I have been working on creating some ATC’s for a swap. I have one group done and I like them. I need to get the other group done though so that I can get them in the mail.
The hardest part I have is figuring out what to do. The ATC’s are the size of playing cards (2 1/2 inch by 3 inch) and are usually thin. They are great for playing with surface treatments.
There are some many treatments that I want to try but which one to do. I have been playing with alcohol inks and my first set of ATC’s are done with them. I did not want to repeat the same for the second group.
I can also do something with my clay extruder to create interesting patterns and even do some writing on the card. I could also play with mosiacs like I want to do with the shells I got in Maine.
Oh, so many ideas and so little time.
I saw some jewelry made from sea glass recently. I like how they looked but I saw some concerns in how the barrettes where made. I know that I could do better.
I am going to try to find some sea glass and work with it. The ones I saw had pieces of glass glued to a barrette back and then wire wrapped. Those will be easy to make.
I am also thinking of using smaller pieces as accents in clay. I know that the sea glass would look nice with the turtles and starfish that I have recently been playing with.
I am also going to try to “create” my own sea glass. I will use the rock tumbler and sand to smooth the pieces of glass. I am sure that I can get things to look like the real sea glass. I just hope to do it without taking the same anount of time that Mother Nature does.
I recently got a windfall of polymer clay. One of my friends on Polymer Clay Central has recently changed over to using Kato Polyclay instead of FIMO. The reason that she did this is personal. If you want that story check out her website http://www.moheganhands.com/homepage/ . While you are there, take a look at her wonderful studio! I can’t wait to see all the beautiful pieces that she makes there.
My windfall part of this all, is that I was able to take the FIMO that she no longer needed off of her hands for not a lot of money. (I got it cheaper then I could in any store on sale.) I also got colors that I would not normally buy, which is good so that I expand my color palate.
The other nice thing about the whole deal is that I got to met Lisa in person. My husband and I went to pick the clay up, instead of paying for shipping. That happened only because she lives not far from where we went on vacation. Saved me even more money since I brought home over 50 lbs of clay!
While on vacation, my husband and I try to find local artists work in shops. I find some wonderful barrettes for my own use as well as ideas for ones to make.
This recent trip is no different. In Bar Harbor, Maine, I had no luck. I found some beautiful work but it was all high end stuff in galleries. Although I love the work and do buy some jewelry for my own enjoyment. I don’t find a lot that I can adapt to my creations.
We did find some wonderful rocks and shells that I will be playing with. I will have to see what I came up with. I have ideas that use them with and without polymer clay.
Our next stop was in Gloucester Massachusetts. We did find the high end galleries but also found a small shop filled with local artist works. The store is Local Colors Gallery. Check out their website http://local-colors.org/index.php , and visit their store at 121 Main Street, Gloucester, MA.
I did buy a barrette there and got lots of inspiration for ones that I would like to make.
I get the pleasure of reorganizing my craft room.
I have to find room for all of the clay that I will be getting. I also bought a used convection oven for baking clay in. Plus there is everything else that I have been adding to the mix!
It is going to be a project all of its own! I am going to try to get it done in a day so that I can get going on my next set of clay projects that I need to have done before the 8th of June.
My first step in going to find the way to fit 50 lbs of clay that I will be picking up soon. Then I have to find room to put the clay that I currently have, plus on of my “toys” that I use in playing with clay.
I also have “claimed” some storage units form my husband that he is not using. Like a tool organizer and a couple of empty ammo boxes. I know that I can put all of that to good use.