Claying or Drawing ?

I tried to keep busy, running back and forth, in and out of Ada's room, I have 5 to 10 min. to clay. It is hard to come up with a big project, or get the whole thought together and come up with something in a scale and quality that I would like to do.
I made some beads, send them out with my friend who is a vendor and sell through big bead shows around the Midwest. I used to do that a few years back, successfully. But She did not sell any strand in Atlanta last week. Very discouraged. I am making a few more trays so she can sell them at Bead&Button in Milwaukee. Not excited about it but it will help pay for the trip. Oh, I will be there for a few days, my vacation.

Since I am still make rings for "Ring-A-Day" project, I wrote some tutorials and post them on the other blog.
May be I should move my work table away from Ada's room, get away, lock myself up till I can make something. I am not strong enough to do that, I want to be with her.

We took Ada to the Museum a lot and the flowers in the garden were in full bloom, so I took a lot of pictures. Scott's also sending pictures of his Wisteria, Tulips, Iris among others flowers. I pick up some paper and pencil and start sketching. From the note card size to 9"x12" size and suddenly, I felt very happy.
here's a sample of one of my drawing. It is a fantasy garden with lots of flowers. I could never have a garden like Scott's, so I draw mine.
A few drawings later, I had this in my head; "Claying or Drawing?"
I feel like I am at the dead end of claying. Really, when some thing you do for fun turn out to be a job (because I need to make some money), it took a fun out of it.
I also feel like I am so far behind my creativity with clay. Looking at other people works, it is hard to catch up.
May be I will draw and paint for a while, forget about the clay. may be I will get my groove back, who knows, who cares?
P.S. I posted last nite and the next morning heard the news about Kathereen Dustin's struggle with her art. Shouldn't I feel better by now?

Black and White

Month of May means Indy 500 racing spectacular here in Indianapolis. We live not too far from the track and can hear the sound of the engine from home. I had been asked to make checker beads. Just simple Black&White, right. It is an annoying process to touch black clay and have to clean your fingers real good before touching white clay. But the result is pretty good. I might do more with this 2-3 color combo.

Also Ada and I visit the Indianapolis Museum a lot. Just walking outside in the garden give us enough to see. I like to take photo of the flowers and plants. Then, occasionally, I will pick up pen and paper and make a sketch from the Photo. If I can sit still long enough, I would like to make a larger drawing. It is a small note card, for now.

New beads

Some new beads today, square shape, kinna pillow style. The colors came out very nice and they are pretty easy to make. Just twist and twist and twist. I will send them out with my friends who sells beads at bead show in Atlanta to see if they would sell. Then off to Bead & Button in June. I also stopped by Bead Angle bead store to see if Connie wants to sell some of my beads again. She thought I should charge more for my beautiful beads.

These are a few ankle bracelets I made using my new beads and some of the seed beads I bought. They are so colorful and happy :).

It is going to be a busy summer. I applied for a few shows, big and small so better get busy.

Springtime Bracelets

Here are 2 of the new bangle bracelets for my Spring Collection. Made with a few of flower canes that I made. I like the bright and cheerily color and also they are bulky yet light weight. I did not sand it down. I think leaving all the cane slides exposed has given the bracelet the feel of real handmade.

Polymer Artist Showcase

I've been published. 4 of my works were included in Tejae Floyde - Polymer Artists Showcase. I am so excited and very pleased. Here is the link to the book.

I will order one soon. Thanks Tejae.

I also re-make the Black, white &Brown beads. My friend, Lisa, wants them. I made these beads before and they sold quite well. I am going to send my beads to Bead&Button Show this year. My friend has a booth and she sells my beads for me. Usually, I made enough money so I can shop for some pretty beads that I want. I need to make about 4-5 tray of beads.

I also make these little square beads which I use then to make bracelet and ankle bracelet. These beads are flat so they don't press against the wrist or ankle. You can view the tutorial HERE.

So, if everything is going according to my plan, I will be able to go to Bead&Button for a couple of days. It is my favorite place to visit in June. Oh, did I mention that I will also display my necklace, ring and bracelet at "Natural Touch Beads" booth. I have been incorporate the resin beads with Polymer.

I still making rings and still have fun with it. Also apply for 2 art shows in September. Last year, I asked Katherine, Ada's friend, to help me with the show and I was complaining that this was so much trouble, I wasn't sure it worth doing. Katherine reminded me that Ada would have love for me to go out and do shows, and she was right. Keep fingers cross, I hope they let me in.

300 more rings to make

Today I made and posted the picture of my 65th ring on a group called "Ring a day" on Flickr.

It had been fun and challenging at the same time. The goal is to make one ring a day for a year. That's 365 rings. I have my own goals to follows. For example: I will try to make rings from materials that I already have at home, or someone gave it to me. I will try to used different kind of materials together, and, if I could, I will take up basic Metalsmith class, or convince my DH to show me how to solder.

Most of my rings are made with Polymer since I have a lot of it and I start making flower canes. I also used glass beads, wire, felt, stones, brads, small toys, etc. I also try to set up prop and taking good photograph.

Here is my favorite model, Mr. Middle. He has a screw sticking out of the other end. I think he meant to be a towel hanger, but I have so much fun using him instead of showing the rings on my wrinkle finger.

You can see more of my rings and Mr. middle HERE.

A few pieces of mine at Synergy 2

This is the mosaic pieces by Lauri Mika. She asked 30 Polymer clay artists to send her a piece of 2"x2" work that represent us and she then put them together. The artwork was auction off at Synergy and I am glad to be a part of the project. When I got the first e-mail, I was delighted, then the second e-mail came, I started checking the "CC" and found the name like; Cynthia Toops, Donna Kato, Dayle Doroshow,.. a few more names that I make me feel like I was going to get panic attack. It was the most difficult 2"x 2" that I've ever made. I think I put too much Mica powder on it but I felt really fortunate to be given the opportunity to put my name and my work next to others. I think Libby Mills is the proud owner of the pieces. Humm... I wonder how much it went at the auction.

Second, I sent a pin to Synergy so they can put it up for auction. Really love this pin and had a second thought before I sent it to Susan Lumoto (thanks Susan). I named it "Two faces have I". The pink beads look like eyes. I think all the materials just fit together perfectly.

It went home with someone. I hope she like it.

I am saving $1 a day for 2 years so I will have enough money to go to Synergy 3. Then I can blog about it, you know, I enjoy telling the story. The "Synergy" jar is on my table now.

My new obsession

I was asked to join a group on Flickr called "Ring a day". The objective is to make one ring each day with material that you can find. Oh, why not, I have been making rings for a while and just figure out how to make ring band from Polymer clay.
I don't do metal clay, I am not working with metal either, just some metal wire, so clay will be my main material. I can sew, knit and crochet, so I will incorporate that skill into my rings. I only made 18 rings so far, but every morning and every night when I have a chance to sit at my work table, I will make a ring first, then something else. I intend to put more creative thinking into each ring and want to see how far I can stretch Polymer clay as my main material. You can view more of my rings at www.flickr.com/photos/polymerclaybeads

Wish me luck, cheer me on, cause this will be a long, long project. I hope I can get through it.

Synergy and Collaboration

As much as I want to attend Synergy II in Baltimore next month, the chance is pretty slim. The ultimate goal is to witness Ford & Forlano new works, of which I can rest in peace after that. LOL, I can't yet but the idea of "Collaboration" between two artists and to collaborate different materials into clay work is not new. In fact, I am practicing it everyday.

First, let me introduce my collaborate partner, Mr. Scott Mizevitz. He is a very talented artist and a very dear friend of mine. We share ideas, lots of ideas of how to work with clay and use it to the limit. Scott's works are so details and he crafts every millimeter of it with his skillful hand and high quality craftsmanship. He takes time looking at every details and it shows. Me, on the other hand, sloppy, get it done fast so I can move on to next project.

Scott is also an antique collectible. He has a house full of art and craft materials which he, occasionally, send some to me. He had taught me to appreciate things that are handmade. A desert plates that was hand-painted by someone years ago. I learn to slow down and take more time with my work and to appreciated my artistic skill. Those goodies that he sent, especially the antique Rhinestones, make me slow down and rethink my works and how to collaborate different materials into polymer clay.

Here are samples of my new works; a series of pin made from different kind of materials, held together with Polymer Clay.

This pin consists of shells and coral pieces I collected while in Phuket Island.

Other pins are made with shells from Florida seashore, stones and some of my beads, rocks and pearls.

Those tiny rhinestones sure add some bling to the pieces.

Every night, I sat down at my work table, arranging and playing with different materials, then I put them together. Each pin has its own story; what it is, where it came from, or what it looks like. I am in the zone, I am in my world and I am in control. Be able to keep my sanity and get those "things" out of my head, everyday, is a good thing.

Metal or Clay

A few years back, when you went through the grocery store check out, you will be asked; "Paper or Plastic?". I found that to be very annoying. Now a day, I like the self-check out lane, where I can use my own bag.

But choosing between 2 given choices is always difficult, Metal or Clay? I like to work with Polymer Clay because of it's versatility and affordable. Still it is consider plastic and can also chip or break easily which require a min. thickness to make the object strong enough.

I like the idea of putting different objects together and create a "collage" pieces. Most artists do that with the help of Metal or Metal Clay. I love clay and will stick with clay. Here are some of a few pieces I made while searching for the right technique.

I used Black clay with a few pieces of antique rhinestone that Scott has given me, a few pearls and some stones that Mo sent me. Then put on the Metallic powder, Gold, Silver or Copper, baked and put clear varnish on top.

So it is clay, that looks like metal. I am pretty happy with the result. They look like antique costume jewelry. But why do I have to make it looks like I was using metal? I decided to leave the Black clay alone, may be clear varnish on top of it, for the shinny look.

And here is my favorite one.

This pin is going to China with Kirsten, Ada's friend. I made this pin using a few shells and drift wood that Kirsten picked up while on her vacation in Florida. A few beads from New Mexico, South African beads from her brother, John. Ada and I will miss seeing Kirsten. She is one of a few friends who visit us regularly.

I'll post more pictures of the pin later. Scott is sending more rhinestones and pretty things. I also put them on the rings as you can see. Bling and more Bling, Scott said. He is also served as my Tech Support since he has more experience and expertise working with clay than me. Couldn't have done it without you, Scott. Thank you.

Woodland Pins

Rings

Benefit Ada

Ebay auction - benefit Ada starts today. We received more than 80 items donated from Polymer clay artists around the world. Kathy Stuart had finally put some of them on Ebay today. Thanks Kathy. There will be more to come but check out http://www.ebay.com/ and put "benefit Ada" in a find box.

Red & Black w/ a touch of Gold and Silver

Thursday nite while I was sitting at my desk wondering what should I make. I had a showed on Saturday and had already put price tags on everything and packed them up ready to go. I went on Face Book, my favorite place to go to talk to my friends, a piece of metal caught my eyes. I used it before and got a good result. may be I should do something. So between typing and chatting, I made these Red & Black beads with a touch of gold mixing with silver. next ting I know, I made enough for a necklace, so I baked them, then strung them and it looks so good. I like it, I like it, so much. I wore it to the show.

I guess there will be more to come, Black with different color because I intend to keep chatting on Face book. I can chart my friends in Thailand, I chat with my nephew and my son who doesn't pick up his phone when I call, and my clay friends who live all over the world. A place where I can complain about my life and someone listen. A place where I can share my happiness and joy, and someone is happy with me. At the show last Saturday, the girls from Indy guild came by to help at my booth. Something about Polymer Clay that make people happy, care and be kind to others.

Red, White and Green

Start out this Holiday season with these tiny snowmen. They are about 1" tall and as cute as they could be. Perfect size for earrings.




Next, I covered the lid of baby jar food with clay and made snow and holiday theme with them.

Next are the Star Holiday Ornaments. With a Festive hat and a few Rhinestones, this turn out to be really cute and fun project.

I also put the white and blue hats on the ornament to cerebrate our Indianapolis Colts Football team. With their 11-0 win, I hope they can GO-ALL-THE-WAY to Superbowl.

The tutorial for these projects can be found at my other blog HERE.

I also will have my only show this Saturday. The Eitlejorg Museum is having a Holiday Market and they are kind enough to keep me on the list. Our local guild will join me there to promote our group. We will launch our first e-bay action on the gifts that have been donated by the Polymer clay artists all over the world. The benefit will go to Ada's fund to make sure that she can have as much Cheerio as she wants.