IPCA News
Deadline Info |
How are you spending the summer? Please submit any news about classes, events and updates on polymer clay and mixed media you would like to be considered for use in the next IPCA News by July 22, 2009. Submit all information by e-mail.
*Note: Because of IPCA's non-profit status, we currently do not solicit commercial advertisers, nor does the IPCA receive any compensation for advertising. Listing does not constitute endorsement or recommendation of products or services.
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IPCA Flickr Group
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Post photos of your work and enjoy photos from other members on the IPCA Group Pool on Flickr. Refer to the IPCA website for more information on this feature.
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| IPCA Board Members |
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President
Suzanne Ivester
Executive Director
Kathy Reynolds
Vice President
Education/Outreach
Kerrie Venner
Vice President
Membership
Gayle Thompson
Secretary
Kaaren Poole
Treasurer
Karen Woods
Webmaster
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
PolyInforMER Editor
Julie Picarello
Member-at-Large
Cindy Silas
National Liaison
Lenora Kandiner
Kylee Milner
Past President
Judy Belcher
International Polymer
Clay Association
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| From the IPCA Executive Director |
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For many of our board and members, the highlight of the summer will be the IPCA Retreat 2009 at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort, July 11-14, with four days of learning, relaxation, and most of all, fun with clayers from around the world.
 Not only is it a beautiful location, but we have a stellar group of presenters and representatives from polymer clay and mixed media publications, along with vendors from the polymer clay community.
This is your last opportunity to join us as a participant or vendor, or to contribute items for the auction. If you are unable to attend, please stay tuned for more regional events and mark your calendar for Synergy II in February. Click here to read more about the Retreat.
Special thanks to Chairperson Barbara Forbes-Lyons and committee members for their efforts in making the Retreat a signature event!
Explore the Archives
The IPCA archives contain a wealth of information and instructional material available online only to members, including past copies of the IPCA/NPCG newsletters. You can update your profile and submit news online, and can also submit articles directly for consideration in our online publication, POLYinforMER. Other features include event announcements, weblink submissions and editing, and access ito the IPCA membership directory - your input makes our website work better for everyone.
Gayle Thompson, VP of Membership, is a great resource for questions regarding membership benefits, and is the contact person for ideas on expanding resources and adding value to your IPCA membership.
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A World of Inspiration is only Days Away!
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 IPCA Retreat 2009 Begins July 11
The IPCA Retreat, A World of Inspiration, is less than 2 weeks away! Registrations are still being received and we are closing in our of cap attendance of 75. In addition, the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort will continue to honor the special room rate of $99 per night (plus tax). There are some great demos on the schedule, as well as a raffle with fabulous prizes, an auction of polymer clay art, a themed swap, and Retreat Bead Strand and opportunities to support a variety of philanthropic programs such as Bottles of Hope and Beads of Courage. Kerrie Venner, the Vice President of Education and Outreach, will be interviewing attendees for future publication on the IPCA Web site. In addition, we are planning on publishing a daily photo album from the Retreat site. I also want to take a moment to thank the hardworking Retreat Committee members and the Chicago Polymer Clay Guild - without them, this event would not have been so successful! As always, for more information on the Retreat, or to register, visit the IPCA website. I'll see you in Chicago! Barbara Forbes-Lyons |
| From the IPCA Liaisons |
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IPCA Liaison Group
IPCA National Guild Liaison, Lenora Kandiner, and International Guild Liaison, Kylee Milner, have launched a new Yahoo! Group Site for national and international polymer clay and mixed media guild and group leaders. Visit the IPCA Liaison Group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IPCA_Liaison. You may also contact Lenora Kandiner at localguilds@theipca.org or Kylee Milner at internationalguilds@theipca.org with any questions or to report events, information, and updates from your guilds and groups. |
| Where in the World is the IPCA ... |
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International Polymer Clay Association
United States Membership
Membership East of the Mississippi: 456 Membership West of the Mississippi: 179 North East Membership: 143 South East Membership: 191 Central Membership: 112 South Central (Texas and Surrounding) 74 West Membership 141
We are working on updates to our national and international membership statistics, and by expanding outreach into areas with fewer guilds and members, will be offering more regional programs for each area. |
| Voila! International Website |
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Voila! is a Europe-based community website for the world's polymeristas. And, with inspiration from Europe's cultural heritage, Voila! will help members take their work to new artistic heights. Tutorials packed with fantastic photos explain clearly how elements like lines, forms, and colours affect us emotionally, so that you can express your artistic vision and appreciate the work of others. This is definitely not just another Internet forum. Voila! is currently in its pilot phase and will launch in the Autumn of 2009 with a variety of learning resources. The first competition will take place soon thereafter. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting new home for polymer artists, email me at voila!@allovercreation.net
Christine Dumont
IPCA member and Creator of Voila!
United Kingdom
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| Synergy II: Exploring Connections |
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| Synergy II: Exploring Connections
The IPCA Conference Synergy II: Exploring Connections is being planned for Baltimore, Maryland in 2010. Synergy II promises to be just as dynamic as the original, with a similar seminar format for presentations.
The deadline has passed for Synergy II proposal submissions, and the results of the selection committee process will be posted on the website soon. Please contact the IPCA for further information. |
| Publications & Online Resources |
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Just Released 
Progress & Possibilities 2005-2008
The IPCA presents this beautiful compendium of the winners of the past three years of their annual juried exhibition, "Progress & Possibilities." The work of 58 outstanding polymer clay artists is presented here in 115 full-color photographs. Individual copies can be ordered by IPCA members and non-members alike at a price of USD $22.95. Visit the online creative publishing service 'Blurb' to order your copy at www.blurb.com
ANCIENT MODERN Polymer Clay & Wire Jewelry
Ronna Sarvas Weltman Paperback Book (Interweave Press, JUNE 2009) 136 pages List Price: $22.95
Amulets and Talismans
Robert Dancik
Paperback Book (North Light Books, AUG 2009)
144 pages
List Price: $24.99
Polymer Clay Color Inspirations
Lindly Haunani and Maggie Maggio
Paperback Book (Watson-Guptill, AUG 2009)
144 pages
List Price: $21.95
The CF Sculpture Series Birds of a Feather
Christi Friesen Project Book (CF Originals, 2009) 48 pages List Price: $9.95 Beads, Baubles and Jewels
4 disc set DVD $39.97 www.Interweave.com/dvds Cynthia Tinapple's excellent site on polymer clay
Handmade Nation
Indie Craft Movement, DIY Movement Faythe Levine, Cortney Heimerl www.papress.com
Free trial of software for cataloging artwork, archives, books, reports; and Virtual Exhibit also available for free trial download at www.museumsoftware.com |
| Book Reviews |
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 ANCIENT MODERN, Polymer Clay & Wire Jewelryby Ronna Sarvas Weltman Interweave Press LLC 201 East Fourth Street Loveland Co. 80537-5655 2009 Softcover 136 pages $22.95 With all the polymer clay books on the market, how does an artist select one that integrates their passion with new materials and new interpretations? ANCIENT MODERN, Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry is an excellent choice. Ronna Weltman has taken fundamental polymer techniques, added twisted wire for movement, and designed 15 finished projects that combine ethnic, primitive, and organic styles for stunning results. None of the techniques or processes is complicated yet the finished works are complex and filled with texture. As a basketmaker and polymer clay artist, I was inspired by some of her wire and clay combinations in jewelry as jumping off places for basketry as well.
Her Ancient Vessel necklace reminded me of a miniature reed and gut basket of Judy Dominic. Her clay string beads look like wrapped yarns, and her extruded clay wrapped beads are a smaller version of random weave containers. Particularly creative are several different wire and polymer rings reminiscent of museum relics in ancient glass and stone. Ronna's talent for design takes the simplest elements and combines them into wonderful wearable art pieces. Nothing is over the top, and nothing uses expensive materials, yet all are rich in color and shape.
Her tutorials include beginner sections on tools, general polymer and wire techniques, gauges and coiling wire charts, as well as tips on fitting your jewelry to your body, and balancing the weight of beads and clasps so they stay where you intended. All her projects and tutorials include clear photos and illustrations. And finally, although written in a manner that beginners to this medium can clearly understand, there is still plenty that is unique and edgy to challenge the experienced clayer.
Reviewed by Karen Woods, Tampa FL
basketmaker/polymer clay artist
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| Awards/Competitions/Calls for Entries |
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(Refer to Art Calendar for expanded listings)
Awards
2010 NICHE Awards - Applications will be available Spring 2009.
Call for Entries
The upcoming exhibit, "Sculpting Color: Works in Polymer Clay" at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA is intended to educate people about polymer clay as well as blow them away with masterful works made in it. Kathleen Dustin, the curator, needs a display board describing step-by-step cane construction of a basic cane, such as a nice flower. She'd also like to include a description of Skinner blend construction. Her thought is to have actual baked pieces of these at various stages mounted on foam core. Kathleen is inviting individual polymer artists or guilds to do this for the exhibit. Some of you may have already made such a thing for your own show/sales and could lend it for the exhibit. The artist would receive recognition in the exhibit and shipping will be paid for. The exhibit opens August 8, 2009 so there is plenty of time to make it. Please email Kathleen if you would like to participate.
We would like to hear from artists who create with polymer clay, either wearables like jewelry or non-wearables, and who would like to have their work featured on either www.jewelryandbeading.com or www.blisstree.com this spring. Jewelry&Beading and Blisstree are both network blogs with very large readerships. Please send your artist statement of one to three paragraphs, and up to three images (72dpi res) of your work, along with a link to your site. Please put "polymer clay artist" in the subject line. Email: cyndi@b5Media.com. |
| Events & Exhibitions |
| For a regularly updated listing of Events & Classes in polymer clay go to the IPCA website
For art events worldwide - visit American Craft Magazine's calendar.
Renaissance Bead Shows
American Craft Council Show San Francisco
Sandy Camp
Annual retreat of the San Diego Polymer Clay Guild
Warner Springs Ranch, Warner Springs, California
09/30/09 - 10/4/09
Bead Stampede Coeur D'Alene, ID 2009
Coeur D'Alene, ID 07/03/09 - 07/05/09
Bead Faire/Portland
Portland, OR 07/10/09 - 07/12/09
Puget Sound Bead Festival
Tacoma, WA 07/10/09 - 07/12/09
OMMS Christmas in July Artisan Festival
Oceanside, CA 07/11/09 - 07/12/09
Austin Bead Market
Austin, TX 07/11/09 - 07/12/09
Bead Faire/Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA 07/17/09 - 07/19/09
Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Shows, Inc.
York, PA. 07/11/09 - 07/12/09
Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Shows, Inc.
Charlotte, NC 07/18/09 - 07/19/09
National Button Society Convention
Denver, CO 08/03/09 - 08/08/09
Mixed Media Melange La Grange, TX 09/10/09 - 09/13/09
Exhibitions
Naga Exhibition
Glendale, AZ 09/18/08 - 07/31/09
Metal-URGE
Tacoma, WA 06/06/09 - 09/19/09
Craft Expo 2009
Guilford Art Center
Guilford, CT 07/16/09 - 07/18/09
25th Annual American Craft Exposition
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 08/28/09 - 08/30/09
Beyond Infancy:
The Maturation of a Medium, Polymer Clay
August 16, 2009 at 1pm Polymer clay has come of age and the possibilities are exciting and endless. Join us for a lively discussion of where this very contemporary medium may be headed next. Moderator: Kathleen Dustin. Panelists: Bonnie Bishoff, Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Grant Diffendaffer, Tory Hughes, Elise Winters. Opening reception 2pm. Sculpting Color: Works in Polymer Clay
Curated by Kathleen Dustin Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA www.fullercraft.org
Does your local guild have an upcoming event - Log in to the IPCA website www.theipca.org to post your information and to be included in the events calendar. |
| Classes & Workshops |
For art events worldwide - visit American Craft Magazine's calendar.
Polymer Clay and Wire Art Jewelry Workshopwith Ronna Sarvas Weltman Albuquerque, New Mexico Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th, 2009 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Workshop cost: $200.00 (includes an $18 materials fee) If you have been inspired by Ronna's new book, "Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay & Wire Jewelry", this workshop is for you! Aimed at students with intermediate experience in polymer clay and beginning wire experience. Class size is limited to 20 people on a first come first served basis. Once you have received an email confirmation that space is available, a $50 deposit is required to hold your spot. The balance of the workshop fee is due by August 15th. Contact Annie Hooten at hootenannie4@aol.com
Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell teach regularly at Brea Bead Works, in Brea, CA. They are guest polymer clay artists on a quarterly basis, teaching a variety of polymer clay mixed-media techniques for jewelry. Summer classes will be held on Sunday, July 19. The first class titled "Simply Delicious Noodle Filigree" is from 10 am to 1 pm, and the second class, "Rock On!" (agate cane), is from 2 pm to 5 pm. More information can be found at http://www.breabeadworks.com. Workshop - New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Polymer Clay Guild announces a workshop with Lindly Hauhani. Textile Inspirations in Polymer Clay/Stripe Blends Gone Wild. October 10-11, 2009 in Hopkinton, NH. Details available at http://nhpcg.org/
Does your local guild have an upcoming workshop or class - or are you hosting a workshop or class? Log in to the IPCA website www.theipca.org to post your information and to be included in the events calendar. |
| In the World of Art |
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We All Experience the Power of Craft
"If you take a moment to look, you'll probably discover that your life is already rich with craft and design.
From your favorite ceramic mug, to an antique ring; from your grandmother's handmade quilt you pull out on chilly nights, to the steel fork that graces your dinner table - craft and design are a part of everyday life. These objects - old and new, special and everyday - add color, history, memories and richness to our lives."
-from the Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland OR |
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Charitable Efforts |
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You can help to make a difference!
Check out the organizations/efforts listed below and consider sharing some of your talent, time and creativity.
Join A Season for CERF!
Don't miss your chance to join together with craft-related businesses around the country and participate in A Season for CERF 2009. This annual event gathers galleries, retailers, on-line businesses and artists' studios throughout the United States. Between September and December they host events to raise funds for, and awareness of, CERF's programs and services. This year's goal is to have participants in all 50 states. If you would like to help us recruit craft-related businesses or you are interested in participating in A Season for CERF 2009 please sign up using our online form or contact Carrie Cleveland; phone 802-229-2306 for more information. | |
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