My last post of the year

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

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

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

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.