Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy

 gingerbellsgifts.etsy.com

Who inspires you?
I am lucky to belong to a great group of polymer clay-aholics at Polymer Clay Central. I am awed and inspired by a great many of them. The caliber of talent here at PCAGOE is so awesome it makes me want to work harder and continue to learn more.

What inspires you?
The beauty of flowers and the sea are my biggest inspirations. Color is very important to me. I like pretty functional things.

Where do you create?
There are only the 2 of us and we have a 3 bedroom house. I have taken the dining room over as my workroom and I use one of the spare bedrooms as a supply room. I also work on the front porch when the weather is nice. Oh yea I do a  little work in the kitchen too, I guess my Hubby is right I am slowly turning the whole house into a big craft studio.

How long have you been working with polymer clay?
I have always done some kind of craft and polymer clay floated in and out, I kept coming back to it. I became obsessed with it about 4 years ago and it seems to be a major part of almost every one of my projects. I am amazed by all the things that can be done with it there is always something new to do with it, I am never board with it.

This month’s challenge was surely one of our best. We had 28 amazing entries and just under 200 votes from over 12 different countries. The voting was extremely close this month with only 8 votes separating 1st place from honorable mention, but there was again a clear winner and that was Escudo do Mar by HardflowerStudios.etsy, a beautiful polymer clay mosaic with gorgeous colors and shapes from the ocean.

Here is Dawn’s description of her piece:

Escudo do Mar
Polymer Clay Mosaic
Handmade 1.5” tiles mounted on stretched canvas
24” x 30”

“This polymer clay mosaic was inspired by a sea shell color palate. The dynamic pattern and color shift represent the teaming life under the sea. The detail work glows in the dark for a completely different look at night. The sea has a rhythm all its own. I tried to capture the movement and vitality in this piece.”

2nd Place went to Humblebeads.etsy for her lovely Ocean Trio Necklace.

Here is Heather’s description of her piece: “3 polymer clay wafer beads are accented by a pewter seaweed button from Mamacita Beadworks. Wire-wrapped pendant on blackened brass chain.”

Isaid voting was close, and it was. There was a 3-way tie for 3rd place: Bencandance.etsy for her Shark Attack, beetreebyme.etsy for her Mermaid Brooch and blockpartypress.etsy for her Safety in Numbers ACEO.

Here is Sandi’s description of her piece: “This was the first thing that popped into my mind. Gruesome? Perhaps. But it is inspired by the ocean…….”

Here is M.E.’s description of her piece: “The Ocean has inspired many wonderful legends.
Some of the most enchanting tales are those of the mermaids.
Once said to lure sailors,these beguiling creatures continue to captivate us.
How fascinating to imagine life in their world.

Modern man searches for scientific explanation of the oceans mysteries.
Yet , still we are drawn in by the enchantment of the mermaid.

This little mermaid brings a treasure of crystals and pearls to charm you . ”

Here is Tamara’s description of her piece: “I remembered watching a show about the ocean and there were these huge schools of silver fish who moved together in a beautiful ballet to avoid predators. My ACEO is based upon those schools of fish. The fish are actually very shiny and metallic, but it is a bit hard to capture in a photo.”

Honorable Mention goes to irismishly.etsy for her Fish Barrette.

I can’t forget the winners of the voter drawing. The first prize pack went to Tetty Chousand of from lling2302.etsy and the 2nd went to Lori McGarrity. 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 September 26th at noon!!

Here are the entries for the August Ocean Challenge. This month’s challenge was to create a polymer clay item inspired by the Ocean. The members have again done an amazing job of interpreting the theme in creative ways. We have quite a few new members participating this month too. 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 August Ocean Challenge. Keep in mind the theme of Inspiration from the Ocean 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 August 26th and midnight (Eastern Standard Time)on August 28th. The winners will be announced on August 29th.

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. The Mermaid by beetreebyme.etsy.com,

2. Angel Fish Clock by CookiesCreations.etsy.com

3. Dish with Mermaid Lid by Divadea.etsy.com

4. Fish Barrette by irismishly.etsy.com

5. Ocean Memories Pendant by juliespace.etsy.com

6. Seahorse by blueladystudios.etsy.com

7. Undertow by Polyclarific.etsy.com

8. Footprints at the Beach Brooch by Dulcebella.etsy.com

9. Colors Of the Ocean by NKDesigns.etsy.com

10. Sea Horse Focal with Sea Star Accent Beads by GingerbellsGifts.etsy.com

11. Chimermaid by nanjodogz.etsy.com

12. Little Blue 5 by scottgarrette.etsy.com

13. Ocean View by sohobeads.etsy.com

14. Ocean Neckpiece by karooart.etsy.com

15. Abalone Ocean Hand Painted Pendant by snodovedesigns.etsy.com

16. Oceans Seven Pendant by thecolorofdreams.etsy.com

17. Shark Attack by bencandance.etsy.com

18. Seahorse and Starfish Terracotta Pot by NaturesStudio.etsy.com

19. Verde Sea Necklace & Earring Set by ChickieGirlCreations.etsy.com

20. Escudo do Mar by HardflowerStudios.etsy.com

21. A Unique Classroom by FaffCreations.etsy.com

22. Fish Brooch & Earrings by artsyclay.etsy.com

23. Ocean bead set by HollyFaith84.etsy.com

24. Ocean Blue-art bead by gabriel.etsy.com

25. Night Waves Earrings by papernclay.etsy.com

26. Just Keep Swimming! by ElizabethBonura.etsy.com

27. Ocean Trio by humblebeads.etsy.com

28. Safety In Numbers ACEO by blockpartypress.etsy.com

VOTE HERE:

Thanks for Voting and Good Luck!!

www.CLBcreations.etsy.com

Who inspires you?
Maureen Carlson by far is my biggest inspiration… the faces she creates on her characters are just amazing… really inspirational. And her techniques make the art of sculpting faces seem so effortless.

What inspires you?
Oh gosh… everything really. But mostly any kind of fantasy art. Brian Froud’s work is a BIG influence with me… if I had half the talent he does. Wow… the creatures his mind comes up with, never in a million years would I think of doing some of the characters he designs. Now even though I say this… I can look at one of his sketches and start off with a specific goal in mind, but then by the end of the process my creation looks totally different than I originally expected. My critters just kind of form out of the clay as I work on them, personalities and all.

Where do you create?
At home. Sometimes on the kitchen table watching TV or mostly in my craft room listening to my “newage chant till ya die” music. The repetition of the sounds really puts me in the zone. I completely tune out to what is going on around me and before ya know it… an hour and a half have gone by.

How long have you been working with polymer clay?
Well I used to use it to make faux glass eyes for the teddy bears I was making. But that was well over 3 years ago. I was reintroduced to clay, this time more than one color, back in November of 2006. I was laid-off from work and was looking to keep myself busy, and to make some holiday ornaments for the season. I decided to use clay to make reindeer, snowmen, Santas, and elves. It was a big hit. Everyone loved them and said I should sell them… Well… I kept making more and eventually had enough to put in a display case at the local library. I just wanted to share with the kids and parents in the community to show them and say “look what I did”… That was also a big hit. The librarians had so many positive and encouraging comments. So… it was at that point then that I decided to make a go of it… and start seriously selling my little critters.