maureenthomasdesigns.com blog

Many, many hours of planning and organizing the Synergy2 Gallery with Mary Fassler and Judy Belcher along with short, sleepless nights in Baltimore made me feel all this week that I needed to be doing something related to the conference. It took me a few days to realize that it’s time to get back to whatever it was I was doing pre-Synergy2…art show applications, gallery replenishment, and, hopefully, some actual time in my studio followed by photography, blogging, website updating. Yikes, better get cracking!!!

A conference with so many components creates a slightly different experience for each attendee. Although I spent the majority of my Synergy2 time tending to the Gallery I was able to attend portions of a few presentations, the opening night Ford/Forlano talk, and the closing night banquet. Here’s the Charm City / “Ace of Cakes” creation made especially for the International Polymer Clay Association’s 20th anniversary. It served over 200 people and it was yummy! The Ace of Cakes crew were given pictures and books of polymer clay art for inspiration. The top layer was definitely Ford/Forlano-esque! I kept visiting while in the cake line and lost my place a few times so was happy that I finally made it to the front before every piece was gobbled up.

I left Synergy2 with loads of inspiration and a strong desire for more tools…a kiln and enameling equipment as a result of snippets of presentations by Tam Honaman and Gwen Bernecker. The best part of the conference experience for me was the opportunity to meet and chat with all the fabulous artists. We heard so many times how the polymer community has advanced artistically by leaps and bounds even compared to just two years ago.

Back to work!

Maureen

Synergy2 is only three weeks away. I can’t wait to see all the fabulous polymer clay work in the Gallery and Exhibit. Friend and fellow Clayville California member, Victoria James, submitted this beautiful polymer clay and pine needle basket for the exhibit, which made the back cover of the Synergy2 Exploring Connections exhibit catalog…very exciting news! The conference theme revolves around collaboration. The Exhibit showcases artwork either produced by one artist in mixed media or made by two or more artists working together (or both).

Please stop by the Gallery and say hello if you will be in Baltimore!

Maureen

Yesterday was “box day” at PlacerArts in Auburn. This is the third year (but the first for me) that area artists have been invited to reserve a box and turn it into a work of art in two months. Yesterday, we picked up the boxes. This year, they are beautifully constructed 9″ square wooden boxes. We can leave as is or deconstruct them as long as all of the pieces are used. The final work can be any size as long as it fits through the door of the PlacerArts Building!
This is a big fundraiser for the local arts. During the Exhibit from April 8 to May 22 people can make silent bids, with the highest bids being the opening bids at the live auction on May 22.

I won’t have time to actually work on my project until I return from the Synergy2 Polymer Clay Conference in Baltimore at the end of February. Meanwhile, I’ll have something to think about as I fall asleep at night. It helps to actually see the box; I’ve already crossed a few ideas off my mental list.

If you live in the area, please come to the “Outside the Box” exhibit and support the arts! For everyone else, I’ll post some pictures again when my project is finished. Wish me luck!

Maureen

Next weekend is the annual Placer County Autumn Art Studios Tour. More than 70 artists will present their works and the local wineries will be open for tasting as well. I’ll be at Fox Barrel Cider Company in Colfax as I have no “studio” to tour (I work at mini-stations throughout my house and garage).

The pendant/pin pictured will be given away in a drawing at the end of the weekend. If you’re able to stop by Fox Barrel to taste their delicious hard ciders please fill out an entry form!

Hope to see you there…

Maureen

As a texture fanatic, one of my favorite tools for working with polymer clay is the texture sheet. Victoria James, my friend and fellow Clayville California member, creates the most amazing silicone texture sheets. There’s always at least one on my work table. Victoria started by using trees, moss, rocks, and plants to create the texture sheets, but she now offers sheets made from her vast collection of textile print blocks. If you work with any kind of clay I think you will find a texture sheet (or two or three or…) a wonderful addition to your tool collection! They are strong, flexible, and they don’t require a resist. (Note: the sheets are actually green in color.) The polymer clay box shown above is currently on display at The Art Building in Auburn, CA as part of a promotional show for the upcoming Autumn Art Studios Tour 2009. Click here for more details.

Maureen
Maureen Thomas Designs

I urge all polymer clay artists to consider attending what is sure to be a wonderful and inspirational conference. The theme is “Exploring Connections” and the emphasis is on artistic collaboration, from artists working together on a single project to a single artist expanding his or her horizons by combining other materials with polymer clay. Please check out the Synergy2 website for more information.

I am once again working with Judy Belcher and Mary Fassler to organize and manage the Synergy2 Gallery, where all attendees are encouraged to display and sell their polymer clay works. The 2008 Synergy Gallery was amazing and I predict the Synergy2 Gallery will be even better. Imagine the fabulous works of 80 artists lined up row after row all in the same room for you to see and purchase!

If you want to kick your work up a notch or two or three I strongly recommend that you consider attending the conference. The sooner you register the better your chances of getting into the presentations that are of most interest to you.

I’ll be at the Gourd and Arts Festival in Folsom, CA this Saturday and Sunday (September 26-27). During setup today I saw the most gigantic gourds for sale. If you’ve ever cleaned a gourd to use for an art project you know what a lot of work goes into just the prepwork. There are sure to be some amazing gourd-related pieces and a lot of other artwork as well. I’m in booth 19 so stop by if you decide to check it out.

I’ve also had a few other art show confirmations in the past week or so. Please check out my website’s Events page for more details and links.

Maureen
Maureen Thomas Designs

A while back a generous member of Clayville California (my local guild) opened up her home for a metal play day. Because we have a number of artists who already work with metal we had lots of tools, gadgets, and materials at our disposal. I brough a sheet of copper and was able to texture, torch, use a dapping punch and block, etch in an etching tank, and watch a rolling mill demo! I was intrigued enough to invest in a few basic tools of my own and have finally gotten around to using the beautiful bits of copper that I have in my studio. I love making polymer clay beads and I enjoy mixing other materials with them in my jewelry. Here are some samples of what I’ve been working on. OK, back to work!

Maureen
Maureen Thomas Designs

Wow, my 2008 New Year’s resolution was to blog, blog, blog, but I see I actually signed on only a handful of times last year…

I’ve been on the hunt for art shows to apply to and found a few that sound fun. The shows I did in 2008 forced me to think hard about my displays and I’m pleased with what we came up with.

When I hear about my applications I will update and send out a newsletter to the list.

Maureen

October 2008

Fall (my favorite season) is finally here…HURRAY! As always, there are plenty of fun things to do this time of year. Please stop by my booth and say hello if you are able to attend the following events:

~The First Annual Kobra Crush Wine and Art Festival in Roseville, CA on October 18 (5-10pm). This event offers food, wine tasting, music, and the works of fifty Placer County artists and supports Placer County Tourism. Tickets are $30 prepaid or $35 at the door.

~The Mountain Mandarin Festival in Auburn, CA on November 21-22-23. The Mandarin Festival is held at the Auburn Fairgrounds and is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re mad for mandarins as I am you should have a great time discovering all the ways to use them, plus enjoying the entertainment and getting some gift shopping done at the same time!

~The Crocker Holiday Art and Craft Festival on Thanksgiving weekend at the Scottish Rite Temple. Please check out the Clayville booth. I won’t be there this year, but about 10 of the guild’s artists are participating and there are sure to be lots of fun and fabulous items.

My pasta machine, convection oven, camera, and computer have been keeping me very busy. I’ve been working hard to keep my web and Etsy sites updated with new items: bookends, wine stoppers, perfume applicators, rings, new bracelet designs, mosaic frames, ornaments, pens, and notebooks. I’m also hoping to make it into another gallery or two in the near future (I’ve been selling through Made in Tahoe at Crystal Bay on Tahoe’s north shore). Clyde is pitching in by drilling beads and making jewelry displays for the upcoming shows. Learning about paper mache at a recent Robert Dancik class reminded me that I bought a torso on eBay a while back to mold some lightweight and (hopefully) unique necklace displays.

I’ve decided that my time right now is better spent getting inventory ready for the shows rather than posting every item online as I make it (my usual policy). If you’re looking for something in particular or have any questions, please ask!

Hope to see you soon,
Maureen
http://maureenthomasdesigns.com
http://maureenthomasdesigns.etsy.com