|
__________
It's Almost Time for Spring Craft Shows!
Getting ready for craft shows can be exciting and fun, but it can also be scary and exhausting! In this issue of Polymergence, we've combed the Internet to find useful tips to help you make the best use of your preparation time. We've also found a lot of useful advice for maximizing your sales, even in uncertain economic times.
I was going to do some research and write an article or two. But when I realized how much information there is out there (and how much of it sounds useful), I decided to sort the links into subject categories and let the sources speak for themselves.
I hope this information will help you make Spring 2011 a very successful season for your polymer clay business.
In future issues of Polymergence, we'll offer information on how to establish an effective web presence through your own website, blogs, and social networking.
--Suzanne Ivester
Polymergence Editor
____________
We welcome your input in helping us to identify themes t
hat will inspire our readers. If you have suggestions, please contact Polymergence editor Suz
anne Ivester at sivester@bellsouth.net.
|
| |
|
|
|
_________
IPCA Liaisons Plan New Guild Connections
US Guild Liaison Kathi Briefer-Gose and International Liaison Natalia Garcia de Leaniz are collaborating on plans to help local polymer clay organizations connect across oceans and national borders.
These connections will include sister-guild relationships among organizations and inter-guild swaps.
More information is coming soon, so watch your in-box for details.
 | |
|
|
|
____________
IPCA Board Elects New Web-Content Editor
| |
At their last board meeting, the officers of the IPCA elected Alaina Ackley Web-Content Editor for the Association. The position has been vacant for the past 15 months. We're very lucky to have Alaina on board in this highly visible position.
Alaina has been interested in polymer clay for several years and is part of the duo Destined 2 Clay. She has volunteered her time to the IPCA since 2008 to staff the booth at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she always enjoys meeting artists and making new friends.
Alaina brings with her a well-formulated proposal to enhance and augment members' benefits. Some of her recommendations include partnering with the area guilds to create an IPCA booth at art shows worldwide; initiating a defined recruiting policy that rewards members for referring new members; establishing an international exchange program; and expanding the number of classes the IPCA offers.
Alaina will be working closely with Alison Gallant, the Vice President for Education & Outreach; the US and International Liaisons; the Webmistress; and the Polymergence Editor to increase two-way communication between the membership and their elected officials.
|
|
|
Classes and Events
|
- Christi Friesen, Chicago, IL, March 4-5
- Polymer Pamper and Play, Portland, Dorset, UK, March 11-13
- Hollow Beads Online Course, Christine Dumont, March 19
- Christi Friesen, San Juan Island, WA, March 12-13
- Ronna S. Weltman, Houston, TX, March 26
- London Polymer Clay Group Meeting, London, UK, March 27
- Sue Heaser, Introduction to Polymer Clay, Suffolk, UK, May 15, 2011
- Fandango, Lake Yale, FL, May 19-23
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! |
|
_____________
Calls for Entry
| |
Exhibitions and Organizations
Visions of the Future, online design contest sponsored by Perles & Co, deadline March 14.
Images 2011 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA, deadline March 18
Spokane Arts Commission: All Media Juried Show, Spokane, WA, deadline March 18
Arteles Residency Program, Finland, deadline March 21
Community Cultural Hub: Rethinking CUE, New York, NY, deadline March 31
Community Cultural Hub:
Rethink CUE, New York, NY, deadline March 31
Apogaea, Inc: Illuminate, outdoor arts and music festival, Colorado, deadline March 31
Milwaukee Domes Art Festival, Milwaukee, WI, deadline April 1
Artspace Artists Association Membership, Raleigh, NC, deadline April 1
Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder, CO, deadline March 31
Piedmont Craftsmen, Winston-Salem, NC, deadline April 18
ACRE Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, deadline April 28
Atlanta Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA, deadline April 25
Magazine and Book Challenges
Somerset Home, "functional and artful work that transforms your home," deadline March 15, e-mail questions or submissions to blivesay@stampington.com
Polymer Cafe seeks submissions. Send your proposals to Anne Huizenga at ahuizenga@scottpublications.com.
Belle Armoire,
"Inspired Artisan," ongoing
|
|
|
|
Volume 4, Issue 3
March 2011
|
|
Hot Clay, Cool Friends:
Retreat Registration Is Now Open!
|
The waiting is over--you can register now for Retreat 2011, "Hot Clay, Cool Friends."
Our second biennial Retreat will take place July 13-16 at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago not far from O'Hare International Airport. The Association will also offer an enticing array of pre-retreat workshops beginning on July 11.
Those of us who attended the 2009 Retreat have great memories of all the fun, the learning, the friendship and the great food and drink that we experienced at Indian Lakes. And this year's event promises to be every bit as memorable! Registration will be limited to 90 full-time parti cipants and 10 day passes per day. There's been so much anticipation and excitement about the event that we expect available spaces to fill fast. So don't delay! Complete pricing information and a registration form are now available online. |
|
|
|
Retreat 2011: Scholarship Deadline Extended
| As announced last month, the IPCA is offering a 2011 Retreat Scholarship to one member artist. The Scholarship will be awarded to the person who, in the opinion of an impartial judge, would most benefit from attending the IPCA Retreat and who, because of the cost, would otherwise be unable to take part.
We have extended the application deadline for the scholarship to March 31, 2011. For a description of the benefits offered and full instructions on how to apply, visit our website.
|
Guild Spotlight
The Spanish Polymer Clay Association
| |
A Story of Art, Friendship and Achievement
by Natalia Garcia de Leaniz
Spain is a country of art and passion. A country where artists have paid a loving tribute to the light and beauty of life for centuries. And a melting pot where all different frontlines of art have been either unconditionally adopted, grown or created for the world to share.
About seven years ago, a group of friends gathered on the Internet around an artists' material that had been there for a little while, polymer clay. They began sharing their creations and ideas. They talked about the books they read, written by the International artists who inspired them and whom they admired so much. Then meetings followed, and the dream of creating a National Polymer Clay Association, little by little, took shape.
Read more
|
Getting Ready for Spring Craft Shows
| |
We've compiled this resource list to help our members plan ahead to make the most of the art and craft shows this spring. We've combed the web to find solid advice on the most troublesome aspects of in-person selling. Whether you're a newbie or a veteran of the craft-show circuit, you can always benefit from the experience of others!
One of the first places to look-and to linger awhile-is on the series our own Cat Therien (IPCA Recording Secretary) published on her blog. Cat's "Evolution of a Show Booth" is a journal of what she learned about booth design, display, and retail sales between 2006 and 2008. These were lessons learned by experience, research and observation, and Cat records them meticulously with a wealth of photos.
 | | Cat Therien demos in her booth |
We've broken the huge topic of craft shows down into several topics, including choosing a show, planning your inventory, displaying your work, pricing your work, what tools and supplies to bring, what to wear, how to deal with difficult customers, and accepting credit card payments. Of course this resource list represents only a fraction of the information that's available on the topic, but we hope it'll provide you with some good suggestions and food for thought.
Please keep in mind that IPCA offers downloadable logos on our website, which, as a member of the IPCA, you're encouraged to use on your business cards, signage, and promotional materials.
Read more
|
|
Woman Creative
Art and Jewelry Design Center
| |
Last weekend, IPCA member Barbara McGuire and several other artists celebrated the opening of Woman Creative-Art and Jewelry Design Center, located in the quaint town of Buford, just north of Atlanta, Georgia.
Woman Creative is an engagingly ambient arts center hosting 5 artist studios, a gallery, an exhibit and two classrooms. Studio artists and resident faculty include Barbara McGuire, Ellen Prophater, Jan Stevens and Patricia DiBona. Sue Sutherland is the facility manager and houses Filigree & More! in her studio. Each of these women brings unique skills to the center and product lines with supplies relevant to their craft. The women are experts in their respective fields of polymer, metal clay, jewelry design, photography, wire wrapping, digital design and altered arts.
 | | The Gallery Space at Woman Creative |
Read more
|
|
Laurie Mika's Work Receives
International Recognition
|
 | Laurie Mika, "Katrina"
|
The Society of American Mosaic Artists has selected the work of California artist and IPCA member, Laurie Mika, to be included in this year's Mosaic Arts International (MAI), an annual juried exhibition of members' work. The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) and the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin, Texas present "Mosaic Arts International", a juried exhibition that explores the very best of this revitalization.
Read more |
|
Polymer in Print: What's New?
|
New Books - Arzalier, Sophie. Making Jewelry from Polymer Clay, Oct. 2010.
- Diffendaffer, Grant, Polymer Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration, March 1, 2011.
- Doroshow, Dayle, and Cynthia Tinapple. Creative Sparks: 50 Tips to Ignite Your Imagination, Nov. 10, 2010.
- Duncan-Aimone, Katherine, The Art of Jewlery: Polymer Clay,paperback ed., March 1, 2011.
- Eakes, Julie. Clay Classics Inspired by Zentangle, Jan. 31, 2011.
- Friesen, Christi, Woodland Creatures (Beyond Projects: The CF sculpture Series, Book 7), Feb. 16, 2011
- Friesen, Christi, Polymer Clay and Mixed Media, Kindle eBook, Jan. 4, 2011
- Helm, Sarajane: A Collection of Polymer Clay Masks, Dec. 30, 2010.
- Hemachandra, Ray, and Rachel Carren. Masters: Polymer Clay, paperback ed., March 1, 2011.
- Hughes, Tory. 5 Simple Directions Interactive Manual, Nov. 2010.
- Kato, Donna, and Vernon Ezell, The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques, Kindle eBook, Jan. 16, 2011
- Kopp, Linda. Jewelry Design Challenge. Sept. 7, 2010.
- Otterbein, Kim, and Angela Mabray. Polymer Clay 101, Jan. 1, 2011.
- Powley, Tammy. The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making, Jan. 1, 2011.
Books Coming Soon
Magazines - Art Jewelry, March 2011: "Polymer Clay Inlay," Jill L. Erickson.
- Bead Unique, Spring 2011, "A Tender Heart,"
Deborah Anderson, "Fleurir de Nouveau," Eve Leder - PolymerCafe, April 2011, Lynn Reno's Polymer Machinations - Joan Clipp; Industrial Scrap Pendant - Lynn Reno; Pottery Design Pendant - Priscilla Muniz; Mother Nature's Illuminated Polymer Clay Tree - Cassy Muronaka; Voilá! Viola - Kay Vincent; Victorian Elegance Necklace and Earrings - Wanda M. Eash; Mica Shift Pendant - Eve Leder; Tiny Flower Pots - Judy Kelly; CaBezels with a Textured Frame - Wendy Orlowski
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 sivester@bellsouth.net and put "Polymer in Print" in the subject line |
|
|
|
|
