Experimenting with Kato Polyclay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. To expand my range of HANGAs in both surface decoration and shape, and to find more sales outlets.
2. Open an Etsy shop to sell my HANGAs, and other pieces of polymer clay art/craft work, to a wider audience.
3. 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).
4. To get some polymer clay art/craft work in a few selected galleries, to establish some credibility here in New Zealand.
5. 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.