Fun in Photoshop

When I went on my vacation I had fun collecting rocks on the beach of Lake Michigan. This is one of my favorite past times. I had an idea to do the alphabet in rocks, so I picked out the prettiest stones and started photographing them, A through Z.

I thought to myself, you never know when you might need a letter made out of stones.

It seems silly, but it's better for me to play on the beach than just lay there, so I find things to do!

Today I decided to put together my name with some of the pictures.

Here's my name in the natural look of the alphabet stones.




Here's my name when I changed the color in photoshop.

Here it is with several filters.

Finally, here it is made into a pattern.

It's nothing that spectacular, just an exercise in creativity. I never know where these little exercises might take me. But it's a great way to explore and be inspired!

Things I've been doing lately

Even though I made a big announcement 5 months ago that I wasn't going to do toppers anymore, it's hard to turn down the requests, so I've continued making them. Sometimes an artist just gets tired or burned out and I believe that was what happened to me.

Anyway, I've been making toppers again. I've been trying to build up a nice inventory of ready to ship toppers, that way, they are more economical for the bride and less stress on me. I just recently made some sweet little toppers for the bride who wants something lightweight and cute on top of her cake.

Art Dolls

I have also been making more art dolls. These are so much fun to make and really a great diversion for me. I can express myself totally with the creation of these dolls. I love the combination of beads, yarn and clay. Look for more posts on my art dolls and a contest soon!

Graphic Art

I've also been having a creative surge designing posters, altered art, atc backgrounds and photographic images. I don't know where all of this creativity is coming from but I'm thrilled. There are not enough hours in the day anymore for me to do everything I want. I'm in a very happy "artsy" place right now!

Collage

I've also found more time to paint and do collage. I then take pictures and change the images in photoshop. I'm trying to build up a portfolio of original collage and paintings and eventually seek out an art agent. This has been a dream of mine for years, but I've neglected it. Now it's time for me to really focus on that.

Sometimes an artist goes through dry spells and I believe that for the last few years I have been trying to claw my way out of mine. Suddenly, over the few months I have found new inspiration and am more driven than I've ever felt. I feel passionate again about my art and design and am grateful for every moment I spend creating!

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.

All About Crafts

In my ongoing attempt to be inspired, I've found some sites I love to visit.

The first site is called Sell Your Crafts. It has a lot of articles about craft shows, where to sell, how to price your crafts, trends, inspirational stories and projects.

Here's a link..

Another site I visit often is called Country Sampler. You may have read the magazine in the past. The site is full of decorating ideas, lots of great pictures and a community forum. When I was in Ohio and West Virginia I noticed a lot of country shops. I've always liked country, so I'm going to re-decorate my kitchen.

Country Sampler

Craft Test Dummies is a fun-packed blog full of tutorials, pictures and information with a wide variety of easy to advanced craft projects. I noticed they recently had a giveaway, so make sure to check it out.

I really like this blog called Art Dolls, A journey in Fiber. The artist's name is Judi Wellnitz and it's obvious she is a dedicated artist and blogger. She has wonderful altered art, trading cards, and collage. She also works with polymer clay. Once I was on her site, I found it hard to leave!
(If you visit her, make sure you don't forget about me!)

Finally, my role model of a blog is Polymeri Online. This blog is jam packed full of information on everything and anything that has to do with polymer clay. She has featured every polymer clay artist I've ever heard of (including a link to me!). The author of this blog is Iris Mishly. She creates colorful jewelry, barrettes, beads and decorations. Check out her flicker pages and be ready to be inspired.

Cake Toppers

Here is a cake topper I just mailed out. I have decided that I am going to stop making the toppers. I've been making them for 7 or 8 years and I'm tired of it. I have a few more to make for a couple of customers, but when I'm finished with them, I won't be making anymore.

I will have more time to be creative with my clay and painting and won't feel bogged down with the orders. I knew it was time to move on when I would rather wash dishes or mop the floor than make a cake topper.

I'm going to concentrate on primitive one of a kind dolls and just have fun creating different art work. I also have to build up inventory for the fall when my potential to make money is at it's greatest. I've been signing up for the best shows in the area and, hopefully, will be accepted.

In the past I've written about re-inventing myself and I feel that this is a good step for me to take. I have always admired artists who stop doing what they are good at and then start creating something totally different (and just as good.) It's good to know when to make that change.

Henry David Thoreau:

Things do not change, we change.

Polymer Clay Giveaway *Day Seven*

The winner of the little bear is South. Thanks for commenting.



On this final day of the giveaway, I'm offering four miniature clay babies. Here's a picture to see their true size..Compare to the dime.



The little minis can go in a collection, on a shelf, computer, window sill. With a little blue tac you can attach one to your dashboard.

You get 4 minis, a pig, a rabbit, a single monkey and a pair of monkeys.

Leave a comment if you live in the United States or Canada. You have till tomorrow, Sunday, 4 p.m. EST. Then I'll announce the final winner. Everyone who won can then send me their address.

On Monday, I'll be back to my blogging about polymer clay, creativity, art, inspiration and making the most out of your life.

But, the giveaways will continue, sporadically, so make sure you become a faithful reader. I may giveaway more clay babies, mini canvas art, book markers, charms, etc. These are some plans I have for the near future.

Clay babies altered in Photoshop

As I promised, here are some images that I altered in photoshop.

The idea is finding ways to get the creative juices flowing. There are many ways of firing up the creative process, and this is one I like to use.


The above image is the cut out filter.

This image is done with glowing edges.
I think the two images above were changed using ink out line filters.


The final image is pattern maker.


As you can see, I went a little overboard on the filters, but it's all in
an attempt to come up with ideas, whether it's a painting, clay, collage or graphics.

I could use some of these ideas for templates, patterns, coloring pages, wallpaper, tags and cards.
With more refinement and bit of work, I could use them for illustrations or transfers for jewelry.

Remember when it comes to brainstorming for ideas, there are many ways to get there. This is just one method I use.

I had an epiphany!

Coming home from last week's show, I started to really think about changing what it is that I do.

I've felt this way many times before, but fear and doubt caused me to continue on the same road.
I have many other interests, but my connection with polymer clay has kept me from pursuing those interests. I have been sculpting since 1982 and I always joke that I'm going to die with a piece of clay in my hands.

But there is a voice inside of me that is not satisfied with the ways things are going for me. I feel like I'm not growing as an artist. I have the same old ideas; I pump out the same clay babies, year after year. Sure, sometimes they are a different color, some are smaller, some are bigger, but, in the end, it's the same stuff I've been doing for years and the medium is the same.

At my show, I took a good look at myself, at my craft. I saw flaws in my workmanship. I felt guilty when people purchased my product. If they complimented me on something, I felt the urge to point out the imperfections. (I didn't do it, but I felt like it.)

I have also noticed that I procrastinate when it comes to working on my clay. In the middle of making something, I'll get up and go wash the dishes or sweep the floor. I found that the clay seems harder to work with and I'm constantly dropping pieces to the floor, as if I've lost strength in my hands.

As I ponder all of this, I think to myself, is it time to put the clay away for awhile? Should I take the leap of faith it takes to start something new? I'm going after a graphic arts degree and feel that there are so many things I could do in the field, right in my own home on my computer.
I love to paint and do collage. Could I make any money at it?

I have been struggling with this for quite awhile and wonder if it goes with the territory of being an artist/craftsman. I think about this all of the time and wonder if it's time to reinvent myself.
The first week of class in January, my instructor asked us to write down why we were in his class, and one of the things I said was that I wanted to reinvent myself. But what have I done to even begin that process?

As the year winds down, I am going to make some major changes that I'm going to implement in the new year. I know I will continue filling orders for my cake toppers if people want them. This is a nice supplement to my income. However, I'm going to work hard to come up with a new idea that will have nothing to do with clay. That's going to be hard for me. But, the desire is so overwhelming, I might get used to the idea.

My dream is to one day have a home office where I write and design. The clay is in a box in case I need it for a project or an idea. My mind is open to a lot of possibilities. Now it's time for me to make the move!

One final thought. At my last show the woman next to my booth was a polymer clay cane artist. She had a few things on her table mixed in with her sister's jewelry. Although the woman was nice, she kept name dropping all of the clay artists in the "industry". I found this very boring, because I don't really care about that aspect of clay. I have discovered over the years that those people are good at what they do, but their art or designs just don't interest me. The woman invited me to a clay guild meeting, but I declined. She seemed appalled that I wouldn't want to go. She said, "Even Donna Kato shows up sometimes"..(For those of you who have never heard of Donna, she is a polymer clay artist who is the inventor of Kato Clay.)

I told the woman,"I'm just not interested." She dropped a few more names and I continued to decline.

Afterward, I found it interesting to myself that I almost was put off by her enthusiasm for knowing a few artists who's names are well known in the clay world. This just added to my epiphany that maybe it's time for a change for me.

I must confess that even though my blog is called Polymer Clay Ponderings, my focus is going to be more on reinvention, motivation, simplicity and creativity. I will continue to talk about clay though, as I may use it in other projects and I will continue to do my cake toppers. So please stick around. I hope that I can inspire and inform those of you who already create, want to create, or don't know what to create!