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In This Issue
Get to Know the Candidates
Calls for Entry
Photo Inspiration
IPCA Elections
Artists Tour Ghana
Electroforming
Article Headline
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Get to Know the Candidates

Candidates for President


Beth Ackley, Jackson, Wisconsin, USA


When I couldn't find a polymer clay guild in my area, I founded the Milwaukee Metro Polymer Clay Guild, recruiting new members through online boards. We've now grown to 25 members and are adding new members all the time.

 

For the last three years, the Milwaukee Metro Polymer Clay Guild has hosted the IPCA booth at the Milwaukee Bead and Button show.  We encourage show attendees to visit/attend all polymer clay artists' classes and booths, and we meet all new polymer clay artists that attend the show.  We also conduct a survey asking people about their awareness of polymer clay, their interest in learning more about local guilds, attending workshops, etc.  The survey is connected to a drawing for prizes. Each year we receive about 200 entries, with 70% displaying interest in learning more about polymer clay.  This could be a model to be followed at other art conventions where polymer clay is represented.

 

Frances Bauer, Katesbridge, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

 

For the last 15 years I have run a polymer clay jewelry business supplying shops and tourist centres throughout Ireland. For the last 3 years, I've participated in Ireland's major artist-demonstrating show, "Art in Action," under the name Frances White.


I feel strongly that IPCA needs to become stronger internationally, by promoting the medium more intensively on international websites such as Voila and in magazines featuring the creations of hobbyists, craftspeople, and artist/designers alike. Sponsoring exhibits like the one by European artists at Synergy 2010 is an excellent way of showcasing outstanding work being done by people too far away to travel to events.


I am lucky enough to have the time to travel and would be very keen to travel to guilds in Europe and Israel to promote the IPCA. I am already planning to attend the 2011 Chicago Retreat and Synergy 2012.

 

Candidate for Vice-President for Education & Outreach

Alison Gallant, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK

In 1997 I was one of the co-founders of the British Polymer Clay Guild. Over the next 13 years I arranged bi-annual residential workshop weekends and taught classes myself. Our first guest tutors included Marie Segal, Sarah Shriver, Kathy Dewey, and Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes.

Since then I've taught at local guild meetings around the UK, at Euro Clay Carnival, Polymer Play Days and in my studio at home. Last month I taught caning techniques to 9 members of the Cyprus Polymer Clay Association so they can pass on the information to their increasing number of enthusiasts.  In addition to teaching in the UK, I write articles for a jewellery magazine available in many countries.

As Vice-President for Education and Outreach, I would become more vocal on art and craft forums. I'm very willing to travel and hope that my experience with polymer clay and organizing events will be useful to the IPCA.

Candidate for Treasurer

 

Judy Haupin, Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA


 I hold an MBA from the Whittemore School of Business. I've been the Treasurer for the Klay Karma Retreat for the past 4 years, was Treasurer of my church for 3 years, and have been on the planning committee for the last 2 Klay Karma Retreats. I've taught polymer clay workshops and classes at my studio and through the Brookline and Haverhill adult-education programs, and my work has appeared in Step by Step Beads.

 

If elected, I'd promote polymer clay by teaching, speaking at craft-related groups, establishing a web presence, and helping to market the craft to school organizations. I'd also like to help the IPCA reach more of the members directly, encouraging more to attend guild-sponsored events, such as Synergy and the Retreats, and to enhance the international connection.


Candidates for Local Guild Liaison (US)


Alaina Ackley, Jackson, Wisconsin, USA


If elected, I would encourage local guilds to partner up with their local youth organizations to teach classes or workshops. I have taught wire working/finishing workshops for the Milwaukee Metro Polymer Clay Guild, demos at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a sculpting workshop for the Boy Scouts of America.


As a co-founding member of the Metro Milwaukee Polymer Clay Guild, I understand how difficult it is to get started. I would like to review the current pages for start-up guilds and update it to reflect current trends and new technology.


Another addition I would like to make is providing links to the local guilds' individual websites. I would also update local guild information in order to provide the most up-to-date contact information.


 I would welcome the opportunity to combine the promotion skills I have learned at the Bead & Button Show with my business skills to promote polymer clay as an art form, hobby, and craft.

 

Kathi Briefer-Gose, Bakersfield, California, USA

 

My goal as Local Guild Liaison would be to get the word out to local and regional guilds by promoting inter-guild events and utilizing message boards--and not just the same old ones, but searching for new boards. I'd encourage small groups to establish their own guilds and advertise them. I look forward to brainstorming ideas with others on what can be done to get "Joe Public" to learn and enjoy polymer clay.

 

I'd like to see more people involved in the IPCA, to have them see it as a learning tool and not as a clique.  I'd like to make polymer clay enthusiasts more aware (or even just aware) of all that the ICPA has to offer.

 

I encourage people to submit their work to local and regional fairs, to be on the lookout for "Call to Artists," and to get beyond the crafter mindset into the artist mindset . . . even if you only create for the fun of it!

                                    

 Candidate for International Liaison


Kylee Milner, Luc sur Orbieu, France

 I consider myself to be an ambassador for polymer clay in France, Europe, and the world. I teach workshops in France (limiting myself to the region where I live). However, I am the organiser of Clay Corbi�res Cr�atives, where we reach an international audience. I also organised Clay Carnival France in 2009.

 

Having been involved with the IPCA on the executive board since 2009, I do feel that the IPCA still remains under-represented outside of the United States. I am hoping that a new executive board will have a more equal balance of non-US board members. The US has set very high standards, and the rest of the world are craving an opportunity to highlight their potential and expertise.


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Calls for Entry




Exhibi
tions

"Express Yourself," Louisville, KY, deadline Nov. 10
"Arti-Gras," Green Bay, WI, deadline Nov. 15
"Hidden Cities," National Women's Caucus for Art 2011 Juried Show, New York, NY, deadline Nov. 19
"Birds in Art Contest," on-line, Romania, deadline Dec. 30, 2010.
"Art Interview International Artist Competition," on-line, deadline Dec. 31, 2010
All Mediums Exhibit, Louisville, KY, deadline Jan. 14

Magazine and Book Challenges

April Showers, Somerset Life, deadline Nov. 15
The Recipe Card, Somerset Life, deadline Nov. 15
Jewelry Design Challenge, RioGrande and Lark Books, deadline Nov. 30
Hair-Raising Accessories, Belle Armoire, deadline Dec. 1
Subscribers' Clasp Gallery, Art Jewelry Magazine,  ongoing

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Photo Inspiration of the Month

Marilyn Davenport pendant closeup
Pendant by Marilyn Davenport


Marilyn Davenport's original pendant was inspired by Maureen Thomas's sunflower photo, which appeared in the September issue of Polymergence.  If one of the images we've published inspires you to make something from polymer clay, please send a photo of your creation to Polymergence at [email protected].

We'd also like to showcase your inspiring photographs!
Volume 3, Issue 11
November 2010
Candidates for IPCA Executive Board Offices, 2011-12

by Kylee Milner, Elections Chair

The nominations for IPCA officers are in, and we have an excellent (if incomplete) slate of candidates to choose from.
  •  The candidates for President are Beth Ackley, of Jackson, WI, USA, and Fraannouncementnces Bauer, of Katesbridge, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
  • Alison Gallant, of Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK, is unopposed as Vice-President for Education and Outreach.
  •   Judy Haupin, of  Haverhill, MA, USA, is unopposed as Treasurer.
  • Candidates for U.S. Local Guild Liaison are Alaina Ackley, of Jackson, WI, USA, and Kathi Briefer-Gose, of Bakersfield, CA, USA.
  • Kylee Milner, of Luc sur Orbieu, France, is unopposed for re-election as International Liaison.
To learn more about each of these candidates, see "Get to Know the Candidates," in the left-hand column.

The office of Recording Secretary remains open. If you'd like to be considered for this post, either for a two-year term or on an interim basis, please contact Kylee Milner as soon as possible.

The candidates' questionnaires (in their entirety) can be found on the IPCA website so you can learn more about each nominee's specific qualifications, interests, and plans for the future of the IPCA. On-line voting will begin November 7; you'll receive an e-mail notification with voting instructions. Of course, your IPCA membership must be up-to-date in order for you to vote. Election results will be announced in the December issue of Polymergence.

This is your chance to shape the future of our community, so please vote!
Pre-Retreat Workshops and Guest Artist Announced for Retreat 2011
Bettina WelkerThe Guest Artist for the 2nd Biennal IPCA Retreat will be Bettina Welker of Germany. A German graphic designer who has also worked as a jewelry designer and polymer clay artist since 2003, Bettina is co-founder of the German polymer clay group Polyclaykunst.de and works as executive director and spokesperson for international liaisons for the group.
Since 2007, she has taught private classes in her home studio and is much in demand as a teacher in both Europe and the US.

Bettina will be featured on the last day of the Retreat, Saturday, July 16. Throughout the day, she'll demonstrate and offer instruction on a variety of polymer techniques.

We are pleased to host eight teachers for the Pre-Retreat classes on July 11-13, 2011. The schedule includes a 3-day, a 2-day, and 6, 1-day classes ranging in skill level from beginner to advanced.

The teachers are Carol Hamilton, Kelly Russell, Debbie Taylor, Loretta Lam, Bettina Welker, Ronna Sarvas Weltman, Mari O'Dell, and Ponsawan Silapiruti. For a complete class list and descriptions, as well as information about how to register, visit the IPCA Retreat 2011 homepage. And get ready to create, learn, and relax at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort!
Debby Jackson Tours Ghana
Debbie Jackson's batik

Polymer clay artist and IPCA member Debbie Jackson toured Ghana last month on a Textile and Craft Tour hosted by Lisa Shepard-Stewart of Cultured Expressions. For Debbie and the other 27 U.S. artists, it was the experience of a lifetime. The travelers included quilters, fiber artists, beaders, jewelry- and doll-artists.   The group
had a layover in Amsterdam, where they took a bus tour, and then continued to Accra, the capital of Ghana. They stayed there from September 16-29, venturing out every day to visit a variety of regions.

Ghana brass beadsDuring their stay, the artists took workshops on glass beads, how to weave Kente cloth, do batik-dyeing, brass casing,
Ghanian-style basketweaving, and Adinkra stamping. They traveled to a woodcarvers' colony to watch the artists make statues, sculptures, and masks.  They also had an opportunity to tour the Slave Castle in Cape Coast and shop for beads at a huge market and for fabrics at the enormous Kumasi Market.  The group also visited an orphanage, where they took 16 bags of donations. The local cuisine was  a source of enjoyment for the travelers, too.

Debbie writes,  "For me, it was a trip of a lifetime! It's the farthest place I've ever traveled and was beyond remarkable!  I felt as if I was standing right in the pages of National Geographic Magazine! What an experience!!!"

The top photo shows Debbie (right) and her batik teacher, Grace Adovor (left), showing off a piece of batik Debbie created in Grace's workshop. In the lower photo, brass beads are revealed from a charcoal powder and cow dung mixture. You can see more of Debbie's pictures on her Facebook Profile page.

Electroforming: My Latest Obsession


by Cynthia Blanton

blanton earring 1

Polymer clay artists have never been shy about adapting tools and methods from other art forms, and today a process called "electroforming" is emerging as an exciting technique to explore.  My sister, a talented lampwork artist, has been electroforming on glass beads for years, and she recently suggested I try it on polymer clay.  I've put together the equipment from various sources and begun experimenting, and you can follow my progress on my blog.

 

blanton earring 2Essentially, electroplating and electroforming are the same process, however, if you do it on metal it is "plating" while on anything else it is called "electroforming."  In the simplest terms, you are covering an object with a special conductive paint then running a small amount of electricity through it.  Copper or silver or even gold will be deposited wherever there is paint.  For now I'm working in copper.

 

After making inquiries on several polymer clay online forums, I discovered I am not the first to think of applying this process to polymer.  Janice Abarbanel is blogging about her experience: In addition, Cassie Muronaka, president of the Orange County, Califormia  guild and Sherri Haab, an author and jewelry designer, have been electroforming for a while.  You can see Cassie's work on her website. Sherri teaches etching and electroforming and sells kits on-line. In addition, you can find kits and supplies at Glass Diversions, where there are photos of some gorgeous work on glass. At  Rio Grande, look under "finishing" then "electroforming."  There must be suppliers in other countries, but only U.S. sources appeared in my online search.

 

I hope you'll enjoy checking out this new addition to the polymer clay world.  You can visit my blog to follow my successes and failures as I experiment. Two of my electroformed earrings are shown here.

Polymer in Print: What's New?

New Books

Books Coming Soon


Magazines

art jewelry magazine nov 10
  • Polymer Cafe, December 2010: "Singing Angel Ornament," Kellie Mowat; "Two-in-One Photo Album or Necklace," Ginny Ford and Judi Weers;
    "Faux Turquoise Chain," Julie Samara; "Squiggle Beads," Marlene Brady; Winter White Wonderland Challenge Winners; "Shiny Textured Baubles," Kathy Canuel; "Both Sides of the Story," Jill Palumbo; "How I Spent My Year," Joan Clipp.
  • Belle Armoire Jewelry, Autumn '10, "Working with Leftovers," Laurie Prophater; "Copper Etched Windows," Sheri Replogle;  "White-Hot Bronze, Jen Cushman; "Earrings of Intention, Mary Jane Dodd; "Confetti Beads from Friendly Plastic, Jana Ewy; Wild Roses
  • Art Jewelry, Nov. 2010: "Jointed Stretch Bracelet," Patricia Kimle.
  • Bead Unique, Winter  2011, "Artist Spotlight Christi Friesen," Noelle A. DeMarco.
Editor's Note

If you've written a book or article about polymer clay that's scheduled for publication in the near future, please let us know. We truly
appreciate your help in gathering complete and accurate information and presenting it our members--who are the most enthusiastic buyers and readers of polymer clay-related material in the world!

Please send relevant information to [email protected] and put "Polymer in Print" in the subject line


Classes and Events
Trumba Christine Dumont
"Trumba" bead, Christine Dumont
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!
On-Line Resources
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