Polymer Clay Giveaway *Day Four*

Congratulations to Polymer Chick. She won again.

I am really being honest and fair when I pick the winner. My friend Stacy sent me to Random.org and I'm using the dice. Until more than 6 people comment, I only use one.

The first person to comment is number 1, second is number 2,,so on, you get it.

Today the die landed on four. I could be sneaky and roll again till someone who didn't win was picked, but I'm too honest.

I once did a really well known craft show in my area and one of the stipulations was you had to donate a gift worth $10.00 or more for their big raffle. The Raffle was called at the end of the day, after the craft show ended. I always thought that it wasn't really very convenient for them to do it like that. Most shows call their raffles during the whole day.

Well, at the end of one show, I realized why they did it like that. It had taken me a little longer than usual to pack up. My sister was there to help me and was visiting the restroom, close to the raffle table. I was waiting in the hallway for her, where I could here the ending of the raffle. There were only a few people near the table and I realized one woman kept saying, Oh, that's me, I win again. I positioned myself to see what was going on. The only people around the table were the organizer, a few volunteers and the organizer's daughter & her daughter's husband. I stepped back, because I didn't want them to see that I was watching.

A few minutes later the organizer's daughter and her daughter's husband walked past me. In their arms were some nice items, a large wooden snowman, a doll, some wooden ornaments, a shirt, . I didn't catch everything they had, but the daughter looked at me and said, "Can you believe how lucky I am?" Then as they walked further away, I heard her husband say, "wow, you sure are lucky." (pretty amazing, since there was only one raffle ticket per person. You received it as you entered the show.)

I always had such trust when I donated my craft item to the show. I never realized that the organizers and volunteers were keeping the best things for themselves. I had seen a lot of nepotism at that show in the past, but this was beyond favoritism, it was stealing in my opinion. (I never did the show after that. I wrote them a letter telling them what I saw, and they failed to defend themselves.)

My point of this story is that I'm trying to be honest with the daily picks, simple as that.

Today's giveaway is a monkey with a cupcake. (My stained glass pin didn't turn out so well.)

Yesterday I had over 100 visitors (maybe I was counted a few times) but only 4 people commented. So, I wonder, are people shy? Don't they like the clay babies? :(

Don't be afraid to join in on this giveaway! If you live in the United States or Canada, leave a comment and you could win this little monkey.

Published!

Periodically, my work gets published. I've been in 4 magazines and the Sculpey Website. Here are my latest two designs. This is a Christmas Monkey Picture holder. I believe they want these designs for children to make. It's fairly easy and the colors can be changed making it a spring monkey, Halloween monkey, etc. The second design is a cupcake bracelet. Once again, it's an easier project geared for children. I'm going to make these for my upcoming craft shows. I thought they would be great as Halloween and Christmas. I like making these because they are just beads that get strung on elastic. The ends are tied, and it's ready to wear. If I could get something published two times a month, the fee would pay my rent. I really need to be more pro-active and send out designs to magazines and websites. One magazine is already working on next year's Halloween ideas, so I'm getting ready to send off a couple of designs to them.

Craft shows...

So far, I'm going to be doing 4 craft shows for sure, another one I'm waiting to hear if I got into it or not, and one more that I'm debating on.

My shows are.........

South Lyon Pumpkin Fest, South Lyon
St. Paul's Fall Fest, Trenton
Franklin High School, Livonia
St. Thomas Becket, Canton

The show I really want to get into is Eisenhower school in Shelby Township. I've sent my check and pictures, just waiting to hear.

Another show I'm debating on is a small $20 show in Macomb. It's at a farm/flower nursery. Might be worth the trip as they sent out 9000 flyers and are advertising in the Free Press and Detroit News. There was an article written about it on line. I might give it a try.

Today I'm going to be working on lots of Halloween Clay Babies. Here's are some examples of what I'll be making today!



Ghost/tombstone Fatty Pumpkin Fairy

Incentive

I don't know if I'm crazy or bored or jealous, but I just printed out ebay feedback for two polymer clay artists. I added up the amount of sales they had to inspire myself. One girl's sales figure was $2600 for the month of July (and it's not even over yet.) The other's was around $700 for one account and $1600 for another. This is pretty inspiring to me and I think to myself, if they can do it, so can I.

Sometimes I think I waste time looking at other people's work, and that I should just be focusing on my own art. But I can't help it. I want to know what other artists are creating and what the public is buying. I wonder, if you are an artist, are you checking up on your competition?

It's not about copying. I wouldn't do that, at least not intentionally. I have so many of my own ideas, I don't need to copy. But, I wonder if my ideas are any good. I try to keep up with trends, as I think most people do.

It's funny because I really admire a fellow class mate's talent. Her name is Jill and she makes graphics and sells buttons. (Here's her blog...http://jnhkgraphicdesign.blogspot.com/).
I was telling my friend, Mary Ann, about Jill's work and how her designs are so "today". Jill really seems to have a style that is unique, yet current. My style is very whimsical and silly and I wonder if it is old and out of fashion. Mary Ann told me to stay true to myself (in the midst of my re-inventing). Later on, after Jill visited my website, she mentioned to me how cute my clay is. She showed my site to her co-workers and they loved my pigs and monkeys. Sometimes when we doubt ourselves, it's nice to be complemented by our peers.

What's new?

I've been listening to motivational tapes and time management tapes daily as I create my clay babies. I decided to "kick it up" a notch and add more details and whimsy to my designs.

Right now I'm working on an art doll witch along with little minis and lots of Halloween.

I'm still working on making a decent video tutorial. I do have a tripod as someone suggested so I think I'll try again Sunday.

Thanks for visiting!