Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my faithful followers and readers.

Many times this year I've mentioned that I've wanted to reinvent myself and over the last month many changes have started to take place towards that reinvention.

As many of you know, I am going to school, getting a degree in Graphic Arts. I've started to do more computer graphics and that has caused me to do less clay.

I've been "claying" since 1982 and although I'm not going to give it up completely, I am going to be doing more graphics. I even plan on using images of my clay in my graphics, so I won't be too far away from polymer! Along with the graphics I'm going to make art pins from clay to help supplement my income. I've started to work on some interesting pins and will be showing them soon.

I'm also going to start 2010 with a poster giveaway. So check back soon for those details.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless!

Craft show update

I did a craft show last Saturday at a local elementary school. I did about average for a school like that. I had a lot of snowmen and angels and people seemed to enjoy looking at them. Due to the economic nightmare in my area, I lowered my prices to $5 and $6 for a 3 inch clay baby.
This is the same price I was charging $20 years ago!! However, three older women commented that they didn't think they were worth $5.00 each. (true, people are that ignorant and rude)..99% of those that said anything were complimentary and nice.



I'm working on a few new things this week. Mostly pins to wear on jackets and coats. I also am trying out a new idea for personalized posters. I'll be posting those pictures soon. In the meantime, here are some things I've made recently and a picture of my display.

Polymer Clay Penguin Tutorial

For several years I've been making this cute little penguin on an ice cube. My design was published about 4 years ago in a craft magazine. I thought it would be fun to make a tutorial for it.

I used to get the ice cubes at a dollar store right around the corner. I haven't been able to find them there for awhile, but sometimes I luck out and get them at Michaels or Joanns. I haven't tried Hobby Lobby yet. Please let me know if there is anything unclear on the tutorial. I'm still trying to get the knack of movie maker! Thanks for stopping by. I'm slowly recuperating and anxious to blog more often. It's been a rough month, but I survived!

Oh where oh where has Debbie been?

For the past three weeks I've been feeling ill and finally, after going to the Dr. twice, I drove myself to the hospital on Monday.
To make a long story short, I had some heart tests (stress and heart cath) and all the results came back beautifully.

I think I may have an ulcer and have to have a test for that, but not right away. Going to stay away from certain foods for awhile.

I missed a whole week's worth of work at my real job and haven't touched clay either. But, now that I feel like I have a new lease on life due to the great heart results, I'm determined to get cracking again.

I'm sorry for the lull in posting, but hopefully I'll not have any more health problems for awhile.

Snowman Tutorial

I'm still trying to get the hang of making these videos, so if there's something you don't understand, let me know..Near the end of the video, I found that it's hard to read the text. It says to roll two balls and attach to the side of the head. Then fold a wire over. These are the ear muffs. Add texture to the balls by using a straw and pushing it in and out of the muffs.

I'll try another tutorial soon..

I am still here

Sometimes life gets in the way and causes me to ignore my blog. I hate to use that word (ignore) because then it means I'm ignoring my readers. For this, I apologize.

I haven't been feeling too well for the past week. I went to the Dr. and had a good check up. Now I'm waiting for some test results, but I'm feeling better all ready. Thanks for your patience.

I'm making a tutorial to post tomorrow.

I also had to mail out two pumpkin pins. It was a little mix up, but I don't mind.

See you Friday!

Card Stock

Here's a fun idea if you make polymer clay jewelry. I recently purchased a small book of glitter mat stack from Joanns crafts. They are 4.5" by 5". There are 72 papers and about 1/2 of them have glitter on them. The original price is $9.99 but I got them on sale for 40% off. I actually purchased two packs, one is called Glitter Sweet, and the other is Glitter Holiday. As you can see, I cut them in half or in thirds, depending on the size of my pins and they make a perfect card to pin them on. I was even inspired by some of the designs on the mat stack.

My plan was to use scalloped scissors to make them even more special, but I decided I like the crisp, straight edges. Next I am going to make tiny little labels with my business name, phone number and a price . I think I'll stick it on the back of the cards so it doesn't ruin the look of the card and the pin.

I'm not a scrapbooker but I love the papers and embellishments that can be found and I try to incorporate them into my business when I can.

Polymer Clay Tutorial

Here's a quick tutorial on making a clay frog. Enjoy!

Etsy Treasury

This is fun. One of my witches is in an Etsy treasury. That has only happened a few times to me since I've been on Etsy (2007).

It gives me a little bit of exposure which is always nice. The treasury is called, "The Witches Are Back" and features a lot of cute, whimsical and down right scary witches. I guess mine would be considered cute!

I'm trying so hard to get a tutorial done. I've spent a lot of time making clay and putting things up on etsy and Ebay that the tutorial is late. Maybe I'll get one finished tonight. But, I won't make any promises.

Check out the Etsy Treasury!

Etsy

Announcement...

Well, I never heard from the winner of the clay pin, so the first person to contact me or leave a comment will receive it.

Pumpkin Pin

I'm still waiting for Kathyjhc to contact me. I will give her till Sunday to respond; if I don't hear from her, I will pick another winner.

I'll be back with another tutorial this evening! Stay tuned.

Pumpkin pin

The winner of the pumpkin pin is Kathyjhc, who signed up to follow my blog. I will contact her or she can contact me if she reads this.

Thanks for playing.

I will be having another contest next week. I'm making a one of a kind witch doll. It's not ready yet. So stay tuned!

Pumpkin Pin Giveaway

Don't forget, you have 4 more days to post comments in order to win the three pumpkin pin. No one has made any comments yet, but there are three new followers, so they are in the running.

There's nothing much you have to do but become a new follower, or leave a comment or blog about me at your blog and let me know about it.

This contest is open to anyone, anywhere! I will ship it to you, free of charge.

Don't be shy!

Pumpkin Pin Tutorial & Contest

Here's a tutorial on how to make a polymer clay pumpkin pin...

You will need the following supplies...

1 package orange clay
1 package brown clay
1 package white clay
1 package green clay
1 package yellow clay
wire (black or brown)
toothpick
black seed beads

Roll an oval of orange clay (approx. 1 inch)

Use a toothpick or metal slicer to make lines in pumpkin

Break a piece of a toothpick off and insert into top of pumpkin

A pinch of brown clay over the toothpick forms the stem

Wrap the wire around the toothpick and insert into stem

Roll out an oval of white clay and attach to side of pumpkin, with the narrow part facing down. Curl this piece up near the bottom. Made an oval for the head and attach, curling the top out.
Make a small white tube and attach to body and have it touch pumpkin. Add a tiny ball for the nose. Use a toothpick to form a small open mouth.

Roll out two small white balls of clay for the pumpkin eyes. Add two tiny seed beads for the pupils. Use orange or red for the nose.

Use the bottom of a straw to indent a smile into the clay.

Make two green tear drops and attach to stem, press toothpick into leaf.

Roll 5 yellow tear drops to form flower. Place small ball of brown into center and press.


Back at 265 for twenty minutes. Let cool. Attach a pin back with E6000 glue or super glue gel.




Contest!!!

I am giving away this little Halloween pin. Leave a comment to enter the contest. Become a follower and I will put your name in the contest 5 times. Blog about me (let me know about it with a link) and I will put your name in the contest 10 times. This contest will end on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Have fun!

Polymer Clay Mummy Tutorial

I thought it would be fun to start a few Halloween Tutorials. Today I'll be showing you how to make a mummy!

I try to make these as easy as possible with lots of pictures, so enjoy.

Supplies....Premo Flesh and self stick band aid tape.

Toothpick

Two small black seed beads

The shapes are one ball, four tubes (arms and legs) and an oval for the body.

Attach and sit upright

Make a foot and 5 toes. Attach to end of leg.

Push seed beads into face for eyes. Form a nose with clay and press gently. Use a toothpick to make imprints in the face. Bake at 275 for 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

Now the fun begins. Tear off strips of tape and begin wrapping them around the body. I tore the strips down the middle to make them more narrow.

Cover most of the body, leaving the nose, eyes and toes exposed.

Dust with a brown pastel crayon. Then soften with a clean brush!

Here's the mummy sitting with some pumpkin friends!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Halloween Goodies

I've been looking high and low for my motivation and I finally found it yesterday. I have been on a new medication that makes me tired and I haven't felt like doing anything lately. I have succumbed to the tiredness, joyfully lying around on the couch watching TV. That is so unlike me so I've had to make an effort to fight the feeling and get to work on my clay. Thankfully it happened last night so I thought I would share some of the things I made.


I am going to put these on either ebay or etsy later on tonight.

Labor day weekend is going to be quiet for me. I'm just going to watch old movies and make a lot of clay. School starts back up next week so I want to have a relaxing few days before Tuesday.

Be Safe!

Kindred Art Spirits

Mary Ann and I

On Thursday I met my friend Mary Ann at her house, loaded up her car with paints and canvas, watched her hug her husband goodbye and the two of us headed up north to her cottage in the center of Michigan where we brainstormed, painted, read, ate, laughed and shopped. It was exactly what I needed to refresh myself before the busiest time of year starts for me.

I'll be going back to my before and after school program and classes will be starting soon. With fall comes more orders and more opportunities to sell. I returned from my trip with 25 painted canvases and a lot more ideas.

I have to admit I did not take any clay with me and there were times when I wished I would have, but I really wanted to do collage while I was away, so I left the clay behind. However, I'm planning on embellishing some of the canvases with clay pieces; I'm just not sure with what yet.

Here are some pictures of my trip..

This is the beginning stages of an altered collaged book

I will put clay on this

Brand new canvas waiting to be painted

Painted canvases dry on newspapers

Big kitchen table to work at

Even though this was a clear night

the weather was cool and rainy.

We drove through the countryside so I could take pictures

We found time to cook!


The beginning of a collage

After spending the weekend in a frenzied art-a-thon we vowed that we would get together more often during the year to inspire and motivate each other to paint and create. We really work well together, bouncing ideas off of each other, instructing one another in different techniques and challenging each other to explore art further than we ever have.

I admire Mary Ann's quiet determination as she puts together her art, patiently taking hours to complete one canvas. Each step she takes is deliberate and thought out. Mary Ann loves my free spirited approach to making a collage or painting a canvas. My brush flits and swirls across the canvas as I quickly fill the white spaces with rainbows of colors.

Mary Ann and I wish we could have a studio where we could meet each day, to paint and laugh, to listen to Enya and Coldplay and to drink hot tea in English tea cups. Until then though, I'm going to try hard to keep making art in my own little world, cause that's when I'm happiest and feel complete.