Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm very thankful this Thanksgiving Day. Of course for family, friends, good health, good food...all of those. I'm also so very thankful that we will have President Obama in the White House next year.

Another thing I'm thankful for is that we are having a 5:oo dinner at my sister-in-law Gloria's house which is right next door. No driving anywhere and I'm not crazily cleaning house getting ready for company. I did fix my guys a Thanksgiving Breakfast though of Green Chile Sausage Quiche and Cinnamon Rolls. Later I'll be fixing mashies and salad to take to Glo's. So this morning, the aroma in my house is of cinnamon and chile...not the usual turkey. You can see a couple other pics of my messy house, since I don't have to clean (yay!) on flickr.

Say a prayer for the people's safety in Mumbai today and enjoy your family, friends, turkey and dressing...

Across the Pond...

I was honored to serve as chair for Progress and Possibilities 2008. The jurors have completed their task and chosen the finalists and winners.

It was an enriching experience as I was able to view some of the best work from all over the world. One of the questions that I heard more than once from some of them was "I didn't know I could join the NPCG, much less enter Progress and Possibilities. I thought the exhibition was only for American artists." To that end, the board of the NPCG has decided that 2009 is *the* year to note that our guild is truly a Polymer Clay International Association. So, get ready for some changes next year as a new board is elected and a name change and new logo is in the offing.

Fish Pendant by Ana Belchi of Spain
Translucent Claypainting Pendant by Bettina Welker of Germany
2008 Bracelet by Sylvie Peraud of France
Blue Waves by Alev Gozonar of Turkey

First clay work in weeks!

I was invited up to visit and clay with some very fun and cool clay ladies up near Taos, NM last Friday. We had a very nice afternoon and evening. I didn't get much accomplished except for these two beads, but it was wonderful to hang out with the ladies and to see (up close and personal like ;o) Cynthia, Dayle and Carol's polymer clay work.



If you'd like to see the reverse side of the longer bead (the square pillow is the same on both sides) you can see it and a few others on my flickr page.

My newsletter for November

Greetings Bead Lovers...Happy November to you!

Again, first I must apologize for procrastinating on getting beads up on my site. Well, you'll be pleased to know that I've found about a gazillion things to put up on the Clearance Page, and I have a gazillion more to put up after some of the current ones are sold. I've marked everything as low as I possibly can to move things and to give more room for new work as well. Lots of great stocking stuffers for the girls and girlfriends!

I believe that in my last email some months ago, I mentioned that I might not be making any more floral beads...wrong! I have a renewed appreciation for them and just a few of the new ones are on the Purchase Beads page. I'll begin selling them wholesale beginning in 2009, so if you're interested email me for details. I do have some of my Art Nouveau Earrings on the Purchase Jewelry page too.

I won a spot at the ACRE wholesale show which is sponsored by the NPCG. There will be three Polymer Clay Artists sharing one large booth.

Here are the details:

Come to the NPCG booth

at ACRE

www.acrelasvegas.com

Las Vegas Convention Center

3150 Paradise Road

Las Vegas, NV

(wholesale only)

May 31-June 2, 2009

Free Priority Shipping on all domestic orders over $100. I've also added a new shipping option for international orders. I can send orders under $75 via Airmail or if you prefer you can still pick Global Priority.

Thanks a million, hope you're all well and happy!
Take care,
Barb

President Obama...behind the scenes on election night

It's the Best Day Ever!

Yes, we did :o)

Happy Halloween!

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

A few more...

swirl lentils for a special order.
These have everything thrown in but the kitchen sink...
I think I'll keep 'em. *g*

Have decided that using black in my work is a great contrast with the colors that I like to use.
I have lots of cane bits and pieces with black in them from the latest floral beads,
so be prepared to see more...

My first PMC work

I've been wanting to take a PMC class for ages! I was flipping through my new Art Jewelry magazine and saw an ad for classes right here in Albuquerque :o) I immediately signed up and took my first class on Saturday.



I had such fun...I haven't taken a class since 2002 with Sarah Shriver! I'm hoping to take a class with Kathleen Dustin next year too...

Forgot...

how hard it is on the hands to sand and buff each bead individually. Still, it was fun to get back to these after about a year away. I have a special order of 60 beads due by Oct. 15th, so I'd better get back to it ;o)

I admit it...

I've been politically obsessed and I'm sure that's not what you expect when you visit my blog, so my apologies for that. But, I'm not abandoning it completely, so be fore-warned ;o)

I'm refocusing my energy. Hope you like these...I'm toying with opening up my etsy shop again.

Tina Pallin and Amy Clinton

Hot, Flat and Crowded...Obama is the only choice!

Les Misbarack

Dreamweaver...

Barack has rhythm :o)

Progress and Possibilites '08

Thank you so much to everyone who entered Progress and Possibilities '08! This year, talented artists sent in images of their work from all over the US, Canada, the UK, France, Israel, Germany, Spain, Turkey and Portugal. We truly are an International Guild!!
The top 10 finalists in each category will be announced on the NPCG website and notified via email by November 1st. Finalists will also be included in the Progress and Possibilities '08 book and a gallery of images will be hosted on the NPCG website. Best of Show will be selected from the chosen finalists.
Again, thank you everyone!

Progress and Possibilities...deadline extended!

Due to the U.S. Labor Day weekend, the deadline for entries for Progress & Possibilities has been extended to midnight on Wednesday, September 3rd.

Thank you!! Judy Belcher NPCG President

When we selected the dates for P&P, no one realized that the deadline for entries fell on a Holiday weekend. Please note that the above extension to midnight on Wednesday is MST as CaFE is based in that time zone.

By the way, have you seen Kim Cavender's new work? She'll be teaching her new organic techniques at Clay Carnival in Las Vegas in November.

Have a great weekend everyone!