Wednesday, December 31, 2014

January Challenge Illuminated



For our January challenge we are featuring illuminated designs. Vote for your favorites. Three lucky voters will be chosen in a drawing to win a gift certificate from one of our sponsor shops.



To see larger images visit:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1089891@N25/

1. Red Riding Hood Votive by Marie Young of YoungCreative
For this piece, "Red meets Granny," I covered a recycled blue glass jar with a thin layer of translucent clay. Cut outs show off the bright blue underneath. Over this "sky," I recreated the moment when Red Riding Hood and her "Grandmother" come face-to-face for the first time. Read more: http://marieyoungcreative.com/red-riding-hood-votive/


2. Faux Stained Glass Votive Holder by Angela of polymerclaycreations 
This was made by "drawing" the solder lines with silver clay and then filling in with tinted liquid clay. It took forever to make because each panel had to be made and baked before I could do the next one.

3. Lighted Dome by Jill of JKollmann
Up-cycled glass element fits into a polymer base with a bezel to secure a battery operated 'candle', then topped with sculpted floral elements. The shape of the glass is rather egg-like.....hmmmm!

4. Tinsel Tree Light by Beth of CreateMyWorldDesigns
Christmas tree themed light created with polymer on a wire base with magnetic removable star topper. The dichroic surface effect of this piece was created using The Blue Bottle Tree's Holo effect tutorial, by Ginger Allman. To read more about the process of creating this piece, please visit my blog post: http://createmyworlddesigns.blogspot.com/2014/12/happy-shiny-christmas-tree.html

5. Illuminated Ocean by Lisa of HiGirls
This small votive uses tinted translucent clay highlighting rough edges and a bit of carving. Molded seashells form the base.

6. Organic Light Pod by Line of PlaySculptLive
Read more here: http://playsculptlive.blogspot.ca/2014/12/let-there-be-light.html

7. Sunflower Garden Votive by Arlene of Ashpaints
The sunflower is my daughter's favorite flower so I chose it to use in this challenge. The design begins with a square glass votive. The "frosted window" on two sides is a unique combination of white and translucent and I've added a cross-hatched design to give it a more pane-like look. The sunflowers petals are from a petal cane that I made and each is individually shaped and placed. Vines and leaves plus ball feet to lift it just a tad add that finishing touch. 

8. Candle Holders by Berit of ClayImages
Another use for my Stroppel 2 cane. These are lovely like stained glass when lit. 
  
9. Global Warming - Polar Bear sitting on a Hudson Bay blanket by Betsy of PolyClayCafe
I knew I wanted to do a globe shaped nightlight for the January PCAGOE challenge theme illumination. I recently finished taking Leslie Blackford's class at Creative Journey Studios in Buford, GA on nightlights - an awesome experience.

Global warming is of great concern to me and I worry about our future generations both two and four legged when it comes to the changes it is causing in our environment. I decided to do a polar bear on a shrinking sheet of ice to signify what is happening. The Hudson Bay blanket takes me back to my childhood when there were no such worries.

The nightlight globe is made from an inverted round glass vase covered with ink dyed Pardo translucent polymer clay. To see more views including a turned-on view and to learn a little about the process visit my blog post: http://polyclaycafe.blogspot.com/2014/12/global-warming-polar-bear-sitting-on.html

10. Red and Black with Translucent Earrings No. 175 by Susan of 11BOLDstreet
Light-diffusing chopped translucent polymer is the bottom element for these polymer earrings, with red and black polished focals and a ruby Swarovski crystal.

Read the expanded rules here.

Full Name (required for voter prize notification):
Email Address (Required for voter prize notification, you will not be sent other e-mails unless you sign up for our e-mail list):
For current Dues-Paying PCAGOE Members: What is Your Etsy Shop Name?
Please select your 1st choice: (2nd & 3rd choice must be different from your 1st.)
Please select your 2nd choice: (2nd choice must be different from your 1st and 3rd.)
Please select your 3rd choice: (3rd choice must be different from your 1st and 2nd.)
How did you hear about the PCAGOE challenge?
Would you like to join our email list? (former Newsletter subscribers already included!) monthly reminder to VOTE in our Challenges, along with important Guild announcements. Please add pcagoe@gmail.com and pcagoe.news@gmail.com to your approved senders. I already signed up
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Our members love comments! Please comment here on the entries and/or the challenge in general.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Featured Artist Elizabeth Schydlower


Meet Elizabeth Schydlower of Artisan Knob Shop
Featured artist for the weeks of December 29th through January 11th
Please go check out her highlighted works on the PCAGOE Facebook page!

Elizabeth resides in El Paso, TX. I asked Elizabeth to write a little bit about herself for this feature, here's what she shared:

“I am a wife, mother of three and grandmother of seven all of whom are the light of my life. I am retired now, but professionally worked as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

My intro to pc occurred one morning when I happened onto the Carol Duvall Show. Donna Kato was a guest and did her magic with a beautiful pendant. I was hooked and remain so to this day. 

I must admit that I've been all over the place with my pc projects. I started with beads, moved to jewelry and finally landed on home decor projects, more specifically, drawer and cabinet knobs. My favorite efforts in this area are the custom orders that I receive, which allow me to become an integral part of a client's custom design. 


I humbly acknowledge that any growth I achieve in this wonderful medium is a credit to the Masters, so many of whom so generously share and teach so others may learn.”


Find Elizabeth’s work at these online locations:
www.artisanknobshop.etsy.com and
https://www.facebook.com/artisanknobsbyelizabeth

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Featured Artist Anita Buckowing


Meet Anita Buckowing of Waterborn Productions
PCAGOE featured artist for the weeks of December 15th through December 28th 
Please go check out her highlighted works on the PCAGOE Facebook page!

Anita lives in Shelbyville, MI. She describes herself as a wife, artist, mother, daughter, sister, friend, business professional, volunteer and survivor of cancer, who strives to make the world better each day. In her own words, Anita writes about her creative drive: “I am inspired by the natural world around us. I'm constantly amazed at the beauty that is part of all facets of our lives. I create to share my "vision" of this beauty.”

Find Anita’s etsy shop here: www.waterbornproductions.etsy.com

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Featured Artist Jenny Sheppard




Meet Jenny Sheppard of Vievespolys
PCAGOE featured artist for the weeks of December 1 through 14. 
Please go check out her highlighted works on the PCAGOE Facebook page!
 
Jenny lives in Mesa Arizona and her polymer specialty is creating one of a kind trinket boxes. Jenny says this about her polymer journey: “After discovering how fun it is to work (play) with polymer clay, I started to decorate small keepsake boxes to store those special keepsakes that we all cherish.”
Find Jenny’s shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vievespolys

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

December Challenge Winners

The winners in the PCAGOE December Challenge "Carving" are:

Public Vote

Top entries selected by the public:
1. Long Tall Santa Ornament by Arlene of Ashpaints



2. Chocolate and Vanilla Kitchen Switchplate Cover by Marie Young of YoungCreative

3. Tropical Donut Pendant by Lorraine of Wired Orchid


Member Vote

Top entries selected by the public:
1. Tropical Donut Pendant by Lorraine of Wired Orchid


 

2. Chocolate and Vanilla Kitchen Switchplate Cover by Marie Young of YoungCreative



3. Peace Bird by Line of PlaySculptLive




 View all of the entries:
http://polymerclayartists.blogspot.com/2014/11/december-carving-challenge.html



Congratulations to the drawing winners. They get to pick a prize from one of our lovely participating sponsor shop owners.

Karen Leeman
Tammy Claxton
Joan Cain

Comments from the voters:
Buenos trabajos-desafíos, difícil elección.Saludos cordiales, which means: Good jobs - challenges, difficult choice. Best Regards.
 
I would like challenges Hairclips, Jewelry, fantasy, Window hangings, wearable art, wine glasses, Ornaments.
 
Keep playing with clay, it lights up your life.
 
The Santa ornament is spectacular. The use of deep carving in the beard and the antiquing is perfect. I also love the reasons for the making of the tropical donut and the up cycled crop circles.
 
All great work.
 
Fabulous carving!!
 
You have all carved out a unique look!
 
I am now inspired to try carving as a technique...thanks!
 
I always look forward to the monthly challenge and how each artist interprets the theme.
 
Fun pieces, all of them!
 
Love all the colours