Polymeri Online 26.2.14 | Faux Fabric polymer, Moroccan Mosaic on the wall, E.T phone home, Argyle millefiori and LifeSavers duties

Toy-Belle from the Russian group posted a fun project of her - faux fabric brooches/charms. She calls is color therapy. It's a game of canes, snakes and logs, cut, pierced, textured. The final result is oh so cute.
The Russian ladies are known for their color challenges and from time to time you can see pictures posted next to color palettes showing their featured project.
In addition to her polymer clay project you will find felt and miniatures in her blog.

http://polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com/4857154.html

http://toy-belle.livejournal.com/

Polymer clay mosaic by Agnes

Hungarian artist Ages creates jewelry combined with polymer clay and leather. Her jewelry are mixing embroidery, texture, color and patterns. Agnes is a full time translator but her passion-hobby is creating jewelry. While her home decor is changing towards indian-moroccan style, her wall was missing something. She decided to create an elaborated mosaic piece and it was only natural that her jewelry patterns will find their place into her wall piece. Beautiful.  

http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.hu/2013/07/polymer-clay-mosaic-mozaikkep-sutheto_3.html

https://www.etsy.com/shop/moonsafaribeads

The beloved E.T in polymer clay

When I stumbled upon this E.T figure I remembered my youth days watching this wonderful movie.
This sculpture is a work by I Do Cake Toppers team - Christina Patterson and Shaun Patterson. Christina and Shaun create their cake toppers since 2004, they have been making sculptures for clients worldwide including celebrities such as David Copperfield and pieces are made with polymer clay on a metal armature. Their size is about 8 inches height and about 18 oz weight.

http://www.idocaketoppers.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/i_do_cake_toppers/

Follow this link for a fun Mr. Hanky Christmas video tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNiagW7Uyps

Argyle cane tutorial by Kael

Kael Mijoy is sharing yet another of her ideas translating it into a fun easy tutorial, this time an argyle cane combined with flowers.
Kael was featured several times in PolymeriOnline and her site is great for inspiration.

http://kaelmijoy.blogspot.co.il/2014/01/polymer-clay-tutorial-argyle-cane.html

The past week I have been playing with some old and some new. 
These are 1 year old Extrudinary LifeSavers beads, waiting for me patiently since Cabin Fever Clay Festival last year, I made these for one of my demos but haven't had time to finish them since. Not sure if I'll keep them or sell them but they are sure fun to make!

LifeSavers Extruder beads

LifeSavers Extruder beads

Have a great week!

Polymeri Online 15.2.14 | Elegant clay threads, Polymer Balloon bubble, When illustration meets clay, Polymer Iconic fun horror scenCes

Conte Magie's thin delicate beauties

Behance is a leading online platform to showcase and discover creative work.
Their goal is to empower the creative world and make ideas happen.
You can join, upload your portfolio and share it with other polymer clay (and non polymer) enthusiasts.
It is an incredible source of inspiration!

First Behance polymer clay artist is Russian ConteMagie (Lena CK) who is according to 2012 Behance records, a student (still?) and creates delicate thin (extruded?) clay stripes which are incorporated into a very impressive and elegant jewellery design.
Her designs features harmony of colour and shapes and sometimes she used beading techniques to finalise her beautiful delicate jewellery.
https://www.behance.net/ConteMagie

http://postcard-for-you.blogspot.ru

http://www.flickr.com/photos/box_of_magic_cards_for_you/

Larissa's clay work

Another Behance find is Larissa Honsek from Germany, which is a photographer most of her time but finds a little time to play with polymer clay.

There are very few photos of her polymer clay work in her profile, I hope she'll post more!

https://www.behance.net/collection/Clay-Polymer-Clay-(FIMO)/12445851

Raku Inoue wall pieces

Canadian (originally Japanese) Raku Inoue is another artist featuring his many talents in Behance: He is experimenting with multiple media but his work is based on polymer clay, digital photography and photoshop.
He has beautiful free wallpapers to download, was recently featured in "the Polymer Arts" magazine & his website is a fun tour into his multi graphic talents.
Don't miss his butterflies fast-farward tutorial on Vimeo -
https://vimeo.com/38010728

https://www.behance.net/rakuinoue
http://www.rakuinoue.com/splash

horror movie scenes
made of polymer clay

Lizzie Campbell is a UK polymer clay and mixed media illustrator.
She is using both FIMO and Sculpey brands of polymer clay depending on which works best for the design. Before working with polymer clay she used air dry clay but when she found polymer, it became her favourite. Don't miss her interview and article featuring iconic scenes from horror movies along with other articles she was mention on!
Her work is a treat of talent and you may find yourself wandering around for a while! Loved it!
https://www.behance.net/claydisarray
http://www.claydisarray.co.uk/

I'll be covering more Behance goodies in my next week post,
have a great weekend!

Polymeri Online 8.2.14 | Earthen polymer spirits, Humpty and Elise clay shoes, Maureen's molds tips and Polymer acrylic faces

This week it's all about faces! (and a winter flower)

Tina's goddess figurines

Tina Raewyn is creating ooak pieces inspired by nature and spirit. She loved all things earthy and her jewellery reflects the female spirit, passionate colourful side, mystery as well as strength and intuitive nature. Tina is using sculpey and sculpey ultra-light that are strong and light weight.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TRaewyn
https://www.facebook.com/tinaraewyn

polymer clay shoes by Dan

Dan Crowley posted a new pair of shoes in his FB page, "Humpty and Elise". The shoes were made for a collector. He says it was fun trying to figure out how to fit Humpty into a shoe shape.
This Chicago based artist is creating his puppets for years and many of his sculptures are owned by collectors. Aluminium foil and felt are some of the materials he is using.
https://www.facebook.com/DanCrowleyStudio
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DanCrowleyStudio

Maureen's friends and molds

Maureen Carlson with her ever smiling face and pleasant voice, share with us her face mold tricks. She is taking her silicon molds and manipulating them into endless faces and expressions.
I had the pleasure of taking a class with Maureen a couple of years ago at Cabin Fever Clay Festival and it was such a wonderful class.
This 41 minutes video is full of character, don't miss her 2nd video on using her hand molds.
Face molds video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdB9TdwFm44
Hands molds video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQAde4n0kWI

Jordin's faces

Jordin Ispi from Queens, NY is a mix media artist working with polymer clay as well as painting and illustrating. His work appeared in many publications according to his resume and he is influenced by African art, Southeast asian art and Mexican masks. His polymer clay sculpturing were presented worldwide and made of polymer and acrylic paints.
http://jordinisip.com/painting/sculpture/sculp_h1026b_06

Today was such a sunny day that I wore my shorts and went for a walk.
Winter flowers are still around but I'm not sure we'll see much rain in the next months. Summer coming too soon?

Have a great warm weekend!

Polymeri Online 2.2.14 | Winter evening mirror, Hairy polymer cat tutorial, Line up your (beads) holes, Water and baking soda bread, PolyPediaOnline stencils few left in stock

This week we're all about free online tutorials!

It's been a while since I visited the Polymer clay Russian community and my recent visit filled my basket with links.

Mirror pocket by Bimur

First is Annie Bimur with a new tutorial, this time for a feathered style mirror she calls "winter evening".
This is a slow, accurate process of using liquid polymer clay and a needle tool to create the fine feathers effect but the final result is so delicate and beautiful. Winter it is.
Annie was mentioned here with her alcohol rings tutorial.
http://polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com/4908474.html
More goodies in her blog - http://bimur.livejournal.com

Polymer clay hairy cat tutorial

If you thought the previous link demands your full concentration and accuracy, take a look at this super cute project of a cat brooch.
Anna Oriona takes us into a journey of tiny bits of clay pressed slowly around a clay cat, initially cut from a card board template. These tiny clay bits looks like tiny hair! What a lovely brooch to wear on a jacket!
Anna is usually into sweets (both in her Youtube channel and blog) but from time to time she shares the process of her creation of other polymer clay goods.
In her Youtube channel you will find information about her knitted bracelet process and much more. Although in Russian, we are so fortunate the polymer language is international.
http://polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com/4912209.html
http://annaoriona.livejournal.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnnaOriona

Easy way to line up your
polymer clay beads

Tonja Lenderman posted Vicki's Turner blog link on how to pierce consist holes in your beads when it comes to 2 or 3 holes in a single bead.
In her technique you can line up holes on irregular shaped beads using a tool she created. The pins she is using to create this tool are old T shaped macrame pins but I am sure you can find an alternative to these.
http://claymagination.blogspot.co.il/2012/09/studio-tip-3-piercing-consistent-bead.html

Polymer clay bread recipe

Polymer clay bread? Now possible.
SimplyStella.com (Stella) is offering us a tutorial for creating a bread made of polymer clay, liquid clay and....water & baking soda! According to her recipe you should mix clay with water until is is very sticky, then add baking soda (mind the proportion!) and bake. The final result looks like a loaf of bread. Where is the peanut butter??!
http://www.simplystella.com/goodies/tutorials/ClayBakingSoda.htm
http://www.simplystella.com/shop/shop.htm

polymer clay stencils

Last stencils left in my Etsy store! 
After many of you asked about the stencils used in the Cosmic Ceramic tutorial, I brought some for sale.
The stencils were offered on a first comes first serves basis and were a hit!
Only 7 styles left (out of 24)!

Stencils used on the
cosmic ceramic tutorial

They are 6 inches or 15 cm sized, self adhesive, flexible and great for your polymer clay, fabric, glass, wood and card making projects. Instructions how to neutralise the sticky side to use on clay will be included in your package.

Stencils used on the 
cosmic ceramic tutorial

I am not sure when I am re-stocking so if you want one - go ahead and get it.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/irismishly?section_id=14884370&ref=shopsection_leftnav_5

Have great weekend!

Polymeri Online 25.1.14 | Nunu's house of delicates, Button beads, Quick heart shape bead, Lauri Mod Podge transfers, Dream catcher in polymer and Knitted heart

Nunu's house of (polymer) delicates

Nunu's house is a heaven of candy, deli's and good food, only it is miniature and made of clay (polymer?).
In his Japanese blog Tomo Tanaka is featuring beautiful pictures of his miniature food which looks almost 100% real. Not a day to start a diet.
http://koapin.blog61.fc2.com/blog-entry-287.html
Wandering in his website (using google translate of course) I found out where the miniature food artists get all their cool tiny kitchenware and other accessories which makes this art looks so real! there are special online stores for all the teeny tiny tools which makes the final picture looks so authentic as if it is taken in a real set.

Violette's polymer button beads

Canadian Violette Laporte, also featured in PolymeriOnline a while ago, posted a cute tutorial for creating beads using buttons. She creates molds from a button, back and front and then press both halves together to create a whole bead. Antiquing with gilders paste or acrylic paint is also an option!
Part 1 - http://violette-laporte.blogspot.co.il/2012/02/buttons-and-beads-1.html
Part 2 - http://violette-laporte.blogspot.co.il/2012/02/buttons-and-beads-2.html

Super quick polymer clay heart bead

Looking forward to Valentines day? Here is a 1-2-3 step pictorial for creating a chubby heart! Thank you Zelodius Morton for this pinterest link
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/242912973625442608/

Lauri Mika Mod Podge transfer technique

Another find by Zelodius's Pinterest is a video demonstrating Lauri Mika and her Mod Podge transfer technique.  I had the pleasure of seeing Lauri demonstrating in person and now you can enjoy her lovely personality and demo as well! Use a laser printer picture and spread Mod Podge to transfer it into the clay!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh17JslFAsQ

dream catcher in polymer

Dream catcher in polymer? maybe a miniature version?
Here is a lovely tutorial creating a miniature threaded bead using cernit clay by MonstersCircus from Denmark.
You can use any clay of your choice to create this mix media design!
http://monsterscircus.com/2012/12/03/diy-julekalender-cernit-broderi/
The bead can decorate your home or used as a pendant!

Let's finish with another heart project, this time from Russian Anna Bragin. Anna is using an extruder to create faux knitting effect and then cutting her heart. A button embellishment is added to create a super cute sweater brooch!
http://www.livemaster.ru/topic/518565-brosh-v-tehnike-imitatsiya-vyazaniya-iz-polimernoj-gliny?msec=2
http://www.livemaster.ru/Braga

Have a great weekend!

Polymeri Online 15.1.14 | Polymer transfers pendants, 3D jewelry designs, Shoes challenge, Multi designs by Mariia and Veronika's ceramic pin

French artist Olga Nicolas posted necklaces and pendants in her Flickr gallery which are all about playing with foils, transfers and colour. I love their shapes, simplicity while clever and beautiful finish. This technique was featured in the Polymer CO french magazine.
In the following video she shows some of her editing tricks of her drawings and transfers eventually printed in a toner printer. (the music in the video was created by her 17 yrs son!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=alnyy1GcLTQ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68376218@N03/
http://www.ptitscailloux.com

Jessica's 3D printer designs 
(unfortunately non polymer)

There is a big buzz around 3D printers. Although some of the creative fun is taken away when using the printer (design is made mostly on the computer), you can see wonderful creative ideas using this unique technology.
Wouldn't you think this is polymer clay?
I thought so too.
Then, I entered Jessica Rosenkrantz's profile and read more about her. She works in an experimental design studio called "Nervous System" that uses new technologies to reinterpret natural phenomena. They combine algorithmic strategies with prototype methods to create products.
Her experiments are revealing a world of 3D printer designs, just look at her endless drawers of 3D jewellery!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrosenk/8423782217/

Jessica mentioned 3D plaster printing.
Looking closely at the 3D plaster printing you'll notice the machine is carving, cutting into plaster, and the leftovers are slowly removed, leaving the main design. This is a whole new approach to jewellery making, jewellery designing and creating process. Future is here.
http://www.digits2widgets.com/3DPlaster.html

Amarena's british polymer shoes

Amarena (also from France) posted her "So british" polymer-real shoes entered into one of their blog challenge. This looks like a real time consuming project but a fun one!
Check out all the shoes posted in this challenge, they are all so fun and creative!
Would you dare wearing this on the street? I would!
http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2013/10/01/28123049.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amarenabijoux/10073697515/

Mariia's mosaic jewelry

Mariia Kamenska is playing with polymer in all kinds of shapes, styles and techniques. She is using extruded snakes, mosaic techniques with clay or canes, laser cut, micro polymer balls, and many more.
Looking at this set of earring and bracelet, I felt like I am back in Gaudi's park Guell in Barcelona!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariiakamenska/

Veronika's ceramic polymer pin

Veronika Sturdy posted a pin design using the Cosmic Ceramic tutorial which was also selected as one of the 2013 Top 10 tutorials online by Cynthia Tinnaple's Polymer Clay Daily!

Cosmic Ceramic tutorial
Top 10 for 2013

This tutorial was probably the most versatile, varied, multi-designed, it was interpreted into so many new and colourful products and each so different than our original!
Many thanks to all our students who contributed to it's success and shared their experiments and fun with us!

See you soon!

Polymeri Online 8.1.14 | Polymer clay stamped, carved, painted, textured beads, Ron's heart canes hearts, Ahlam's Saudi Arabia clay cakes and my granny project update

Apologising for my long absence. My dear 84 yrs grandmother suffered falling and broke her hip bone. Now that surgery is behind her and thank god all is well, my mind is more relaxed.
Please take extra care of yourself, especially now when it's so cold and slippery outside....These unexpected accidents are never welcome in anyone's home...

Lorraine's beads

Lorraine Vogel is an artist creating beautifully made polymer clay beads - pendants, earrings, stamped, carved and painted in an elegant, organic and peaceful colours & patterns. With background as a graphic designer, her inspiration is the tropical nature of south florida.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WiredOrchidJewelry
https://www.etsy.com/shop/lovobeads
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiredorchid/10300613764/

Elena's beads

Another beads artist, Elena Fadeeva from Belarus is the designer behind Swirlbeads selling "rustic", ethnic, almost metal-like beads and jewellery. In her collection you can find unique beads and jewellery - hollow, antiqued, patinated, ethnic, textured and really beautiful. These beads are sold in her Etsy store and featured in her Flickr gallery.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SwirlBead
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76425695@N02/10448856613/in/pool-justbeads/

Ron's hearts

Ron Lehocky, the "Heart Pins" Doctor posted lovely photos of his recent hearts using the new CZ extruder heart disc.
He was sharing with us his frustrating (past) attempts where he wanted to create heart canes for Valentine's Day themed pins and the canes were not reducing accurate enough. Now he says that the canes are beautifully made and no more frustrations or disappointments, BUT! when he takes the long extrusions out from the extruder, trying to straighten them out, some of it break due to dry clay.
One of the commenters on his Facebook post was Jan Mortansi suggesting a solution - She suggested to load the extruder, place it on top of a hot lidded bowl of water, allowing the steams heat the extruder content, cover with a towel and then the clay will be soft and pliable after extruding it. Sounds interesting!
You can link to Ron's FB here
https://www.facebook.com/ron.lee.louisville
Or visit Jan's FB - https://www.facebook.com/jan.montarsi
If you're interested in one of Ron's hearts, aiding children from the Kids Center for Paediatric Therapies click here and your purchase amount will be donated -
http://www.kidscenterky.org/HowToHelp/

Ahlam's beautiful clay cakes

The love to polymer clay crosses borders and continents.
One of the biggest Instagram accounts in the arab world belongs to Ahlam Alnajdi, a woman from Saudi Arabia - a clay artist with more than 1 million followers.
She is entirley self taught and creates small life like sculptures made of clay (I think it's polymer!), particularly food (mostly cakes). With 2 written books in her resume, she is enjoying the popularity of her designs in Saudi Arabia and moving forward with her passion!
http://instagram.com/ahlamalnajdi
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-25261427


Want to see how I progressed with my granny square project? (rhetorical question, you'll have to see it ;)
97 squares ready, now being surrounded with black border and then connected together!
(most of it finished at the hospital while nursing my grandmother, granny project with my granny, if it wasn't sad it was funny...

Wishing you all a warm, safe and creative week!