Polymer Clay Beachstone Project- the before picture

Sorry, usually I try to have some eye candy for my blog picture. This *was* once a much-treasured coffee table that my husband and I purchased as a Christmas present to ourselves ten years ago. Time and most especially a certain son have taken a toll. The surface is ruined. In a wild moment of insane inspiration I have decided to resurface the table top with polymer clay beachstones!

I'll document the process here..... step one- how to fit the table in the oven!

(joking!)

Polymer Clay Pieces- memory lane

Yesterday I went through my storage boxes and selected 22 items to send along to the Too Good For the Scrap Heap Sale. There are lots of memories here. Some pieces use techniques that morphed into something completely different, some use one technique that was combined with another to become a mainstay of my current focus. It's interesting to look at all the pieces together like this and do a little reminiscing as well as considering a re-visitation of an idea or two!

I'm really looking forward to going to the sale, hoping to get a selection of Christmas gifts!

Island Artisans Association- Too Good for The Scrap Heap Sale

What a terrific concept! I have a huge stash of pieces that are from old lines or are "just not where I am these days" so I'll be dropping off a box full of contributions. It's a fantastic way to clear out studios, possibly make a bit of money for purchasing supplies and help a good cause! If you're in Victoria I'd appreciate it if you could forward this info to people that may be interested as the event has been put together with short notice and limited funding and could use extra promotion!

Polymer Clay BeachStone Strands & an Interview

Today I'm putting together BeachStone Strands. These are 40" long strands of my polymer clay faux beachstones strung to be worn as a single strand, doubled as a choker or if you're into funky looks, a multi-strand bracelet. I have a few OOAK variations in mind but these basic strands are in my aMused Shop in etsy for $45 and come in a gift box.

Speaking of BeachStones, I've been invited to do an artists' demo at the Legacy Gallery at Yates and Broad Street on December 11th from 1-4. I'm planning to be making BeachStones - I'm looking forward to it- the beach stone demonstrations are always a lot of fun! It's a great gallery with an excellent giftshop and cafe. A nice place to catch your breath during the chaos of Christmas shopping.

More news- Lorrie Grainger Abdo has begun a monthly Artist Spotlight Series and asked me to be her first featured artist! She's posted our interview and a selection of my images. Thanks Lorrie!

The Oak Bay Community Artists' Society

It's a very gloomy and damp day here on southern Vancouver Island and I'm in need of something to brighten my day. What better than sharing some local art! Here's the link to the Oak Bay Community Artists' Society Website. It's a great group that welcomes all disciplines from mixed media types like myself to stained glass artisans, potters, painters, felters and on and on. The group hosts fall and spring studio tours, the next one is scheduled for April 17 & 18, 2010. The group also presents the very popular Bowker Creek Brush Up (August 8, 2010) The group displays work at the Oak Bay Municipal Hall through the year.

If you are an artist residing in Oak Bay we hope that you'll join us!

The beautiful painting is by one of my favourite painters in our group, Marion Morrison who recently was honoured with "Best in Show" at the Sidney Fine Arts Show! Congratulations Marion!

More Polymer Clay Pieces in Etsy

I listed these three pieces in my Etsy Shop today!

Funky Fish 4"x4"x1"

$65

Four Pears in July 5"x7"x1.5"

$120

Salmon Run 4"x4"x1"
$65

Upstream in Etsy- Polymer Clay Collage

I'm gathering some pieces to ship out to galleries. I've decided to put some items up for sale in Etsy for a few days before mailing them out. Here's "Upstream"... it's approximately 7"x11". It will be up for sale in my Etsy Shop through the weekend.

Polymer Clay Fusion Bangles

I'm spending the day making polymer clay Fusion Bangles! These "crackle technique" bangles are made in two sections held with elastic so the bangle stretches open then the sections "fuse" together for a nice above-the-wrist fit. I present them in a nice little gift box which is very handy for gift-giving. I am filling orders for four galleries here in BC and have posted the ones shown here for sale in my Etsy Shop.

No. 5 Gallery- Oak Bay Avenue- Victoria BC

Today I delivered several pieces to one of the newest galleries in Victoria- The No. 5 Gallery on Oak Bay Avenue. I had been planning to submit my portfolio to this intriguing new space so when the Ngs introduced themselves to me at the Open Studio Tour and invited me to display in their gallery I was delighted!
Their gallery is beautiful and showcases the work of a talented collection of local artists in a relaxed and airy space. There are many exciting exhibitions planned for upcoming months, particularily Angels Among Us in December which will be a fundraiser for "Angel Flight".
No.5 is well worth a visit if you're in Victoria- it's located close to Richmond and Oak Bay Avenue.

Oak Bay Artists' Studio Tour- A Marvellous Weekend!

The Studio Tour was a terrific experience and I hope that the people that visited my home had as much fun as I did! Artists who work in solitude and send their work away to other venues for display and sale very rarely receive direct feedback. For me the most frequent means of positive feedback is a computer generated cheque from a gallery for sales at the end of the month so meeting the public and receiving encouragement first-hand is wonderful and really re-charges the inspiration batteries!

I was very pleased with sales and was thrilled when I was invited to display my work in a new Oak Bay Avenue Gallery! (More on that on Wednesday)

I set up my dining room to be an open space and (after checking I still have paint to repair the nail holes) I used the walls rather than setting up screens. The art was divided with my work from the first half of the year on one side and the newer clay & photo collage Galiano series on the other. "Arbutus" had a spot of honour as she was the turning point piece. My dining table turned into a little store for small items and art cards. My funky old 1911 house was in direct competition with my art for attention which didn't bother me at all as I am completely in love with the place!

Oak Bay Artists' Studio Tour

The blog has been quiet lately- I was on a wonderful vacation in Europe, visiting Paris and Dublin. What a delight!

I'm home again and am getting prepared for the Oak Bay Artists' Studio Tour which will be held this weekend. If you are in the Victoria area I hope you'll drop by to say hello. I'll have "crackle technique" work on display as well as my new mixed media canvas clay and photography work. there'll also be a selection of small gifts including bracelets, stemware charms and art cards.