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May 2011 Meeting and Polymer Clay News

ByBarbara Forbes-Lyons

Next Meeting is May 1

Our May meeting will be at 1 PM on Sunday, May 1 at Michaels on Governor’s Square Boulevard. We meet in the classroom and if you want a cold (or hot) drink during our gathering, you’ll need to bring one with you. Ellen will be leading this month’s meeting and will demo polymer clay techniques using an extruder gun as well as how to make swirly lentil beads. Bring your basic clay kit, a clay extruder if you have one (sculpey with caulking gun rig, makins or walnut hollow extruder with crank) and a small square of lucite or other firm plastic or glass (about 3-4″ square). Ellen will also have gear to share.

Polymer Clay Class at FSGNW

Barbara Forbes-Lyons will be teaching a Polymer Clay II class at the Florida Society of Goldsmiths studio on Saturday, May 7, 10 am – 4 pm. In this technique driven class you will learn how polymer clay is truly a ‘chameleon’ material by creating:

  • faux bone/ivory and stone;
  • the polymer clay version of mokume gane, including a ‘cheater’ version using an extruder gun;
  • a retro cane;
  • explore mica shift with metallic clays;
  • using molds and texture plates
  • finishing techniques

Class is $75 plus a small materials fee. Class fee does not include FSG membership, which is required to comply with FSG’s insurance policy. Details here.

Guild Liaison News from the IPCA

From Kathi Briefer-Gose IPCA US Guild Liaison:
Hello fellow clayers!

I thought I’d take a minute to introduce myself and tell you about some of the goals that Natalia (the International Liaison) and I brainstormed for the guilds around the world.

First a bit about me. I have been working with polymer clay for ten years now and I am still as crazy in love with it as I was when I first started. Before getting into claying, I worked with stained glass as a way to relieve tension from being a paramedic. I know…glass, crazy! After becoming disabled on the job, I found bending over glass for long hours was not in the cards, and a friend turned me on to polymer clay. The rest is history. I live in Bakersfield, California, with my wife and “fur kids”, 3 dogs and 5 cats. Yes, we love critters. Enough about me. On to the good stuff.

My Short-Term Goals

Before I was elected as US Guild Liaison, I was asked to write a statement about what I had to offer to the position. One of the main things I talked about was my desire to get more interaction between the guilds in the United States–my short-term goal, so to speak. I would dearly love to see some interguild swaps going, sharing information, and getting to know other clayers.

Sister Guilds

A second idea I had was based on something that Bakersfield is involved in: a “Sister City” program, which for guilds would be “Sister Guilds.” I envision this as a wonderful way for the US guilds to get to know the International guilds, and vice versa-to share techniques and ideas around the world. Taking this a bit further, I even see something like this: If a member of your sister guild is traveling to your area, you could give them ideas of where to go, good places to eat, maybe even a clay day they might enjoy. You might even organizae swaps and competitions with your sister guild. The ideas are endless for something like this.

Guild Spotlight and Featured Artists

If you read the March and April IPCA newsletters, you noticed the new monthly Guild Spotlight feature. This is something we would love for all guilds to be involved with. What a wonderful way to share what your guild is up to with the whole polymer clay community! If your guild is interested in being highlighted, please send me an e-mail to kathig@dragonsglass.com with the subject line of “guild spotlight” and I’ll make sure your name is put on the list.

Along with this, Alaina Ackley, the new Web Content Editor is looking for individuals who are willing to be highlighted on the website. You don’t have to be a pro, beginner is fine. Sharing is what it’s all about.

Growing Our Community

Now that I’ve shared a few of mine and Natalia’s ideas, we would dearly love to hear what you all would like to see happening to increase interaction between members and growing the International part of the International Polymer Clay Association. This isn’t just my community–it’s our community. Let’s make it grow together!

Happy Claying!

Kathi Briefer-Gose
US Guild Liaison
International Polymer Clay Association
??kathig@dragonsglass.com

Fundraising Request from Elise Winters

Editor’s Note: Although our Guild cannot donate much, I’d like permission from the members to send a $100 donation from our Guild. If you object, please contact me via e-mail.

Dear Comrades in Clay:
These are auspicious times for polymer art.  Just a year ago, the Racine Art Museum (RAM) in Racine Wisconsin, announced its commitment to establish a permanent collection of polymer.  RAM houses one of the most significant contemporary craft collections of any art museum in North America. The recent arrival of a substantial gift of polymer artworks inaugurates the opportunity for serious, museum-based documentation of polymer and will enable RAM to become the national center for the elevation, exhibition, and academic study of our chosen artistic medium. With its expansive approach to collecting and documentation, RAM offers polymer a platform to reach a broader public, while advancing the medium to new levels of professional accomplishment and acceptance.
RAM will formally debut the exhibition, Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads, October 21, 2011 through February 5, 2012. An accompanying 128-page, fully illustrated, hard cover book is in the process of being published. In addition to this groundbreaking endeavor, RAM will focus on assembling a world-class collection of exhibition quality works, while preserving study pieces for future research.
As you can imagine, an undertaking of this magnitude requires considerable financial support. The hardcover book alone will cost $100,000.  And I have personally committed to help raise that money. Last February at the IPCA Synergy conference, 111 individuals contributed more then $17000 toward this goal.  Since then we have managed to raise almost $65,000, including my own personal contribution.
So now is the time for guilds to further our efforts.  It is my hope that each and every guild will step up and vote “YES” to bring the art of polymer to its rightful status in the larger craft world.  A donation of at least $100 from each guild will not only provide financial support but will also demonstrate our community’s broad endorsement of RAM’s commitment.
Should your guild decide to make a more generous contribution, I will acknowledge your participation as follows:
$500 – I will send a brooch to auction as a fundraiser for your own guild
$1000 – I will send you guild a RUFFLE brooch or bracelet
For the guild with the largest contribution, I will personally visit your guild to thank them with a demonstration or slide program
For your credit line be included in printed RAM exhibition literature, you donation must be received at RAM by July 15, 2011
Checks can be made out to RAM/Polymer Collection and sent to:

Racine Art Museum
441 Main St.
Racine, WI 53401-0187

Or donations can be made through the secure PayPal button found at: www.polymerartarchive.com
Thank you in advance for your support.
Elise Winters
See who has already contributed and find links to information about how this collection was established here: http://polymerartarchive.com/collection-project/
And read the following press release from RAM for more details about the exhibition, the book, and the opening weekend festivities: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs017/1101481332095/archive/1104106908756.html

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