IMPORTANT NOTICE: It Looks Like Changes Are Coming!!!

Hello!

We're looking at changes everywhere these days, and it appears that I'm going to be facing a major change with my blog.  Blogger, the company that provides this online avenue for individuals to create their own blogs, has decided to update their software.  The change is designed to make the blogs developed with Blogger to be easier to view on cell phones and tablets.  They are also adding a few new bells and whistles, and have given everyone using Blogger a chance to try out the new format to see how it works.

Sadly, I have been unable to use the new platform.  My trusty - still working just fine, thank you - desktop computer is too old to adapt to the new software.  I've known something like this was bound to happen sometime.  I haven't been able to upgrade any of the search engines I use, and there are new programs I can't run on this machine.  It's obviously time to get a new computer.  Sigh. I always find the process of transferring important files takes time, and learning a new operating system and software can be frustrating.  I'll manage, but it will take a bit of time.

The reason I'm telling you all this "tale of woe" is that it may turn out I have to create a completely new blog - new template, new look, new name, new URL address.  I will keep my name in the title of the Blog, and am currently leaning toward "Creations by Kristie Foss."  Blogger said in August that they would be switching everyone over to the new format in September. So, it is possible I will still be able to use this old format for a while.  However, I have a feeling they will stop supporting the old program at some point - probably sooner rather than later.

So, this is a "heads up."  If you visit this blog and notice that nothing is happening for a month or more, then you can assume I am in the process of getting a new computer, learning new operating systems and new software, and making a new blog.  Please be patient and continue to do a Google search for Kristie Foss or Creations by Kristie Foss and see what comes up.  I enjoy sharing what I'm doing, so I will continue to have a blog.  It just may have a new name.

Thank you all for your comments and your viewings over the years. It's hard to believe I've been blogging for over 10 years!  See you online - either here, or in a slightly newer "blog home."

~Kristie

820 Polymer Challenge Week #4

It's the end of August, and we just held our last session of the 820 Polymer Challenge.  It was simply fascinating to see what people had developed.  The ideas, techniques, and concepts were as numerous and diverse as the individuals in the group.  We really had a good time.  It was an excellent incentive to think, dream, create - and share!  As a matter of fact, we enjoyed it so much that the group has decided to continue on, sharing whatever is our current exploration, and meeting in the Zoom room twice a month.  I'm looking forward to continuing our times together.  I know I'll continue to learn from others, and I like the push to stretch myself, too.

Even though we're continuing, it won't be the 820 (August, 2020) challenge anymore. We'll have a new name. :)

Here is the final piece I made for the 820 challenge. It is a pendant composed primarily of tubes.  The patterned tube is made from a mokume gane sheet. The thinnest tube is ridged. I envision attaching a chain to the two outside tubes to make a necklace.  Another option, suggested by one of the 820 participants, was that I could make it into a lariat with a ribbon or chain or rubber tubing extending all the way through the 2 end tubes. I think a hand-died silk ribbon would be especially perfect! :)

820 Polymer Challenge Week #3

This weekend marked the 3rd week in our August, 2020 challenge.  Once again, I tried out ideas I've not done before.  The first piece has several open circles in complimentary colors floating atop curved lines.  When I was finished, it made me think of a bird in flight. I moved the piece around until I found a position I liked.  When you look at the photo, I hope you can envision a chain or other hanging material coming from the tips of the top white underlying strip.  I think it really would look like something flying when worn as a pendant.




The other piece is three different shapes held together by harmonious colors and two thin, parallel extruded strips.  I tried different angles with this piece, also, but it only seemed to want to be long and tall.  This could work as a pendant or a pin.  As I planned, each piece has at least 2 colors, 2 textures, and 2 different shapes.

Multi-Medium Necklace

Tube beads are fun to make. These tubes were made from a mokume gane and gold-leaf sheet. Of course, once you have the beads baked, you need a way to string them together. This opens all sorts of possibilities for using items from other mediums besides polymer. The various items included in the cording area here include: two different purple shades of silk ribbon,  lavendar yarn, multi-colored nobby yarn, and thin white string with clear crystal bicones.  The tube beads may be moved along the ribbon so the look is changeable.

820 Polymer Challenge: Week #2

Welcome to week 2 of the August, 2020 Polymer Challenge. I have 2 new pieces for you, both in the same color-way: white and fuschia. The longer piece is definitely a pendant, and a bail could be hung on the curved half-ring at the top. The pieces down the center are a new shape I made up from a chevron shape. Embellishments include gold-filled wires with small balls on the ends and Swarovski glass pearls.

 I particularly enjoy the roundish piece - it's fun! I cut a partial "splash" shape and made swirl shapes inside the white edging to sort of imitate the splash. This piece has a lot of open space, so whatever is being worn will show through. I think it would work well as a pendant or a pin.

820 Polymer Challenge: Week #1

As I mentioned in the previous posting, one of the off-shoots from the virtual Clay Connection Retreat in July, was a challenge named 820 (for August, 2020). Each participant determines their own challenge and the project or product. Each Saturday, we meet online to describe what we've done during the past week, and how our project is coming along. My project is to try to push my envelop a bit. To do so, my aim is to make one pendant a week, trying something new I haven't done before. In addition, I also plan to use at least 2 different textures, 2 different colors and 2 different shapes in each pendant. Below are photos of my pendants for week #1. You may notice that I used some of the sheet I created in the previous cane challenge to make the football shaped piece in the 3-part pendant. The black and white pendant is something I've never tried before.

Polymer Cane Challenge

So many things have changed or been put on hold due to the pandemic. One of those "things" was the biannual Clay Connection Conference sponsored by the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild. So instead, we held a very modified gathering via Zoom. It was well-attended and people enjoyed both the activities and being connected with other polymerists. In fact, it was so much fun that a couple of different "challenges" emerged from the Zoom conference. One was a polymer cane challenge, where participants were challenged to try a new polymer cane and then share their results. The other was called the 820 challenge (for August, 2020) in which people had to choose a personal challenge involving polymer and produce something toward their project each week for the month of August. I joined the 820 challenge, and will share my project and results in another posting. I also joined the first cane challenge, and am bringing you those results today. The photos on this page show various aspects of the cane. We started with two 3-part skinner blends to create triangular canes. These canes could then be sliced, reshaped, and formed into more complex canes.

I also played around with slices, making beads in different shapes and sizes. Finally, I used some of the scrap to make a patterned polymer sheet. Part of this sheet has been cut out and I used it in one of my pieces for the 820 challenge. You'll see that in another post soon!