Christmas shopping evening at the Lake House - Thursday 5 December 2013

I will have a table at this evening event selling my Fashion Clips, jewellery and other small items, all made from polymer clay, that would make unique gifts for Christmas. Note: the heart-shaped pendant on the poster is one of mine.

Labour Day Art & Craft Marketat Mission Bay - 28 October 2013

I will be selling my Fashion Clips along with other polymer clay work at this market - and of course there will be some end of line/trial pieces at bargain prices. A great time to start Christmas shopping.

CLIPT at Devonport 03.02.2013

Here is my display of fashion clips at the Devonport Craft Market. Again, as at Mission Bay last weekend, I received a lot of positive feedback, especially about my sketch illustrations. My intention was to replace them with actual photos but now I am not so sure, as the general opinion is that they are neutral, clear and easy to understand.

CLIPT at Mission Bay - 'Kiwiana' clips launched

The weather was perfect for the Auckland Anniversary Art and Craft Market at Mission Bay. There were lots visitors and some very positive feed back on my fashion clips. Several people commented on the display of sketches, saying they illustrated well the different ways to wear and use the clips and that they were easy to understand.

Below are some of my first 'Kiwiana' clips I took to the market. The rubber stamps I had made from my designs have been impressed into black polymer clay and then coated with mica powders.



Koru, Pohutukawa, Kiwi & Fern designs

Devonport Craft Market - Sunday 3 February 2013

Next Sunday, 3 February, I will be trying the Devonport Craft Market for the first time, with  a selection of my Fashion Clips.

It is held on the first Sunday of the month at 32 Clarence Street, Devonport from 10am - 3pm.

A new prop for CLIPT in 2013

This has been a little project I started at the end of last year, which will form part of my new display for CLIPT in 2013. It started life as a white polystyrene wig stand. I covered it with several layers of papier mache, then used acrylic modelling paste to create the textured surface and painted it with black acrylic paint. It will be used as a prop for hats and scarves, to display the fashion clips in use.

 

I have also purchased a digital photo frame, so I can show the 'How to Wear' CLIPT slideshow at venues where there will be an electricity supply. I am particularly thinking for the Dunkleys Craft Show I plan to do this year, when it comes to the North Shore in October.

Special project for 2013

As 2013 is a signifcant year for me (I will be 50 in April), I wanted to have a special project to mark this milestone.

 

My original idea for this project was to do it with brooches but now that I am currently creating fashion clips, it will be 50 Clips for 50 Years. The idea is to create 50 clips (that is roughly one a week throughout the year) showing examples of different techniques for the surface decoration of polymer clay.

 

After photographing the clips and writing a short explanatory decription for each one, I hope to publish the project as a small book. In addition to using it as a teaching aid for my polymer clay workshops, the book can also be used for the promotion of CLIPT.

 

The hardest thing will be limiting myself to 50 clips, to try and show the whole range of techniques that can be used with polymer clay.

Review of 2012 and plans for 2013

When I looked back at my first post of the year, I realised that I had not set any measurable goals for this year.

 

In review, I have spent most of the year preparing material for workshops, including samples, and promotion (slide shows). I have run some workshops but the way things have turned out, it has more been for staff training (for Gordon Harris Art Stores) than for artist/crafters. Due to my limited time for promotion, I have decided next year to offer more workshops through established art centres, starting with the Lake House, Takapuna.

 

I have exhibited and sold work at a couple of exhibitions and won the ‘Peoples Choice’ award at the Lake House for ‘Spring Trio’, my first major sculptural work in polymer clay. However, I have really missed the lack of interface with the public, from not doing any regular markets/events. Unfortunately there was no Labour Day Art and Craft Market at Mission Bay this year (due to an international triathlon), so I only had a couple of low key markets booked at the last minute for Christmas. Due to unforeseen/uncontrollable circumstances (including a tornado), they did not generate the volume of visitors I was hoping for, to gauge reaction to the fashion clips I have started to make and market under the name CLIPT. I will have to be patient and wait for the Anniversary Art and Craft Market at Mission Bay in January.

 

My main plans for 2013 are to:

1.    Re-establish a monthly market spot – maybe the Devonport Craft Market or back to Coatesville Market.

2.    Exhibit at the Dunkleys Craft Show (North Shore) in October 2013.

3.    Promote polymer clay through slide shows and demonstrations to encourage people to sign up for my workshops.

4.    Expand my range of workshops to include some half day technique focussed sessions e.g. extruding with polymer clay and making canes.

5.    Complete my “50 clips for 50 years” project to promote CLIPT.

 

First showing of CLIPT Fashion Clips

This was my first time at the Hobsonville Point Vintage and Craft Market (a last minute alternative, as Coatesville Market was fully booked). In addition to the last of my HANGA stock and other end of line/trial items, it was my first chance to test the market with my new fashion clips.

Full table display

CLIPT display

 

CLIPT Fashion Clips

'Get CLIPT – and make a fashion statement. Whether funky and eye-catching or elegant and understated, you can transform your clothes, accessories and home décor with this multi-purpose clip. Designed and made by polymer clay artist, Claire Fairweather, each clip is unique. Clips can be custom made to match or co-ordinate with your fabrics and colour schemes or as a memento of a special occasion. With over 30 ways to wear or use the fashion clip, it makes an ideal gift or start your own collection'.

Today is the launch of CLIPT, showcasing my lastest fashion accessory, the multi-purpose fashion clip. I will be at Hobsonville Point Vintage and Craft Market on Sunday 11 November, with a selection of first edition fashion clips,  where I will be keen to gauge public reaction to the design concept, which may help with any further refinements.

My clips are now also available in store at Craftworld (www.craftworld.co.nz) at Westgate Shopping Centre.

 

Please visit the CLIPT website www.clipt.co.nz for the lastest up-dates.

CLIPT at Craftworld

Here is my first batch of fashion clips, all labelled up and ready to go to Craftworld at Westgate, and the display in store (below).