The Motherload From The Motherland

Russian artists Del Moro, a relative new comer, has taken the polymer clay world by storm. His eye for detail and design is incredible. You have really got to check out his gallery. I wish I could post all the pictures, but you will have to settle for just a tease. 🙂

La Belle Verte - beads and earrings set

Rock Arsenal Series

Mask Series

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The World Travels Of A Swap: Part 1

On a whim, I started a round robin called The Trash To Treasure Swap figuring I might get a few people who where interested in playing. Well, there are 27 swappers involved. 🙂 5 are located in the UK/Europe and the rest are all over the USA.

A flat rate priority box got filled to the top with both finished and unfinished pieces of jewelry, bits of this and that which were eventually supposed to turn into something and a few supplies or tools that I no longer needed. I also included a some stuff made by other artists to make it more interesting for the first few swappers. Each swapper will receive the box and take out a selection of items and replace them them with things they made or supplies.

I sent the box to Illinois to meet up with Valerie from Scotland, who was there visiting her mother. Valerie met up with Pam, who swapped out some of her items for contents in the box. The package made it over to Scotland on Friday, where Valerie swapped out her items. Tomorrow it will be on it’s way to Bettina in Germany.

I can hardly wait until the box makes it back to me so I can see the treasures that traveled around the world to reach my doorstep. I will post updates as the box travels around the world. Maybe I should create a map showing the movement. 🙂

Give It A Swirl

Swirl beads have become all the rage and there are some artists that have it down to a science. A great example are the beads made by Laura Timmins. She has a diagram on her web site showing the process she uses the make swirl beads that look nearly identical each time.

From Laura's Etsy SHop

Here a few links to get you going 🙂
http://www.desiredcreations.com/howTo_CALentilSwirl.htm
http://2goodclaymates.blogspot.com/2009/08/making-lentil-swirl.html
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/swirls.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9NAByUKqx4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E16yaysIDok
http://rubarbdesertdesigns.com/swirltute.html
http://www.covenantsanctuarystudio.com/Polymer_Clay_Lentil_Bead.htm
http://www.poly-tools.com/bead-from-a-bi-cone-bead.html

Fairies and Flowers and Bugs … Oh My

What can I say about Kim Detmers. First I’d have to mention that she has quite an imagination. Check out her Fairy Portals. They are adorable !

I would also have to say that she has a nice eye for design. This pair of earrings is beautiful.

And just take a gander at this necklace Kim posted on her blog. I so want it 🙂

I am terrified of snakes, but I’d actually allow this one in my house.

Oh oh !! You have to see this dragonfly. It’s gorgeous.

Check out her Etsy Shop and Blog fro more.
Clayworks by Kim Detmers
Clayworks Blog

PCAGOE Featured Artist Julie Sweeney

I am totally smitten with Julie’s carved designs. Especially this Lotus Pendants !

The Tulip Pocket Mirror is a close second 🙂

You can see all her carved pieces in her Etsy shop
Be sure to check out her other items. She makes some wonderful glass mosaics, too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliespace/
http://juliespacedesign.blogspot.com/

You Can Win Ronna’s New Book Ancient Modern Polymer Clay

I am having my first giveaway. 🙂 I have a copy of Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry by Ronna Sarvas Weltman as the prize. Add it to your library by doing one of the following:

1) Leave a comment on this post and earn 1 entry. Be sure to include your email address.
2) Add a link in your comment showing you posted about this give away in your blog, FaceBook, or any networking outlet and get 2 more entries.
3) Every dollar you spend in my Etsy Store or in my Blog Store gets you an entry. (IE: spend $10 and get 10 entries) You need to mention the give away in the comment area of your PayPal payment to get entry credits.

I just listed some great clay slicing blades and some pens to cover with clay in my Etsy shop. Take a look at the great nail art canes available. Also, there are still a few books left on working with Silver Metal Clay.

I will draw the winners name on Aug 21st. Good luck everyone !!!

Q&A With Lindly Haunani About Upcoming Color Inspirations Book

I found a great Q&A conducted by Woody Rudin over at Polymer Art Archive. He asked Lindly a few pointed questions the book and getting it published. Check it out 🙂

My 2nd Place Winner !!!!!

I entered a contest sponsored by the Polymer Clay Artist Guild of Etsy (PCAGOE) and my piece tied for 2nd place 🙂 The theme was vessels and I entered my favorite Inro.

You can see the other winners at SCDiva’s Blog

Flickr Finds For July

Found some fabulous,newly uploaded pictures.

Flowermouse Design

Viktorya Slutsky / DaliDesigns

silverpepper23

malodora / DDee Wilder

Anat Goldich

Marie Pierre / grecoaica33

lacigalecristalline

Julie Picarello – Boheme

I have admired Julie’s work for a very long time. Her Mokume Gane style is outstanding, but take a gander at this custom order piece she just finished. It’s a mixed media piece that breaks away of her usual design style. And I LOVE it !!!!!!!!! The mica shift beads are stunning and the added metal components truly make the piece come alive. I look forward to seeing more of this style from Julie 🙂

Boheme by Julie Picarello