SPLENDID

Yes, splendor is the word that comes to my mind when I look at these polymer clay journals. You find them at sunhawk.etsy.com.

Happy New Year!

ICY

Lynn (UnaOdd.etsy.com) has many beautiful rustic polymer clay pendants and other jewelry items in her shop. The most recent additions are these original necklaces made with faceted "icy" polymer clay crystals.

This is how the artist described them: Polymer clay is formed into irregularly faceted crystal forms. After faceting, the crystals are gently buffed to soften the edges for design and for comfort.

Interesting idea and lovely design, isn't it?

Find more about Lynn and her art by visiting her blog, unaodd.blogspot.com.

HEALING

The wife and husband team behind lunaozidreams.etsy.com insist on healing properties of the stones used in their swirly creations. They also say that the material they use is not polymer clay, but resin. I decided to show you their works today because I am sure that polymer artists can certainly find their inspiration in these beautiful works, and because there are definitely healing and soothing powers in them.

CHINESE

These ancient-looking polymer clay pendants are from kkennedydesignsTOO.etsy.com.

They were made by taking a mold of an antique Chinese chops. These chops are stamp used as a form of signature, so each chops is unique to begin with. Different color and sculpting variations add to the uniqueness of each pendant.

ELUSIVE

Look at these original polymer clay face pendants I found at Shimmerwyck.etsy.com.

Somehow they remind me the elusive portraits by Amedeo Modigliani – a fine mixture of primitive, decorative, and graceful.

RUFFLED

Linda Garbe of garbedesigns.etsy.com made these beautiful ruffled necklaces.

This is how she describes them: “Ruffles mean abundance. You need lots of fabric to make a ruffle. A ruffle adds dimension and interest to the garment. It captures the light in its folds. Ruffles aren’t just for fabric. These polymer clay ruffles do everything a fabric ruffle can do without the need for ironing or starch.”

STEAMPUNKERING

One of my Christmas gifts happen to be the new book by Christi Friesen, Steampunkery.

Christi chosen a picture of my steampunk butterfly to be included in her book, so she sent me the contributor's copy.

Her new book is a lot of fun! Not only is it packed with lots of exciting projects, but it is also bursting with Christi's sense of humor. My 13-year old son is Christi's new fan. He snatched the book from me as soon as it arrived, and literally devoured it before I had a chance to even flip through it. I am sure Stempunkery will be as popular as Christi's other books!

EXUBERANT

These lavish and abundant in detail angels are by Sylvia Garcia Laird. Find them at HerPapasAngel.etsy.com.

Merry Christmas!

EDGY

Steampunk, Gothic, and Victorian – these the styles that Sage Bray works in. Her jewelry is unique and memorable. Find it in Sage's Etsy shop, and more at her web site.

ODD

Emma SanCartier is an illustrator, working in pen, ink, and watercolor.
 
In her Etsy shop, I also found a few polymer clay creations from her Odd Fauna series. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.
 

SNOWING

More snow-inspired items for you today! These polymer clay snowflake ornaments are from the shop of Kathie Weise.

Kathie says: “Each of these snowflakes is unique, just like real ones! Each one has a different design of cutouts and impressions.”

SNOW-WHITE

I cannot think about anything but snow right now. In Maryland, we've got 24” in one day yesterday!

These snow-white polymer clay and glass creations by Racheli Lila match my mood perfectly. Find them at rachelilila.etsy.com.

There are more works by Racheli at her web site, www.rachelilila.net.

ICED

These sweet polymer clay treats by One Elf look good to eat!

Layers of tiny cakes are iced with delicious frostings, sliced, and made into lovely earrings.

RED-HATTED

These sweet polymer clay Snow-Ladies, each with her own personality, were inspired by the wonderful Red Hat society. Each of them is hand-sculpted, topped with their signature red hats, and adorned with novelty yarn scarfs.

Find them at sweetestlittlethings.etsy.com.

HELPING

Do you need any help around the house during the holidays? Patricia Hedegaard has an answer for you: elves! You can find these charming polymer clay characters in her shop, sagittariusdreams.etsy.com.

ARTFUL

I have already wrote about the works of this artist earlier this year. Her name is Kate, and back then she had one Etsy shop, OrganicOdysseys.etsy.com, in which she was (and still is) offering her beautiful polymer clay jewelry decorated with imprints of leaves and other plant parts.

Kate now has an additional shop, StudioARTBEAD.etsy.com. This one is dedicated to her amazing textured beads and buttons. Her denim buttons (below) are an absolute favorite of mine. I had a privilege of seeing in person a necklace made out of these buttons – casual, yet unforgettably elegant.

EXPLORATORY

As a formulator of polymer clay products, Tony Aquino likes to explore the diverse possibilities of this medium. He is on the roster of instructors at Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2010, held next February in Laurel, MD, and will be teaching a class called "Channelling a Bracelet". Information about all workshops and instructors could be found at www.polymerclayfests.wordpress.com.

On the demo night Tony will show a 50-slide presentation titled "I Did My Research" - a light-hearted look at the role that polymer clay has played through history. He will also demonstrate a surface treatment technique he calls "Flash Cure".

Here are a few examples of Tony's exploratory polymer clay creations.