A bead shape revisited...

I was finally able to get past my flower bead obsession which I've had for the past year. I'm not sure what got me to want to make this shape bead again, but I'm guessing it was seeing the gorgeous "Shibori" beads that polymer clay artist Judy Dunn makes. First I saw them on Flickr and they made quite an impression on me...then after being able to see them in person at the ACRE show in Las Vegas last month, well that was the kicker I guess.

Initially I think I was attracted to the blending of colors and how each bead was so unique and beautiful. Then realizing that the beads were even sort of abstract (not all the exact size and shape), well that made making some much more appealing.

So, anyhow here are the first ones. Mine are slightly flattened and the finish is what I call "bisque" which is basically smoothing with cornstarch. As I continue on with the "torpedo" shape, I can see where straightening out one side of each bead, making sort of a crescent shape, then matching up beads side by side, a tessellating design emerge. I'll show you those after the Memorial Day Weekend.

Perfect timing to see what Judy's Crane Project is all about. Thanks so much to Judy for helping me get out of the rut I've been in! :o)

Have a good one!

Progress and Possibilities '08

The jurors for the NPCG's 4th annual Progress and Possibilities International Exhibit are now up on the website. You must be a member of the National Guild to submit to the show. On-line submissions will begin August 1st, 2008. You can read more about submission guidelines here.

They include Sarah Shriver (above) and Robert Liu of Ornament Magazine for Art Jewelry, Victoria Hughes and Jill Heppenheimer of Santa Fe Weaving Gallery for Functional Objects, and Marlaine Verhelst and the Creagers for Sculptural Objects. Cynthia Tinapple of Polymer Clay Daily will judge "Best of Show."

Read their biographies and I think you'll agree that these are very talented and accomplished people that will be viewing your work this year. I'll be posting much more detail soon on this exciting event! If you have any questions you can email me at rubarb04(at)gmail.com...

Emmie's birthday present?

Emmie girl is one year old this week and I'm taking her to get spayed in the AM. Poor baby...but at least for a treat we put bacon grease all over her "Beneful" doggie food today :o)

Polymer category on BeadArtists.org

While looking at Jael's beautiful beads on Flickr, I was lead to her blog and then to her bead gallery on BeadArtists.org which is an on-line art community. The lovely work of Eugena Topina is there too.

When I put up an image there some months ago, there was no polymer category and now there is. It looks like a great place to show your work, so get crackin'! :o)

I've been tagged...again!

I guess I'll play since this is the second time I've been tagged, this time by Kathi. I'm not really such a grouch, just pressed for time these days... :o)

The rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Name seven of your favorite blogs.
3. Place the name of the person and URL on your blog.
4. Write seven things about yourself.
5. Send an email letting those bloggers know they have been tagged.

Favorite Blogs:

1. http://kimcavender.blogspot.com/ - Kim Cavender
2. http://amusedcreations.blogspot.com/ - Gera Scott Chandler
3. http://blockpartypress.blogspot.com/ - Tamara Shea
4. http://polymerionline.blogspot.com/ - Iris Mishly
5. http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com/ - Heather Powers
6. http://clayhappenings.blogspot.com/ - Melanie Dilday
7. http://www.tejaesart.blogspot.com/ - Tejae Floyde

Seven things about me:

1. I have a weakness for white tops, sandals, purses, soaps and lotions
   
2. The weirdest sandwich that I like is Peter Pan Peanut Butter, crisp lettuce and Miracle Whip.
   
3. I hate waiting in line
4. I'm a very light sleeper and an occasional insomniac
   
5. I think I'm a fantastic driver but I'm directionally challenged
   
6. I love "Funniest Home Videos" except when someone gets hurt!
   
7. I met my husband Rudy when he was coach for our company softball team 25 years ago
   

ACRE show in Las Vegas

I had a great time meeting up with some very cool and talented polymer clay artists. Here are a couple of pictures of Judy Belcher, the president of the National Polymer Clay Guild and Sandra McCaw...I am a new owner of some of her fabulous earrings.

Anyhow, at dinner, I asked these women whose opinions I value greatly to look at my work and critique. They were all very kind and had some nice things to say...and these two even decided to try a necklace on!

I've posted a few more pictures on my Flickr site. I've decided not to take the cheapy camera along with me anymore after seeing the poor quality of these pictures :o(

Hopefully Judy Dunn will have some better ones...

Russian beading forum

This morning I was checking my site stats and saw that I was getting hits from this Russian site. Someone did an article on me, and although the translated version doesn't always make sense, the way I read it, it sort of sounded like poetry. I just loved the pictures that they picked out, all some of my best work. Thought you might want to take a look. I am very flattered and appreciative :o)

Crackle Crazy

I was enjoying the pearlescent/foiled crackled look, but now I'm liking this matte finish with just a hint of sparkle. I used tempera paints as the base...

Morning Color jolt

Coffee doesn't wake you up like it used to?















Maybe these two artist's work will help ...Gera Scott Chandler from Vancouver on Flickr and Holly Kitaura from Hawaii on etsy.


Much healthier than caffeine too! ;o)

Go see Kathleen Dustin this weekend!

The Smithsonian Craft Show runs from Thursday to Sunday, April 10-13. Kathleen will be exhibiting there, so if you are lucky enough to be able to attend the show, don't miss seeing her amazing works.

Kathleen Dustin, for those who might not know, is an extraordinary artist and a pioneer in the medium of polymer clay.

Beader's Ethics

Surfing around this morning, I came across a couple of interesting links that I had never seen before.

Read the "Beader's Ethics."
Take the "Ethics in Beadwork" quiz.
Read an article written by Sarah Feingold called "Know Your Rights to Jewelry Design."

Read the "Rules to Live By" put up on the NPCG's website this past week. I love this part the best (paraphrased) :
Be kind to each other and go in your studio and make something beautiful.

New Necklace...

I don't like the dangle part with the glass heart after seeing the picture. I'll have to re-string this bad-boy... story of my life ... ;o)

A few more...

I'm still experimenting with different colors of powders and paints. One thing I have noticed is that so far, I like a black base for these waaaay better than any other color I've tried so far (turquoise, gold and copper).

Easter Eggs

It's a shame that *real* eggs are so expensive these days. How about coloring some 'virtual' Easter Eggs with your digital images? I tried one after I saw Tamara's egg on flickr.

Fun stuff :o)
Happy Easter!!

The ACRE show in Las Vegas

I will be attending the wholesale show in April as a visiting artist, and will get to see work up close and personal of some extremely talented polymer clay artists... Judy Belcher, Judy Dunn, Sandra MacCaw, Meisha Barbee and Lindly Haunani to name a few. I'm so excited to be able to meet them!

Cynthia Tinapple blogs about ACRE and the artists on her very popular Polymer Clay Daily.

Speaking of Cynthia, she rarely blogs about her own polymer clay art (she's too busy promoting the rest of us!), but here she shows us an incredible piece with polymer clay pebbles inlaid into a wood bowl made by her husband Blair. A wonderful example of what can be done when two artists collaborate.

Read more about the ACRE show and wholesalecrafts.com on the NPCG's site...

Timely Topic

I wanted to go back and see how I felt about this issue last year...still the same. Cynthia Tinapple gave me a plug about my "rules" here.

Something else to be aware of...this statement is on the NPCG's website:

"We respect the right of our fellow artists to profit from their creative work and teachings. Polymer clay artists value originality and expertise and respect the unique work of other artists and teachers. When learning a new technique from another artist or teacher, polymer clay artists endeavor to integrate and transform the technique into their personal style, while providing full attribution to the original artist. "

I think we need to bring up the topic again and again, no matter how complex...because it opens our eyes to all sides of the issue and makes us think., which is always a good thing.

I love stuff like this!

I love repeating design and I love color. I'm going to print this out from a Dover book and add it to my Mandala coloring projects :o)

Trends in jewelry...

...tend to favor simpler, cleaner designs. Why, oh why do I have trouble with that concept? My work generally is more complicated and I'm pretty sure that look isn't what jewelry and bead buyers are buying. At least in a set...for a single focal bead, I suppose that can work.

I've decided after examining this set, that the centers of the flowers will be nothing more than single balls of clay impressed with a stylus. I like 5 beads in a set with 5 petals each, graduated in size, but I will re-arrange the petals so that they line up nicely when strung together. 6 petals look too much like a star. And, I don't even think I like more petals in the center anymore as shown in the focal bead. But who knows...I could change my mind tomorrow *g*

I love using the foils and powders, but they seem to take over most of the design. So, there will be no microbeads with foils and no leafing pen. I will save those for the caned and antiqued florals. But I always have trouble when I work keeping the "less is more" theory in mind. Gotta work on that :o)

I'll be attending the ACRE show in Vegas in April to begin investigating wholesale and if it might be good for me. At the very least I will probably join wholesalecrafts.com in the next few months...

Words....

they get tossed around a lot in the polymer clay community. Words like pioneer, originator, respect, copyright...

There are so many talented polymer artists...many of whom have been around since the beginning...the pioneers. They have honed their talents and made names for themselves.

What about everyone else? Do we need to attach labels? Are we pioneers? Maybe not, but that doesn't mean we aren't just as viable. Don't we all deserve the same respect as those that came before us?

Just my thoughts for this morning...

We, as artists...

...are meant to explore, to create...for ideas to come from within. But, it's obvious that we will be influenced by other artists whose style we admire. We can't help that...it just *is*.

When I sit down to work, I start with my own ideas...that come to me in my own head. However, it's entirely possible that subconsciously I'm remembering something I've seen somewhere along the way. Something that caught my eye. When I look through pc books in the library or bookstore, usually what I do is flip through and stop on pages that intrigue me. I rarely follow tutorials, it's too hard for me to follow things step by step. I don't even take many classes for that very reason. I don't want to do a project, I want to learn a technique...and when I begin teaching, that's what I want to focus on...the process, not the project. I believe Sarah Shriver addressed this at Synergy. Wish I could have been there.

So, as I work with these florals, I try to remember...what made me start with florals anyway? I think I first saw them in a Judy Belcher book.

When you learn a new technique or a project from an artist or even just realize that you are being influenced by him or her, the right thing to do (for me anyhow) is to then get a grasp on your original idea that came from your head... but carry it out by making it come from your heart. Work from your head only and your work will always be compared to someone else. Work from your heart too and that is *art* and that's where all the fun comes in anyway!

I hope I'm making some kind of sense here, but felt I had something to say. Carry on...get back to your work table now and hold on to that *original* idea you had...and make it work! *g*