Introduction to Polymer Clay Workshop on Saturday 22 June 2013

This workshop is running this weekend at the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna, Auckland.

Golden Wave - nearly finished

My work on this sculpture has been very sporadic. I had to wait for the Viva Decor Precious Metal Colour (gold) to come from America, which I have used on the inner surface of the wave. It took quite a few coats but looks good, very metallic and better than in the photo. On the website I ordered it from, it said that this product was hard to remove but I discovered that it comes off if wiped with alcohol.

So I feel I need to give this sculpture a finishing coat. I could use Sculpey Glaze but am concerned that it is not that durable so perhaps Envirotex Lite resin would be better, but I am scared of spoiling it, so I keep putting it off.

Mirror frame in progress

Here is a glimpse of a multi-coloured mirror frame I am making for Dunkley's Craft Show. It is made of lots of strips of polymer clay in plain and pearlised colours, some streaked, marbled or rolled with metal leaf.

Browns Bay Craft Market - 20 April 2013

This was my reduced display for the April market, due to the heavy rain and wind that was forecast for the day. However, it turned out to be lovely and sunny, up until packing up time, when there was a torrential downpour but luckily I managed to stay dry.

 

I have done this market for two months now and sadly it has not been very successful for me in terms of selling. It is such a shame, as I would love to support this local market but I have to consider the best use of my time. Before I found out this local market had started I had made the decision to stop doing markets and concentrate on higher end events and getting work in gallery stores.

 

So, this is what I will focus on. I am already booked to exhibit at Dunkley's Great NZ Craft Show and am making some one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces for the gallery shop at the Lake House Arts Centre.

UV curing lamp and Magic Glos

The UV curing lamp

For a long time I have deliberated over getting a UV curing lamp, so that I can use Lisa Pavelka's Magic Glos (UV curing resin). As I want to start making some clips and jewellery with photos and other personalised items set under resin, the UV resin is so quick compared to waiting 48hrs for the two part epoxy resins to set. I had read some reviews that said the UV lamps used for curing gel nails did not always work and because I would go for the larger size (to be able to do more or larger pieces in one go), I had put off making the purchase for a while.

 

Anyway, I eventually did and I am pleased to say it works fine. I have only just got round to photographing my first results, which I will be taking to the Browns Bay Craft Market tomorrow.

My first pendants using stamped black polymer clay with
Pearl-Ex mica powders and topped with Magic Glos

For Mother's Day - polymer clay set in silver-plated bezels
with Magic Glos and sterling silver ear wires

My work shown at Synergy3 Conference

I have enjoyed reading the recent posts on Polymer Clay Daily about the Synergy3 (Polymer Clay) Conference that was held in Atlanta - just wish I could have attended. So I was delighted that some of the presentations were being posted for others to look at. Looking at the 'How to How to' presentation by Judy Belcher and Cynthia Tinapple, I was amazed to see two photos (taken from my blog) on one of the slides about 'How to use scrap' - it was my first attempt and making a 'Stroppel Cane'. I feel very priviledged that a tiny piece of my work made an appearance at the conference, even though I could not be there.

Browns Bay Craft Market 23.03.2013

It was a lovely suny day, although quite windy at times (one of the perils of being outside), I had to pin or stick everything down to stop it blowing off my table at the Browns Bay Craft Market. It was nice to be doing a very local (literally up the road I live on) market, even if it did not turn out to be very profitable.

This was only the second time the market has been held, and the first time for me taking part. I hope it develops into a viable market for me, as it is nice to support a local initiative.



Application accepted for Dunkleys

After months of deliberating I finally took the plunge and applied to have a stand at Dunkleys Great NZ Craft Show when it comes to the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, 18-20 October 2013. I am delighted to have received confirmation that my application has been accepted.

 

My main reason for doing this is to promote polymer clay and advertise my workshops but it will be interesting to see how sales compare with the markets I have been selling at so far, as it will be a different type of visitor to this event. I hope to be teaching a workshop on each of the three days of the show, as well as demonstrating on my stand, and would love to generate enough interest to set up an Auckland Polymer Clay Guild.

I have been working

'Golden Wave' - in progress

It has been a while since I have posted what I have been working on. This because it has mostly been preparing samples and material for my workshops but here is a sculptural piece I have started. It will be called 'Golden Wave'. I will post a photo when it is finished but I cannot say when that will be yet.



My first stained glass cane

This was my first attempt at a stained glass cane using Pardo polymer clay. I think I mixed too much solid colour with the translucent, as apart from the yellow, the other colours are not as translucent as I was expecting. I will have to experiment more with the proportions of solid colour to translucent if I have another go.