G I V E A W A Y

I am going on a short vacation, and after a long contemplation, I decided to close my blog until I am back.

I am doing this not because I am tired of what I am doing (I am not), or because I couldn't continue posting while on the road (I could). I am doing this to persuade my husband to really get away from his office (which is difficult these days with all our technical toys that keep us connected and involved with our everyday routines, no matter where we are). I hope that I can lead by example, so to speak, and help him relax and take his mind off of his work.

I will resume posting to this blog on August, 2.

So, I am revealing the slide shows today rather than on the first day of the month, as I usually do.

Below is the slide show with all the pictures of the wonderful works featured here in July. This one is with music. You may find its silent version at the bottom right corner of this page. Enjoy!

I want to thank everybody who stopped by my blog and took time to leave comments about the July works. All your comments were entered into a give away drawing. The lucky winner of my pendant with purple orchids sculpted over a piece of shell is Freda Kramer (who made the third comment on my July, 19 post).

Here is your pendant, Freda. Congratulations!



The pendant (or rather a necklace) I am offering for our August give away is a very special one. It is coming from my new line of jewelry. You may find out more about it in my personal blog, eugenascreations.blogspot.com.

RECYCLED

Here are a few examples of a clever use of found and recycled objects with polymer clay. Iris Mishly decorates aluminum disks from computer equipment with her beautiful canes to make these amazing necklaces.

There are more pictures of her work in her photo album, and I am sure you will enjoy her blog, polymerionline.blogspot.com.

BLUE

I've been waiting for Pippa of Pips' Jewellery Creations (yes, an English artist) to add more of her beautiful polymer clay works to her Etsy shop for quite a while now. Finally I decided to raid her Flickr photo album to show you some of my favorite works by her. Beautiful blues!

MINISCULE

These tiny polymer clay fairy houses are the works of C. Rohal, and may be found in ArtisticSpirit.etsy.com. The one in the middle is the smallest of them all. The treehouse is about 2” tall, and the teapot house is under 1”. Incredible details for such teensy sculptures!

WHITE

White is my second favorite color after black.

I love completely white designs – choosing this color, an artist can draw our undivided attention to the shape and texture of her creation. Take a look at these beautiful white polymer clay earrings by Krista Peel. That's simplicity at its best, isn't it?

EMOTIONAL

These face pins from another new store, CreagerStudios1.etsy.com by Jodi Creager, are so expressive – they can be used in a study of human emotions. The detail on these pins is incredible, especially given their size (each pin is only about 1” by 1/2”).

Find out more about Jodi and her art in her great and entertaining blog, creagerstudios.blogspot.com.

MOVABLE

These cool puppet-looking polymer clay creations from DeliciousHobo.etsy.com are actually... pendants! They have movable arms and legs and make fantastic necklaces.

NEW

I spotted a lovely new Etsy shop, ImaginativeIntention.etsy.com, with some interesting polymer clay pendants in it. Each pendant is made using a photograph baked into a polymer clay base and sealed under resin. And not just any photograph! I really like Teri's collection of photographs, and my favorites are the ones featuring famous works of art.

Find out more about this artist and her works in her blog, imaginativeintentions.blogspot.com.

ALIVE

Anybody who tried free-hand sculpting would be impressed with these polymer clay dolls by Lori Schroeder. Capturing moods and face expressions requires a tremendous skill, especially while working at such a small scale.

Find these and other dolls by Lori in her shop, FairiesAndMermaids.etsy.com.

PRETTY

These polymer clay earrings from momochas.etsy.com are simply sweet and pretty.

This is what the artists who made them says: "I’m usually completely devoted to each piece until it is finished, ensuring that I capture the initial inspiration that led me to it, and to make each one reflecting a story, a different atmosphere and concept." I think this approach pays off, don't you agree?

SOOTHING

For me, there is something very soothing about the polymer clay beads that Kathryn Reid (pendulumstudios.etsy.com) makes. The well-balanced shapes and calm, earthy tones work great together.

You may find more pictures of her work in this photo album: flickr.com/photos/33713992@N08.

LIFE-LIKE

These unbelievably life-like cake toppers are from the shop of Tiffany Schreiner, qtiff.etsy.com. Beautiful keepsakes!

Tiffany says: “I put my whole self into my work and get carried away with tiny details.” I am sure Tiffany's customers are extremely happy with such quality of her work!

MOSAIC

I found these colorful polymer clay mosaics in Dawn Barker's shop, HardflowerStudios.etsy.com.

Each piece is individually cut, cured, laid out for composition, and mounted to a stretched canvas.

I find it interesting to see bigger polymer clay pieces, don't you?

MUSICAL

Hande Burdg of aslancrafts.etsy.com specializes in making beautiful polymer clay beads in classical round shapes with flawlessly polished surfaces and harmony of colors.

Hande says: “...when I listen to a music piece I always dream of colors. I NEVER (really never) make beads without listening to music. Music helps me combine colors and patterns and everything else...”

You may read about her favorite music at www.theprogfiles.com and see more pictures of her work at flickr.com/photos/aslancrafts

PRACTICAL

My friend, who believes that objects of art should be useful in our everyday lives, sent me a link to this shop: tkdoll.etsy.com.

I love the idea of combining an art doll, a wall decoration, and a clock into one beautiful piece.

TEMPTING

Chocolate, anyone?

These tempting (0 calories!) polymer clay treats are coming from a the shop of a British polymer clay artist Melissa Parrett, Dreamy.Etsy.com.

Delicious!

Added: Melissa e-mailed me with a link to her web site. It is www.beadbabe.co.uk.

ETCHED

These beautiful polymer clay pendants are from the shop of Rebecca Watkins, Artybecca.etsy.com. I love Rebecca's style with series of dots highlighting, or sometimes creating, interesting details of her designs.

There are more works by this artist on her web site, www.artybecca.com.