It's A Zoo Out There!

This week's Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild Blog Roll features a zoo theme.  I was hard put to choose which artists I wanted to highlight.  Here are a few I chose.

Dachshund Ornament by Amy Crawley

I love Amy's ornaments.  They seem to have a personality of their own.

Cat Cameo Large Shank Button by ArtMakersWorlds

There is such attention to detail in this button and the explanation of how it was made is fascinating!

Bunny Earrings by BlueMorningExpressions

These little bunny earrings are so cute and they have such expressive faces.

Creeping Silvery Purple Dragon by FantasyClay

Love this dragon!  His sprawl reminds me of the way my dog sometimes lounges on the floor.

Mama and Baby Panda Bears by GrumpyGrandmasGiftShop 

This pair is perfect for panda bear lovers!

Bunny Holding Carrot Sculpture by CreativeCritters 

 All in all, the Smooshers are a pretty talented group and I can't say enough about how I'm honored to be included in their numbers.

Turquoise

Turquoise has been used by many cultures from the ancient Egyptians to the Aztecs and other native American people.  It is especially conducive to being copied by polymer clay artists because it often contains inclusions that can be replicated.
I have never tried to replicate turquoise in polymer clay but many other clay artists have attempted and succeeded.  Here are a few of the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild from Art Fire who have.

Faux Turquoise Heart Pendant by AmazingDesigns 

Faux Turqoise Polymer Earring Set by CapturedByLori 

Heart Shaped Purse Hanger by CreativeSisters

Faux Opal on Jungle Green polymer Clay Pendant by ArtMakersWorlds

Love Is Polymer Clay

     One of the definitions of love is the strong predilection or liking for something.  That describes my feelings for polymer clay.  Although I can and do work with various other mediums, I always return to my first love, polymer clay. 
     It can be manipulated into so many forms and it can be made to mimic so many materials. The tools required are relatively inexpensive, for the most part, a empty bottle and some playing cards can be used to roll out clay of a uniform thickness.  You can cut it and shape it easily.  It can be painted or sanded and buffed to give it varying looks.
     If I suddenly have the urge to have a piece of turquoise jewelry, presto, I can whip up some faux turquoise using polymer clay!  The same goes for granite, opal and various other materials.
     I would urge anyone looking for a material to showcase your artistic talent to, at least, give polymer clay a try.
     Here are some artisans from the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild who personify talent and show what can be done with this versatile medium.
This lovely bracelet is from ClayHarmony

This fromCapturedByLori

These adorable stitch markers fromFyreStormCreations

And, last but not least, from MortimerInc

The Color Is Red

Red is the color of passion and of anger.  Like those two emotions, red comes in many hues and tones.
I was searching the roster of the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild looking for red items to include in this post and was amazed to see the variation.  Here are just a few of those I found.

 From this beautiful butterfly pendant from Kimis-Jewelry-From-The-Heart

 This tiny fantasy bird from TheKraftKottage: Tiny Fantasy Bird from TheKraftKottage

To this Celtic inspired cuff by SharpArtByPolymer Clay CuffDawna: Celtic Inspired Polymer Clay Cuff

 

As in emotions and people, red comes in all shades.

My New Vise

I've just found my favorite tool ever!  For Christmas I asked my son to get me a vise, one with padded jaws.  I was looking to make my own jump rings using a jeweler's saw and needed a tool that wouldn't mar the finish of the wire.  I haven't used it yet for sawing jump rings But I just used it for holding one of my polymer clay beads for buffing.

I've always held my polymer clay pieces in my hand when I buffed them with a Dremel tool.  I can't tell you the number of times that I've missed the bead and buffed my fingers, or had the bead shot off into the stratosphere when my grip wasn't secure enough.  This vise takes care of both those problems.  The padded jaws hold the bead tightly enough so that my hands are free to use the Dremel.

If you buff your polymer clay pieces and you do not already have a vise, I recommend that you look into purchasing one.  Mine is a universal table vise that claps onto your work surface.  I don't know where my son purchased it , other than it was purchase on line.  But I'm sure there are a number of sites where these can be found.
                                       My new vise on my work surface:

                    The bead on the right is before buffing, the one one the left is after.