You may remember from my earlier post that a couple friends and I challenged each with a “task” to have accomplished by the next time we met. My original challenge was three new earring designs. I finally did it but I have to say I was only mildly happy with one design, and not happy with the other two. Then I was uninspired to make more and paralyzed to do anything for a few days.
I have talked before about my “sideways” approach to Polymer Clay. I still adore the medium but now sometimes find my inspiration by coming at it from a mixed media angle.
I have a rather large personal collection of earrings from 30 years ago- most of which I don’t wear anymore. So I decided to cut them up, take them apart and see what parts might go with polymer – “repurpose” those parts along with 
new polymer clay bits and baubs. Now this was exciting to me.
I’ve made 20 new pairs of earrings- here’s a few for you to see.
I’ve had time off in the last couple weeks to make some new pieces. Also had a couple play days with friends and we not only brainstormed and problem solved on projects but set “challenges” for each other to work on.
My challenges are to make 3 new earring designs (haven’t done that yet) and to design something wearable using a certain focal bead we both decided on (haven’t done that yet) and to start to work on a new idea for a piece that will take alot of time and thought (haven’t started on that yet).
I guess you get the picture of where I am on these “challenges” but hey! I have a bit more time to do them ( 5 days- for the first two) and I have been working on other things . Hopefully will check in again soon with the “challenge pieces”.
So here’s a peak of what I have been making.
I’m looking forward to 2012 unfolding and I wish each of you/all of us a creatively exciting year filled with new ideas brought into bloom. Inspiration abounds everywhere these days- in books, exhibits, online, workshops online and in person and wonderful immersion creative retreats in the US and in other countries and cultures.
My teaching year begins soon and I excited to share all I know. Come join me in Tallahassee for three days of workshops- new ideas, techniques and creative projects to add to your repertoire. Please contact Barbara at president@polymerclayart.org for all the details.
I just finished a batch of new Les Fleurs brooches. These feature layered polymer clay blends with a vintage French Button gathered at the French flea markets during my summer workshops there. Come join the hunt!
It’s that time of year when things slow down for me “business-wise” and get faster “family-wise”. I wish you and yours a warm and wonderful holiday time and I look forward to seeing many of you hopefully in 2012.
My 2012 teaching schedule is now posted and I would love to share a workshop with you. I’ll be adding two on-line classes to the schedule soon and some other “in person” workshop dates too.
It’s a time of year for me to reflect on where I would like to go creatively in 2012. More studio time is high on my list. New ideas to develop for personal work and for new classes- its’ a balancing act I’m still struggling with.
Very high on my list also is to share the creative spirit with others. My recent class at Maureen Carlson’s on Creative Sparks was a real joy and I hope to repeat it at her special retreat center in 2013.
I’m on the path to opening an ETSY shop with new work as soon after the holidays as possible. I’ve got the artwork done- now its just the learning curve (for me) of stocking the shop. I hope you’ll enjoy this new style and line of new artwork. Soon I promise!
For those of you I will be seeing in France- I can hardly wait for the summer to come! And I do have a spot open in the workshops- please email me for info and discount offer!
Happiest of Holidays to you and yours!
Teesha Moore’s Artfest- the fantastic mixed media retreat- will be celebrating it’s thirteenth year in March 2012! It will also be the last Artfest. Teesha is an amazing artist and entrepeneur and I know she will have new and inspiring ideas for all of us in the future.
Artfest is held in the charming town on Port Townsend. You fly (or drive) to Seattle and then cross to the island on a ferry- you can rent a car or there is a shuttle available from the Seattle airport. Once there, we have everything we need right at our fingertips for a fantastic gathering. Food, art-making, evening events, inspiring teachers, galleries and shops in the town. It’s a rich feast of inspiration and creativity.
I first met Teesha in 2001 at the conference Beyond the Surface. I was already a subscriber to her zine The Studio and was so excited to not only meet her but to teach at the next Artfest. I taught workshops there for the next several years, and now after a break, I am so honored to be back teaching at this last Artfest.
If you want to learn from and create art with some of the finest teachers on the planet and have a great time with like- minded creative souls, take this opportunity to come to Artfest. The dates are March 28- April 1st, 2012. It is an event not to be missed! Hope to see you all there!!!
It’s autumn (and a bit of winter- in the 20’s last night) here in sweet Jordan MN where I am teaching a six day workshop at Maureen Carlson’s lovley retreat center. We’ve come together to explore Creative Sparks and to make art!
This workshop has been very exciting to me as it puts into practice what I have been exploring for the last couple years. How we get inspired and how our hands take the next step. And how our hearts, minds and hands work together to make art.
At Synergy (the International Polymer Clay Conferences- 2008 and 2010) I gave seminars on this subject- Creative Sparks and From Seed to Blossom. Soooo…. this week has been very special to work with a group over several days and put into practice some of these ideas. Thank you ladies!
We’ve been having fun making jewelry, books and art dolls. And deeply thinking about inspiration and influences, thinking about new ways of working, developing new ideas that might lead to a production line or exhibition piece.I’ve been in experimenting mode working on new flower designs.
I hope you will join me in a workshop in 2012 (schedule will be on this site SOON) and for your own taste of Creative Sparks, please look at my book ( by myself and Cynthia Tinapple ) at www.blurb.com- then type my name in the search box for a 15-page preview.
Home from two weeks in the gorgeous mountains of NC teaching at the Campbell Folk School. While I was there I also worked hard and diligently on getting the pictures ready for opening my new ETSY store. I’ve been terrible about backburner-ing this as until recently I was on dial-up and I also have an aversion to the learning curve involved in doing this when I would rather be in the studio making stuff! I’m sure there are many of us that feel the same way.
However in the early mornings before class started I sat and formatted alot of pics for this “opening”. I don’t have an exact date yet for the launch but I’m hopeful it will be soon and I’ll announce it here as well as on my FaceBook page. So please check back and I’ll be offering a special sale for sure!
Here’s a little preview. Each piece is a 8 x 10″ fabric collage (ready to frame or hang) along with a polymer clay jewelry piece inspired by the fabric collage! PS I have over 50 of these creations!
There’s a place in Brasstown, North Carolina that casts a magical spell on all who come here. The John C. Campbell Folk School, founded in 1925. I’ve been teaching here for years and these week- long and weekend classes are the most varied and exciting I have seen.
Browse the catalog of classes and your jaw will drop. Not only traditional crafts like blacksmithing and woodworking (considered to be the finest in the country), but jewelry (all mediums) painting, cooking, photography, textile arts, glass work, all metal crafts- the list goes on and on. The classes run all year with several special festivals. Evening events include music concerts (great bluegrass) and lectures on the crafts of the Appalachia area. Visits in the afternoons to local artists and demos from the faculty all week long!
I’m honored to be back here for two week-long classes. I just started teaching Ancestral Treasure Hunt- a figurative sculpture class. Next week I’ll teach a week- long workshop in jewelry inspired by five different cultures/countries.
Check back for more pics later on!
Some of you may remember the progressive-style dinners of the past. I can remember my parents having them in the cul-de-sac of our suburban neighborhood. Each house was responsible for one of the courses ending with drinks and dancing at our house. I can see me in the hallway spying on my parents and their friends as they danced in our living room where the furniture had been moved earlier in the day.
This last week, here in Durfort, France, we had a number of wonderful cooks on our street- either permanent residents or visitors. I decided it would be fun to do a progressive dinner and I called it Restaurant Row on Rue des Martineurs.
Our apero ( cocktail party) was held at the town fountain- a lovely little shaded area with our town fountain that constantly spurts the most delicious tasting pure water for miles around. Nese- the chef for my workshops here in France had prepared a lovely samosa style “nibblie” which we called nesmosas- and a bevy of different drinks.
From there we walked up our street to Ann and Peters for the Entree (starter). Inside the silk studio where Ann works was a large table (there were 10 of us) beautifully set for the first course. Peter’s homemade bread spread with a tapenade and roasted tomato, followed by homemade pesto (made by Peter and Ann from basil grown in our garden). Delicious!
We then walked down the street to la Cascade ( the artist retreat house where I hold my workshops) where Gwen and Leo had prepared the Main Course. A gorgeous Chicken Marbella along with couscous and roasted red peppers. Divine!
Next stop was Christopher and Bill’s- our friends from CA who are renting a house on our street. They had just arrived and we were so happy they could join us. They served a gorgeous selection of Cheeses along with ripe green grapes and fresh bread. My fave was a creamy Reblochon- perfectly ripe.
We finished up our evening with Dessert, cafe and liqueurs hosted by Dan and me. I made an icecream dessert of vanilla ice cream and cassis (black currant) sorbet mixed with fresh raspberries and little bits of crunchy french meringues. Then refrozen and cut into slices. Finished off with coffee and chocolate and Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur) and Get. Get is a mint- flovored liqueur which the area is known for.
No dancing that night ( too full of food and wine )but a kazoo orchestra- we played six tunes starting with Food Fabulous Food! and ending with I like Coffee I like Tea! Great fun and a nice finish to my summer here.
A l’ete prochaine!
Merci to Amy Crawley for the picture
My time in our little French village is startling to wind down. I see leaves beginning to turn and fall and the sunflowers are starting to turn ochres and browns with droopy heads. Soon they will be harvested for their seeds and oil. Sunflower oil (Huile de Tournesol) is very popular here.
The fairs and festivals shift from high summer fun to autumn harvest fairs. This weekend will still be a full weekend of summer fun. The medieval village right next to us has their HUGE vide grenier (flea market). It winds thru all the streets of the village and is one of the biggest in the area. Soreze is an interesting village filled with photo ops of old doors, windows, door kncokers, small streets with flowering gardens and exquisite architecture. I always take my workshops there on the first day.
Tomorrow Soreze will host a regional artist/craftsperson fair. Again the street will be filled with booths of art and gourmet food products made by small producers.
I’ll be posting one last time from France and hope you have enjoyed sharing the summer with me. I also hope you will come join me in 2012 or 2013 for your OWN experience in this charming area. Please contact me for info on special discounts available!
You may remember from my earlier post that a couple friends and I challenged each with a “task” to have accomplished by the next time we met. My original challenge was three new earring designs. I finally did it but I have to say I was only mildly happy with one design, and not happy with the other two. Then I was uninspired to make more and paralyzed to do anything for a few days.
I have talked before about my “sideways” approach to Polymer Clay. I still adore the medium but now sometimes find my inspiration by coming at it from a mixed media angle.
new polymer clay bits and baubs. Now this was exciting to me.
