Your Vote Counts!

Time again for the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy's monthly member challenge! This month's theme was, of course, LOVE.

Click on the picture below to visit the PCAGOE website and vote for your favorite polymer clay piece. You'll be automatically entered to win a fabulous prize yourself! Voting ends midnight EST on February 3rd - GO VOTE NOW!




THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR VOTING (please comment if you do!) and STAY TUNED FOR THE WINNER!

LOVE

We sat side by side in the morning light and looked out at the future together. - Brian Andres -

Appropriately enough, the theme for this month's PCAGOE challenge is "Love." Although I'm only allowed to enter once, I spent some time making two love-related polymer clay pieces this week, and who knows, maybe I'll find time to make some more!











This is my entry for the PCAGOE monthly challenge.

The potion bottle opens with room for a little love note or token, or perhaps even a seductive scent. Strung on a 28" long necklace of handmade polymer clay beads as well as reclaimed costume beads. Magnetic toggle clasp.

I'll be back to remind you, but please visit www.pcagoe.com between noon (EST) on February 1st and midnight (EST) on February 3rd to cast your vote for your favorite challenge entry and enter to win great prizes!

This item is for sale in my Etsy shop, but if you should choose to purchase it (I'd be thrilled, but...) I won't be able to ship it out until after the challenge ends.

Now these little lovelies were serendipitous - I originally made the heart for the potion bottle too big, not once, not twice, but three times. I decided it was a sign, and made some adorable earrings. They're simple and lovely and I'm very drawn to them. But I'm parting with them in hopes that they will become a gift from a buyer to their true love.












As for the holiday itself, I think it has its fine points, but I still recall quite vividly many Valentine's Days past where watched men carrying flowers and candy boxes home to their Valentines, or couples strolling hand in hand, and I sat alone, single, on a park bench, feeling my heart being torn in two. I also feel, as many do, that the holiday (like so many holidays) has become so commercialized.

We have a rule in my house - all Valentines must be handmade. As in, by the sender. There are no other rules. It can be 2- or 3-dimensional, edible, red, blue, orange, brown, whatever. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money - it can be made of things found around the house, or the yard, or even the recycle bin. It just has to be made with love.

My thoughts? DIY your Valentine this year. (I've included some ideas below.) It will mean so much more. But if you don't want to DIY, check out my shop for some goodies!

• How To Write A Love Letter and some more advice on the same idea

• How To Write A Love Poem

• Absolutely Simple Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

• 1,193 Poems About Love & Desire

• Classic Romantic Poetry

• Gone but not forgotten - the mix tape (or CD, doesn't matter, as long as it has a lovely cover and choice songs put into a definitive order)
• Handmade coupons for backrubs, extra dirty dishes duty, coffee in bed, you get the picture
• jar full of slips of paper, each with a reason that you love the person

ONE FINAL NOTE: VALENTINE'S DAY IS NOT JUST FOR LOVERS! DON'T FORGET MOM, DAD, SIS, BRO, GRANDPARENTS, AND FRIENDS! And if you're single and sad about it, use your availibility to give another couple the gift they'll treasure beyond all else - babysitting!

With a Little Help From My Friends

I don't know what I'd do without my buddies over at the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy, or PCAGOE for short. Or without the internet, for that matter! I don't know any local people working with polymer clay, but through the wonders of the internet and my membership in the PCAGOE, I am connected to a huge group of amazing people and artists who all use the same medium, polymer clay, to all kinds of different ends. We support each other, critique each other, advise each other, brainstorm together, bounce ideas off each other, keep each other in line... it's nice to have a community.

In this post I want to feature the work of a few fellow guild members, all amazing artists. I've chosen a few of my favorite pieces from each of their Etsy shops. Click on any photo to view more of their work!

Did Someone Say My Name?

(click image to enlarge)




I am proud to announce that I am featured today on the website/blog for Delaware Bride Magazine. You can check it out yourself by visiting their site and clicking in the top-right corner on "First State Fetes" for 11/30/07. That's a mouthful, so I've copied a screenshot here.

PCAGOE November Challenge: Mokume Gane

VOTE AND WIN!

Entries:

1. Mokume Gane Frame and Switchplate Cover by divadea.etsy.com
2. Butterfly Necklace by polyclarific.etsy.com
3. Red-and-Gold by TejaesArt.etsy.com
4. Christmas ornament 2007 by gingerbellsgifts.etsy.com
5. Mokume Gane Pendant by janzio.etsy.com
6. Retro Swirlz by breezydawndesigns.etsy.com
7. Pink MG Pendant by glassclayhouse.etsy.com
8. Mokume Gane Earrings by huntersdesigns.etsy.com
9. Mokume Gane Necklace by NKDesigns.etsy.com
10. Mokume Vase Brooch by beetreebyme.etsy.com
11. Earthmother Mokume Gane Pendant by ovenfriedbeads.etsy.com
12. Gift Box by juliespace.etsy.com
13. Mokume Gane Bead Set by thecolorofdreams.etsy.com
14. Teardrop Mokume’ Gane Beads by clayangel.etsy.com
15. Half Moon Pendant by RGcreations.etsy.com
16. Cuff Bracelet by marciapalmer.etsy.com
17. Plum Wine-Mokume Gane Mirror - gabriel.etsy.com
18. Mokume Gane Pendant by kabidesigns.etsy.com
19. Mokume Gane Egg Ornament by madeinlowell.etsy.com
20. Mokume Gane beads by Karooart.etsy.com
21. Shattered Mokume by naftali.etsy.com
22. Mokume Gane Vase by amyandwhalen.etsy.com
23. Cherry Blossom Perfume Atomizer & Mirror Compact by pollyhyper.etsy.com
24. Holiday Pins by papernclay.etsy.com
25. ACEO LOVE by elizabethbonura.etsy.com
26. Under the Microscope Brooch by blockpartypress.etsy.com

It's time once again for the PCAGOE monthly challenge! Here are this month's entries. The theme this month was to create a polymer clay item using the mokume gane technique.

Mokume gane is originally a Japanese metalworking technique that was adapted as a polymer clay technique. Mokume gane is created by layering very thin sheets of polymer clay, then distorting the stack with any number of tools and then shaving off thin slices to show off the colors, layers and patterns created within the stack. You can also add inclusions such as metal leaf and inks to create further variations or use stamps and texture plates to create interesting imagery. Here is a mokume gane tutorial created by one of our members, papernclay.etsy.com. This technique offers up a ton of possibilities, and our members have done a great job in showcasing the many different variations mokume gane has to offer. Many members had never tried this technique , so amazingly some of these are first time efforts. Thanks to all that participated!

VOTE and WIN the incredible Polymer Clay Prize Pack (created by PCAGOE members) listed below and valued at over $150 !!!! This month’s prize includes earrings, necklaces, a bracelet, loose beads and pendants, brooches, a pen and holder, a magnetic refrigerator vase and a cell phone charm, as well as a copy of the Winter 2007 Premier issue of Make it Mine which includes lots of great craft projects courtesy of Polymer Clay Productions and Kalmbach Publishing Co. The PCAGOE Member who wins the challenge this month will win $20 and as well as the Make it Mine Magazine and the book, The Best of Bead&Button Magazine Polymer Pizazz, also from Kalmbach Publishing Co.

All you have to do is vote for the winner and you will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous polymer clay prize pack created by the talented members of the PCAGOE. Take a look at all of the entries for the November Mokume Gane Challenge. Keep in mind the theme of using the mokume gane technique and how well the piece interprets the theme. Visit the PCAGOE website and vote for your favorite - please note that e-mail addresses will be used to contact the winners only and will not be used for any other purpose . Two winners will be randomly chosen from all of the voters. You can vote once between 12noon on November 26th and midnight (Eastern Standard Time)on November 28th . The winners will be announced on November 29th.

To view the entries close-up and to read the descriptions of the items, please click on the title links below the entry photos. To purchase any of the items, or to see what else the artists have to offer, click on the shop names listed below the entry

A final note: As much as I appreciate the unrelenting support, please don't vote for mine just because you love me! Vote for the one you love most, regardless of who made it - there are so many great entries to choose from!

Thank you and good luck!!

VOTE HERE!!!

Custom Bling In Her Stocking This Year?

There's still time to order a custom piece for your favorite person (or for yourself!) in time for the holidays! Place your custom order by November 23, 2007 (that's next Friday - can you believe it?!) to guarantee delivery by Christmas (if you need it sooner, just let me know!)

As always, free shipping!

If you're not sure what you want, message me at pollyhyper.etsy.com or comment here and I can help you decide where you want to go - photo transfer pendants, pins, and other jewelry, even ornaments! I can take your photo and transfer as-is, or make it black & white, sepia, and now silhouettes!

A perfect gift for that family member who has everything... they don't have one of these!

VISIT ME ONLINE AT POLLYHYPER.ETSY.COM!

Skip the mass-produced plastic this year and buy handmade! Or, better yet, DIY!

.... did you?

Too cute to waste

"A Very Blustery Day"
Silhouette Transfer Pendant & Pin Set

"Victorian Miss"
Silhouette Transfer Pendant & Pin Set

Two sets that are already listed in the shop, with more on the way....

Ran into some problems with the finish/coating on Round One of my new pendant series, but they were just so darn cute, I couldn't bear to toss them, so I have marked this round down extensively in my Etsy shop. The pieces from this batch are adorable, and the finish is not really an issue except that I don't want to misrepresent my work. I have been wearing one and have gotten nothing but compliments on it! The next bath will be fine, as I will go back to Plan A (and no longer mess with a good thing!) and the prices will go back up.

If you're reading my blog, I would really love if you would comment and say hello and/or share your thoughts!

Please stop by my Etsy shop and check out these and other pieces! And please consider making or buying handmade this year. Support handmade!

Click the image above to take the pledge!