More clay, much more clay

I had a marathon week with polymer clay because my husband has been out of town 

and I could leave my work space messy and ready for 4 days in a row!! 

Love it when I don't have to put everything away and drag it all out again the next day. 

Then I had to catch the early sunrise at the right moments to photograph it all.  

It seems like the sun rises faster this time of year- 

the angle is different in my backyard giving my a very short window 
before big shadows start appearing.

I may have to switch to the front yard. 

So, 

here are some of the lovely pieces I created:

I experimented with a new technique called the Stroppel cane 

using different base colors, black, white and gold. 

This is a great way to use up old canes and scraps of clay. 

I also made 3 Mokume Gane buttons for my crochet student to choose from for her felted bag.

What I do with scraps- make beads.

 

Mokume Gane layered on scraps from the buttons

The same color combo sliced in the Natashia Bead technique and then twisted.

I love how this one came out, especially after it is all sanded and buffed. 

These were made with a variation of the bargello technique.

If there is enough scrap clay I make a button.

Chatoyant scraps made this bead. 

Note what polymer clay does to my poor hands- so dry. 

And these were made with scraps from some foiled pieces I worked on 

that are not ready to be seen because they need to be painted first.  

I should be able to post them for  BTW. (Bead Table Wednesday)

 

 I try to make at least one mold each clay session- 

Here is a tiny leaf mold for disk beads or buttons.

I used a leaf button from Walmart and then hand sculpted the surrounding texture.  

I have been extremely productive this month as I get ready for 
The Artist's Boutique I was invited to sell at coming up November 19 and 20th.  
This is a local event by invitation only-
 if you are local and interested in coming shoot me an email. 

I have whipped up 7 more crochet scarves and 4 sets of fingerless gloves.

With my sewing machine I have been sewing twirly tucked organza scarves. 

More pictures of those next week! 
Have a great weekend and enjoy your extra hour sponsored by Daylight Savings Time!! 

Heather-Aquariart

My little time fairy...

If you are looking for my bead soup click HERE. 

Autumn is here and I feel so invigorated by the cooler weather. 

 I no longer have to walk my dogs at the crack of dawn 

to keep from overheating them and myself.  

There really is nothing better than a brisk walk in the cool morning air 

facing a gorgeous sunrise. 

An old hymn I loved plays in my head each morning:

"as I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,

Oh lord, have mercy on me...."

I love a challenge but I don't always make the deadlines.  

(She needs a name!!) 

Help me! see contest info at the end of this post. 

She is very mischeivious, I caught her trying to hide chocolate in my portulaca...

This little munchkin 

is my entry for my Polymer Clay Guild's challenge: 

"A Stitch in Time"

and my Art Quilt September Challenge: 

"use hand dyed pleated silk to create something". 

(Why not kill two birds with one stone- 

because I love birds!!! 

I would rather make one creation that suits two purposes.)

I sculpted her face, hands and feet from polymer clay 
and then painted her face.

She has a tiny wire needle in her right hand. 

The clock is made from Tim Holtz metal clock parts 

I made into a mold.

Here she is Busting a Move- "Trying to take off"

Her wings are created with wire and 

textiva 

(the sheet form of angelina fibers-
which by the way comes in many wonderful colors) 

They got really beat up while I was sewing her little dress

(another lesson learned the hard way)

so I will need to take them off and remake them. 

Here she is supine, resting from all the hard work 

of trying to fly with her damaged wings.

PS- that white stuff under her is the fantastic tile 

my husband brought home for me. Isn't it awesome?!

She is a chocoholic too- thus the roly poly belly 

which is stuffed with wool batting scraps inside gathered felt

and adorned with pleated hand dyed silks and rose ribbon 

from my fabulous friends at Vegas Airs. 

Sandy and Diane (the owners) are extremely talented and creative doll makers. 

I am thrilled to call them my friends, teachers and inspirators!! 

Please take a minute and go visit their website. 

They sell great supplies, many of which they make themselves 

and they have online classes.  

It is so fun to see their creations, so detailed and exquisite.

If you love Halloween you will love this doll.

So if you feel inclined to give this little fairy a real name 

please leave your suggested name in a comment on this post.

I will choose the name I think is most fitting next Saturday- October 30th> 

The winning name creator will receive a surprise gift handmade by me!!!

So,

 please leave your email 

or 

come back next Saturday to see if you won 

so I can get your shipping info.  

And Have a Wonderful Fall Weekend!

Heather-Aquariart

Las Vegas Polymer Clay Guild September Challenge Pieces

If like me you are still Blog Hopping and looking for my Bead Soup Click Here.


Somehow, September got away from me. 

I missed the monthly LVPCG meeting because I was sick so this is late 

but better late than never right?
(LVPCG What is that you ask: The Las Vegas Polymer Clay Guild)

Here are the entries for the September Challenge-

"A Stitch in Time"

First Marty Oroark made a wonderful little sculpture of Betsy Ross whose stitches became our very own American Flag. 

She also sent me a photo I just have to share of a Caroler- 

not for the challenge but a great inspiration for Holiday items.  

Don't miss all the tiny details in this one like the little dog hiding under her  coat

Next I have a sewing lovers's delightful little table of notions by Mary Wilson. 

I can't wait to see this one in person. http://aquariart-chocoholic.blogspot.com/2011/09/big-bead-soup-reveal.html

This Month's Las Vegas Polymer Clay Challenge Entries

Today I am Posting the:  

"I've Never Seen Anything Like This Before" Challenge Entries 

from my local Las Vegas Polymer Clay Guild. (LVPCG)

First from Marty who said,

"Heather, this is Zenphina, my zentangled fairy. 

Her legs, boots, wings, and hair are zentangled in clay..

but her dress is done with artists pens. 

Zentangling is a sophisticated form of doodling.

 A friend of mine turned me on to it. 

I went to Michael's to see if they had a book on zentangling. 

Everyone I asked had never heard of it before

...so, VOILA!. 

our theme:

"I've never seen anything like this before"

popped into my head, and I created "Zenphina" 

Zenphina hanging from her Golder Arch.

Close up details of Zenphina

An even closer look shows you all the wonderful patterns Marty included in this Fairy.

Next up is Sophia who said, "Each of these sculptures/vessels encapsulates a chemo bottle inside.  Each has a bottle topper that can be pulled out.  These 3 works are designated for the Nevada Cancer Institute.  In our luxury of being able to create, it is always rewarding to create something for someone else."

"Samurette" vessel by Sophia

"Beazel", a whacky Blue Chicken by Sophia

Beazel's other side

"Ninopod"- Could this be an Alien? by Sophia

And I am saying, 

"I woke up Tuesday morning and realized I had missed the meeting this month.

  I was extremely sleep deprived from all the preparation and physical moving of stuff

for the Mt Charleston Arts and Craft Show, 

and because I can't hear the alarm on my new phone.  

What good is an alarm if you can't hear it.  

BUT, 

I do have an entry:  

My "? Brooches"  by Heather

Next Month I think the theme is " A Stitch in Time".