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In This Issue
President's Message
Classes/Workshops
Off the Beaten Web
Calls for Entry
Synergy2 Updates
Synergy Hands-On
Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2010
ACREs of Opportunity
Polymer in Print
Buyers Market
Cabin Fever Clay Festival
Members' Spotlight
From the President
smaller Suz
The IPCA retreat of last July was a huge success for those who attended. We all relaxed, learned, ate, drank, made friends, and had a wonderful time. The event, however, chiefly due to the sudden downturn in the US economy,  resulted in a significant financial loss for the IPCA.

A bit of history may help to explain. The Shrinemont Retreat, held annually by the NPCG, was so successful that the event outgrew its venue,  long waiting lists became frustrating to our members, and the event was discontinued.

After launching Synergy in 2008, the NPCG board felt the need to offer a retreat experience for clayers less interested in professional-development issues. Several options were considered, including partnering with local/regional guild retreats.

Surveys of the members showed that most preferred a national retreat, and Chicago was the most popular location. Hosting the event in conjunction with the Metal Clay World Conference was designed to increase attendance.

Just as registration opened, confidence in US economic conditions hit a historic low. When initial registrations were disappointing, the board renegotiated its contract with the hotel and lowered registrations fees to attract more attendees.

The original registration fees fairly reflected the break-even budget of the event. No profit was built in, as Association events are not fundraisers but a service to our membership. By reducing fees, we hoped to increase attendance and thus minimize losses due to contractual agreements made in better times.

Despite renewed negotiations and adjustments to size and scale, attendance remained lower than we had hoped.

Nonetheless, the IPCA remains financially strong.  The board continues its commitment to increasing membership and initiating devlopment efforts to build the treasury and serve the polymer clay community.

Suzanne Ivester
IPCA President
Classes/Workshops

Adorn Me! March 2-7, 2009, Houston, Texas. Registration now open.

For a current list of classes and workshops, visit the IPCA website often. And be sure to enter information about your events on our calendar. We rely on you to keep us up to date.

Online Resources


Off the Beaten Web
by Terri Powell
We all know there are some great polymer clay resources on the web--Polymer Clay Central, the excellent Polymer Clay Daily, and Daily Art Muse are all great and heavily trafficked. A number of polymer clay artists (and friends of the guild) have wonderful blogs for all of us to read. The Polymer Art Archive presents polymer clay's fascinating history.  Lately, though, I've been thinking more about creativity in general, and about gratitude and simplification. So the blogs that I've been browsing around have a slightly different focus.  
 
Kate McKinnon is an author, a metal clay artist, and a beader.  Her blog has personal stuff and professional stuff, but she's
definitely got opinions and she's not afraid to give them.  Kate's been on a quest to encourage safety when handling/firing metal clays, and is now looking at how to live smaller.  Plus, she's got a nice page of riveting tips.  
 
Christine Kane is a singer/songwriter, creativity consultant, and retreat facilitator.  She blogs about "finding your authentic self" through vision boards, living with intention, and why pets are great.  
 
Luann Udell is a polymer clay/mixed media artist, who mostly writes about being an artist--how to manage doing
shows, how get past creative blocks, and why you need an artist statement.  
 
Victoria Hughes, who blogs under LogNotes for Creative Action, is another polymer clay artist and author.  At the
Muse Conference in 2000, I was in a session with Tory called "Talismans of your Inner EcoSystem".  (At least, that's
what I think it was called.)  Her blog feels like that to me--how to find what's meaningful to you and translate that into your art.
 
 Carol Ritchey dog poop

boingboing  has geeky stuff galore:  From DRM laws to "Where the Wild Things Are" cupcakes, from steampunk to the world's most amazing libraries, boingboing's got it all. (Above: Shelley Rickey's "Bad Dog Pate" from boingboing) 
 
Libby Mills writes at Libzoid Blog.  Her work is beautiful, but the thing I like best about her blog is the "Studio Snapshot" feature, where artists discuss how their studios function.  Look at the list carefully--you may see a few familiar names!

And one that I just found, that looks like it has potential is Zenhabits, run by Leo Babauta, author of The Power of Less.  The categories on the blog include Goals & Motivation, Happiness, and Simplicity--things we can all use more
of in our lives. 

Reprinted with permission from The Clay News of Philadelphia Area Clay Guild, Sept. 2009.
Calls for Entry

Exhibitions
Publishers' Challenges
Volume 2, Issue 10 
October 2009
Synergy2, A World-Class Event!
synergy2 logo  
Registrations are rolling in for the International Polymer Clay Association's second Synergy Conference. Synergy2 will be held at the Tremont Hotel in Baltimore on Feb. 24-27, to coincide with the American Craft Council show.

The committee, chaired by IPCA Treasurer Karen Woods, has been hard at work for several months to make this conference even better than the last.  Synergy2 will feature 29 seminars and panel discussions by more than 25 of our craft's finest artists and professionals,  opening with Steven Ford and David Forlano on Wednesday night! Other offerings include a vendor hall, a gallery of attendees' work for sale, and a silent auction. The event will culminate in a Banquet and live auction.The Exhibit this year will comprise more than 55 works by invited polymer clay artists, some pieces created in collaboration with artists who work in other media.

Clay Manufacturers' Panel Discussion
We are excited to confirm that representatives from 4 clay manufacturers will come together in a panel discussion of their products during a general session that all Synergy2 registrants can attend.  Attendees can submit questions in advance for each or all of the representatives to answer. Included are Fimo, Polyform, Kato Clay, and the newest entry, Pardo Clay from Germany.

The Gallery Is Filling Fast!
Just a reminder, the gallery spaces offered as part of the basic Synergy2 registration package are offered on a first-come basis and are already more than half full.  If you want to participate in the gallery and put your items up for sale during Synergy2, we encourage you to register very soon to insure your spot. Last year almost half of the attendees had Gallery tables, and it was one of the most popular and well supported parts of the conference.

Payment Plan
This year, the IPCA is offering an installment plan to spread registration payments out over several months. For all the details, visit the Synergy2 website, our Twitter site, or our Facebook page, "Synergy2- Exploring Connections."
Synergy Hands-On
ACRE folks
The Synergy2 planning team is pleased to offer attendees an opportunity to participate in  workshops on the two days before and two days after Synergy2, at the Tremont Plaza Suites Hotel and Historic Venue.
 
The classes will be taught by an impressive array of artists:
Seth L. Savarick, Leslie Blackford, Bettina Welker, Dan Cormier, Robert Dancik, and Tracy Holmes.

For more information or to register for any of these workshops,  contact the instructors directly. Class descriptions and contact information appear on the Synergy2 website.
Calling All Clayers!
pasta machine

The IPCA board has four positions opening at the end of this year - Vice President for Membership, Webmaster, Web-Content Editor, and Member-At-Large from Virginia . Complete descriptions of these positions can be found on the IPCA website.

Serving on the board is a rewarding experience as you work with clayers from around the globe on a spectrum of efforts to advance this terrific medium. 
The International Polymer Clay Association can become what you want to make it! Maybe you've been an enthusiastic member for many years and would like to contribute your time to helping the programs you value continue. Or maybe you're a relatively new member who'd like to see the Association move in new and different directions. This is the way to make those things happen and to have a front-row seat to see what our Association can become in its third decade.

We've extended the deadline for nominations to October 25 and are eagerly awaiting your enthusiastic response!  Don't be shy about nominating yourself--we love volunteers! 

Please contact me with any questions you may have. I hope to hear from you soon!  

Kaaren Poole
Elections Chair
ACREs of Opportunity
ACRE logo
We all know how generous the polymer clay community can be. And this was never more evident than at the 2009 ACRE (American Craft Retailers Expo).  The three artists selected for last summer's show, Lauren Abrams, Pat Bolgar and Barb Fajardo, were fortunate to be guided by Sandra McCaw, Meisha Barbee, and Judy Belcher. With the support of these wonderful artists and experienced sellers, the winning members took their first wholesale orders! Last year's ACREs of Opportunity winners have volunteered to mentor the three artists chosen this year. Read more . . .
  
ACRE folks

Apply Now
Applications are now being accepted to choose this year's ACRE participants. You can apply on-line, through November 15, via CaFÉ Call for Entry. The jurying fee is $35.00. Criteria for judging will include originality, artisanship, and how well the individual pieces represent a unified signature style.

With your application, you'll be asked to submit five photos representative of your work. So now is the time to consider which of your works is best suited for the wholesale market and begin taking photographs. Remember, these photos are the only opportunity the jurors will have to view your selected pieces, so they should be the best quality possible!

"Look at your body of work and really key in on a coherent statement" Lindly Haunani.

"Just remember...look at this as a learning experience."  Meisha Barbee

On-Line Resources:
The Arts Business Institute - watch the video!
Artrepreneur, Judy Dunn
Polymer in Print: What's New?
ancient modernBooks
Magazines
  • PolymerCAFÉ - October 2009
    • Drummer, Kathy Shield,  "Copper Nouveau Donut Pendant" Pt.1
    • Fisk, Lynette, "Apple Core Bead"
    • Palumbo, Jill Yvonne "Painting Your Signature in a Clay Cane"
    • The Black and White Challenge Winners
    • J, Pamela, "Miniature Bread and Cheeses"
    • Hodgens, Trish, "The Patch Keeper's Cottage"
    • Ransfield, Toni, "Polymer Clay 101:Simple Elegance"
    • Dukic, Jeannie, "Alcohol Ink Pendant"
  • Art Jewelry - Novmber, 2009
    • 5 Under 10: Five jewelry makers show what's possible with 10 grams (or less) of metal clay.
  • Bead and Button - October 2009
    • Wilkes, Lori, "Domestic Diva: Stamp Words and Vintage Images onto Polymer Clay Tiles."
  • Jewelry Artist - October 2009
    • Weltman, Ronna Sarvas, "6 Tips for Marbling Polymer Clay: Demo.
Buyers Market of American Craft

Applications are now being reviewed for the 2010 Buyers Market of American Craft and will be continue to be  reviewed on a rolling basis until the show is full. Show dates for 2010 are February 12-15 (Jewelry Preview on February 12) at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and August 23-35 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
    The biannual Buyers Market of American Craft is the nation's largest wholesale-only trade show of work made by hand in the United States and Canada, featuring more than 1,300 artists. More than 7,000 buyers represent retail gift shops, jewelry stores, catalogs, museum stores and galleries that sell fine handcrafted jewelry, glass art, furniture, ceramics, art made from recycled goods and more.
    Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. To request an application via mail, call 410-889-2933. Applications can also be downloaded from www.americancraft.com and are accepted on-line via Zapp.
    More information about the Buyers Market of American Craft can be found at their website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.
Cabin Fever Clay Festival
ACRE folks
As we mentioned in our September newsletter, registrations are now being accepted for the third annual polymer clay extravaganza, Cabin Fever 2010, in Laurel, Maryland. The  wonderful line-up of instructors includes Tony Aquino, Maureen Carlson, Louise Fischer Cozzi, Grant Diffendaffer, Dayle Doroshow, Laurie Mika, Kathryn Jo Ottman, Lisa Pavelka, Sarah Shriver, and Ronna Sarvas Weltman.

A 3-day pre-conference program will include a 2-day Master class with Jeffrey Lloyd Dever; full-day workshops with Lindly Haunani and Maggie Maggio;  Nan Roche; and Cindy Silas.

This year's auction will benefit the Children's Defense Fund and the American Cancer Society.

To register, visit the Cabin Fever website.
Members' Spotlight
ACRE folks
Congratulations to IPCA member, Dr. Ron Lehocky of Louisville, Kentucky. He's one of this year's 10 honorees in the WLKY-TV Bell Awards. This award is given in recognition of volunteers for their service and for showing the "Spirit of Louisville." There were 80 nominees this year, with 10 adults and 2 teens receiving the awards. Ron was recognized for his work with Kids Center, Kosair Children's Hospital and Norton Healthcare as a board member. Ron is a member of the Kentucky/Tennessee Polymer Clay Guild.