A Bevy of Books
September 14, 2018
Inspirational Art
First of all, a shout out to our friends and colleagues in the Carolinas facing hurricane Florence. Stay safe and, if you had to evacuate, I hope you get to return to your home and studio very soon. We will be thinking of you.
So, as I wrap up this week, I have one more cool announcement about some things to look forward to and one you can get right now!
First of all, just a general observation… there have not been a lot of books out specifically for the polymer enthusiast in the last couple years but our veritable drought seems to be over. As you may have read on Mondays blog, we started presales for the new Polymer Art Projects – Organics book – and what a response! Thank you. Myself and all the artist involved are very happy to see you like the idea well. By the way, it is at the least expensive pricing it will be all year, possibly ever, so if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to jump over to our website to claim your book now and be one of the first to get it when it is released October 22nd.
But also, last weekend on Cynthia Tinapple’s Studio Mojo – an every Saturday shot of news and links on what is going on in the polymer community and beyond – Cynthia announced that she’s working on a new book and revealed that she’s heard whispers about books from both Loretta Lam and Dayle Doroshow as well. If all goes well with this first Projects – Organics book, we well began working on another Polymer Art Projects book for next year. That’s sounding like at least maybe 4 books to look forward to in 2019. How wonderful all this news is!
But if that makes you excited and yet frustrated because none of these books are available yet , there is a book that came out just this past week that you can get a hold of now. Christi Friesen just released her latest book, Do You See What I See, and, lucky me, I already have it in my hot little hands – that is the advantage of pre-ordering (it also helps to be but one county away from Christi Friesen headquarters). And, oh my … what fun this book is! I tried counting how many mini-tutorials and technique tips there are in this book but then I kept running into other fun stuff and would get distracted.
The piece here is probably my favorite found in the book. This woodland river mirror is one of those pieces that you can look back at again and again and find something new each time. Take a close look at the details. Her joyful nature and whimsy can be found throughout this piece from the curls of the clouds to the nibs in the trees to the little creatures tucked in below. It’s a little peek through the eyes of Christi, a view even more illuminated by the observations in this book.
Go to this page to order either or both the print and e-book versions of Do You See What I See. And, while you’re over there, you can stop in on her shop and see what new and nifty things you need for the studio.
Summer 2016 issue Cover … Movement!
May 18, 2016
Inspirational Art, The Polymer Arts magazine news
We interrupt this week’s looking at the ground for inspiration to being you the latest cover of The Polymer Arts magazine!
This issue is not out yet, and although we would usually get this out to you by the end of May, it looks like it will be the first week of June, but we are moving along as quickly as we can while still ensuring you have wonderful quality content and beautiful pages to enjoy.
So, what do we have coming up for you in a few short weeks? Some truly energizing articles! As you can see, the theme is Movement, so we have really fun and dynamic articles for you including …
… Randee Ketzel sharing her beautiful new faux bakelite in a flowing bracelet design.
… Lisa Pavelka shares secrets on using illusion and juxtaposition for dynamic and vibrant color.
… Loretta Lam gets you thinking about how to create visual movement in your compositions.
… I’m sharing a mulit-piece kinetic earring and pendant tutorial set as well as a tutorial on creating balanced mobiles.
… my staff is going to give you some ideas on creating dangles as well as putting together truly wonderful PDF tutorials to sell.
… Shannon Tabor talks us through looking at the big picture to move your business forward.
… Tory Hughes has a fascinating discussion with long time polymer supporter Robert Liu of Ornament magazine.
… Anke Humpert has dug up secrets and plans in her interview with the amazing Georg Dinkel.
… and much more! Sheesh. I need to catch my breath!
While I’m catching my breath and polishing your next issue, enjoy this cover with this intense wall piece by Bonnie Bishoff and J.M Syron. It’s mesmerizing and wholly moving besides being completely enthralling just trying to figure out how it was made. If you need to get your subscription up to date, you can do so on the website at www.thepolymerarts.com/Subscribe.html. I apologize, we don’t have single issue pre-sales yet, but I hope to have the site updated by next week so we can do that.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Pick up an old copy of The Polymer Arts (or any craft magazine or book) and spend some time with it on your work break, over coffee, or to wind down tonight. Our old magazines and books are a treasure trove of inspiration. Find something you had wanted to try or find yourself wanting to try now, and do it. Make a goal of attempting of accomplishing a new technique, form, or approach by this weekend, no matter how busy you are.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
_________________________________________
Supplementary Knots
March 9, 2016
Inspirational Art
The original theme of the Spring issue was “Focus”, which is why we have that great article by Loretta Lam on designing with focal points in this latest issue. But last year, Iris Mishly sent me this great proposal for combining polymer with micro macramé and that, along with having these long-standing articles on my wish list to teach epoxy clay and metal clay, had us moving towards a much more mixed media issue.
Iris’ article is very detailed and quite thorough considering the variety and potential use of micro macramé as a substitute for typical metal findings as well as polymer embellishments. It’s really quite exciting, especially for us textile junkies, but I think anyone would find these fun and easy skills a great, inexpensive way to add to the complexity and uniqueness of polymer jewelry art. The macramé can also provide a great, flexible, and decorative stringing option to showcase your polymer elements, as it does in this necklace-turned-headband. Create bails, dangles, bezels, choker, and bracelet bands, or just learn a few quick knots to use as bead spacers.
The article in the Spring issue is a great way to start because it works through everything from planning the polymer elements to a step-by-step for creating a nice end and dangle for a pair of earrings, but Iris also has a couple of free tutorials to share with you, my dear readers. Just go here to get the free tutorials, then explore her site for the more advanced tutorials if you find the macramé bug caught you!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day:Try adding a material to your work you have never used before. Challenge yourself to use the first possible thing you come across either in your house (something that isn’t part of your present craft repertoire) or at a craft store. In your house, it could be dried petals from your potpourri or a foil wrapper from a chocolate candy. Around a craft store you might be intrigued by model airplane decals, scrap-book brads, or fiber used for hair in doll making. Don’t think about it as you look, just see what your eye finds for you.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
___________________________________________
Complimenting Brooches
May 17, 2014
Inspirational Art
Loretta Lam has an obvious influence of nature in her work. These pins reminded me not so much of microscopic cellular formations as the growth of micro-organisms on plants and rocks. They naturally complement the pod and leaf forms and their surface patterns.
Loretta Lam is being featured in the Color Spotlight article in the upcoming Summer 2014 issue of The Polymer Arts due out the first week of June. But while you are waiting for that, check out her website for more beautiful nature inspired pieces.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Vote for Polymer Clay!
July 9, 2012
Inspirational Art, Supplies & other fun stuff
Recently The Crafts Report asked readers to help them chose the artwork for their upcoming October issue. And polymer has done quite well in this little competition. If you are not familiar with this magazine, you really should take a look at it, not only for business ideas but also for artistic inspiration. This comes out monthly, focusing on issues relevant to crafters of all types.
The Crafts Report has been particularly kind to polymer clay artists. With all the many different types of crafts out there, most of which are much more established than polymer, they still regularly feature polymer art on the cover. Even though we work in a newer art material, we do, actually, comprise a huge portion of the craft artist market. So, The Crafts Report does pay attention to polymer artists and keeps our art in the lime light. Thanks Crafts Report!
Today they resume a cover contest they are conducting on Facebook. It’s down to 4 pieces, and one of them being the beautiful polymer necklace here by Loretta Lam. If you are interested in helping polymer get yet another Crafts Report cover, find The Crafts Report on Facebook and toss in your vote!
First of all, a shout out to our friends and colleagues in the Carolinas facing hurricane Florence. Stay safe and, if you had to evacuate, I hope you get to return to your home and studio very soon. We will be thinking of you.
So, as I wrap up this week, I have one more cool announcement about some things to look forward to and one you can get right now!
First of all, just a general observation… there have not been a lot of books out specifically for the polymer enthusiast in the last couple years but our veritable drought seems to be over. As you may have read on Mondays blog, we started presales for the new Polymer Art Projects – Organics book – and what a response! Thank you. Myself and all the artist involved are very happy to see you like the idea well. By the way, it is at the least expensive pricing it will be all year, possibly ever, so if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to jump over to our website to claim your book now and be one of the first to get it when it is released October 22nd.
But also, last weekend on Cynthia Tinapple’s Studio Mojo – an every Saturday shot of news and links on what is going on in the polymer community and beyond – Cynthia announced that she’s working on a new book and revealed that she’s heard whispers about books from both Loretta Lam and Dayle Doroshow as well. If all goes well with this first Projects – Organics book, we well began working on another Polymer Art Projects book for next year. That’s sounding like at least maybe 4 books to look forward to in 2019. How wonderful all this news is!
But if that makes you excited and yet frustrated because none of these books are available yet , there is a book that came out just this past week that you can get a hold of now. Christi Friesen just released her latest book, Do You See What I See, and, lucky me, I already have it in my hot little hands – that is the advantage of pre-ordering (it also helps to be but one county away from Christi Friesen headquarters). And, oh my … what fun this book is! I tried counting how many mini-tutorials and technique tips there are in this book but then I kept running into other fun stuff and would get distracted.
The piece here is probably my favorite found in the book. This woodland river mirror is one of those pieces that you can look back at again and again and find something new each time. Take a close look at the details. Her joyful nature and whimsy can be found throughout this piece from the curls of the clouds to the nibs in the trees to the little creatures tucked in below. It’s a little peek through the eyes of Christi, a view even more illuminated by the observations in this book.
Go to this page to order either or both the print and e-book versions of Do You See What I See. And, while you’re over there, you can stop in on her shop and see what new and nifty things you need for the studio.
Read MoreWe interrupt this week’s looking at the ground for inspiration to being you the latest cover of The Polymer Arts magazine!
This issue is not out yet, and although we would usually get this out to you by the end of May, it looks like it will be the first week of June, but we are moving along as quickly as we can while still ensuring you have wonderful quality content and beautiful pages to enjoy.
So, what do we have coming up for you in a few short weeks? Some truly energizing articles! As you can see, the theme is Movement, so we have really fun and dynamic articles for you including …
… Randee Ketzel sharing her beautiful new faux bakelite in a flowing bracelet design.
… Lisa Pavelka shares secrets on using illusion and juxtaposition for dynamic and vibrant color.
… Loretta Lam gets you thinking about how to create visual movement in your compositions.
… I’m sharing a mulit-piece kinetic earring and pendant tutorial set as well as a tutorial on creating balanced mobiles.
… my staff is going to give you some ideas on creating dangles as well as putting together truly wonderful PDF tutorials to sell.
… Shannon Tabor talks us through looking at the big picture to move your business forward.
… Tory Hughes has a fascinating discussion with long time polymer supporter Robert Liu of Ornament magazine.
… Anke Humpert has dug up secrets and plans in her interview with the amazing Georg Dinkel.
… and much more! Sheesh. I need to catch my breath!
While I’m catching my breath and polishing your next issue, enjoy this cover with this intense wall piece by Bonnie Bishoff and J.M Syron. It’s mesmerizing and wholly moving besides being completely enthralling just trying to figure out how it was made. If you need to get your subscription up to date, you can do so on the website at www.thepolymerarts.com/Subscribe.html. I apologize, we don’t have single issue pre-sales yet, but I hope to have the site updated by next week so we can do that.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Pick up an old copy of The Polymer Arts (or any craft magazine or book) and spend some time with it on your work break, over coffee, or to wind down tonight. Our old magazines and books are a treasure trove of inspiration. Find something you had wanted to try or find yourself wanting to try now, and do it. Make a goal of attempting of accomplishing a new technique, form, or approach by this weekend, no matter how busy you are.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
_________________________________________
Read More
The original theme of the Spring issue was “Focus”, which is why we have that great article by Loretta Lam on designing with focal points in this latest issue. But last year, Iris Mishly sent me this great proposal for combining polymer with micro macramé and that, along with having these long-standing articles on my wish list to teach epoxy clay and metal clay, had us moving towards a much more mixed media issue.
Iris’ article is very detailed and quite thorough considering the variety and potential use of micro macramé as a substitute for typical metal findings as well as polymer embellishments. It’s really quite exciting, especially for us textile junkies, but I think anyone would find these fun and easy skills a great, inexpensive way to add to the complexity and uniqueness of polymer jewelry art. The macramé can also provide a great, flexible, and decorative stringing option to showcase your polymer elements, as it does in this necklace-turned-headband. Create bails, dangles, bezels, choker, and bracelet bands, or just learn a few quick knots to use as bead spacers.
The article in the Spring issue is a great way to start because it works through everything from planning the polymer elements to a step-by-step for creating a nice end and dangle for a pair of earrings, but Iris also has a couple of free tutorials to share with you, my dear readers. Just go here to get the free tutorials, then explore her site for the more advanced tutorials if you find the macramé bug caught you!
Inspirational Challenge of the Day:Try adding a material to your work you have never used before. Challenge yourself to use the first possible thing you come across either in your house (something that isn’t part of your present craft repertoire) or at a craft store. In your house, it could be dried petals from your potpourri or a foil wrapper from a chocolate candy. Around a craft store you might be intrigued by model airplane decals, scrap-book brads, or fiber used for hair in doll making. Don’t think about it as you look, just see what your eye finds for you.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
___________________________________________
Read MoreLoretta Lam has an obvious influence of nature in her work. These pins reminded me not so much of microscopic cellular formations as the growth of micro-organisms on plants and rocks. They naturally complement the pod and leaf forms and their surface patterns.
Loretta Lam is being featured in the Color Spotlight article in the upcoming Summer 2014 issue of The Polymer Arts due out the first week of June. But while you are waiting for that, check out her website for more beautiful nature inspired pieces.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Recently The Crafts Report asked readers to help them chose the artwork for their upcoming October issue. And polymer has done quite well in this little competition. If you are not familiar with this magazine, you really should take a look at it, not only for business ideas but also for artistic inspiration. This comes out monthly, focusing on issues relevant to crafters of all types.
The Crafts Report has been particularly kind to polymer clay artists. With all the many different types of crafts out there, most of which are much more established than polymer, they still regularly feature polymer art on the cover. Even though we work in a newer art material, we do, actually, comprise a huge portion of the craft artist market. So, The Crafts Report does pay attention to polymer artists and keeps our art in the lime light. Thanks Crafts Report!
Today they resume a cover contest they are conducting on Facebook. It’s down to 4 pieces, and one of them being the beautiful polymer necklace here by Loretta Lam. If you are interested in helping polymer get yet another Crafts Report cover, find The Crafts Report on Facebook and toss in your vote!
Read More
