Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy

This month’s challenge was both fun and nostalgic as everyone created items from a favorite summer memory. We got over 180 votes this month, and with so many great entries to choose from, the voting was very tight. Still, there was a clear winner, and that was a new PCAGOE member, beetreebyme.etsy with her Lightning Bug Entry! Congratulations!

Here is her description of her inspiration for this piece:

“My summer memory is of being able to play outside after dark .
The world seemed transformed by the darkness.
My friends and I loved to catch lighting bugs .
We kept them for awhile in jars that became like lanterns!
We were captivated by the magical glow !
Summer nights still hold a special magic!
This little guy owes his light to the magic of “glow in the dark ” polymer clay!” m.e.

Close behind in 2nd place was another new member, Chickiegirlcreations.etsy and her Firefly Waters Necklace.

This is what she had to say about her entry and it’s inspiration. “This is my entry for the PCAGOE’s July 2007 Challenge entitled ‘Summer Memories’. As the title of this piece suggests, this pendant was made to resemble fireflies above and around lake waters at dusk. One of my fondest summer memories was sitting on the dock, bare feet dangling, watching the sunset and eagerly awaiting the appearance of the magical fireflies. Made with polymer clay beads, polymer clay pendant and glass beads. The yellow ‘fireflies’ actually glow in the dark. ”

Well fireflies are a very popular summer memory, but when most people think of summer, they think of the beach and the this was no exception for our 3rd place and honorable mention winners. 3rd place goes to madeinlowell.etsy for her polymer clay shell pendant necklace and earrings set.

Here’s her inspiration: “I always spent my summers at my parents’ cottage in the woods on Martha’s Vineyard. One of my biggest joys was going to the beach and collecting shells, the textures and colors were endlessly fascinating! We’d wash them, lay them out to dry and then stack them in mason jars. ”

Honorablemention goes to both missdanceypants.etsy for her Summer Love Necklace and blockpartypress.etsy for her Beach Ball Rings as they were tied in the voting.

Here’s what missdancey had to say about her entry: “Art beads created with a filigree-like technique. Each bead is combined in a necklace to reflect my fondest summer memory: my first summer with my love, which we spent at the beach!”

Here’s the description of my entry:
These rings were inspired by an old and a new summer memory. The summer always meant the beach and a new bright yummy beach ball. Somehow every year they got lost, so we always looked forward to buying a new one at the beach! Now my kids continue the tradition and are always very excited to get their summer beach ball. The red, white, blue and yellow represents the old school ball and the old memory and the pink one represents the newer balls and the new memories.

I can’t forget the winners of the voter drawing. The first prize pack went to Michele from prairiejeweler.etsy and the 2nd went to Mira from mirakris.etsy. Congratulations and thanks for voting!! Thanks again to everyone who entered and voted! Don’t forget to check back next month to see what these talented artists come up with! The next challenge will begin on August 26th at noon!!

Here are the entries for the July Summer Memories Challenge. This month’s challenge was to create a polymer clay item inspired by a summer memory. The members have really outdone themselves this month and the entries are just incredibly creative. Thanks to all that participated!

VOTE and WIN one of 2 incredible Polymer Clay Prize Packs (created by PCAGOE members) listed below and valued at over $100 each!!!!

All you have to do is vote for the winner and you will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous polymer clay prize pack created by the talented members of the PCAGOE. Take a look at all of the entries for the July Summer Memories Challenge. Keep in mind the theme of summer memories and how well the piece interprets the theme. Once you have chosen your favorite, please complete the form at the bottom of this post and submit it (please note that e-mail addresses will be used to contact the winners only and will not be used for any other purpose) . Two winners will be randomly chosen from all of the voters. You can vote once between noon on July 26th and midnight (Eastern Standard Time)on July 28th. The winners will be announced on July 29th.

The entries are numbered left to right starting at the top left photo. To view the entries close-up and to read the descriptions of the memories, please click on the title links below the entry photos. To purchase any of the items, or to see what else the artists have to offer, click on the shop names listed below the entry photos.

Thank you and good luck!!

1. Olivia Runes by Divadea.etsy.com,

2. Sea Pod by cutesis.etsy.com ,

3. A Day at the Dog Beach by nanjodogz.etsy.com ,

4. Chaque juillet en France. by Hardflowerstudios.etsy.com ,

5. Fun In The Sun by ilysaart.etsy.com ,

6. Cicada George by CLBcreations.etsy.com ,

7. Rainbow Beaches by sohobeads.etsy.com,

8. Down in my Garden Bracelet by polyclarific.etsy.com,

9. Firefly Waters Necklace by chickiegirlcreations.etsy.com,

10. lightning bug by beetreeme.etsy.com,

11. Polymer clay shell pendant necklace and earrings with sterling silver and freshwater pearls by madeinlowell.etsy.com

12. Summer Memories of Cute Creatures by artsyclay.etsy.com

13. Fireworks and Flowers by NKDesigns.etsy.com,

14. Summer Road Trip by bencandance.etsy.com

15. Summer Love Necklace 2 by missdanceypants.etsy.com,

16. Wish I Were There by gabriel.etsy.com

17. Original Watercolor on Polymer Clay Pendant by snodovedesigns.etsy.com

18. Beach Ball Rings by blockpartypress.etsy.com

VOTE HERE:

 Who inspires you?
My friends inspire me. They are so talented and unpredictable. One of my best friends is a race car driver, photographer, and is trying to beat 200 mph on a motorcycle. Her bravery is an inspiration. And of course, I am always inspired by my dogs. Animals are wonderful examples of how to live in the present and how not to take yourself too seriously.

What inspires you?
Other cultures, all art forms, nature, good food, and life in general are my inspiration. I am drawn to the unfamiliar. My brain loves new things to digest.

Where do you create?
Our house had a weird space in it that the realtors called a second living room. I think it is a converted fourth bedroom. I took it over and threw a batiked sheet over the doorway for some privacy and removed the 70’s banisters from the half walls to make bookshelves. I have a 1950’s health department desk for my computer, a drafting table for random construction, and a cheap table for my clay work. It is pretty much my sanctuary.

How long have you been working with polymer clay?
My father bought some clay for me when I was 12, so about 20 years now. At first I only used it to make dollhouse food but very quickly moved on to sculpting figures and doing faux work. I didn’t start using molds or stamps until recently, but I enjoy the flexibility of being able to reuse old designs. I went through a phase where I was only using “real” artist mediums, but quickly figured out that was silly (that is what art school does to you) and jumped back into using polymer clay with a vengeance.

marciapalmer.etsy.com

Who inspires you?
Fortunately, I find inspiration from people everywhere, so there is never a shortage of energy.  I love to look at the work of other artists in many different mediums.  I get so many ideas by looking at the wonderful creations of others.  One thing leads to another and it’s never ending. I also find inspiration in the colorful culture and artistry of people from around the world.  This includes past and present cultural expressions.  Closer to home, my family and friends have encouraged and inspired me for many years.  They treated me like an artist before the word ever crossed my mind.

What inspires you?
I get excited when I see texture, color, and shape.  Right now, I seem to find myself particularly drawn to “organic” and “earthy” feeling pieces.  It think it’s the way texture is used in many of these “earthy” creations that speaks to me. 

I really love the energy of metallic colors like copper, bronze, and silver.  Whenever I see a work of art made with copper I want to make something with that color right away!  But many color combinations strike a cord in me, and I will have to work with those colors at some point.

In the past few months I have experimented with using different shapes for my pendants in polymer clay, but the hearts seem to have captured me totally.  I have to stop myself from making everything in a heart shape.

Where do you create?
A few years ago, when we became “empty nesters”, I converted my daughter’s bedroom into a studio.  This really helped me to let the creative juice flow freely.  I was able to “touch” my work in some way everyday.  That’s when I really began to see progress that was satisfying for me.

How long have you been working with polymer clay?
I have been working with PC for a little over two years.  I am still learning and growing, that is what makes it so exciting.  I’m like a kid in a candy store.  I get excited about everything polymer clay!  I have had other artistic passions and maybe I’ll get back to those someday.  But for now I an immersed in my PC addition.  I don’t think I can make all the things I want to try with polymer clay in one lifetime.  So, I guess I’ll save some ideas for the next time around, and I sure hope I’ll see you there!