for taking part in this project. I am looking for inspiration on the theme ‘Light of My Life’ and still thinking about how my little piece will take shape. One thing that I have decided is that I will make my design out of polymer clay mosaic tiles and stick these to my piece of board. I do not expect any one else will be using polymer clay, so it will stand out as being different – I just want it to look really good, as this is an opportunity for polymer clay to get some publicity and, hopefully, some good press.

Polymer Clay - one year on

2011-03-01T19:40:00.035+13:00

It has now been a year since I first started with polymer clay. I have had a great time experimenting and am in total 'awe' of this versatile creative medium. I still feel overwhelmed at the vast array of techniques and ways of using it - I do not think that a whole lifetime would be long enough to try out and master everything.

Last week I started my new part-time job, three days a week, which means I can now review how I spend my two creative days. I have decided to stop doing Coatesville Market after returning from our trip back to the UK, at the beginning of May. Instead, I want to focus on producing some bigger polymer clay mosaic artworks - making mosaic tiles from polymer clay was my original reason for turning to this new medium. I will look more to exhibitions and galleries to promote my work, with a view to establishing my name as a polymer clay artist, and gaining credability so I can go on to teach polymer clay workshops.

I will continue to sell my HANGAs and other small items like the Art-Brooches at a few selected events but concentrate more on selling these online. After our return from the UK in May, I intend to set up an online shop through Etsy and will also look into the New Zealand version, Felt.

Collaborative opportunity

2011-02-28T15:25:00.014+13:00

This year I have decided it would be good to take part in the New Zealand Art Guild's annual collaborative artwork. I have submitted my 'expression of interest' and hope I will be selected to be one of the 49 artists taking part in this years project.

Just for a bit of fun...and using Du-Kit polymer clay

2011-02-27T19:50:00.004+13:00

Framed

Un-framed

To humour my husband, Colin, I agreed to his suggestion to make some 'Round Tuits' from polymer clay. Some are stuck into a frame and some are just stuck on a card with the following explanation on the back:

round tuit (plural round tuits)
1. (humorous) A circular object giving its owner the ability to get done everything that would have otherwise been put off to a later date
Source: Wiktionary

Guard this Tuit with your life as they are very hard to come by, especially the round ones. This is an indispensible item as it will help you to become a more efficient worker. For years we have heard people say: “I’ll do it as soon as I get a round tuit.” Now that you have one, you can accomplish all those things you put aside until you got a ROUND TUIT.

I decided to use my left over scraps of polymer clay for making these novelty items but I wanted to make some in white. To conserve my treasured Premo polymer clay, I bought a packet of Du-Kit, the New Zealand made brand. I was not impressed - it kept sticking to the rollers of the pasta machine (which took me ages clean before I could use it again) and I did not like the fact that after baking, it had a glossy finish. Although this might be useful in some instances, I could see me having to sand it off most of the time, as I really like the matt finish that Premo gives. It would have been nice to use NZ polymer clay but it really does not measure up to Premo Sculpey.

Sand patterns

2011-02-25T20:55:00.000+13:00

Just thought I would include this photo of some beautiful patterns in the sand on our local beach - it could be the inspiration for some artwork at a later date.

The Christchurch Earthquake

2011-02-25T13:25:00.013+13:00

The last few days have just been full of the tragic news about the devastating earthquake in Christchurch. I have no idea how this will have affected ZigZag Polymer Clay Supplies - the company I buy my Premo Sculpey polymer clay from, as it is located in Christchurch.

Everything is so raw at the moment and saving lives it the top most priority, I need to let thing settle down a bit before I enquire. In the meantime, I will have to conserve my supplies, as after my recent trials with FIMO Soft, Kato and Du-Kit (New Zealand brand), I definitely prefer Premo sculpey and ZigZag seems to be the only place I can get it from in New Zealand.

Experimenting with Kato Polyclay

2011-02-20T20:05:00.000+13:00

After some unsuccessful experiments with Kato Polyclay, I ended

up turning it all into mosaic tiles

This weekend I finally got to try using the little sample packs of Kato Polyclay I ordered a while ago. I knew that it was the old, hard to condition formula - and it certainly was! After everything I have read about Kato being the best polymer clay for professionals to use, I was seriously thinking about switching to it. I am so glad I got these trials packs first, because even if the latest formula is easier to condition, I just could not work with it due to the smell. I have a very acute sense of smell and just did not like the very 'plasticy' smell it had, which got even stronger when it was baking. I really found it unpleasant and could not wait to stop working with it. It looks like I am sticking with Premo Sculpey.

Changes to my working week

2011-02-11T19:55:00.007+13:00

I have not posted for a while as I have been busy trying to secure a part-time job, as the 'temping' arrangement was not really working out - it was either all or nothing. Without the security of some regular income, I was finding it hard to be creative as my focus on the need to earn money was detracting from my ultimate goals.

After a lengthy interview process, I have been so lucky to get a really interesting part-time job (three days a week), not far from where I live. I start on 21 February and the best thing is that it will give me two whole days (excluding the weekend) that will be my 'creative days'. I can now spend some time working on a few prime pieces of artwork and also produce examples and visuals for future teaching workshops.

Auckland Anniversary Art & Craft Market

2011-01-31T20:40:00.010+13:00

My new gazebo

Me and my HANGAs

My investment in my own heavy duty gazebo paid off, as the weather was quite windy for this event. The gazebo stood up well, without having to use the guy ropes, and was easy to put up and take down - it was just a bit of a squash fitting everything into the car!

Invitation to the Auckland Anniversary Art & Craft Market

2011-01-29T12:25:00.002+13:00

Auckland Anniversary Art & Craft Market

on the Selwyn Reserve at Mission Bay

Monday 31 January 2011 from 10am - 4pm

At this event I will have a wide selection of HANGA brooch/pendants, along with Art-Brooches, decorative photo frames and photo albums and a nice selection of gifts for Valentine's Day.

Hope to see you there - Claire

New Year, New Look

2011-01-29T12:10:00.003+13:00

As we have just started a new year, I have decided to give my blog/website a new look. I have started with the header and will work on revamping the rest of the layout over the next month or so. This will include adding a 'Gallery' of polymer clay work in addition to my Art-Brooches and HANGAs. I have also got a bit behind on adding posts, as I have been busy creating new stock for the big Auckland Aniversary Art & Craft Market at Mission Bay (see next post), so I must get up-to-date with everything.

Heart theme for Valentine's Day

2011-01-27T14:25:00.004+13:00

Here are a few things I have made recently on a heart theme, with Valentine's Day gifts in mind.

Hard to Reach Places Exhibition at the Mairangi Arts Centre

2011-01-26T21:30:00.003+13:00

Here are my two paintings on the opening night of this exhibition, which runs throught to the 12 Febraury. It is the first time I have exhibited as a member of the Mairangi Arts Centre.

Using my mosaic tiles

2011-01-20T15:00:00.006+13:00

Here are the fronts of two mini photo albums that I have decorated with my hand-made mosaic tiles - click on each image to enlarge the photo. See the 'Gallery' for different shots showing the backs as well.

Blue marbled

Seashore theme

Mosaic Tiles

2011-01-05T20:00:00.004+13:00

I thought I would spend a the first couple of weeks of the New Year doing something different for a change, before I resume making more HANGAs. Here are some mosaic tiles that I have thoroughly enjoyed making.

My original reason for turning to polymer clay was to make mosaic tiles but somehow this has got pushed aside as the Art-Brooches and HANGAs have developed. I am currently making more tiles and have several projects to use them on, such as photo frames and photo album covers, as well as just for artwork. I will post some photos as these get completed.

My first post of 2011

2011-01-01T19:30:00.007+13:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

One of my New Year Resolutions is to "enjoy and prosper from my creativity". This post is really to set out my goals for 2011, which are

To expand my range of HANGAs in both surface decoration and shape, and to find more sales outlets.
Open an Etsy shop to sell my HANGAs, and other pieces of polymer clay art/craft work, to a wider audience.
To create some polymer clay mosaic artwork. (This was my original reason for trying this medium, which has somehow got lost as the Art-Brooches and HANGAs developed, when I had less time for creative work).
To get some polymer clay art/craft work in a few selected galleries, to establish some credibility here in New Zealand.
Try teaching some polymer clay workshops, initially through the Mairangi Arts Centre, to introduce others to the joy of working with this fantastic medium.

I will make sure that I review my progress on these goals at the end of the year, to determine how successful 2011 has been in terms of creative achievement.

The last Browns Bay Craft Show

2010-12-18T19:50:00.000+13:00

Sadly, this is the last time the Browns Bay Craft Show will be held, due to the greatly increased cost of hiring the hall. It also rained heavily for most of the day, which added to the 'despondant air' in the hall. It was sad that the show did not have a 'festive buzz', to finish the year on a high.

A rumour did start going around that the RSA hall across the road could be an alternative venue for next years shows - we will have to see if this happens. This aside, I need to continue looking for other sales venues and in the New Year, when I have made some more stock, I plan to set up a store on Etsy.com. I need to do a lot more research and reading over the Christmas break on selling on the internet.

Christmas Countdown

2010-12-17T16:30:00.000+13:00

I finished my two week contract last Friday so, in theory, had all this week for creating but various appointments and Christmas shopping seem to have reduced this down to about two days.

I have just finished making more HANGAs for the Browns Bay Craft Show tomorrow - this is my last event of this year. Unfortunately I did not enough time to try making some HANGAs with the photo transfer technique. I had taken some photos of Pohutukawa flowers which I thought would have made good 'festive' HANGAs - I will have to try this for next Christmas.

Coatesville before Christmas

2010-12-05T19:20:00.002+13:00

This was my last Coatesville Market before Christmas. I now have a permanent indoor place in the hall, which is great, and using their table gives me plenty of room for display, as it is quite a bit longer than my own one.

As I took all my best HANGA designs to Craftworld, I felt the display I had here was a bit dull. I wonder if I would have sold more if I had had less of the plain coloured ones? I need to make some replacement stock for my last event before Christmas and must concentrate on making more with interesting surface designs.

Out of action for two weeks

2010-11-29T19:10:00.000+13:00

Today I have started a full-time contract for two weeks, so I will not have any time for creating.

The HANGA at Craftworld

2010-11-26T20:05:00.001+13:00

This photo shows the mini display I have made for Craftworld. I took it there today and it looks good in the display cabinet. I will be interested to see how things go in the next few weeks before Christmas.

New 'splodge' technique

2010-11-24T15:45:00.007+13:00

Here is a HANGA I have made with a new surface decoration technique. Tiny pieces of different coloured clay are placed randomly on a sheet of pearl clay and then it is rolled through the pasta machine several times. I love the abstract, painterly 'splodges' of colour.

This one has been made by cutting narrow strips from some clay, created as described above, after running it through the pasta machine several times. The strips were randomly placed on a sheet of pearl clay and then rolled through the pasta machine to create a flush surface. These light colours feel good for Summer (here in New Zealand), so I shall have fun making some more.

Browns Bay (November) Craft Show

2010-11-20T20:25:00.002+13:00

This craftshow has been my best yet. The HANGAs are selling well and I will be extra busy next week making more to replenish my stock, as well as those that I am proposing to take to Craftworld

Investigating Craftworld

2010-11-11T19:10:00.003+13:00

Today I went to Craftworld (www.craftworld.co.nz) at Westgate Shopping Centre, where I met with the Managing Director, Carl Dysthe. Carl approached me, after seeing my stall at Coatesville Market, with a proposition for getting some of my work in the store. He showed me the display cabinet he had mentioned, where I could set up a small display, as a trial, before committing to a rental booth.

I am keen to try this as a different selling venue for my HANGAs and feel the best time to do it is now, to catch the run up to Christmas. I made a commitment to go ahead with this and put a display in place before the end of the month - this means I am going to be very busy for the next couple of weeks!

The HANGA at Coatesville

2010-11-07T18:40:00.002+13:00

The HANGA made its first appearance at Coatesville Market today, and again was very successful. My stock is now quite low so I will have to get busy making more for the forecoming events I have planned before Christmas.

The end of full-time employment

2010-10-29T18:15:00.002+13:00

Today, was my last day as a full-time employee. It was sad to leave the great group of people I worked with but now such an exciting opportunity awaits. I have promised Colin (my husband) that I will have a week off with him before I set to work on my creative enterprises.

Successful debut event

2010-10-26T12:00:00.036+13:00

The debut of the HANGA brooch/pendant at Mission Bay, yesterday, was a very successful event. The weather was perfect for an outdoor event, attracting lots of people to visit and the whole place had a positive buzz. The only downside at the end of the day, was having the car towed home by the AA and wondering how much the repair bill would be - but at least it did not break down on the way!

The HANGA display attracted alot of interest and, in addition to sales, some very positive and useful feedback was gained. A number of people commented on the excellent display I had constructed, showing how the HANGA could be worn, and several others said I should register the name/idea to stop anyone else copying it. This is something that I had thought about previously and did quite a lot of research on. I had already completed an on-line application to register the name 'HANGA' as a Trade Mark but had not submitted it. For the last week or two I had been dithering as to whether or not I should but thought I would wait to see how the debut event went.

On the strength of the interest and sales from yesterday's event, I have now submitted the application to the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ), to register the name 'HANGA' as a Trade Mark.

HANGA table display

2010-10-24T15:00:00.000+13:00

This is the display set-up I have made to go on the end of my table at tomorrows event.

Getting ready for Mission Bay

2010-10-17T21:40:00.015+13:00

I have been working all weekend in preparation for the launch of the HANGA at the Mission Bay Art and Craft Market on Labour Day (Monday 25 October). Not only have I been busy making the HANGAs, I have also been working on a new set up for their display. All is going well but I am very pushed for time to get everything finished as I would like. I can see that I will be working every night this week, after I get home my from my day job - still, I only have two more weeks in this job, once I have left I will have much more time available.

Invitation - to the HANGA debut at Mission Bay

2010-10-14T15:20:00.003+13:00

The HANGA makes a debut

2010-10-12T11:00:00.003+13:00

I have issued the following PRESS RELEASE, to several newspapers:

Be the first to see the HANGA brooch/pendant - a stylish and practical fashion accessory, designed to hang your reading glasses, sun glasses or identity badges on. With the versatile two-way fixing pin you can chose to wear it as a brooch or a pendant, to best suit your outfit. This unique design by Claire Fairweather is hand-crafted from polymer clay, here in New Zealand – no two are identical.

Claire has been designing contemporary art-brooches as a hobby, since settling in Auckland from the UK, in March 2009. The idea for the HANGA arose from talking to visitors at craft markets and her desire to make her art and craftwork functional. She says: “As a wearer of reading glasses myself, this is a useful and decorative accessory that I genuinely use, and with its multi-functions the HANGA makes a novel gift, when you are stuck for ideas for something to buy”.

A limited number from the first HANGA collection will be making a debut at the Mission Bay Art and Craft Market on Labour Day, Monday 25 October from 10.00am – 4.00pm. You will find Claire’s stand on Row 1. Thereafter, she will be at Coatesville Market on the first Sunday of each month.

Early HANGAs - trial

2010-10-10T10:25:00.000+13:00

Here are a couple of trial HANGAs, made just as brooches, as I am waiting for my 2 way brooch pin/bail findings to arrive. I am still working on perfecting the construction, particularly the way I finish the backs.

And another HANGA made from the black and white Klimt-style canes I made recently.

More experiments with Klimt-style canes

2010-10-08T20:30:00.000+13:00

In order to try and understand how to predict the outcome when creating Klimt-style canes, I have recently been making some with just black and white clay and some with black, white and grey/silver.

Just using black and white discs of clay, here some of the same colours are placed next to each other and the ordering was done in a repeating pattern

The resulting Klimt-style cane made from the log of discs above

This cane was made with a random placing of black and white discs, rather than in a repeating pattern

This cane included grey and silver as well as black and white clay

I have noticed that the first colour used when creating the log of different coloured discs, tends to predominate throughout the cane, so in future I will start with a light colour, as this last cane appears very grey.

www.hanga.co.nz

2010-10-01T08:00:00.005+13:00

Today I have bought the domain name www.hanga.co.nz, so I can set up a seperate website for promoting the HANGA.

1000+

2010-09-24T14:40:00.003+12:00

According to the Flag Counter on this site, which I set going before the Sitemeter, I have now had over 1000 unique visitors. As I am not 'tech savvy' and have not really been publicising it yet, I am quite pleased. Once I have left work and can start making and promoting my Hanga brooch/pendant, I will have to devote more time to 'electronic promotion'.

The HANGA

2010-09-21T20:40:00.012+12:00

The HANGA prototype

For some time I have been toying with the idea of designing brooches that you can hang your reading glasses from. In fact, also sun glasses, identity badges and anything else that my come to mind (maybe charms or ipod ear pieces?). My original idea was to incorporate a hanging ring into the brooch design but so far I have been unable to source any suitable solid metal (rather than plated) rings here in New Zealand. The only suitable ones I have found, from America, are not viable due to the excessive postage costs.

Keen to try out the idea, as feedback from initial discussions with several people has been very positive, I made my first prototype last month (around 15 August) purely from polymer clay. I have road tested it as a brooch, for both functionality and feedback, at the last few events that I have done. The comments have been encouraging and I have already had a couple of potential orders, so I intend to make some for this years Christmas markets. It seems quite strong and durable just being made from polymer clay – and most importantly, it works. I have used my only pair of reading glasses and they have not fallen off!

Several people have said that they do not wear brooches but would love one as a pendant, so I was considering making some of each. I want to have a wide range of colours and designs but it is inevitable that I will not have the right one available in the brooch or pendant form. Then I remembered having seen and managed to track down a 2 in 1 finding – it is a brooch pin with a bail soldered on. This means I only have to make one type. I have ordered some of these findings to try out (from Australia) and am keeping my fingers crossed that they arrive in time for me to complete the pieces I have started for the forthcoming markets.

I have spent the last few days trying to think of a name for this ‘brooch/pendant to hang your reading glasses, sun glasses or identity badge from’. Every name Colin and I came up with already existed, as some other object. The only name that did not, was the very first one I thought of – HANGA. I thought of this because it is a brooch/pendant on which you can ‘hang a’ pair of glasses, badge or other item. The name is short and catchy but not too tacky.

Also, co-incidentally, when I looked in the The Reed Dictionary of Modern Maori at work, 'hanga' can be translated as 'build, create, transform, make, compose, construct, generate, shape'. I may need to seek further clarification of this but it is better than 'hango' which is 'shovel'. Whilst an appropriate Maori translation is not essential, as I am making these in New Zealand, an affinity would be good. [I will post some more definitions of 'hanga', when I have completed my research].

So it looks like the Hanga Brooch/Pendant will be the name for my latest creation.

New cupboard

2010-09-12T21:50:00.000+12:00

PHOTO TO FOLLOW

This weekend has been spent unpacking from last weekend. I also bought a large cupboard to help store some of my rapidly growing array of polymer clay tools, accessories and stock. After spending most of Saturday evening putting the cupboard together, a good part of Sunday was spent sorting, tidying and re-organising, as I put things away. I have not finished, as it is taking a lot longer than I thought, and I still have not been through my existing four drawer unit, which is bursting at the seams. I want to get everything properly organised for the beginning of November, when I start my new new life as proper polymer clay artist/designer.

Two events in one weekend

2010-09-05T20:45:00.007+12:00

On Saturday I did the Browns Bay Craft Show for the first time (I really thought I should show my work at this event as I am now a Browns Bay resident) and on Sunday I did Coatesville Market, being very lucky to get an indoor spot, in fact it was in the entrance hall where I was last time.

Browns Bay Craft Show

I am not sure what to make of my sales statistics, as I took exactly the same amount of money at each event (+ or - $1); on Saturday I sold twenty four pieces (nearly all low cost items – I actually sold out of my experimental brooches) and on Sunday I sold four pieces (higher value). I would prefer to concentrate on fewer, one-off value pieces but I do not think that ‘markets’ are the right type of sales venue. Once I have left my job, I will have the opportunity to try approaching some galleries and gift/boutique shops, as alternative outlets.

Major life change ahead

2010-09-01T19:35:00.008+12:00

I do not normally write about personal things on this blog but this does have a direct bearing on my creative ventures. Yesterday, I handed in my notice to leave my current full-time job. I have given two months notice, instead of the one that is required, so as of 1st November, I will be free to seriously work on developing my craft ambitions.

I am really keen to try teaching some ‘Introduction to Polymer Clay Workshops’. I have been doing a lot of written preparation but once I have the time, I need to make a lot of sample pieces, showing a broad range of things that can be made with polymer clay (not just brooches), and some visual teaching aids.

Recently I have been concentrating more on the lower cost brooches so, when I have the time, I want to develop a larger collection of my higher end Art-Brooches, and investigate other outlets for these.

I have also been approached by Dunkleys Craft Shows to exhibit with them, which I would really like to do, starting with their North Shore event next year. This will require a lot of stock and preparation but I think it could be an ideal place to advertise my workshops, by demonstrating and encouraging people to sign up.

So, this major life change is a very exciting and fantastic opportunity, thanks to my very understanding husband, Colin. I just cannot wait!

A Review of August 2010

2010-08-31T12:35:00.002+12:00

August has been a very interesting and varied month, starting with my first time at Coatesville Market, right at the beginning of the month. Since then I have been working on various ideas and still trying out new techniques. I have got totally addicted to creating Klimt style canes and have been concentrating more on making lower cost items, for the markets and events that will be leading up to Christmas.

It may have been fortunate that I did not have time to finish the construction of all my new display screens, last month, because I may need to change my table set-up again, as a result of future developments. There will be a major life change for me in a couple of months time – see the next post.

Klimt style brooches, stick pins and mini pins

2010-08-29T21:25:00.023+12:00

Here are my first six finished Klimt style brooches. To see individual photos of each brooch, go to the 'Sample Brooches' tab on www.art-brooches.co.nz. The middle brooch on the bottom row is a prototype, designed to hang reading glasses from.

I have also been busy making lots of Mini Pins and Stick Pins for my forthcoming events. Several people asked if I made stick pins, when I was at Coatesville Market, so I thought I would try them out.

Mini Pins

Stick Pins

This coming weekend is going to be a busy one, with Browns Bay Craft Show on Saturday 4th and Coatesville Market on Sunday 5th September (luckily, I have now managed to get a covered spot for this one).

Klimt style brooches, cabochons and other bits

2010-08-15T20:10:00.018+12:00

Sheet made from Klimt style cane slices

I have got totally addicted to making these Klimt style canes. Above is a sheet created from several slices from one of the canes, rolled onto a thin sheet of polymer clay. The squares have distorted slightly, as I have not rolled evenly in all directions but I think this looks more interesting than if they were exactly straight. The photo below shows the beginnings of some brooches that I am making with slices from the canes I made earlier in the week.

Klimt style brooches in progress

I have started to make cabochons with the off-cuts that are big enough. I intend to source some tie-tack pins and stick pins that I can attach to these cabochons, so I have some much smaller items to sell at my next event.

Cabochons

I wondered if this technique would work with circles as well as squares - and it does. Unfortunately, I reshaped my circular pieces before I took a photo. Here are a couple more of photos of miscellaneous bits.

Skinner Blend and bits of canes

Experimenting with cane reduction and re-shaping

I have also been working on a couple of brooch designs, starting with imprints from some rubber stamps I bought from Montarga. The colour is just Pearl-Ex powders and I draped the stamped clay over some rolled up baking parchment, to give them some dimension, before baking. I was going to try out the idea of incorporating a metal loop into the design, for hanging reading glasses on, but these look so delicate that I am not sure whether to do this now.

Butterfly and leaf brooches in progess

As you can see I have had great fun this weekend!

A big thank you to Dunkleys Craft Shows

2010-08-14T11:10:00.009+12:00

I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to the team from the Dunkleys Craft Shows for returning the brooch that I lost, when visiting their show in Tauranga, last month.

Klimt style canes

2010-08-12T22:35:00.008+12:00

Yesterday evening I decided to try this technique from Donna Kato’s book ‘The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques’, with all the little balls of left over colours from my previous colour mixing exercise. The above photo shows four different canes that I made yesterday and tonight. I am so hooked, I cannot stop! It is so fascinating, as you just do not know how the cross-sections are going to turn out from the pieces that go into the extruder gun. I cannot wait to make some brooches with slices from these canes.

Experiments with colour mixing

2010-08-10T20:45:00.017+12:00

This weekend gone, I started on a colour mixing exercise, which I thought would be a useful visual aid not only for my own use but if I do any teaching/workshops in the future. I did not realise how long it was going to take.

I am quite familiar with the concepts of colour theory from many years of painting, however I have read that it is different with polymer clay. Using Magenta, Lemon Yellow and Turquoise as my primary colours (as they are meant to create purer colours with polymer clay, than the traditional red, yellow and blue in paints), I mixed equal proportions to make the secondary and tertiary colours, resulting in the twelve standard colours on a Colour Wheel. I cut a square from each of the twelve colours as my starting point and when baked, laid them out as a central column.

To the left I made squares mixing white with each of the colours in turn, in the following proportions: 25% white + 75% colour, 50% white + 50% colour, 75% white + 25% colour and also 87.5% white + 12.5% colour. To the right, I made squares mixing black with each of the colours in turn, in the following proportions: 25% black + 75% colour, 50% black + 50% colour, 75% black + 25% colour and also 87.5% black + 12.5% colour.

Here is a photo of the finished results. It shows quite clearly (as I read after I had started this exercise) that you do not need to add as much black to change a colour as you do white. There is nothing like learning the hard way!

I had planned to repeat this exercise, using the more traditional red, yellow and blue primary colours, to compare the difference and also to show the variations you get when adding brown or grey and pearl or translucent clay to the twelve colours. I will do this at some stage but as it takes so long to mix all the samples, cut and bake and uses up quite a lot of clay, it will have to be resumed at a later date.

Coatesville Market – first time

2010-08-01T16:10:00.004+12:00

I have really been looking forward to today, my first time exhibiting at Coatesville Market. My spot was just inside the main entrance door, which was good, as everyone saw it as they came in – and thankfully I was inside, under cover, as it did rain!

Taking into account the weather and that it was my first time, I am quite pleased with how it went, although it was mostly the lower priced brooches that were being bought. I received some good feedback and am feeling positive for the next one, if I can get a few of my other ideas into action by then.

I told quite a lot of people who asked that I would be there every month, as I thought I had secured a regular place there, so I was a bit dismayed when I checked with the organizer – and was told that it was all booked up and it would depend if there was a cancellation (which is why I got the spot this month). I will have to keep ringing and hope I am lucky.

As a back-up, I will book to do the Browns Bay Craft Show, which is on Saturday 4th September. If I do get a spot at the next Coatesville Market, on Sunday 5th September, it will mean a double weekend! Great for me but a bit unfair for Colin – hopefully he will understand.

A Review of July 2010

2010-07-31T18:00:00.006+12:00

The main focus of this month has been to get stock ready for my first time at Coatesville Market, which means I have not created many new Art-Brooch designs on canvases. I have tried to finish off pieces that had previously been started, especially making some of my experimental pieces into brooches and also trying out the idea of making sample brooches – both of these will be lower cost items for my stand.

Trial set-up of table display

I have also been working on a new set-up for my table. Unfortunately, I ran out of time, so I only have three screens (instead of five) as shown in the photograph above. It looks over-crowded to me but when I get the other two screens, I can space things out more. I have designed the screens to join together with Velcro strips but I am not sure how secure this will be in practice. At least I can try it out tomorrow and then reconsider the fixing method, if necessary, before adding the other two screens.

Completing pieces for Coatesville Market

2010-07-30T16:30:00.035+12:00

The last two weeks have been spent completing pieces for Coatesville Market. Here are my latest Art-Brooches on canvases.

Silver Flowers

Golden Mask

Un-titled

I am not sure about the one which is un-titled. I like the idea of the golden rods cutting across the square but I think they would be better made from metal (maybe metal clay, which I have not tried - yet?). I have had to make them quite thick, so that the polymer clay is strong enough, but this has lost the delicacy.

The eight designs from one shape have now become nine, as I discovered another one. I am pleased with how they have turned out although I think I will need to use two different sizes of the curved triangular shape, as some have ended up quite small, if I make some more. These sample brooches (see post dated Thursday 15 July 2010) will be sold with a small organza gift pouch.

Sample brooches - nine designs from one shape

More sample brooches

Here are a few more experimental brooches that were not photographed before.

I seem to have accumulated quite a stock of polymer clay brooches and I still have some of my earlier ones, made from Friendly Plastic, as a back-up if I run low.

Two more Donna Kato books

2010-07-21T11:10:00.058+12:00

Here are the details of two more Donna Kato books that I have recently read and reviewed.

Book details

I now possess three of Donna's books and greatly admire her skill and perfectionism in the execution of her work. The book on 'millefiori techniques' and the earlier one I got on 'creative surface effects' have greatly inspired me and have set a benchmark for the standard I aspire to reach.

Trial new brooch designs

2010-07-18T20:05:00.075+12:00

I had a mega session on Saturday, creating the new designs I sketched out the other day. I decided to make one of each of the eight designs, using the same coloured 'focal' piece for them all. For this I made a sheet of mokume gane, using purple, turquoise, green, pearl and translucent polymer clay and some silver metal leaf. I was really pleased with the way the mokume gane turned out and it was great fun to make.

These are just the faces of the brooches, they will need the backs finishing - and judging by the results of my voting poll so far, I will be using locking pins. As I have made these brooches smaller, I will need to get some smaller pin fastenings (I have a new recommended source from America) but hopefully I will be able to get these completed to take to Coatesville. Although they are more fiddly to make smaller, the brooches look more delicate - and I think more 'valuable'.

Today I decided I had really better concentrate on getting my new screens and certain important things finished for the Coatsville Market. I have also started to paint a few more canvases for a few of my 'in progress' brooches, such as the one below which I think will be called 'Golden Mask'.

I recently bought some templates and included in the pack were four rubber stamps. I wanted to try out this one of the face. It is not the sort of thing I would normally buy (in fact I want to design my own rubber stamps) but I think it looks quite effective. I stamped it on to some striped polymer clay that I had left and layered it over gold metal leaf and gold Premo Sculpey.