Made In Lowell – Featured Artist

madeinlowell.etsy.com

Who inspires you?
My mom inspires me, she is an artist and art was just an integral part of my childhood. We had a fat roll of brown paper that was as tall as I was! We could just tear off a length any time we liked, put it on the floor and draw big paper murals. She also mixed salt clay for us to make miniatures with.

What inspires you?
Shapes and the juxtaposition of colors. I’m fascinated by how colors appear to change according to how you arrange them next to each other. I also don’t mind saying I am influenced by what’s trendy and retro-looking! Learning new polymer clay techniques is very exciting. I’m never bored with the organic shapes of eggs.

Where do you create?
Right now I create at home, but this summer I will be moving into a studio in a renovated mill nearby. It’s very exciting!

How long have you been working with polymer clay?
I have been working with Polymer clay since 1989. I still have some of my first beads and it’s amazing to see the evolution of my techniques. I taught classes through the nineties, that was fun too!

 

 

Blockpartypress – Featured Artist

Blockpartypress.etsy.com

Who inspires you?
My two sons (4 & 7) inspire me everyday. They help remind me to look at the little things. They can get so excited about a cool rock or a bug. The things that adults often overlook. My youngest is an artist too and his uninhibited creativity inspires me to try new things and to remember that just about anything (and I do mean anything) can be made into art. He doesn’t worry about whether anybody will like his art, he just creates from the heart and he inspires me to do the same.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by just about everything around me. I am attracted to color, texture and contrast, so when looking for inspiration I tend to look at things through those elements. I am probably most inspired by nature. Trees, leaves, flowers, grass, wildlife, rocks etc. really get my creativity going.

Where do you create?
I have just recently upgraded from my kitchen counter to a small corner of my basement. I wasn’t expecting to have a lot of success with selling my art, so I didn’t have a specific place set aside until now. I have a little table and I am working on organizing everything. It’s not my dream studio, but it’s mine and I like it just fine.

How long have you been working with polymer clay?
I have been working with polymer clay for about 13 years. I found it while I was in college when I needed to fill my create urge between my studies. I started with making canes and jewelry and then used it to sculpt things and now I like to stamp impressions into it. Who knows what I will be doing with it next year. Polymer clay is so versatile that the possibilities are endless. Which is probably why I love it so much.

 

Nanjodogz- March featured artist

Nanjodogz.etsy.com

Who inspires me — I’d have to say my immediate family because they are always there to cheer me on and inspire me.
What Inspires me — I’d have to say nature inspires me, all animals but mostly dogs, my dog, all the dogs I’ve had in the past and will have in the future.
Where do I create – I have a little room in my condo that is devoted entirely to my craft, it’s called a sunroom because it’s really too small for a bedroom so it’s perfect for my office/studio space.
How Long have you been working with polymer clay? I’d say about two years now that I’ve been working with polymer clay, but have worked with arts/crafts all my life, but found a true love and passion for poly clay.

 

Check out my swaps!

My third clutch of dragon babies are ready to leave the nest, I’m so proud of them! These are my offerings in my third Christi Friesen-themed dragon bead swap, all of which I have signed up for at the swaps page on Polymer Clay Central. Swapping is so fun. This time around, one of the major issues was to try to keep our dragons to the size of a quarter. In the first two rounds, the dragons were rather large and dare I say- unwearable. I plan to put all 25 (whew!) of mine into a shadow box once I get my swapped dragons. It is so fun to get a box in the mail with other artist’s interpretations of the theme, I can’t wait!!! And, I was really smart- the swap is for two groups of 5, and this time I made myself one of each to keep!!!! They are embellished with Swarovski Crystal chatons and either goldfilled or sterling silver eyes. So fun!

 

March Challenge Info

Congratulations to the winner of our first challenge Sandy of http://bencandance.etsy.com/
Awesome job!
Sandy won some great prizes and you could have the opportunity to win some great prizes as well.

Here are the details for the March 2007 challenge:

The theme is to create something inspired by your favorite song.
Deadline to enter March 23, 2007
Send a photo or photos of your entry piece to Tamara via convo on etsy by March 23, 2007: http://blockpartypress.etsy.com/

The contest is open to all members, if you want to join us please send a convo to me Ilysa via etsy and I will send you the details.
http://ilysaart.etsy.com/

The March challenge is being sponsored by Lisa Pavelka, who has generously donated a $25.00 gift certificate for her shop. Check out Lisa’s shop and all her goodies and her beautiful work.

Lisa Pavelka http://heartinhandstudio.com/

Covered in Clay http://coveredinclay.com/

Anne Igou http://blusingmarie.com/

Claying Around in Cortona: September 15 -22, 2007; Tuscany, Italy – http://hometown.aol.com/upcoevents/polymerclayworkshop.html

Thanks to everyone who made the first challenge so successful!

 

February Romance Challenge Entries

Here are the entries for the February Romance Challenge. Everyone did an amazing job. Thanks to all that participated! I will post a forum thread tomorrow to start the voting. The winner will be announced on March 1st! Pictures of the winner prize and the voter prize are listed on the guild’s flickr site.

#1. Surrounded in Love by DeerCrossDesigns.etsy.com

#2. Charles Goes All Out for Valentine’s Day by nothinglikeit.etsy.com

#3. Deceitful Romance – Love Potion Ring by HardflowerStudios.etsy.com

#4. Love is in the Air by ilysaart.etsy.com

#5. Petals and Lace by hambacreations.etsy.com

#6. Wedding Dove Jewelry Box by CookiesCreations.etsy.com

#7. Little Hearts by Polyclarific.etsy.com

#8. Garden of Romance Tile Bracelet by thecolorofdreams.etsy.com

#9. I Brought You a Daisy by BreezyDawnDesigns.etsy.com

#10. Love is Ageless by bencandance.etsy.com

#11. Love is Meow-velous by artsyclay.etsy.com

#12. Red Bird Romance by treasurefield.etsy.com

#13. Crazy Heart by maureenthomasdesigns.etsy.com

#14. Spring Romance Cha Cha Bracelet by madeinlowell.etsy.com

#15. Romance in Bloom by MithrillDreams.etsy.com

#16. Polymer, Sterling and Copper Heart Pendant by StonehouseStudio.etsy.com

#17. A Gentle Kiss by blockpartypress.etsy.com

 

Some Incense Burners I Made Today by Ilysa

Hi,
Hope everyone is finishing up their entry for the challenge. We have quite a few new members, welcome.
Here are some incense burners my husband Ed and I made today. Had a lot of fun making them.

 

New to PCAGOE

Hi! My name is Lori and I have a small but fun and emerging Etsy Shop. I am so happy to have the chance to be a part of this group, PCAGOE. Although, I have to say, I am quite humbled by the work everyone produces, how talented you all are! I am rather new to clay, and still in the beginnings of learning the different techniques and finishes. It is so exciting, I sometimes cant contain myself!
I took a few pictures of what I’ve been up to…..
The pictures aren’t all that great and I should have buffed the pieces a bit before photographing, duh. I have been having fun trying new things. Mokogame Gane, Embossing, Opal, and Lace Cane. Please comment, I need critique to improve! I actually made quite a few other pieces in the last week or so, but end up selling them to friends before I get a chance to take photos!
Once again, thank you all for the opportunity to be here. I am looking forward to getting to know you all!
Take care and have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Lori aka Cutesis

 

February Challenge A Post From Ilysa

Just a reminder that the February Challenge is under way. The theme is Romance this month. So get your inspiration flowing and send a photo of your entry to Tamara of Blockpartypress. There is a chance to win some great prizes so don’t delay, the deadline for all entries is February 23, 2007.I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.
Ilysa

 

February Challenge

I know everybody has been patiently waiting for the challenges to begin. Well the wait is over. Drum roll please……. February’s challenge is to create an item from polymer clay with the theme of Romance. Love is in the air as Valentines is fast approaching, so we thought we would use a little bit of that creative energy to challenge you to create something romantic. You can create anything, jewelry, a puppet, buttons, whatever your heart desires as long as it fits the theme and is made from polymer clay. Once you have completed your challenge item, you must send me a picture of it before midnight February 23. I will post all of the entries on the blog by February 26th and will open up the voting for other etsy sellers to pick the winner. The winner will be announce on March 1! The winner will receive some supplies sent in by missficklemedia.etsy.com and some donations from another sponsor to be named later in the month. Don’t worry, it will definately be a prize worth winning! If you have any specific questions, please convo me! Now go get to work on your new masterpieces!

Don’t forget to send me your donations for the voting winner! If you need my address, please convo me ASAP!

Tamara – blockpartypress.etsy.com