Dressing up the Christmas Tree

December 23, 2016

christmas-tree-dress-ribbon-runs-through-itAlthough I really want to go with a winter white holiday theme, it was hard not to go into a purely Christmas piece with amazing work like this floating across my monitor as I look for eye candy for you. But whether you do Christmas or not, it is hard not to appreciate the decorative impact of something as unique as this Christmas tree dress.

I’m not sure if this is more a tree or a gown. Maybe it could be worn although it would be quite difficult to get around in. I do know this was made for a client’s home by Legare Simpson at A Ribbon Runs Through It. Legare got into making these when, not finding anything she liked, she tried making wreath’s for herself. What she made impressed others who asked her to make them wreaths and the passion just grew from there.

She makes all kinds of wreaths but it’s her dresses and suits–created for other seasons as well–that really grab the spotlight. I wish I had time to make something so amazing for the house but maybe next year. In the meantime, enjoy her gorgeous array of tree dresses, flower suits and unique wreaths on her website.

 

_________________________________________

Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.

Shades of Clay Sept 15 Blog   never knead -july-2015c-125   The Great Create Sept 15 blog   businesscard-3.5inx2in-h-front

_________________________________________

A Filigree Farewell to Christmas

December 26, 2012

Perhaps you are all a bit tired of Christmas, but I only just found this beautiful set late last night and thought one more holiday piece could be shared.

Leah Hagen of LeeLee Beads is a polymer filigree fanatic. She seems to have explored every possible approach for winding thin snakes of clay about a bead. These “Vintage Christmas” beads are a charming example of Leah’s varied filigree approach.

5323789491_18b4cbf2e4

If you have an interest in polymer filigree, embroidery, or lace like applications take a look at Leah’s Flickr page.

 

 

Yes, It’s All Worth the Aggravation

December 23, 2012

I have somehow managed to avoid most of the trials and tribulations that are usually a part of the holiday season. Not that there aren’t other non-holiday tribulations putting up hurdles before me but I am very grateful for being an artist and for being able to make, with tons of love and caring, gifts for the people on my list. I am also so grateful for the internet … for letting me shop from home for all those things on my list that just can’t–for some silly reason–be made from polymer clay!

But I do see the hectic lines in the face of my friends and family. I’m sure many of you have or are having those kind of moments. So here is a holiday thought for you. Just remember why you go through all you go through during the holiday season. And who benefits from all you do.

slide_268220_1850861_free (1)

 

Cute Scene: Jewish Storyteller

December 15, 2012

With all the red and green and focus on the Christmas holiday, I wanted to take at least one moment to stop and bow to other observances that also occur this holiday season, not the least of which is Hanukkah.

Growing up, I was lucky enough to have friends of many different faiths and a church youth group that took time out to introduce and let us experience the traditions of other faiths. Of the Jewish traditions I was exposed to, the storytelling was my favorite. Being a writer and creator of written stories, even in my very young days, I took to the richly detailed, and often very dramatic, tales my Jewish friends and church group leaders read to us to heart. So, although I didn’t have the rabbi reading to me, as depicted by Gwen Pina here in the adorable scene below, the idea of the Jewish Storyteller does still warm my heart. Plus, it gives us all a chance to smile at the sight of Gwen’s charming work.

Gwen, one of the most prolific clayers in our community, creates a whole range of work influenced by a variety of cultures, most prominently the native history of the southwest. For more smiles, you can peruse her work on her website here.

 

Giving Yourself to the World

December 9, 2012

So, who here is making polymer gifts for family and/or friends? Ok … uh … maybe I should ask who isn’t …

I don’t have a lot of time this season, but the one thing I do always put time aside for is making gifts for as many people on my list as might appreciate them. I could just buy all my gifts, which would be tons easier and would take less time, but once you give of yourself, all other gifts just pale. The thing is, what you make is something that would never have existed if you were not on this earth. It is a reminder of who you are as well as being a little part of you that you are giving. How much more precious could a gift be?

Now, not everyone is able to create a little something of their own as gifts. If you have a gift giver who is having a hard time figuring out what to get their favorite creative polymer obsessed person, there is always the gift of inspiration in the form of a magazine. You can send a hint by forwarding this blog post, or send a link such as http://www.thepolymerarts.com/Subscribe.html. Issues and subscriptions also make great gifts for your own polymer friends. *grin* If you need anything special in the way of when to send gifted issues or would like a note included, just write me at sbray@thepolymerarts.com. I’m all for helping spread the holiday cheer in any way I can.

 

The Genuis of Wee Houses

November 10, 2012

I started my list of gifts I need to make for family and friends this holiday season. The kiddies and non-jewelry wearing adults are a little more tricky for me. So perusing for ideas this morning, I found these wonderful little houses by Etsy’s OneElf. 

The genius of making these kinds of items (aside from how adorably attractive they are) is that whether it’s for gift giving or selling, you can create a series that people will want to collect. Making a variety of buildings and other scene specific pieces can bring customers back again and again to add to the little village or scene on their shelf. And family and friends will have something to add to each year.

They might not be houses either. They could be animals in a zoo, dishes, food, etc. Anything that would be increased in value in the owner’s eye by adding new related items.  And they’d be fun for the creator too!

Dressing up the Christmas Tree

December 23, 2016
Posted in

christmas-tree-dress-ribbon-runs-through-itAlthough I really want to go with a winter white holiday theme, it was hard not to go into a purely Christmas piece with amazing work like this floating across my monitor as I look for eye candy for you. But whether you do Christmas or not, it is hard not to appreciate the decorative impact of something as unique as this Christmas tree dress.

I’m not sure if this is more a tree or a gown. Maybe it could be worn although it would be quite difficult to get around in. I do know this was made for a client’s home by Legare Simpson at A Ribbon Runs Through It. Legare got into making these when, not finding anything she liked, she tried making wreath’s for herself. What she made impressed others who asked her to make them wreaths and the passion just grew from there.

She makes all kinds of wreaths but it’s her dresses and suits–created for other seasons as well–that really grab the spotlight. I wish I had time to make something so amazing for the house but maybe next year. In the meantime, enjoy her gorgeous array of tree dresses, flower suits and unique wreaths on her website.

 

_________________________________________

Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.

Shades of Clay Sept 15 Blog   never knead -july-2015c-125   The Great Create Sept 15 blog   businesscard-3.5inx2in-h-front

_________________________________________

Read More

A Filigree Farewell to Christmas

December 26, 2012
Posted in

Perhaps you are all a bit tired of Christmas, but I only just found this beautiful set late last night and thought one more holiday piece could be shared.

Leah Hagen of LeeLee Beads is a polymer filigree fanatic. She seems to have explored every possible approach for winding thin snakes of clay about a bead. These “Vintage Christmas” beads are a charming example of Leah’s varied filigree approach.

5323789491_18b4cbf2e4

If you have an interest in polymer filigree, embroidery, or lace like applications take a look at Leah’s Flickr page.

 

 

Read More

Yes, It’s All Worth the Aggravation

December 23, 2012
Posted in

I have somehow managed to avoid most of the trials and tribulations that are usually a part of the holiday season. Not that there aren’t other non-holiday tribulations putting up hurdles before me but I am very grateful for being an artist and for being able to make, with tons of love and caring, gifts for the people on my list. I am also so grateful for the internet … for letting me shop from home for all those things on my list that just can’t–for some silly reason–be made from polymer clay!

But I do see the hectic lines in the face of my friends and family. I’m sure many of you have or are having those kind of moments. So here is a holiday thought for you. Just remember why you go through all you go through during the holiday season. And who benefits from all you do.

slide_268220_1850861_free (1)

 

Read More

Cute Scene: Jewish Storyteller

December 15, 2012
Posted in

With all the red and green and focus on the Christmas holiday, I wanted to take at least one moment to stop and bow to other observances that also occur this holiday season, not the least of which is Hanukkah.

Growing up, I was lucky enough to have friends of many different faiths and a church youth group that took time out to introduce and let us experience the traditions of other faiths. Of the Jewish traditions I was exposed to, the storytelling was my favorite. Being a writer and creator of written stories, even in my very young days, I took to the richly detailed, and often very dramatic, tales my Jewish friends and church group leaders read to us to heart. So, although I didn’t have the rabbi reading to me, as depicted by Gwen Pina here in the adorable scene below, the idea of the Jewish Storyteller does still warm my heart. Plus, it gives us all a chance to smile at the sight of Gwen’s charming work.

Gwen, one of the most prolific clayers in our community, creates a whole range of work influenced by a variety of cultures, most prominently the native history of the southwest. For more smiles, you can peruse her work on her website here.

 

Read More

Giving Yourself to the World

December 9, 2012
Posted in

So, who here is making polymer gifts for family and/or friends? Ok … uh … maybe I should ask who isn’t …

I don’t have a lot of time this season, but the one thing I do always put time aside for is making gifts for as many people on my list as might appreciate them. I could just buy all my gifts, which would be tons easier and would take less time, but once you give of yourself, all other gifts just pale. The thing is, what you make is something that would never have existed if you were not on this earth. It is a reminder of who you are as well as being a little part of you that you are giving. How much more precious could a gift be?

Now, not everyone is able to create a little something of their own as gifts. If you have a gift giver who is having a hard time figuring out what to get their favorite creative polymer obsessed person, there is always the gift of inspiration in the form of a magazine. You can send a hint by forwarding this blog post, or send a link such as http://www.thepolymerarts.com/Subscribe.html. Issues and subscriptions also make great gifts for your own polymer friends. *grin* If you need anything special in the way of when to send gifted issues or would like a note included, just write me at sbray@thepolymerarts.com. I’m all for helping spread the holiday cheer in any way I can.

 

Read More

The Genuis of Wee Houses

November 10, 2012
Posted in

I started my list of gifts I need to make for family and friends this holiday season. The kiddies and non-jewelry wearing adults are a little more tricky for me. So perusing for ideas this morning, I found these wonderful little houses by Etsy’s OneElf. 

The genius of making these kinds of items (aside from how adorably attractive they are) is that whether it’s for gift giving or selling, you can create a series that people will want to collect. Making a variety of buildings and other scene specific pieces can bring customers back again and again to add to the little village or scene on their shelf. And family and friends will have something to add to each year.

They might not be houses either. They could be animals in a zoo, dishes, food, etc. Anything that would be increased in value in the owner’s eye by adding new related items.  And they’d be fun for the creator too!

Read More
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