polymergence header
In This Issue
P&P 2011 Members' Choice
Sister Guilds
Online Resources
Calls for Entry
Upcoming Events
IPCA Election Results
Nice Award Finalists
Guild Spotlight PCAGOE
Polymer in Print

____________
Progress & Possibilities 2011:
Members' Choice Voting to Begin Soon
The entries are in, the judges are working, and images are being prepared to go up on our website very soon.

Some things just take a little longer during the holidays (as you probably know!), so we've had to adjust our original schedule a bit. Watch your inbox for an update.

Soon you'll be able to visit the Members-Only section of our website to see the fabulous art work and choose your favorite in each category.


Christmas Angel Wall Plaque, by Alice Stroppel, inspired by a Barbara McGuire workshop
____________
First Sister-Guild Matchup Is a Winner!

by Judy Haupin

The Central Massachusetts Polymer Clay Guild  decided  last month that we wanted a Sister Guild.  I contacted Kathi Briefer-Gose, who matched us up with the Israeli Polymer Clay Guild, and all I can say is wow!

Pinki Krispil is a force to be reckoned with, as is that guild. I met Pinki and Iris Mishly a couple of years ago at Cabin Fever and Synergy and have been getting the weekly video updates of the guild, but I had no idea:
200+ members from all over the country, a challenge and a swap most months, weekly video updates of what's been created by members over the last 7 days... I get tired just thinking of it! (A recent video by the Israeli guild features beautiful polymer clay fabric.)

In any case, I sure hope that the rest of the guilds jump on the bandwagon and are as lucky as we are to be paired with such a dynamic group.
 



Crazy Christmas Fish, by Consuelo Okdie

_________ 

Online Resources

_____________

Calls for Entry

 

Note: Many calls in the US are open to non-US residents!


Magazine Challenges

Shelf-sitter challenge, Art Doll Quarterly, deadline March 15, 2012 

_____________
Upcoming Events:
Classes and Workshops


Cabin Fever Clay Fest, Laurel Maryland,  Feb. 17-22,  2012. Offering 8 pre-conference workshops and 12 workshops. Register to win a $200 scholarship to CFCF 2012.

Dayle Doroshow,  Tallahassee, FL; reception Feb 17 and workshops: 

  • Messengers and Storytellers, Saturday, February 18, 2012.
  • Rattle Beads and Pendants, Sunday, February 19, 2012
  • The Unfolding Pyramid on Monday, February 20, 2012

Register for 2 or more sessions to receive a discount. IPCA Members are also eligible for discounts.  

 

(SAMA) Annual Conference, Feb. 29-March 4, 2012. Lexington, KY. Laurie Mika will teach two full-day workshops on polymer clay mosaics.


_________________
Marie Segal to Be Honored at Cabin Fever 2012

Marie Segal will be awarded the Creative Pioneer and Innovator Award on Tuesday, 21 Feb. 2012 at the Cabin Fever Clay Festival 2012 Celebration.    

Marie and her husband, Howard, happened upon polymer clay at a craft show in the late 1970s.  She quickly saw the numerous possibilities and potential for polymer, which she and Howard dubbed the "new age modeling medium." The couple began creating and marketing their work in major retail stores, including Macy's and Nordstrom's, thus helping to move polymer clay into the mainstream view.

 

In 1994, Marie approached Polyform Products about producing an American-made polymer clay. The company agreed,  providing that Marie and Howard sold it.  Thus,  Clay Factory Clay was born.  Later, Polyform took over the promotion and marketing of the clay and renamed it Premo Sculpey .

 

Marie still makes, writes, sells, teaches, and operates several online stores with Howard, and spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren. She will be teaching two workshops at Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2012 in Laurel, MD. 

 

 

 

 

Volume 4, Issue 12
December 2011
  Happy Holidays from IPCA
 

Menorrah, by Yonat Dascalu
 IPCA Officers for 2012-13

 

Election results for International Polymer Clay Association officers have now been tabulated:

  • Corliss Rose of Anaheim, California, will be the new Vice President for Membership;
  • Mechelle Fox of  Chesapeake, Virginia,  has been elected as Member-at-Large from Virginia 
  • Alaina Ackley will continue as Web Content Editor.

 

These officers will serve two-year terms, beginning January 1, 2012. Congratulations to the new officers, and thanks for your commitment to representing our members!

 

Niche Awards 2012 Honor IPCA Artists Campbell, Dever,  McCaw, and West
Sponsored by NICHE magazine, the NICHE Awards program began in 1989 to celebrate excellence and innovation in American and Canadian fine craft. We're very proud that four of  the five finalists in the 2012 Polymer Clay Professional competition are IPCA members.

The entries chosen as finalists are: "Inner Life BioBangle," by Melanie West; "Floating Leaves Neckpiece," by Sandra McCaw; "A Midsummer's Quest," by Jeffrey Dever; "Vintage Lace," by Heather Campbell; and "Lantern Festival," by Wiwat Kamolpornwijit.

Guild Spotlight

The Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy

  The Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy (PCAGOE)  is a global group of artists working in polymer clay, united through Etsy, an online marketplace (launched in 2005) for all kinds of handmade goods, supplies, and vintage items. The guild's roughly 60+ members create an amazing variety of fine art and fine craft, including decor, jewelry, wall art, sculptural and functional objects, as well as raw canes and tutorials. PCAGOE is a very active guild, with an extensive website, an online newsletter and forum, monthly challenges, and shared charitable causes.

 

In the world of Etsy, PCAGOE is also called a "street team"; these are groups actively engaged in getting the word out about Etsy and the value of buying handmade goods directly from the maker. They spread the message that when artists and buyers come together in a shopping and selling community forum, there is a more personal touch to the shopping experience because buyers are communicating directly with the maker of their goods. All the guild members' shops can be accessed through the PCAGOE team page

 

The primary charity of PCAGOE is Polymer Clay for a Cause. Begun by Angela of ElementalDragons in memory of her daughter, Cortney, who passed away from muscular dystrophy. Guild members donate items, and all proceeds from the sales are sent to a children's charity of Angela's choice. The guild also participates in the Bottles of Hope project and Beads of Courage.

 

The PCAGOE's newsletter, edited by Sue O'Neill of 11 Bold Street, includes a member spotlight and highlights hot topics on the guild's forum; it also includes a new feature called "Tips for Top Sales," short snippets to help improve sales, both online and off.

 

The guild's website lists three benefits of membership: (1) to get help promoting your store, (2) to improve as an artist and a merchant, and (3) to gain a support system. Past-president Cindy Matthews, of Arrowdale Art Studio, explains what really makes PCAGOE so special to its members, "Before I joined the Guild, I had wondered if there would be some level of one-up-man-ship or aggressive competition in a group of people working toward the same end (getting people to buy our stuff on Etsy!). I am delighted to report that nothing could be further from the truth.  The opposite, in fact, is what I've experienced.  I get so much encouragement, support, ideas, instruction and just plain "fellowship" from this group!"

 

The new president of PCAGOE,  Jill Kollmann,  of   JKay Jewelry Designs  has shared a thoughtful article,  "The Virtual Guild--For Sellers," on the IPCA website. 

 


Artist's Trading Card, by Sue O'Neill,
Winner Dec. 2011 PCAGOE Challenge

Dreidels by Naama Zamir
Dreidels, by Naama Zamir

 







                  
Abominable Snowman, by Christi Friesen (Upper left)
Christmas Pig Ornament, by Doreen Kassel (Lower right)
Polymer in Print: What's New

 

New Books

Books Coming Soon  

  • Nagumo, Rie. Enlightened Polymer Clay: Artisan Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature, March 26, 2012  
  • Schiller, Dawn. FaeMaker: Making Fantasy Characters with Polymer Clay, Aug. 9, 2012  

 Magazines  

  • Polymer Cafe, December 2011: "Lisa Pavelka: Entrepreneur with an Enormous E," Trina Williams; "Crystal Blossom Necklace," Lisa Pavelka;   "Topaz Cathedral Jewelry Set," Shirley Rufener; "Angel Art Doll," Linda Hess; "Basic Principles of Design," Jan Geisen; "Home Decor Challenge Winners"; "Elf Place Card Push Puppet," Kellie Mowat. 
  • The Polymer Arts, Winter 2011: "Filling Up Your Well of Creativity," Christi Friesen; "Sharing Our Polymer Passion," Barbara McGuire; "How to Create and Teach a Polymer Clay Workshop"; Mentors' Galleries, Emerging Artist Galleries, and Inspiration Challenge Gallery. 
  • Art Doll Quarterly, Winter 2011, "Little Blessings," Gloria Rone  
  • From Polymer to Art, The next issue will be Purple, available now for preorder.
  • Belle Armoire Jewelry, Winter 2011, "Polymer Clay Basics," featured artist Sherilyn Miller.  
  • Bead Design Studio, December 2011, "Bridle Necklace," Christi Friesen