Friday, November 30, 2012

December Challenge Monochromatic

Scroll to the bottom of the post to vote for your favorites!


For this month's challenge our artists had fun interpreting the theme "Monochromatic." Entries had to follow the theme and contain 50% polymer clay. Take a look at the unique creations!





Vote and Win!
Three lucky winners will be selected in a drawing of all non-member voters and will be able to choose a prize offered by our member shops sponsoring this month's challenge. See the list of participating sponsors and prizes.

The entries are:
(Click on entry title to see larger image. Scroll to the bottom of the post to cast your vote)


1. Purple Monochrome Switchplate by Marcy of MarcymPC
Purple shaded with white was used to create this striped design.

2. Shades of Sage by Linda of NKDesigns
I used four different shades of sage (say that fast three times, LOL) for this mirror compact. It was sanded lightly and buffed to make sure all the tiny pieces were secure. I have a new-found admiration for artists who have mastered this technique as it is quite time consuming, but lots of fun.

3. Silver Fern Brooch No. 120 by Susan of 11BOLDstreet
I chose to interpret in classic shades of black and grey, along with translucent and metallic silver. Disc portion is 2 1/8" diameter.

I wanted to explore shape and texture with this piece while keeping the color scheme very simple. I experimented with different types of lentil beads - each with a different texture. The result is a chunky, rustic piece in pearl and tan.

5. Red Bicone Necklace by Line of PlaySculptLive
I love red during the Christmas season, so I chose red as my monochromatic color for this month's PCAGOE challenge. I'd call this one a statement piece.

6. Monochromatic Mask by Adrienne of WingsofClay
This mask was created using only Peacock Blue pearlized clay, with varying amounts of white and black clay to create tints and shades of the main color. The base of the mask was created using a Skinner Blend gradient from Peacock Blue to Black, and the mask features asymmetrical embellishments including stars and my signature clay "rosettes". Mask is lightweight, wearable, and made entirely of polymer clay.

Created from a single custom blended color of polymer clay, a pearly white, this dragon is covered with lots of textures and architectural detail. The eyes are hematite. Dimensions Approx:
5-1/2" L x 3" H x 3-1/2" D.

This is my attempt at Bettina Welker's retro pixelated cane using shades from a very pale blue to very dark blue and is applied to a brass bracelet form. The inside is marbled with the scraps and textured for comfort.

This 3 inch tall votive was shaped like a flower pot, and I used graduated shades of this sagey-green from the darkest to the lightest, from bottom to top, then made a checkerboard cane for the band around the top.

A monochromatic wallet using only flowers made with black and white clay in varying shades.

This rocker-style switch plate features a monochromatic color scheme built around navy blue and white frost translucent.

This is my entry for this months Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy challenge. The theme is monochromatic, my entry is in shades of green. I used a striped cane and a texture sheet to make a layered pendant. On the back is a pinback with a bail so it can be worn as a pendant or a pin.

 13. Blue Barrette by Jill of Jkollmann
Blue Barrette features hand crafted individual floral elements, tiny beads and pearls, and crystals against a shaded and textured background from dark to light blue.

3 dimensional ornaments made with polymer clay in tones of blue. For more views of this set please check out my flickr photostream: www.flickr.com/photos/createmyworlddesigns

Deep maroon texture defines this monochromatic piece that shimmers with embedded mica. This Christmas tree ornament measures 2-1/2 inches in diameter and is about 1 inch in thickness.

Vote Here
Choose your top 3 favorites. The same entry may not be counted more than once. Voting is open to the public the 1-7 of each month. Read the expanded rules here.

Full Name (required for voter prize notification):
Email Address (Required for voter prize notification):
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 receive the monthly PCAGOE e-newsletter? NOTE: Every month we get at least a dozen requests for the newsletter from those who are already on the subscriber list. Please check your email spam filter and add the following to your Approved Senders: Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy and pcagoe@gmail.com I already receive it
yes
no
Our members love comments! Please comment here on the entries and/or the challenge in general.

Create a web form here

Sponsors Galore for December Challenge

VOTE AND YOU COULD WIN!
Public voting for our December Challenge--monochromatic will be open December 1-7. Three lucky voters will get to pick a prize from the shop of their choice! That's right, if you win the drawing YOU GET TO CHOOSE YOUR PRIZE (see our sponsors below).

Winners will be notified by email and given instructions on how to select and claim a prize.  Before or after you vote, we invite you to visit the shops and start thinking about what you will choose if you win the drawing.  Have fun browsing!


$20 gift certificate to be used within 60 days.  No cash refund of unused amount. KellyPlaysClay.etsy.com

$20 gift certificate towards total purchase amount, good for 60 days, no cash balance. thepleasantpheasant.etsy.com

JKollmann
Any one item of your choice up to $20 value; no cash balance; good any time jkollmann.etsy.com/

 marcymPC
Any one item of your choice up to $20 value; no cash balance marcympc.etsy.com

Peggers
$20 gift certificate (no cash refund on balance); valid for 60 days peggers.etsy.com/

NKdesigns
$20 Gift Certificate nkdesigns.etsy.com/

HiGirls
Gift certificate up to $20 to be used within 60 days of date of announced winner www.etsy.com/shop/higirls

ArrowdaleArtStudio
$20 gift certificate, up to 60 days unless by private arrangement with me arrowdaleartstudio.etsy.com/

AdornmentsByEstelle
$20 dollar gift certificate to be used within 60 days  adornmentsbyestelle.etsy.com/

BeckySueCreations
Any one item of your choice up to $20 value; no cash balance. etsy.com/shop/beckysuecreations

11BOLDstreet
$25 gift certificate towards total purchase amount, good for 60 days 11boldstreet.etsy.com/

MarciaPalmer
$20 gift certificate towards any item good for 60 days marciapalmer.etsy.com/

PolymerClayCreations
$20 gift certificate to be used within 60 days  polymerclaycreations.etsy.com/ 

Young Creative
any item worth up to $20 in my shop (no cash refund on balance); valid for 60 days youngcreative.etsy.com/  

Elemental Dragons
Custom made dragon (value of 24.99) etsy.com/shop/ElementalDragons

PlaySculptLive
Gift certificate of $20 to be used within 60 days of date of announced winner playsculptlive.etsy.com/    

AshPaints
$20 on anything in my shop, must be used within 60 days, no cash remuneration. ashpaints.etsy.com/

CreateMyWorld
any item(s) worth up to $20 in my shop (no cash refund on balance); valid for 60 days www.createmyworld.etsy.com/


 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Ugly to Awesome with Polymer

Ugly to Awesome

So what can polymer clay do to save a a hideous $2.99 baby doll from the Goodwill? If you are PCAGOE member Adrienne of WingsOfClay you use it transformed it into a Franken-Kitty.

This piece won Adrienne the "Ugly to Awesome" challenge on Crafster.


Friday, November 9, 2012

November Challenge Winners

And the winners of the November Challenge are:

Member Voting:
1st Place

Faux Chinese Cinnabar Vessel by Jackie of ThePleasantPheasant
 2nd Place
Cut Strip Asian Neckpiece by Sue of 11BOLDstreet 
3rd Place
Asian Inspired Cuff Bracelet by Marcia of MarciaPalmer





Public Voting:
1st Place
Faux Chinese Cinnabar Vessel by Jackie of ThePleasantPheasant
2nd Place

Asian Inspired Cuff Bracelet by Marcia of MarciaPalmer
3rd place

Cut Strip Asian Neckpiece by Sue of 11BOLDstreet 

Drawing Winners:
Sue Urich, Matt Kernan, Theresa Noll
They get to pick a prize from one of our lovely participating shop owners. http://polymerclayartists.blogspot.com/2012/10/november-challenge-sponsors.html

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who voted and supports our challenges each month. 159 votes were cast this month.

A sampling of comments left by voters:
I love the work they all do. Such talent here

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

November Challenge Asian-Inspired

Scroll to the bottom of the post to vote for your favorites!



For this month's challenge our artists had fun interpreting the theme "Asian-Inspired." Entries had to follow the theme and contain 50% polymer clay. Take a look at the unique creations! 



Vote and Win!
Three lucky winners will be selected in a drawing of all non-member voters and will be able to choose a prize offered by our member shops sponsoring this month's challenge. See the list of participating sponsors and prizes. 


The entries are:
(Click on entry title to see larger image. Scroll to the bottom of the post to cast your vote)

1. Peace, Love and Strength Blank Journal Cover by Angela of PolymerClayCreations 
The three largest characters mean Peace, Love and Strength. It was made in several layers. The first is pearl clay stamped with a bamboo pattern and painted with alcohol inks. Some gold leaf was also added to this layer. The second layer is a cherry blossom branch stamped on transparent clay and painted with more alcohol inks. The Asian characters were also stamped and painted on this layer. More gold leaf was also added to this layer. The last layer is liquid polymer clay heat set on for protection and shine. The fan in the bottom corner is made from faux jade. It is all framed in gold clay made to look like bamboo shoots.

2. Faux Chinese Cinnabar Vessel by Jackie of ThePleasantPheasant
This vessel is my entry for the November 2012 PCAGOE Monthly Challenge. I received excellent encouragement from my fellow PCAGOE-ers about this and so I dedicate this little vessel to all of them, and to gentle encouragement in general. :)
An art doll in the style of Japanese Geisha is my entry for the PCAGOE November 2012 Asian Inspired Challenge. This doll stands on her own and is 9-1/2" tall. Her hair has been styled in a very intricate Geisha hair style and adorned with an elaborate style of beaded hair jewelry. Her robes were kept very simple. I used poly fiber fill to puff them out and hold the pieces in place as the doll was baked in the oven. After cooling the poly fill was removed. I wanted the robe to look like it was flowing. Gold leaf bits were applied to the robe for texture. I hand detailed the collar of the robe and under-robe with Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic.

4. Faux antique jade necklace by Lisa of HiGirls
I've always loved antique jade pieces and always wanted to try making faux jade. Necklace is created of small hand rolled beads and a molded clasp/pendant focal. Jade was created using transluscent clay, alcohol inks and a tiny bit of light brown clay.

5. Cut Strip Asian Neckpiece by Sue of 11BOLDstreet
The pendant for this necklace is a perfect submission for the PCAGOE November Monthly Challenge, featuring "Asian Inspired". The colors and shiny finish are reminiscent of Chinese lacquer and inlay, and the coordinated shapes of the main body and bail have a Far Eastern influence.

6. Chinese Hinged Pendent by Freda of FrekaK
The Chinese symbols say: Faith, Hope and Love

I love antique Japanese screen paintings. This piece gets its inspiration from that genre. Textured gold clay serves as the canvas highlighted with peacock-colored mica powders. The frame is created from hand-cut strips of a bronze-colored polymer that I shaped on the plate.  

8. Asian Dragon by Line of PlaySculptLive
Inspired by the Chinese inlay of mother of pearl on black, I sculpted my dragon using my faux mother of pearl cane. He's holding the world for protection.
9. All Dressed Up by Jill of JKollmann
For the "Asian Inspired" challenge I though it would be fun to pracrice some piercing techniques so I sought inspiration from ceremonial headdresses. The one that struck me the most was made as part of a statue of carved wood that had silvered with age.

10. Zen 2 U by Becky of BeckySueCreations
Kimono necklace and set of earrings in an Asian theme. These were made for the PCAGOE challenge of the month.

11. 食 吃 "Eat" Polymer Handled Chopsticks and Rest Set by Beth of CreateMyWorld
I have quite a few Asian inspired fabrics waiting for the perfect quilt or sewing project, so when considering ideas for the November PCAGOE Asian themed challenge, looking to my fabric collection for inspiration was a given. When I struck upon the idea of polymer handled chopsticks and matching chopstick rest, I then chose a batiked fabric with Asian characters as my polymer design inspiration… but I wanted to say something more than characters that mimic the fabric pattern with meanings I could not decipher. So, I decided to Google references and make canes of the Chinese character 吃 and 食 the Japanese Kanji for the word "Eat". I tried to emulate the background and colors of the fabric in the polymer design… and I turned a piece of the fabric into a little pouch with a matching polymer button, to complete the set, for carrying the chopsticks and rest. This is my 3rd time ever in making a cane… though I appreciate canes, I've never been much of a caner before. For some reason lately all my ideas are best suited to execution using canes…. guess my muse is telling me to branch out into other polymer techniques with which I'm less familiar. ;)

12. Polymer Clay Business Card Case by Carola of PolymerClayShed
 This brand new nickel plated business card holder is covered with Polymer Clay. The canes I used are my own design and 100% handmade, no paints were used.
The Polymer Clay surface is sanded and polished to give it a nice shiny look.
It measures about 3 5/8 i(92mm) x 2 1/4 inch (55 mm) in size and is about 1/4 inch ( 5mm) thick.

The theme for this month's PCAGOE Challenge is "Asian Inspriation". This is my entry....

14. Asian Inspired Cuff Bracelet by Marcia of MarciaPalmer
or my entry into the PCAGOE November challenge I reverted back to my favorites. I love to create and wear bracelets of all kinds. I am also fond of culturally inspired works of art and jewelry. So here you have it. My Asian inspired cuff bracelet.

Vote Here
Choose your top 3 favorites. The same entry may not be counted more than once. Voting is open to the public the 1-7 of each month. Read the expanded rules here.


Full Name (required for voter prize notification):
Email Address (Required for voter prize notification):
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 receive the monthly PCAGOE e-newsletter? NOTE: Every month we get at least a dozen requests for the newsletter from those who are already on the subscriber list. Please check your email spam filter and add the following to your Approved Senders: Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy and pcagoe@gmail.com I already receive it
yes
no
Our members love comments! Please comment here on the entries and/or the challenge in general.

Click here to put a form like this on your site.

Halloween Greetings

Pumpkin Tea Light by Arlene of AshPaints
Have a safe and happy Halloween from everyone at the PCAGOE. And to all of you (including many of our own members) still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, our prayers are with you.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

November Challenge Sponsors

VOTE AND YOU COULD WIN!
Public voting for our November Challenge--Asian-inspired will be open November 1-7. Three lucky voters will get to pick a prize from the shop of their choice! That's right, if you win the drawing YOU GET TO CHOOSE YOUR PRIZE (see our sponsors below).

Winners will be notified by email and given instructions on how to select and claim a prize.  Before or after you vote, we invite you to visit the shops and start thinking about what you will choose if you win the drawing.  Have fun browsing!
 

marcymPC
Any one item of your choice up to $20 value; no cash balance
http://www.marcympc.etsy.com

Peggers
$20 gift certificate (no cash refund on balance); valid for 60 days
http://www.peggers.etsy.com/

NKdesigns
$20 Gift Certificate
http://www.nkdesigns.etsy.com/

HiGirls
Gift certificate up to $20 to be used within 60 days of date of announced winner
http://www.etsy.com/shop/higirls

ArrowdaleArtStudio
$20 gift certificate, up to 60 days unless by private arrangement with me
http://www.arrowdaleartstudio.etsy.com/

AdornmentsByEstelle
$20 dollar gift certificate to be used within 60 days
http://www.adornmentsbyestelle.etsy.com/
 
BeckySueCreations
Any one item of your choice up to $20 value; no cash balance.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beckysuecreations

11BOLDstreet
$25 gift certificate towards total purchase amount, good for 60 days
http://11boldstreet.etsy.com/
 
MarciaPalmer
$20 gift certificate towards any item good for 60 days
http://www.marciapalmer.etsy.com/

PolymerClayCreations
$20 gift certificate to be used within 60 days
http://www.polymerclaycreations.etsy.com/ 

Young Creative
any item worth up to $20 in my shop (no cash refund on balance); valid for 60 days http://www.youngcreative.etsy.com/
 

Small Ideas
Free map pins: cookies and crackers
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85883111/map-pins-cookies-and-crackers

Elemental Dragons
Custom made dragon (value of 24.99)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElementalDragons
 
PlaySculptLive
Gift certificate of $20 to be used within 60 days of date of announced winner
http://playsculptlive.etsy.com/    
 
AshPaints
$20 on anything in my shop, must be used within 60 days, no cash remuneration.
http://ashpaints.etsy.com/

CreateMyWorld
any item(s) worth up to $20 in my shop (no cash refund on balance); valid for 60 days
http://www.createmyworld.etsy.com/

JKollmann
Any one item of your choice up to $20 value; no cash balance; good any time
http://www.jkollmann.etsy.com/
 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

October Challenge Winners

 And the winners of the October PCAGOE "Medieval" Challenge are:

Member Voting:
1st Place
Claymation Keep by Linda of Claymation3d

2nd Place
Medieval Crown Jewelry Box by Jackie of ThePleasantPheasant

3rd Place
Sword & Stone Letter Opener 130 by Sue of 11BOLDstreet

Public Voting:
1st Place
Medieval Cross Mosaic by Arlene of Ashpaints

2nd Place
Beth Dragon by Line of PlaySculptLive

3rd Place
Medieval Crown Jewelry Box by Jackie of ThePleasantPheasant

Drawing Winners:
Tracy Kornoelje, Peggy McKenna, and Babette Cox
They get to pick a prize from one of our lovely participating shop owners. http://polymerclayartists.blogspot.com/2012/09/october-challenge-sponsors.html

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who voted and supports our challenges each month. 139 votes were cast this month.

A sampling of comments left by voters:
I love the work they all do. Such talent here

Everybody's ideas were so great! I love all of the castles, super good work. It was a tough theme but it worked out well.

These are wonderful!!!!!

I don't know how but, the entries are getting better and better each month. Thank you


Everything was fantastic, as usual, and it was hard to pick a favorite. It's amazing how much talent and work goes into each of these projects!

Love to follow the news and see pictures also on facebook.

Very interesting and specific theme!All works are wonderful and was pleasure to me to read the inspiration for them!Greetings!