Linky Love

NWPCG Member Blogs

Cathy Gilbert http://catrinket.blogspot.com/

Helen Hughes http://helensclayart.blogspot.com/

JuLee Wolfe http://thepolymerpenguin.blogspot.com/

Meredith Arnold http://mereditharnold.wordpress.com/

Nan Robkin http://auntnanseclecticinkandblabula.blogspot.com/

Patricia Perrine http://designbyperrine.blogspot.com/

Daily & periodic inspiration

Daily Art Muse http://dailyartmuse.com/

Polymer Art Archive http://polymerartarchive.com/

Polymer Clay Daily http://polymerclaydaily.com/

Exploring the Art of Polymer Clay http://janiceabarbanel.blogspot.com/

International Polymer Blogs

Iris Mishly, Israel http://polymerionline.blogspot.com/

France http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/

Bettina Welker, Germany http://beadworx.de/

Germany http://www.polyclaykunst.de/

Garie Sims, Singapore http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/

Int’l Polymer Clay Guild http://www.theipca.org/

Polymer encyclopedias

Glass Attic http://www.glassattic.com/

Polymer Clay Central http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/

Polymer artist supplies

Polymer Clay Express http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/

Boston Craftworks http://polymerclayprojects.com/index.htm

Polymer Clay Superstore http://www.polymerclaysuperstore.com/

Shades of Clay, Canada http://www.shadesofclay.com/

Professional jewelers supplies

Contenti http://www.contenti.com/products/pliers.html

Rio Grande http://www.riogrande.com/

Thunderbird Supply http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/

Professional and hobbyist supply sites

Fusion Beads (Wallingford) http://www.fusionbeads.com/

Rings and Things (Spokane) http://www.rings-things.com/

Fire Mountain Gems http://www.firemountaingems.com/

Whole Lotta Whimsy http://www.wholelottawhimsy.com/

Cool Tools http://www.cooltools.us/

General art supplies

Artist and Craftsman (U district) http://www.artistcraftsman.com/

Dick Blick (Capitol Hill) http://www.dickblick.com/

Munro Crafts http://www.munrocrafts.com/

Coming up with a polymer curriculum

Members of the NW Polymer Clay Guild ask me: How do I know if I'm ready to take Jill or Jane or John's polymer workshop? The problem is that there are no clear definitions of what constitutes a beginner, or intermediate or advanced clayer.

So I started to de-construct the problem. What are the skills I use to make my polymer creations? Well, the brooch shown here required rolling a ball for the gold center of the flower, a skinner blend for the flower petals, using a pasta machine to make the leaf cane and borders, and several other skills. Humm, probably not something a newby novice could do in an afternoon.

I'm gonna work at putting my educational background to work in coming up with a curriculum for working with polymer clay. Over the next while, check out this space to see what I come up with. I'll work on a vocabulary of learning first.

We will have three basic levels: apprentices, journeyers, and masters. This terminology comes from the ancient guild system. Each of those three levels will consist of sub-levels. So for example, you may be a beginning, intermediate or advanced apprentice. Check back with me soon to read the definitions of each of these sub-levels. For now, it's back to my research into resources to share with you.

Jana Roberts Benzon master workshop

Onion Dome Arabesque Cane & Collage Pendant Master Workshop with Jana Roberts Benzon

• November 13 & 14, 2010
• 10 am to 7 pm (includes a meal break)
• $200.00 for NWPCG members,
• $250 for non-members
• Checks must be postmarked by November 5, 2010.
• Sandee’s Place, 8803 192nd St SE, Snohomish, WA 93296
• LIMITED ENROLLMENT: 18 - (sign up early to save a spot!)
• Email design.by.perrine@gmail.com for information or to register.

The Northwest Polymer Clay Guild is delighted to host Jana Roberts Benzon in this 2 day master workshop that teaches Jana’s beautiful Arabesque cane with her special “onion dome” motif. This intricate cane is used as the basis to create lovely collage pendants.

This workshop begins with the construction of a beautiful Onion Dome cane. Participants will come prepared with several already created skinner blend canes and slabs of conditioned clay. After reducing the cane, you’ll use some of it as a ‘starting point’ in assembling and building the Arabesque cane. You’ll learn many new, exciting and innovative caning skills along the way, including lots of “worth the price of admission” moments. After assembling the cane, you’ll learn Jana’s effective method for preparing it for resting and reduction (a step that helps lead to a superior finished product). After the cane rests you’ll learn the magical and inventive reduction technique in which you see how to use energy, and not force, to reduce your cane. This results in minimal distortion and waste. Beware that some students are brought to tears after reducing their canes, making their “reveal” slice, and seeing the beauty they’ve created.

On Sunday, we’ll have a fun time putting together the components to create the Arabesque Collage Pendant. These Collage pendants are mesmerizing with a beautiful, almost ethnic quality. You will learn invaluable tips for thin, even slicing of the canes and for achieving a smooth, flawless matte finish without the need for sanding - in addition to so much more! You’ll love immersing yourself in patterns and arrangements, and sinking into that ‘moment out of time’ while you relax and create.

As with all of Jana's workshops, you will learn through her undivided attention and focus, extensive visual aids, photographs, models, and thorough handouts. The skills you'll come away with will not only be useful in any type of caning, but also to your polymer practices in general. Your polymer base of knowledge and artistic horizons will be broadened and enhanced, sparking excitement and inspiration for future creations.

While Jana's workshops are "intermediate" to "advanced" she will accept beginners who have strong basic skills and possess a desire to learn!