polymergence header
In This Issue
Events, Events, Events
IPCA Board Positions Available
Free Tutorial for Members
Membership Appreciation
Online Resources
Calls for Entry
Retreat Recap
Preparing for an Event
Bead & Button 2011
Guild Spotlight: CIPCG
Polymer in Print
Upcoming Events
Progress & Possibilities

Events, Events, Events: Learn, Have Fun, Show Off!

 

We all had such a great time at the Retreat in Chicago that we decided this month's Polymergence should be all about events.

Many people have asked what the difference is between a workshop, a conference, and a retreat. A few years ago, the retreat format wasn't well known outside the U.S. That's changing now, but here are some quick definitions for those who are still wondering.

CF clowning at retreat
Christi Friesen "adjusts" the wiring at the Retreat

A workshop is usually taught by one teacher and may last anywhere from a half-day to a week. A conference offers a choice of workshops by different teachers over a period of several days. These may be hands-on, project-oriented classes or strictly lectures and discussion. A retreat typically doesn't offer any formal classes, but rather provides work spaces, meals, informal demos, and the opportunity for unlimited socializing and exchange of ideas.

The lines between these different types of gatherings are beginning to blur now, with so many retreats and conferences offering pre-event classes and workshops by individual teachers.

Whatever you call them, they're all fun and great opportunities for learning. Let's all get together more often!
Synergy2 cake
20th anniversary cake at Synergy2

 

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IPCA Board Positions Available 

Over the last two months two board members have resigned for personal reasons. We very much regret losing Christy Minnis, Vice President for Membership, and Natalia Garcia de Leaniz, International Liaison. We wish the very best for both of these good friends and colleagues and hope to work with them again soon.

 

We are seeking candidates for these two offices. According to our bylaws, the remaining board members can vote to fill vacant positions until the next election cycle. If you'd be interested in serving on the board, please submit your name to President Beth Ackley at [email protected] by September 15.

 

 

This is an exciting time to be on the board! You can assist in our renewed emphasis on providing benefits of membership and in planning Synergy3 in 2012.

 

 get involved

Free Tutorial Online

For IPCA Members Only

 

by Suzanne Ivester

 

IPCA President Beth Ackley promised at the Retreat that very soon we would start to post tutorials on the members-only area of our website. I was so honored that she chose my Five-Petal Mixed Media Necklace (below) to be the first of these tutorials. 

 Ivester 5-petal necklace 

In order to prepare the step-by-step photos for this tutorial, I had to make a new necklace. So I decided to relieve the summer heat by using a cooler palette in this version. In fact, the cane that embellishes the new necklace was inspired by Marilyn Davenport's very summery photo of a woven rope hammock.

 

I hope you'll enjoy this tutorial and choose colors and materials that really speak to you in order to make a necklace that expresses your own individual style. Just log in to the website and click "Members Only Features."

 



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Membership Appreciation Award  

 

 

The Membership Appreciation Award winner for the second quarter of 2011 is Kelly Christian of Fenton, Missouri, USA. Kelly will receive a pin by Karen Ottenbreit of Fish Lips and Bird Teeth Studio and a gift of Fimo polymer clay from Staedtler.

 

 

The Membership Appreciation Award is offered quarterly to a member who has joined or renewed his/her membership during that period. The prizes are donated by our generous friends.

 

 

Fino classic


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Online Resources

  

 Art-3000 calls for entry

 Artist-how-to.com free articles & tutorials

Beading Daily

Clay Lessons 

Clayzee.com

Craftcast 

CraftEdu 

Craftsu

Creativity Portal

Daily Art Muse

Glass Attic
IndieArtVideo
pcPolyzine
Polymer Art Archive
Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy
Polymer Clay Central
Polymer Clay Daily
Polymer Clay Workshops
Polymer Clay TV
PolyPediaOnline: polymer clay tutorials
Voila! Po
lymer Art

 

New: For those artists interested in the "business of art" and launching a successful studio business, you're invited to join the CraftBiz Facebook group, founded by Wendy Rosen. This group is for discussing craft business strategies, dealing with shops and galleries, wholesale. 

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big prize

 

 

Calls for Entry

Something Different!

2011 Zapp Conference Artwork Exhibition , Atlanta, GA, deadline Aug. 17; Share your artwork with the field and help educate yourself and your peers in the jury process! This application is for a mock-jury session at the third annual ZAPPĀ® Conference. The 2011 conference is Monday, September 19, and Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at the W Atlanta Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia.       

 

 

Volume 4, Issue 8
August 2011

Recapping Retreat 2011

Our Friends Are Still the Coolest!

 

Retreat 2011 group shot 

IPCA Retreat 2011 is now one for the record books! All the demos have ended, the ovens are unplugged, the work tables are cleaned off, and the last dessert has been eaten (no cheesecake?!). But the information exchanged, the friendships formed, and the memories made will live on--at least until the next Retreat! Here are just a few of the post-Retreat comments from our Facebook page: 

 

Randee Ketzel: It's not an exaggeration to say that I felt this was a game-changing experience for me--even at my age I'm normally pretty shy about attending an event with without knowing a soul, but I felt welcome from the moment I walked in the door. This was a fantastic experience, being able to bounce ideas off so many talented and generous people.

 

Dakotah Flannery: I just want to say what a great time I had. Wonderful room mate, great table mates, and exciting new people to meet and now be friends with. And just to make things even better......that walk some of us complained about? Well my hips are 1" smaller and I lost 4 pounds over the course of my 2 weeks away from home. [Editor's note: Maybe it's a good thing there wasn't any cheesecake!]

Judi Weers: Even though I didn't get too spend too much time in the PC room, it was really terrific seeing everyone again and meeting new friends. As always, the banquet was terrific and Lisa, Christi along with the ensemble-Lorrene Baum-Davis, Kathi Briefer-Gose and a few others were entertainers extraordinaire!

 

Ann Duncan Hlavach: I am still looking for the words to describe what an excellent time I had at the retreat. Thank you all for being you. What a delightful, talented and gracious group of polymer goddesses.

 

Nancy Buchanan: Home from the IPCA retreat last evening, unpacked the car :-(, fell into a coma for about 10 hours. My daughter & granddaughters came over today so I could play show & tell about the wonderful experiences at retreat -- then we all started creating jewelry -- life is so very good!

 

Ponsawan Sila: I was hoping to be able to spend 3 days making beads, but I only finished 1 ring and one cheesecake.

(Pete Rumbaugh's reply: Thank gawd Pons made cheesecake!! It was the only cheesecake in sight.)
 

Susan Symonds O'Neill: I got to soak up mega creative energies with Ponsawan behind me and Heather beside me

   

Yonat Dascalu: It was great to meet you all. A big thank you, to the people who made this retreat an event to remember. I hope to see you again next time... Thank you all for the great time I had with you, it was amazing!!! I enjoyed every minute!!!

 

Mary Sue "Pete" Rumbaugh: So glad we kept this page going. Every time I see a comment, reminds me of the retreat and makes me happy, happy, happy!

 

Kathi B-G and Pete R
Kathi Briefer-Gose and Pete Rumbaug

Note: To identify everyone in the group photo at top, visit:   http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150251476089733&set=o.207577845941153&type=1&theater   

 

 

Preparing to Attend an Event

A To-Do List

by Charlene "Cat" Therien 

 

 So you're going to a polymer clay event! Congratulations on your decision to attend a class, a retreat, or a convention. Now that the commitment is made, there is so much to do! Questions swirl around in your head: what to bring, what to wear, how to make travel and lodging accommodations.  

 

If you're like me, you vacillate between wanting to pack everything but the kitchen sink so you're prepared for anything-or bringing only enough for a 3-day pack, so you don't have to lug a suitcase or two around with you. I've done events both ways, and in retrospect I think there are times when one is more appropriate than the other. With that experience in mind, I've compiled some tips that might help you in preparing for your event.  

 

Log in to read more  

 


The Bead and Button Show 2011:

IPCA Represents Our Medium at Annual Mega-Event 

 

by Alaina Ackley

 

The Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the largest show of its kind in the United States. Artisans and suppliers from around the world converge on the Frontier Airlines Center in June. Thousands gather for the week-long event of classes, parties, and, of course, shopping! It's a great time to make new friends and find new connections.

 

This year, the IPCA booth was staffed by the Metro Milwaukee Polymer Clay Guild, headed up by our President, Beth Ackley. If you have ever sold a piece to her, it has ended up in her "Traveling Museum," only to be stolen and worn by me, her daughter and our Web Content Editor. Together, we work the show, spreading the word of the IPCA, scheduling demos by the great artists there, and making new friends.

 

Julie Picarello, Christi Friesen, Lynne Anne Schwarzenburg, Eriko Page, Klew (Karen Lewis), Lisa Pavelka, Pam Wynn, Heather Powers, Rob and Wilma Yost of Polymer Clay Express, and some up-and-coming artists, including Laura Lipke-Fesser and Penny Ellen Adams (aka Sweet PEA), were all in attendance. Let the fun ensue!

 

Julie, Christi, Lisa, and Laura all did demos at the booth, attracting people as they walked by. Our youngest artist-in-attendance, Gabe, had a wonderful idea to do a Kid's Activity for next year. We even had one of our guild members get picked up by an art gallery in the area!

 

Next year's Bead & Button Show is June 1 - 10. Check out their website for more info. Save the date, bring a friend (or three!), and come meet us at next year's show!


Lisa P demos at B
Lisa Pavelka demos at IPCA booth

Guild Spotlight:  

Central Illinois Polymer Clay Guild

   

 

This month's Guild Spotlight is on the local guild of one of our board members, Cat Therien. She started the CIPCG in 2003 to provide an opportunity for her students and other polymer clay enthusiasts from the local area to get together and share their art with one another. They currently meet monthly at the Hobby Lobby classroom in Peoria, Illinois.

Called "Clay Days," the meetings open with a 2-hour paid class taught by the current president, Pam Miller. The class is optional, though most members do attend. The class then rolls into the guild meeting, which is very casual and unstructured. Guild meetings are free and open to the public. Even curious shoppers who stick their heads into the classroom are invited to come in and see what the group is doing.

CIPCG spotlight photo
Pam enjoys a quick snack break 

Guild members typically bring a pot-luck lunch to share, as the meetings begin just after the lunch hour and can last well into the early evening. Members are usually busily chatting and cranking away on their pasta machines, working on the project they began in the class, trying a project they saw in a book, or working on unfinished items. Most of the members have known each other for many years and are very comfortable helping one another with ideas and suggestions for their projects. They are also eager to introduce people to polymer clay, and often invite their friends or coworkers to a guild meeting.

The CIPCG has had two retreats for their members, the first in 2006, and the second in 2007. These all-day events were filled with member demonstrations, goodie bags, show and tell, class projects, and of course food! They joke that there is always too much food! They do plan on having another retreat in the future and building on the success of the previous events.

The CIPCG now has a website and also a Facebook page. Feel free to visit their online locations and let them know you were there. They invite you to join them for a Clay Day if you are ever in the Peoria area.  

Next month's Guild Spotlight will be on the new Phillipines Guild

 

 

 


Polymer in Print: What's New?

 

New Books

Magazines

        Polymer Cafe, August 2011: "Marie Segal: Art From My Heart," Trina William; "Basic African Trade Bead," Marie Segal; "Sugar Sweet Bangles," Hazel Ward; "Soda Can Bracelet," Dottie McMillan;  "Spirit Doll Coat Pins," Peggy Davis; "Polymer Clay Vintage Button Box," Cassy Muronaka; "Reversible Faux-Enamel Collar," Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

Weltman bracelet
Weltman, "Making Waves" 

       Art Jewelry Magazine, September 2011, "A Conversation with Bruce Pepich." As the Racine Art Museum in Racine, WI, gears up for the first serious exhibition of polymer, its executive director speaks about the way museums respond to their communities and vice versa.   Free project download: Ronna Sarvas Weltman "Making Waves" Bracelet 

    Belle Armoire Jewelry, Summer 2011, Kathy Davis, "Steampunk Trio"; Robert Dancik, "Designer Collection"; Debra Kanzia, "Colorful Clay Canes" and "Clay Swirls"

Upcoming Events
Blackburn bangles
Carol Blackburn bangles

Polymer Clay and Creative Arts Fest 

--Wisconsin, Weston, WI, Oct. 21-25

Carol Blackburn: The Ripple Effect Workshop, London, UK, Aug. 21

Carol Blackburn: Making Bangles in Polymer Clay, West Dean College, UK, Aug. 29 

Jeffrey Dever Workshop, A Perfect Union: When Wire Meets Clay, Santa Fe, NM, Sept. 4-7

 5th Annual Polymer Paradise Cruise, departs Los Angeles, CA, Sept 12-16 

Opening:  "Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads," Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI, Oct. 21

Tory Hughes, Workshops with the Masters Series, Holy Polymer, Batman!, RAM, Racine, WI, Oct. 20-21 

Note: RAM also plans a "Weekend Filled with Polymer," Oct. 21. Details to be announced. 

Progress & Possibilities:

A Virtual Event for Real Artists

 

Progress and Possibilities 2011, this year's edition of our time-honored online exhibition, is in its final planning stages.
 
The Call for Entry will be posted October 15 on Cafe: CallforEntry, and the deadline for submissions will be Nov. 15. Winners of both the juried exhibition and the Members' Choice competition will be announced Jan. 6.  

Once again, categories will be defined by the type of object and the artist's level of expertise.  You must be a current member of IPCA to enter. The piece(s) you submit must have been created in the year 2011 and must not have been pictured anywhere else, including in books, blogs, websites, or other competitions. The work must be made up of at least 75% visible polymer clay.
    
We are looking for the original and the innovative, however you define those qualities! The mission of Progress & Possibilities is to show not only how far our medium has come but to give some clues as to where it will go from here.

Now is the time to tweak your designs, refine your techniques and begin working on those amazing art works that will make this the best Progress & Possibilities ever!