Monday, March 30, 2009

Featured Artist - NKDesigns

Happy Monday!


I would like to feature another fantastic clay artist on my blog today...Linda from NK Designs. She has an Etsy shop here and also a blog here.

How long have you been "playing with clay"?
I started using polymer clay about 8 years ago when I retired from Stony Brook Hospital, Long Island, New York. What started out as a hobby has become an obsession and I have clayed almost every day since then. I also teach polymer clay in the spring and fall in the Adult Education Department in Smithtown, New York.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration from other artists' work. I see something made so beautifully and I will try to put my own spin on it and change it up. Of course, most artists find inspiration in nature with colors and textures. I might see an interesting flower and try to duplicate it with a cane.

Where do you create?
I have a studio in my basement. My husband bought me a TV, two tables; one for clay and one for finishing with beads and findings. I love working there as I can leave a piece and come back to it later on. In other words, I don't have to clean up all the time. LOL.

What is the item that you have created that you love the most?
I don't have one particular item I like more than the others. Each piece I create is unique. I love all the different techniques and I am constantly creating new pendants.

I really love Linda's work, especially the wonderful ways she finishes her pieces with resin. Here are a couple of her amazing pieces.






Thanks so much Linda of NK Designs for letting me feature your work on my blog!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Happy Spring!

Wow, it has been a little while again since I posted! March has came and gone really quickly!



Happy Spring everyone!



I have been busy preparing for a craft sale that is coming up this weekend.



Here is a new creation of mine to show all of my readers....A necklace featuring my own faux turquoise beads.







I will be entering it into the April PCAGOE Faux challenge...stay tuned for more details!!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Design Handmade Article Feature!


I have been featured on designhandmade.ca!


This is a great website featuring many talented Canadian artists and designers and I am very honoured to be featured here!


Please check out the article here.


Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I have been featured!

I am so pleased that I have been featured on a fellow crafter's blog. I am really pleased at how the article was put together. Thanks so much Julie for the blog feature!

You can read all about me here.

Monday, March 9, 2009

farthingIts time once again for the PCAGOE (Polymer clay artists guild of etsy) featured artist of the week. This week I have chosen to feature SCDiva. She has an Etsy shop here and a blog here. Her jewelry pieces are gorgeous. I love how she showcases her polymer work using gemstones that truly compliment the polymer piece.

How long have you been "playing with clay"?
I hoarded packages of clay for several months before I actually worked up enough nerve to take the wrappers off and start creating in December of 2007.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere, but I study architecture, other art mediums and artists' work, and nature. The gemstones I use have amazing textures and depth of color, turquoise, jade, jaspers and agates. Natural colors and textures, especially those found in the Southwest USA, are very inspirational. I love tertiary colors and jewel tones: Turquoise, pumpkin, mustard, tomato red, indigo, aubergine, etc., but the Gemini in me also loves black and white, especially with red. I am also a huge fan of artists Georgia O'Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Frank Lloyd Wright, Dorothea Lange, Frederick Remington, James Harrill; and South Carolina artists Jonathan Green and Philip Simmons, to name a few. Other polymer clay artists inspire me too, several of whom I am lucky enough to have as fellow PCAGOE members.

Where do you create?
Well, I keep a sketch pad with me always. I have a terrible memory and have to get an idea on paper before I forget it. I create the actual designs in my studio, a renovated guest bedroom in my house. I like that it is located away from the main living area, so when guests come, I can shut the door if I don't want them nosying around. Too many people in and out messes with my creative vibe. Plus, I really get annoyed when people, even if they mean well, make suggestions about things I could do.

What is the item that you have created that you love the most?
I haven't made it yet! Seriously, I am never completely happy with anything, and I have a bad habit of wanting to fix what isn't broken, it's my OCD coming out. I work with very small batches of clay at a time. I don't duplicate any two pieces. It's one of my selling points, the uniqueness of my designs. Every batch usually yields one piece I think I'd like to keep for myself, but I don't really have a particular favorite.

Here are a couple of SCDiva's amazing pieces:





Thanks so much SCDiva for letting me feature your stunning work here on my blog!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

PCAGOE March Challenge - Vote for your favorite!

Its that time again!



The PCAGOE challenge for March is Canework. There are lots of gorgeous entries this month. Please got to pcagoe.com to vote for your favorite! Voters can win great polymer clay prizes!

Prize winners will be randomly chosen from all of the voters. You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Saturday, March 7, 2009. The winners of the March challenge will be announced on March 8 on the pcagoe website. There are prizes for the first and second place vote-getters!



Thanks for voting, and good luck!

Monday, March 2, 2009

This week's PCAGOE (Polymer clay artists guild of etsy) featured artist is Lynnslittlecreations. She has an Etsy shop here and a blog here. Lynnslittlecreations shop is full of cute wedding cake toppers and other cute sculpted polymer clay items.

How long have you been "playing with clay"?
I have been playing with polymer clay for about 12 years...I went to a craft fair with a friend and feel in love with some polymer claycreations...I asked what they were made of...the artist told me polymer clay.I was very interested, so I went to the craft store and bought a book and some clay. From the moment my hands started conditioning the clay I have been hooked!I never dreamed I would be so blessed to be able to be a full time polymer clay artist!

Where do you find inspiration?
I mostly make wedding cake toppers now, so most of my inspiration comes from the lovely photos my customers send me. I love the detailing in the wedding gowns and fabrics.

Where do you do your create?
I have my own studio now that I am creating full time.

What is the item that you have created that you love the most?
Every time I create a new piece I always say, Oh, this is my favorite...lol. But the two that I have created that I think really stand out are...

Thanks very much to Lynnslittlecreations! Please check out more of her work here.