2011 Retreat Swap: Bracelets

Our Bernie is the idea lady. She always has a fun project for our retreat weekend. This year she did the prep work for us, making 20+ bracelets out of a strip of rainbow-colored computer wire. All we had to do was create a decorative accent piece to embellish the bracelet. See a few samples below...
Here's a good tip...we glued cured clay to plastic coated wire with Loctite® Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Flexible Adhesive glue. Bernie says it will hold and it certainly seems to be very firmly attached.

Check out several of the swap bracelets...

Happy Fall and Welcome Back!

We just returned from our 2011 retreat. We gave a few demos, did a bracelet swap, raised a few bucks with a Chinese auction and silent bid auction. The weekend always goes too fast but we've already chosen the date for next year. It will be in October next year...watch this blog for more details.

We all managed to look very photogenic in our group shot. Check out this fine gang!

Our next clay day is October 16. As usual, it's the 3rd Sunday. You're invited!
10 am to 2 pm at the Stephen Foster Community Center in Lawrenceville, 286 Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

• October 16 -- Surface treatments by Deanna, Irene, and Rebecca
• November 20 -- Denise demonstrates how to add some pizzazz to your blade case

Information for the artist

PPCG member Denise passes this along  --

"I found an interesting podcast and blog by Harriete Estel Berman. She has a helpful site for artists in any medium -- lots of good information and it's free. I thought the guidelines for better photography section was very interesting." 

From Harriete's site: The Professional Guidelines have been developed as a reference to help everyone in the arts and crafts community learn how to handle common but important situations that may arise. These documents are basic tools for improved and equitable business practices, leading toward more standard professional practices.

http://www.harriete-estel-berman.info/profguidelines/profguide.html 

Check out Harriete's blog too:   http://www.askharriete.typepad.com/

Polymer classes (and more!) coming to Springdale

 Grand Opening! 

Saturday, July 2, 2011, 6-9 pm 

Watch demos and make a piece of jewelry to wear home!

Refreshments + Coupons + Prizes + Discounts

824 Pittsburgh Street   Springdale, PA 15144

724-681-7611

Hours:   Wednesday-Thursday 6 - 9 pm    Friday-Saturday 10 am - 6 pm

 Also open by appointment and for special events

Barb Kaczor, owner and instructor, invites you to visit her full service retail bead shop that offers everything you need to make quality artisan jewelry. Special features include:

• A fully-equipped classroom with local and world-renowned instructors from all mediums. Classes will be posted and announced via internet and mailings. 
• Open studio days to work on and complete your designs
• Private parties can be scheduled
• Local artisans display and offer their work for purchase

The Grand Opening of
Four Directions Jewelry Studio 
is Saturday, July 2, 2011
Stop by and check it out!

Last Clay Day before Summer Break is June 12

(This post originally said, incorrectly, that the June Clay Day was June 13.)

You're invited! Join us for a "Clay Day" before we take our summer break...

10 am to 2 pm at the Stephen Foster Community Center in Lawrenceville, 286 Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

• June 12 -- Marcy demonstrates how to make a flower cane
• July/August -- No Clay Day
• September 23-25 -- Annual Retreat (no Clay Day)
• October 16 -- Surface treatments by Deanna, Irene, and Rebecca
• November 20 -- Denise demonstrates how to add some pizzazz to your blade case

Our usual meeting day is the third Sunday of the month, but sometimes we switch if a holiday gets in the way. This month is one of those times. (You should spend next Sunday with your favorite Dad!)

My First Polymer: Denise Graham

Sometime before 1997 I watched the Carol Duvall Show fairly regularly. Donna Kato appeared occasionally with the polymer clay FIMO. I don't remember what project or technique Donna had shown on Carol's show, but I was intrigued by the material. When I did finally locate FIMO, I selected blue and yellow, probably because I could then have 3 colors, or maybe those were the only colors available. 

When I broke open the packages and started working with the clay it was dry, brittle and near impossible to condition. I had no idea how to improve the consistency of the clay, and remember my hands were sore from trying to squish the clay into submission. I used a wooden brayer to sheet the clay and made a few little beads for book mark accents that you see here.

The difficulty in using the clay was a real turn off. I didn't again attempt the clay until my son took an after school sculpting class and brought home Sculpey. The ease of using this brand of clay hooked me. I dug out my pasta machine which I had received as a bridal shower gift and began using it for polymer. The first holiday show I did with polymer holiday pins was such a hit, I stayed up past midnight making turkey pins to increase my supply at the show. I worked in Sculpey for a while before discovering Premo, my go-to clay for almost every project.  The rest, as they say, is history!

Members Seen...Laura Tabakman

While perusing my many blogs I spotted a familiar "face." PPCG member Laura Tabakman's necklaces were featured today on perlerouge.canalblog.com as the coup de coeur de la semaine ("the favorite of the week"). Well-deserved recognition!

-- posted by Rebecca