Forgrt-me-not Orb

Have just completed this little orb sculpture, all made from polymer clay over a glass form.

Forget-me-not Orb
Approximately 15cm diameter x 15cm high

Forget-me-nots symbolise true love and respect. When you give someone these tiny blooms, it represents a promise that you will always remember them and will keep them in your thoughts. They are also considered a symbol of fidelity and faithfulness.

The reef or square knot tying the rope around the vase is also known as the Knot of Hercules, love knot or marriage knot. It is a strong knot created by entwining two ropes and is believed to be the origin of the phrase “tying the knot,” used when getting married, since it symbolises binding.

Orb Sculptures - slideshow

I put together this slideshow of orb sculptures created over the last ten years

Alphabet Orb - photos

Here is my recently completed piece, titled Alphabet Orb. I will try taking a video of it on my electric turntable, when it is quiet, and add that later.

Alphabet Orb - front and back shots
15cm (6 inches) diametre

Midwinter Mingle - Sunday 16 August 2020

I joined the Arts Collective Whangamata last year and this will be the first event since the Covid-19 Lockdown. Really looking forward to getting back into the art/craft scene. Due to continuing house renovations, I have not yet had time to create anything new. So, the piece I have chosen to exhibit at this event is my double** award winning dot mosaic sculpture titled 'Inspiration'. It is a piece that I am really proud of and I think it shows my skill and ability well. I will be very sad to see it go, if it sells, as it is one of my favourite dot mosaic sculptures so far. I will just have to try and make time to create more, as the ideas are all waiting in my head.

*2018 International Polymer Clay Awards: Applicant Artists Members Choice for Non-Functional Sculpture and Hanging Art
*2019 Annual Members Merit Awards, Estuary Arts Centre (Orewa): 3d Category

Frangipani - my first (and last) dot painting

It became quite clear during January that my proposed creative plan for 2020 was going to change. It took a lot of motivation for me to complete my first (and last) dot painting. It really did not give give me the same creative satisfaction as doing my polymer clay mosaic art. It might have been quicker but was messy (I kept smudging the paint) and I did not have enough control to place the dots as close together as I would have liked.

Frangiani
Acrylic dot painting measuring 30cm x 25cm (12" x 10")

When I look at this finished dot painting, I can imagine how much better it would look if I had done it as a polymer dot mosaic. In fact all the time I was painting the dots, I was re-thinking how I could do my dot mosaics with polymer clay, and have thought of a slightly different method that might be quicker. I have decided to try it out, using the the same picture design, as an exercise. It will ease me back into creating polymer dot mosaics, which I have so missed doing, and when done should show that I am much better suited to the mosaics than dot painting.

Review of 2019

This year has seen some major life changes that have affected my creative output. In March (after 4 months of trying), we bought a house in Whangamata (Coromandel, NZ), which is where we plan to retire to in about four years time. In May we finally sold our Millwater apartment and in June we started renting an apartment in Auckland for work during the week. So there has been a lot of packing, moving, unpacking and setting up home (in two locations). We have been going down to the house every weekend, working away at decorating/renovating, which is a long term project.

As a result of all this, I have had very little time for creativity. In March, the International Polymer Clay Association announced the results of the 2018 IPCA Awards. My entry, ‘Inspiration’, won in the category: Applicant Artists Members Choice for Non-Functional Sculpture and Hanging Art. Subsequently, in August, this piece also won a Merit Award in the 3D category at the Estuary Arts Centre Members Merit Awards.

I did accept one commission this year and, between selling/moving, created the piece ‘Auckland – City of Sails’. The only other dot mosaic piece I have made, is for the Harcourts Art Challenge 2020. This challenge has the theme ‘What’s on Your Mind’. I have just finished the piece, which is called ‘What’s on my mind – Whangamata’. It will be on display at The Big Arts Day Out Exhibition in Whangamata on 9, 10 & 11 January 2020.

It was hard at first, not entering competitions/exhibitions that I have normally done every year. However, now I have made that break, it feels quite liberating, not having deadlines to meet. Maybe I will keep things that way next year.

I have had a lot of ‘thinking’ time whilst travelling between Auckland and Whangamata at weekends. My main thoughts have been about what I do next, when I get some creative time. I love and am still inspired by creating dot mosaics, which have had some successful sales. However they are very time consuming, as I have to colour mix and make all the tiles, stick them on and then grout (really do not enjoy this part). After 10 years of creating with polymer clay, is it time for a change?

For a while, I have been looking at ‘dot painting’ online. I could create a similar looking end result, without the need for making the tiles and grouting. This should not take so long to complete. My only reservation is that I do not find painting relaxing, as I am always worried about smudging it. However, a lot of the dot painting artists I have studied online, say they find it relaxing.

For 2020, my plan is to try and practice dot painting, to see if this could replace making the polymer dot mosaics. My main inspirations are:

This picture I came across in a local store in Whangamata (artist unknown) but it reminds of dot paintings I saw exhibited at the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna, several years ago, by an artist who I believe was called Robianto.

Also the work of Brandon Rollins (see below). Rather than painting dot mandalas, as so many others do so well, I would rather create pictures, my usual subjects are flowers and landscapes. I would try and paint them using Brandon's technique, with different coloured backgrounds to certain areas of the painting.

If I can master painting the dots and still enjoy creating artwork this way, dot painting could have a number of advantages:

·         Materials would be cheaper

·         Size not limited by the size of oven (for baking polymer clay when applied raw on 3D objects)

·         Wider choice of substrates (especially for 3D) as it does not have to withstand baking temperatures

·         Suitable for outdoor art (if painted on a suitable substrate)

·         Paintings are considered of higher value than mosaics

·         Not using ‘plastic’ modelling clay*

*This is an issue that keeps coming up in my mind, with the current move towards reducing plastic waste. Not that I ever create any waste with polymer modelling clay. The ironic thing is that polymer modelling clay is of very similar make up as acrylic paint, and no-one says there should be a ban on painting with acrylic paints.

2020 will be a busy year, as there is still a lot work to do on our house including creating a studio area at the end of the garage, but I will focus on mastering the art of dot painting – and see where that takes me.

Results of glow in the dark polymer clay trials

If you use glow in the dark polymer clay, you might be interested in the results of an experiment I started a year ago. At the time I had started to make my own glow in the dark polymer clay by mixing GITD powders with white translucent Premo, as per the instructions on https://thebluebottletree.com/diy-glow-dark-polymer-clay/ from Ginger Davis Allman. To start with I used the powders from Vadien, as mentioned in Ginger’s article but they cost so much to ship to New Zealand that when I had used those up, I ordered more GITD powder from a local company in New Zealand (www.glowinthedark.co.nz), which seemed to work just as well. I now just use green GITD powders as this colour has the strongest and longest lasting glow. 

I was using GITD polymer clay to make products (Swirl-StoNZ by Claire) to sell at craft fairs and, after a customer query, I wanted to see how well it performed and if it was suitable for use outdoor. So I made three lentil bead shapes, approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) across, with the GITD polymer clay and baked them as per the manufacturer’s instructions. The unmarked one was left on a shelf in my studio (fairly shaded), the one marked ‘S’ was left on a sunny window sill and the one marked ‘W’ was left in a bowl of water (on the desk in my studio, fairly shaded). I left these samples for a whole year and then tested them to see how well they glowed in the dark

Left: shelf  -  Centre: sunny window sill  -  Right: water

My first observation was that they all looked different colours in daylight. It may not show that well in the photograph but most noticeable was the lentil that had been in the water (after drying) was quite white and opaque looking, it had lost its translucency. The lentil bead that had been on the shelf was translucent with a slight brown tinge (even though I had used Premo White Translucent and not regular Translucent). The one that had been on the sunny window sill was translucent with a slight green tinge, almost like it was glowing green but in daylight, I am guessing this was because the photo-luminescent particles in the clay were super charged from being in a sunny position all year.

Photo taken as soon as samples were put in the dark

They say 'a photograph does not lie' but my eyes seemed to see quite differently to this photograph. The centre lentil, which was the one that had been on a sunny window sill, appeared much brighter than the other two that seemed to glow the same.

Photo taken 2 minutes after samples were put in the dark

After two minutes the centre lentil was still glowing much brighter but now the right lentil that had been in the water was not glowing as strongly as the one on the left that had just been on the shelf.

Photo taken 5 minutes after samples were put in the dark

After five minutes the centre lentil was still glowing brighter, the other two were not glowing as strongly but appeared to be similar. 

As I am writing this, I realise that that there are flaws to this experiment. I should have continued to observe the degree of glow for longer than 5 minutes, say again after 10 minutes, half an hour, and hour, etc. Also, would it have been different if the lentil in the water had been placed on the sunny window sill, rather than on my studio desk which is quite shady? 

When I started this trial, I was just curious to see what would happen to the GITD polymer clay that had been immersed in water. I do not think I will bother to repeat or refine this trial but I do feel confident to say that the glow in the dark polymer clay made into a lentil shaped 'stone' should be fine for outdoors. After one whole year totally submerged in water, the polymer clay had not deteriorated and the GITD powders incorporated in the clay still glowed. Exposure to sunlight improves the intensity and length of glow time.

Sphere of Happiness

This is my latest dot mosaic sculpture titled 'Sphere of Happiness'.

I was wanting to include words in this next sphere sculpture, which was inspired by a recent customer who requested yellow Swirl-StoNZ because, in colour therapy, yellow is for 'Happiness'. I have chosen to use shades of yellow and orange for the tiles and have included words associated with 'Happiness' by stamping individual letters on some of the circular tiles. You will find the following words spiraling around the sphere: Happy, Joy, Smile, Content, Love, Blessed, Delight, Laugh, Elation, Bliss, Hug, Fortunate, Radiant, Satisfaction, Pleasure, Well-being, Euphoric, Cheer, Enjoyment.

Sphere of Happiness

This piece is one of my entries in the 'Cut in Colour' Mosaic Exhibition, which will run from 2-27 May 2018 at the Estuary Art Centre, Orewa.

A fabulous day at Mission Bay

So lucky with the weather at Mission Bay Art and Craft Market today. It was sunny, sunny, sunny. No worries about rain and not very windy either. It might have been a bit too hot for some people but I was lucky to have my stall under the shade of a large Pohutukawa tree. Just perfect.

In addition to my Swirl-StoNZ, I also had a 'studio clearance' table set up with older items that I wanted to move on but it was the Swirl-StoNZ that attracted the most interest and sales. A busy but really enjoyable day out for me.



I got some very positive and useful feed back, which I will take on board, as I plan to invest more to give my Swirl-StoNZ display a more professional look for my next event.

Another feature in a local newspaper - The Rodney Times 12.12.2017

I was just about to throw out an old copy of the Rodney Times, when I thought I would flick through it. I was totally taken by surprise when I saw a photo of myself, demonstrating how I make my Swirl-StoNZ. It was taken at the Christmas Art Market at the Estuary Art Centre on Sunday 3 December. I had no idea the photo was being taken but it is good to see the crowd of onlookers fascinated by the process.

Here is my 2nd batch of Glow-in-the-dark Swirl-StoNZ

They will be packaged up and go to the Estuary Arts Centre 

in Orewa (NZ) on Tuesday morning (12 December).

2nd batch of Glow-in-the-dark Swirl-StoNZ - even better!

I know a lot of people were disappointed that the glow-in-the-dark Swirl-StoNZ, featured in the local newspaper, were sold out when they came to the recent Christmas Art Markets at the Estuary Art Centre. These glow-in-the-dark (GITD) Swirl-StoNZ were so popular, they sold out within the first hour, mainly bought as 'stocking fillers'.

I have unsuccessfully tried to find some more suitable GITD polymer clay locally, as there is no time to order it from overseas and get more made before Christmas. So, I have been experimenting with making my own.

Thanks to Ginger Davis Allman of www.thebluebottletree.com for her article about DIY glow-in-the-dark polymer clay. Luckily I had a small quantity of the GITD powder, which when mixed with translucent polymer clay makes it glow in the dark. It is actually brighter and longer lasting than the manufacturers versions of GITD polymer clay.

So this weekend, I am making a second batch of GITD Swirl-StoNZ, which will all go to the gallery shop at the Estuary Art Centre on Tuesday morning. I will definitely be ordering some more of this GITD powder, so I can make my own GITD polymer clay for use in the future.

Some publicity in the local newspaper

Look who is on page 26 of Hibiscus Matters (local community newspaper) this week.

Project Swirl-StoNZ - The Launch

The Launch: Come to the Labour Day Art & Craft Market on the Selwyn Reserve at Mission Bay in Auckland, 10am - 4pm on Monday 23 October 2017, where I will be launching my latest creative venture: Swirl-StoNZ

I will be selling jewellery, charms, key-rings and decorative accessories, all made from my first batch of Swirl-StoNZ. Great souvenirs, as they are made by a local artist; give as a gift or keep as a memento of a special occasion; longer lasting than a greetings card to convey a message. They also feel nice to hold in your hand, just as they are, and make great 'calming stones' for both adults and children. You can also watch me make them.

Enter the FREE PRIZE draw and you could win a Swirl-StoNZ pendant - my stand should be in Row 1, closest to Tamaki Drive, under the trees.

A nice surprise

SOLD

Called into the Estuary Art Centre today, to pick up my membership card, and had a nice surprise. My first Swirl-StoNZ necklace and earrings (to be shown in public) had been sold. It was one of my three entries in the Annual Members Awards exhibition.

A sneak peak at my first Swirl-StoNZ necklace and earrings

Swirl-StoNZ (necklace & earrings set)
polymer clay, rubber, sterling silver

This is the first time I have publicly shown a necklace and earrings made with my polymer Swirl-StoNZ.

Project Swirl-StoNZ is something I am currently working on and hope to launch at the Mission Bay Art & Craft Market on Labour Day this year (Monday 23 October 2017).

I am currently working on ...

It will be a good six months until the Labour Day Art & Craft Market at Mission Bay (Monday 23 October 2017), where I plan to launch my latest project that I am working on.

Swirl-StoNZ by Claire - hand sculpted ‘stones’ for all occasions

This is part of the display info that I am working on:

What are they for?

Great as a souvenir from New Zealand (I remember when I was a child taking pebbles home from the beach as a souvenir of my holiday) or as a gift; they can be made into jewellery, key-rings, charms and decorative accessories. They can be used to give a message or as a memento of a special occasion. My StoNZ also feel nice to hold in your hand, just as they are, and make great ‘calming stones’ for both adults and children

How do I make Swirl-StoNZ?

By rolling selected colours of polymer modelling clay into a ball and rotating it up to 100 times using the polymer clay lentil (or century) bead technique. I often add some extra detail, with slices from specially made canes, or write words into the pattern before they are baked to harden and preserve the design. Each one is unique.

I call the resulting lentils ‘StoNZ’, as they are created here in New Zealand. The swirl pattern is reminiscent of the Maori ‘koru’ symbol, which represents new beginnings, growth and harmony (see below for more info). As all StoNZ are created by myself, I can make them in your choice of colours or personalise them to commemorate special occasions – please ask.

The koru symbol – widely used in Maori art, carvings and tattoos, has also come to represent New Zealand (Aotearoa). Derived from an unfurling silver fern frond, the koru represents new beginnings, growth and harmony. New Beginnings both literally, in terms of new life and growth, and also a new start or new phase of life involving personal growth. To be in harmony with life is to understand, grow and change.

My contribution to 'Into the Forest'

NZ Leaves - my contribution to 'Into the Forest'

I did not think I would have time to participate in this international collaboration project, as I have been busy working on my three entries for the 2017 International Polymer Clay Awards. However, as the deadline for this competition has been extended, my three entries were completed in plenty of time. So, with only a couple of weeks until the deadline for 'Into the Forest', I have made a small contribution. There was nothing so far from New Zealand, and I felt it was important for New Zealand to be part of this international polymer clay project.

These heart-shaped leaves, with a Maori-style pattern on the surface, bring a little love to the 'Into the Forest' project all the way from New Zealand. I have just strung them on some thread, to keep them together during transit, but it makes them look like a creeping vine. I am will be posting them off today and just hope they make it to the USA undamaged.

International Collaboration Project: 'Into the Forest'

INTO THE FOREST - FAQ

WHAT IS INTO THE FOREST?

An international collaboration of polymer artists and enthusiasts. Inspired by the high altitude aspen groves in the Rocky Mountains, “Into the Forest” is an evolving mixed media international installation.

TELL ME MORE:

Imagine yourself in a forest. On the ground beneath a canopy of branches and leaves, unexpected life exists. Look closely, be amazed at the variety of these organic forms.

Be a part of our Forest and help it flourish! Create pieces which will form its life elements. We will combine them into living colonies of varying shapes, colors and sizes. We are looking for 1000s of elements, created by our international polymer community, to inhabit our Forest.

WHO IS ORGANIZING THE INSTALLATION?

Laura Tabakman, Emily Squires Levine and Julie Eakes

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO POLYFORM FOR UNDERWRITING OUR PROJECT WITH THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF POLYMER CLAY.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL THIS INSTALLATION TAKE PLACE?

November 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

A preview of Into The Forest will be on display at Synergy4 in Valley Forge PA in August 2017.

I HAVE ALREADY SEEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF AN INTO THE FOREST INSTALLATION IN PHILADELPHIA ON FACEBOOK. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

The first version of Into The Forest is currently on display in Philadelphia through December 2016, created by Laura Tabakman and Emily Squires Levine, with the help of Julie Eakes, Libby Mills and Nancy Travers.

We are hoping that the much larger November 2017 installation will be filled with your contributions.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Organic forms, from simple to complex. See inspiration and examples posted on this Facebook page and on Instagram (intotheforest17). We prefer elements inspired by a real forest, so please, no fairies or gnomes at this time.

HOW MANY?

The more the better. We want multiples of each element you make, with a minimum of 10, a maximum of infinity, so less complex forms, but more of them, is preferred. Variety is good, as long as there are at least 10 of the same idea. We will be building colonies, which overlap and create an environment which is more complex than the individual.
There is no restriction to size or color.

WHAT ELSE?

We likely will alter your pieces (drill holes, attach them to other pieces, hang them, etc.) so as to create a cohesive installation. Your pieces will not be returned. Instead, we hope to use them again in future incarnations of the installation. We will be posting pictures of all the work as we receive it. If you don’t want your work photographed and made public, please let us know in advance.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION?

Postmarked by April 4, 2017

WHERE DO WE SEND OUR ELEMENTS?

Laura Tabakman
137 Alleyne Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15215

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Email us at intotheforest17@gmail.com or message us through Facebook

Thank you in advance, we are looking forward to your great contributions to the project!

Laura, Emily and Julie

My tile in the FIMO 50 World Project

Photos have been released of the THE FIMO 50 WORLD PROJECT. The yellow circle shows the tile I contributed. 

This was a collaborative art project, open to polymer artists from around the world, in celebration of FIMO polymer clay being 50 years old. You had to make a 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”) polymer tile. The submissions were to be displayed on a large framework representing a globe but as you can see, the number of tiles received was way more than the globe could hold. The original idea was that the individual tiles would be auctioned off and the proceeds go to two charity organisations, Samunnat (Nepal) and the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies (USA). However, Staedtler (the manufacturers of FIMO) have decided to keep the globe together in one piece as a collaborative artwork, and instead will present a generous donation to the two charities. This means the globe can remain a global art piece and will continue in existence as a symbol of unity that links the Polymer Clay Community throughout the world.