A few years back I watched a video by Gwen Gibson on making polymer clay bracelets. I was intrigued, but I got sidetracked. I finally got around to making a few of the tools she “invented” to streamline the process a bit and got to work. I am hooked! I am adding my own touches by using lots of texture and adding a vintage button clasp to each bracelet. I have the first set listed on my website and also on Flickr.
I found out yesterday that I juried into the Mountain Mandarin Festival, which takes place in November right here in Auburn. Artists and vendors are encouraged to incorporate mandarins into their wares, if possible. So, it’s time to look for some clip art and delve into polymer clay transfers. Wish me luck!
I just heard that my just-about-to-graduate nephew, Kyle Zoeller, won $500 and a first-place blue ribbon for a lovely ring that he made in his high school metals class. A local Michigan jeweler offered the prize to the student who designed and constructed the nicest jewelry piece and Kyle was the winner! Woo hoo, awesome, way to go Kyle!!!
I hate to be wasteful; in fact, I love to give just about any old thing a chance to become something else. This philosophy definitely applies to my art; I tend to look at the tiniest little scrap of something and I want to put it to good use (these days it’s called living green!). The downside for me is that it’s been a long while since I’ve packed up the unfinished projects and leftovers, swept off my studio worktable, and opened up some fresh new packages of clay. My natural inclination has been to move from one project to the next, relying on extra beads or beautiful scraps of clay to inspire me. The problem is that it’s not working anymore. I’ve been feeling claustrophobic in my studio, creatively stifled, and a bit bored.
This past weekend I managed to photograph every single finished piece in my inventory and to post it either on my website http://maureenthomasdesigns.com or in my Etsy store http://maureenthomasdesigns.etsy.com. I still have a bazillion polymer clay beads that I will eventually use as accents in new projects, but I am declaring myself caught up. No playing with clay until my studio is straightened up and I can make my way to the worktable without causing a landslide.
So, what’s with the fruit analogy? You know how you’d love to eat that perfectly ripe, just-the-shade-you-like-it banana in the fruit bowl, BUT there’s also that one that’s not going to make it one more day so you eat that one instead? Well, I say, go for that perfect piece of fruit…..and toss the overripe one in the freezer to use in some future nut bread (you didn’t really think I was going to suggest throwing it away, did you?). Here’s to a fresh start!!!
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