Playing with Mica Shift

Mica Shift - what an incredible technique! I started playing with it one day, and just can't seem to stop. I especially like the way Skinner blends look with the mica sift technique applied. Of course, once you have these lovely sheets, you need to do something with them...Then I found some little curved spacers at Beaded Impressions, and decided to see how they'd look as embellishments. Here's a couple of pendant/earring sets ~ I especially like the fact that the little discs move and twirl.

Just so you can see the discs and the mica pattern, here's a close up:

I also had to incorporate PMC in a piece with a little movement. I really like the ability to have the texture that is imbedded in the PMC echoed in the smooth mica shift of the polymer. What a great combination of media!

If you're not familiar with the mica shift technique, there is a great tutorial on Polymer Clay Central. The tutorial is done by Kellie Robinson, and is very clear with excellent photos. Here's the URL:
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/ms_texture.html

Give it a try! Bet you can't do just one!

Photos and cabinets and clay folk - Oh, my!

Hello! Just some "bits" I wanted to share:

First, the clay folk ~ On Saturday, I attended the monthly meeting of the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild. They're a great group - fun, creative, interested in each other, and interesting in and of themselves. They are planning a special polymer clay conference called the Clay Connection in early August. If you're at all interested in Polymer Clay, be sure to check out the Conference information at: http://www.scpcg.org/clayconnection.htm. It promises to be a great event - and it's being held at Conn College, so it's really close for those of us in Eastern CT.

Second, cabinets ~ You know you're in trouble when assembling a storage unit makes you excited. Undoubtedly like many of you, the dining room table has been serving as my "workspace." (You can substitute another room in the house, but you know what I mean.) As he walked by the other day, my husband asked if I could recall what the table was made of - wood, perhaps, or glass?.... Well, soon I'll be shifting location and the dining room will be for people and eating once again.

The move is possible because I finally decided to purchase a mini stackable unit from BEST Craft Organizer. Don't let the "mini" fool you. This unit is 39" x 41" and has twelve 3.5"drawers, twenty-one 2" drawers, and twelve 1" drawers. I can't wait to start shifting all my supplies, projects, and materials into the unit. Organization heaven. Why did I wait this long??

Finally, photos ~ I have a little unit for photo taking, but haven't really set it up. Today, in the flurry of excitement about everything else, I decided to give it a try. My favorite shot is of the bracelet attendees will be making at the first beadweavingworkshop at Nature's Art, September 11th. Here's a sneak peek:

Take care, all

~Kristie

Dragonflies

One of the things I love about summer is the dragonflies. They come in such a myriad of colors and sizes, and flit from place to place with those wonderful iridescent wings. When they first appeared around here in June, I was watching one as it settled on a rock. And it hit me - I had to try making a dragonfly on a rock! So off I went to figure out how to make all the components - including a rock. Hadn't done that one before.....

Now, several pebbles and wing canes later, I've made a little dragonfly "collection." So far, most are with polymer, but I do have one with a PMC dragonfly, so I'll have to share that too. If anyone has other interpretations of dragonflies, especially resting on pebbles, I'd love to see them!

ACGOW ~ Artist's Cooperative Guild of Westerly

I've just come from the Artists' Cooperative in Westerly, Rhode Island. I was juried into membership in February, and have been enjoying learning about and experiencing a true cooperative. The members are such a varied and eclectic group - and all really committed to their art and making the cooperative work and grow. The members do everything - and I mean everything! We maintain and manage the gallery, run the business and social end of things, and work together to further awareness of and appreciation for the arts. We just had our largest annual fund raiser - a silent auction. It was my first experience with one, and I was pleased that 2 of my pieces were sold. They both represent new approaches for me. Thought you might like to see photos.

A blog.

The first question I asked myself was "why a blog?" Tons of answers rushed back. When I really looked at them, they all boiled down to one thing: Connection. I create things with my hands and I have a desire to connect with others who also create. The Internet has opened the world to us - and I'd like to be part of that. So welcome to my blog. I look forward to sharing ideas, experiments, experiences, and questions, and to meeting others in the online community.