Polymer Clay Bulb Elf Tutorial

I've started working on my Christmas gifts. Last year, my bell ornaments were a hit, and I wanted to make more, but when I saw the teeny tiny Christmas balls for sale, I bought a few boxes to experiment with. I think I've hit the jackpot. I have finally figured out how to make an original face in about 20 minutes. YAY! Here's How:

What you need:

• A few colors of clay: a skin color, and something for the scarf. I use Sculpey brand clay, and I've found that the best skin color is the plain clay you can purchase in a one-pound box. I use multicolored scraps of clay for the scarf.
• Tiny dark colored beads.
• A bulb ornament.
• Wire
• Tools- anything works, so dig through your junk drawer and find things with a ball tip, a chisel tip, a scalpel-shaped tip (doesn't need to be sharp), a hook, and a pointy tip. 
• A clay conditioning machine, pasta machine, or a rolling dowel and a pile of patience.

1. Take a small ball of clay for the head, and make three indents for the eyes and a mouth. 
2. Take the chisel tip and press on either side of where his nose should be. You'll be making a moat between one eye socket and the mouth on each side. 
3. Using the same tool, press the bottom of the nose flat, creating a straight line under it and cheek lines on either side.
4. Use your fingers and any other tools to shape the nose. 
5. To make the mouth, press your scalpel tool in at an angle toward the nose. Round the sides in to meet the cheek lines.
6. Add a slight indent under the mouth to suggest a lower lip. 
7. Place the beads in the eye sockets, positioning both beads before pressing them in. Use the hooked tool to press wrinkles around the eyes.
8. Finish your face by adding two little nostroids, and dimples or other details.
9. Take the top off the bulb ornament, and wrap the chimney with a little clay.
10. Attach the head to the clay-topped bulb, being careful not to smush your work (if you need to, you can bake the face before starting this part). Pinching the two pieces of clay together below the mouth is a great way to connect them while giving your little guy a fashionable chin. Don't worry too much about the attachment-- the scarf will hold his head on, too, and if nothing else, super glue works wonderfully.
11. Now we make the scarf. I take whatever ball of left-overs I have and send it through the conditioning machine at a level 5 or 6. If you don't have a conditioning machine, this part's going to be hard-- the clay has to be a uniform thickness and has to be thin enough that it will wrinkle like fabric. I'd suggest trying to roll it out on waxed paper so it's easier to peel off your rolling surface.
12. Once you have a scarf-like piece (not necessarily squared in the corners, but a longish strip and colors to your liking), begin wrapping your elf. 
13. Attach one end to your bulb
14. Wrinkle and wrap until you're satisfied with its scarfishness. 
15. Bend a small piece of wire, push it into the top of your elf, and smooth around it. 
16. Bake according to the clay package's instructions, and hang him on your tree, attach him to a gift, or show him off to the world in some other way! You're done!

Congrats Sarah Leschinsky

Sarah Leschinsky, winner of the 10/31/10 contest, chose a hand-drawn portrait for her prize. I just finished it, and I must say, I'm pleased with the result. The photos she gave me to use were absolutely beautiful (she's a photographer-- just look at how awesome she is!) and while I can usually draw from any picture, these were a DREAM to work with. I'm all smiles about it. 

I would be congratulating the winner of the most recent contest, 11/7/10, but sadly, I didn't get any entries. Such is life, I suppose. I'll try again, but with the holidays coming up, I don't know how much time I'll have to make prizes, so for the time being, we're just going to have to deal with pictures and ideas. 

Best of the holidays to all of you, and keep in touch! 

11/07/10 Pop Quiz Drawing

Congratulations to Sarah Leschinsky, the proud winner of the last drawing. The piece was originally made to be a rose. I was (and still am) SURE it looks like a rose, but evidently it looks more like a fish, since that's what the most common guess was. Alas. Some days I fail.

Since last week's puzzler was a hard one, you all have been working very hard and are well deserving of a break, I'm giving you an easy one, and I'm giving you twice the time to figure it out!

I made these sculptures for my sister-in-law, who has an unnatural love for this group of characters (no offense, Kayla!). I made them out of polymer clay, character is about 3 inches tall. I also have created a few witches to go with this crew... One wears pink, one wears black, and the other... well, she wears striped socks and a house.

So here's a freebie-- Write me who this is, where they live, or some identifying comment that says you read this post, and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a lovely ring, or if that doesn't suit your fancy, something else. Send your guesses by Saturday November 20th by 8pm to mareniduna@hotmail.com with the subject line of "Mareniduna pop quiz." If texting, Facebook notes, Etsy notes or some other form of communication is easier for you, feel free to let me know that way. Just make sure I know that you are entering the contest.  Guess now!

10/31/10 Pop Quiz Drawing

This week's quiz is evidently a hard one... I made this a while back out of shells (so don't guess "shells"), and no one has been able to identify it, even though I SWEAR it looks like what I wanted it to be... nonetheless, I'll ease up a bit and change the rules. As long as you send me a guess, you're in the drawing, even if you're not right. okay? So start guessing...

The top view is above, and the picture below is straight on.

As usual, please send your guesses by 8pm on Saturday November 6th. Email them to mareniduna@hotmail.com with the subject line "Mareniduna Pop Quiz."  If you would rather send me a note on Facebook, a note through Etsy, or a text, you're welcome to do it that way too. The drawing will take place Sunday morning, and the winner will get their choice of custom jewelry or other work. 

10/23/10 Pop Quiz Drawing Winner

Thanks to everyone who participated in this last quiz. We had some awesome answers! In fact, I came to the conclusion that maybe I was mistaken on what it was, so everyone who guessed went in the drawing pool. So first, let me tell you what the picture might have been...

When I created it, I was thinking about a wave. Some other things it might be are a butterfly coming out of its chrysalis, a snow-capped mountain, a seashell, or outer space with the moon and earth. Frankly, I can't decide which it's really going to be. Perhaps whoever wears it will get to choose. Or maybe it will be something different depending on what outfit it's worn with! So all of the people who entered guesses were put in the drawing, and the winner was... (picture this: my hubby isn't here to draw this time, so I'm writing the names on paper, folding it up and letting my bird pick... she's decided...) Christi Sartelle! Congratulations!

Pop Quiz Drawing Prizes

Well, I'm pleased to report that I have been working hard on some new items. I have created a one-of-a-kind bracelet for last week's drawing winner, and I think I've finished the prize for this week's as well. Care to see?

 When I told Amanda that she'd won and asked her what she wanted, she gave me an excited non-answer-- How is it that someone can have "Yay" and "I don't care" in the same comment? But when I started thinking about what she would like, I looked through my "this-is-cool-but-what-to-do-with-it?" pile, and this oval flower caught my eye. I added in some muses I've been entertaining lately, and this is what I got! I'm pretty happy with it. The back half is just a chain, and the front half is kind of heavy, so I added a little dangle of leaves to counter it. It seems to work pretty well. 

Another item I've been playing with lately is the cuff bracelet. I've created several, and I think this week's prize will be one of them. This one (below), to be exact. Guess now or forever hold your peace! :)  

Pop Quiz Drawing

Alright, we'll try this again. You were sadly unexcited about the last one-- could only three of you figure it out? I'm fine with random guesses, just say something! Last week's picture was an elephant. If you have trouble seeing it, the part that's wrapped in wire is the tusk, the trunk is turned in, the ear is on the left, and the eye is in the center.  Well, it's towards the top in the center. I'm pleased to say that of the three responses I got, all three were correct. I was hoping more of you would participate, but I guess it's a good start. :) As promised, those three people were entered in a drawing, and the winner is... (drum-roll please)... Amanda Kittelson! :) Congratulations, and good luck next time, to all of you. Speaking of next time: here's the new picture.

This is an abstract one, so it might be a little tougher. It's a pendant for a necklace, and I want you to tell me what it represents. Go with your gut and you'll probably be right. And if you're not sure what it is, guess anyway. I really want my inbox FULL of guesses. Really.

Please send your guesses by 8pm on Saturday October 30th (Friday didn't work for me so well this time- hopefully on Saturday I can put out the next one right away). Email them to mareniduna@hotmail.com with the subject line "Mareniduna Pop Quiz."  If you would rather send me a note on Facebook or a note through Etsy, you're welcome to do it that way too. Like last time, the correct guesses will be entered in a drawing to win your choice of a custom piece of jewelry or a custom portrait.

Pop Quiz Drawing

I've discovered that some of my creations aren't obviously identifiable.  I thought this one was obvious until I showed a few people and no one could figure it out. Of the 12 people I've shown it to so far, only 1 has figured it out. Guesses? You have one week (answers due by 8pm on Friday October 22). Send guesses to mareniduna@hotmail.com. Correct guesses will be entered in a drawing to win your choice of a custom piece of jewelry or a custom portrait. Enter as many answers as you like; if you get it right, you'll only be entered in the Drawing once. Let the games begin!

Friendswood Mustangs

Working at a craft store, I end up helping people with lots of random projects. My latest student was a lady that happened to live a block away from me and was having trouble with her Yudu Screen Printer. Until now, I hadn't had the privilege of working with one out of the store, and it was a new experience. I learned the finer points on emulsion, and even learned about other options, like the paint-on emulsion, which I think would be worlds easier if it weren't for the fact that it has to be done in a darkroom... 

Anyway, the Yudu is a whole 'nother story- today I wanted to share what was born out of this experience: my very own logo for our school district's football team, the Friendswood Mustangs. I don't know that it's the world's best, but my new friends thought it was great, and since they're the ones wearing it, that's all that really matters, right?  

Colds and Crushes don't mix

In Junior High, Seventeen Magazine was where everyone learned what life was about. On bus #5, the boys would read the articles aloud and gag at the appropriate moments, while we girls defended ourselves. The boys would point out things they thought were stupid, and we would point out things that weren’t true at all, at least not in our world. It was our own peer review of the media. Our favorite section was the one in the back where all the personal stories were. We couldn’t get over how stupid most of the people were: How could anyone expect to ever have an honest relationship when a little rogue flatulence could send them running in the other direction? Clearly the boys I was hanging out with knew that girls were just as capable of gas as boys. Thinking back, though, I realize I have a very similar story. Of course, I wasn’t “dating” him, so I don’t think it’s exactly the same, but I did have a huge crush on him, and I certainly never tried to talk to him after the incident…

His name was Tom, and he was dreamy. Soft looking hair, strong jaw, kind smile, etc etc… and I was the casual acquaintance that was as significant to him as a fly on the wall. It was spring, and I was afflicted with the same cold that everyone else in the school had. My body ached, and for its constant dripping, my nose was impressively un-drained. We were in a study hall, and someone mentioned that they would feel a lot better if they could just get their back to crack. Someone else piped up that Tom could crack a back like a pro. Soon he had a line of people waiting for him to crack their backs, and I was in it. Not just because I liked him, I could use a cracking, too.

When it was my turn, I laid on my back with my arms crossed. He placed one hand underneath me, and just when I wasn’t expecting it, he pressed hard on my arms.  My mouth was closed. If you ever have trouble getting your kids to blow their noses, this is the way to go. My nose was empty in seconds, and Tom was running to the bathroom to wash his face. No apologies could have righted the situation.  

Loon-er Theatre

When my husband got his entertainment system perfected, he had to name it: the Gecko Theater. So when our friend got his system up and running, it was christened “Loon-er Theatre,” which is very fitting, seeing as he works in the space industry and has a very strong attachment to the north and Minnesota’s beautiful state bird.  I decided every good theatre has to have a logo, so I made him one. This is what I’ve been doing the last few days… 

Healing

For those of you who know me, you may know I'm kind of sickly. I think I'm done with some issue, and then suddenly I have a whole new one, or some old one that hurts like crazy but there's nothing anyone can do about it. I'm sick of being sick, taking pills upon pills, and when all doctors will do is send me in for the same tests they've already done countless times, I'm thinking I need other options.

I don't know if this is a cure-all; I'm skeptical, like many of you will be. I'm not saying you should jump in with both feet, stop the prescriptions and buy the whole package, but there's no harm in taking better care of ourselves, especially for those of us who aren't good at liking ourselves to start with. And who knows? You just might become a whole new happier person!

Visit Georgie's website. I have met this woman, and she's amazing. She is perfectly healthy, uncommonly happy, and beautiful inside and out. Her story is amazing, and it's worth a listen-- even if you don't think you have anything that needs healing.

Doodles

I've been doodling a lot lately. I haven't had the heart to do much intense art, but my doodles have kept my hands busy when I needed them to.

If you look back in my life, nearly every paper I had time to doodle on ended up with this kind of motif, but it's always been a doodle, nothing more. Now, I'm thinking it might be expanding its horizons. Cards? Framed art? What do you think?

Philosophical thoughts: art

Art comes in all shapes and sizes. Some people get huffy about what's an art and what's "just" a craft, but then half the time, those are the same people that say things like Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" is art, because he was looking at things from a new perspective. Marcel Duchamp's fountain is an important piece because of what it stood for and why he did it, but I'm not here to talk about that.

I believe everyone is an artist; everyone's point of view is worthy of a frame, even if it's the art of cleaning a toilet. It's not what you do, it's the fact that you do it your own way, and that's an expression of who you are. If it comes from your heart, it's worth something.

For more information on Marcel Duchamp's Fountain, click here!

What My Brain Says: Teenage Love

As always, I can't concentrate on cleaning when I try. I inevitably get distracted by something and go off on a tangent, often without hope of return. Again today, I'm getting distracted. I was going through my art closet and trying to organize stuff when I found some old writings of mine. So, in lieu of cleaning, I'm going to share them with you.

My teenage years were like everyone else's teenage years. I spent time with my friends, I giggled at boys, and tried to figure out what life was all about. I was very ungraceful when it came to speaking, so most of the time, if I had something to say, I wrote it down. Here are my teenage thoughts on Love.

Daisy

He loves me... he loves me not.

... he's the one I've always sought.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... I've known him since he was a tot.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... I think since then he's changed a lot.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... In fact, I heard that he smokes pot.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... You should have seen the girl he brought

He loves me... he loves me not.

...Unless I'm wrong, he called her "Dot"

He loves me... he loves me not.
... that day, they just fought and fought.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... now she sleeps in a different cot.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... too bad, there was a ring he'd bought.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... Rumors say it's worth a yacht.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... but he might have another thought.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... and that's where I can join the plot.

He loves me... he loves me not.

... Do you think we might tie the knot?

He loves me...                         

      He loves me not.     

      ... He should be shot.

~written when I was in eighth grade (or so)

I would admit to loving you,

but saying "love" would burn my lips.

The strength that such a word ensues

Is far beyond mentality's tips.

I beg of you do not enrage

My heart must know before I tell

As yet I am not bold to say

I love you, though I care quite well.

                               ~written around my junior year in High School

Yep, I liked poetry. And love, evidently.

Happy Easter!

I draw during church to help myself concentrate. This is what I drew one Easter. Hope your Easter was grand!

Philosophical Thoughts: White Power - White Pride

I’m not one to try and change other people’s beliefs. I know I can’t change someone’s mind on something by telling them they’re wrong; the only way I could ever hope to change their minds would be to show them what I believe and hope they find their own way to the truth. I try very hard not to judge others for their beliefs, but every once in a while, this isn’t an easy task.

I received a flier for the Ku Klux Klan the other day. It was written as if it were an educational article, though reading it made me feel that I wasn’t the one needing education. Perhaps my own biases clouded my judgment, or it was spelling errors and typos that made me feel this way. In any case, I wasn’t motivated to join their cause.

According to the article, the KKK is:

• An anti-communist organization working to uncover communist goals of a “one-world government.”
• An anti-homosexual group exposing the “fagots’” true goal to create a large political base and to pervert our children (I’m not sure why a bundle of sticks would have these goals, or how that would have anything to do with homosexuals, but who am I to argue?).
• A Christian Identity promoting their true Christian beliefs: 
• The Bible is a history book of the white race. It is not true that our ancestors were liars and bigots and didn’t understand the Christian doctrine, as Judeo-Christians assert.
• “Whites” are the true descendants of the Israelites of the bible, not the Jews.
• Jesus Christ was not a Jew.
• A Christian identity promoting their political beliefs:
• Anti-Christ movements are working to bring about destruction of our race and country through civil rights laws, race-mixing, non-white integration in schools, and false propaganda that promotes equality and suggests that the mixing of races is normal when in fact it is a violation of God’s law.
• Because of the government’s open border policy, Millions of non-white illegal aliens enter our country each year, taking jobs away from American citizens and spreading drugs and disease. 
• Integration in our schools and neighborhoods creates suffering for the white race.  

The article explained that the Cross Lighting ceremony most people associate with the KKK is not a desecration of the cross, but a ceremony originating in Scotland that represents the light of truth through Jesus Christ, and freedom from tyranny.

The article also included statements like “we face the threat from Mexico and Central America which is prime for communist revolution,” “whites are now a minority and reverse discrimination is on the rise” and, my favorite, “we are being taxed to death to support these hordes of non-whites and their illegitimate children.” It asked readers to keep an open mind and invited them to join the KKK in their crusade; their only requirements are that you are 100% white, willing to learn, and have a true thirst for knowledge and truth. At the very bottom of the page, in large bold letters, was “White Power- White Pride.”

The paper only filled me with questions. How can people believe this? I don’t mind if you believe that Jesus wasn’t a Jew or that the white race is directly descended from the Israelites. I don’t mind if you believe that homosexuality is a sin or that the government is conspiring against our country (or whatever the theory is). What bother me is the generalization and blame. How can non-whites be the sole cause of drugs and disease? How does integration of races cause suffering? How can one believe that only non-whites and illegal immigrants are the sole cause of skyrocketing taxes? Are they really the only ones who have illegitimate children? How can someone ask readers to keep an open mind after blaming every problem in the world on every person who isn’t 100% white? Perhaps I could find the answers to these questions if I simply went to their website, but the thought of it makes my stomache churn. I guess I don't have an open enough mind to learn about their beliefs, and I really don't have a right to say anything about them.

All I know is what I have read in this article, and I am not impressed.  I wonder if this only represents a small group in the KKK, and there are KKK members that simply believe the basics here and don’t blame non-whites for all the problems in the world. I hope so. And I hope that anyone else that received this paper can see through the scare tactics and lies and see the truths that lie beneath. The website they listed in the letter is http://www.whitecamelia.com/. If you want to learn more; if you dare to look for truly open minds in the KKK, be my guest.

Clay Projects For Plague Season

Everyone seems to have it: that mucous-coated cough that makes your throat hurt and your companions blanch... I have it too. I'm celebrating 3 weeks with it, and hopefully the hors d'oeuvres that the doctor gave me will get my guests to leave soon. In the meantime, I've been playing with clay. Surprise!

The other day, a friend of mine pointed out a request on Etsy for raw clay canes. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term, Caneworking was originally a glassworking technique for making complex designs.(1) Canes are long "snakes" of clay that have pictures running through them, so that when you slice them, each cross-section shows the design.  They have several uses, such as to create several beads with the same design, to create a repeating pattern on an object, or simply to show detail in a sculpture.

I am very new to caning. Until now, the giraffe cane was my masterpiece, and I thought it was darn good. Then I tried to make canes for the Etsy request, and the buyer clued me in to a website that made me feel very inadequate, but also inspired me. PolymerClayCentral.com has amazing techniques, tips and ideas for anyone considering working with clay. My clay skills have probably doubled since discovering it.  The canes above are my pre-PolymerClayCentral attempts, and the hibiscus below is my first cane after perusing the website. Things seem to be getting steadily better.  I'll put up some new pictures soon, provided the plague is defeated...

(1) Jeanne A. E. DeVoto. The Polymer claySpot.  Jeanne A. E. DeVoto, 1996-97. Web. 18 March 2010. <http://www.jaedworks.com/clayspot/polyclay-faq/caning.html>

Just Some Fun...

What My Brain Says: Old Man Hanky Blow

I noticed the other day that times have changed. Clearly several things have changed in our world, but I never realized that some changes are as fundamental as how we blow our nose. I watched a man blow his nose the other day. You know how it is-- you're not paying attention and you just happen to be looking at someone, and though you probably shouldn't continue to watch, you do, because you're not thinking, and probably the other person doesn't realize you're being rude, because they're intent on the same action you are...
Anyway, I watched a guy blow his nose and he blew it in a way that I would never blow. We were at a restaurant, and he took the (cloth) napkin to his nose, blew, and then took his pointers and dug around. I watched his actions in fascination. First off because I would never consider blowing my nose in a cloth napkin, and second, because there was something familiar about it that I just couldn't place.


I discussed the phenomenon with my husband later. "Oh," he said, "That's the Old Man Hanky Blow."

Of course! I had seen that blow before, in older men, especially those that lived on farms or in rural areas. But WHY? How has our world changed that we don't all still use this technique? Perhaps the change is the soft facial tissues we use now. The lotion in them makes every blow so comfortable that we don't feel we have to dig to get every last bit out in one blow.

I turned to Google for more information. Surprisingly, there's a lot of literature on the subject. ECONOMIST.COM explains in their article, "Beautiful Blowhards" that handkerchiefs suggest different things in different countries. The article states that in Sri Lanka and Japan, the handkerchief denotes a well educated person, while in America, it has become a symbol of low hygiene. In that case, I suppose America views the Old Man Hanky Blow as a symbol of low hygiene as well. Perhaps in Sri Lanka and Japan, it has become a fashionable pastime.

On a related note, have you ever noticed that no matter what device you use, the downward spray goes free? No more! Steve, with strangenewproducts.com explains a revolutionary solution: the Nose Pouch!

Philosophical Thoughts: Artists & Depression

An artist’s ability to care is literally their greatest talent, and their greatest weakness. If you love or you are an artist suffering from depression, please remember that it isn’t something one can “snap out of.” Even without chemical imbalances (which are often involved), healing involves re-learning how to view and respond to the world.

The nature of an artist is to look. An artist pays attention to details; finds beauty in the mundane. Artists see importance in things that non-artists may not even notice. Everyone would see the beauty and importance of these things if they looked, but artists are the ones who MUST see these things in order to be successful.

But to see beauty and  importance is to care. Since it is the artist’s nature to see beauty, artists tend to care about a lot of people, animals, plants, etc. This causes a lot of emotional stress. With animals and objects, it is enough to care what happens to them; but with people there’s also the worry about whether the cares are returned. Anyone that’s experienced middle school knows that worrying about whether someone cares about you can be extremely stressful. As adults, we are expected to deal with the fact that not everyone will approve of what we do or who we are, but for artists, this is hard because they care about so many of those people, and one can't be indifferent to those one cares about. All in all, it makes artists far more vulnerable to depression.

What to do? Just understand. If you’re the one that cares too much, understand that it’s okay; because it makes you who you are and you are amazing. If you’re the one who loves someone who cares too much… Well, just understand. Believe me. It does help.

Flautists

I was recently commissioned to make some flute pendants.  Now when I'm writing this I feel like it was almost a school assignment; I was given the colors to work with, and the shape and size, and I had to figure out how to portray a flute player and music.

Flutes are hard. Their details aren't proportional to their size, so most attempts end up either looking like a plain line, or the section of a large something with circular things on it. After a lot of experimenting, I ended up using Mokume Gane for a background of musical staffs and notes, and clay "drawings" of Flautists.  Each one is 1 3/4" in diameter.  I think I'm pleased with the results. Anyone else have a request?

Mokume Gane!

Once upon a time, I said I'd explain how the Mokume Gane technique is done. So... here goes nothing!

According to the Ganoksin Project (www.ganoksin.com), Mokume gane translated from Japanese means "wood eye metal". It is a metal lamination process that was developed and used by Japanese craftsmen in the 17th century for the adornment of samurai swords. I guess, to be correct, I use a mock-mokume gane technique. Clearly I don't use metal in my clay projects, but the idea is the same.

First, I roll each color I plan to use into sheets, usually of different thicknesses. Then, I stack the sheets on top of eachother, and roll over them again to create one pile of clay. Usually at this point, I cut the sheet in half and stack them again to create more layers, and thinner lines of color.

After I have my stack of colors, I begin putting designs into it. The designs can be made with anything: paperclips, cookie cutters... my personal favorite is a superglue cap. Make abstract designs on the top of the stack (so only one color is showing). At this point, some directions say to turn the stack over and sharpen your image by pressing the clay around your design-- press this side with a negative of the top image. Personally, I haven't been talented enough to do this yet; perhaps I make my clay stack too thick, but I can never tell from the back where the front image is. So I skip that part and move on.

This is the fun part. Take a sharp knife and begin taking slices off the top (your layers of color will be parallel to your slice). Sometimes I push the clay in on the sides to fill in the holes I've made with my stamps. This way the top slices won't have holes in them. As you slice the clay, your design should show up. If you have red next to blue, you'll have a blue sheet with red designs on it, or vice versa.

Use your slices to make beads, ornaments, containers, or anything! You'll be hooked!

People I care about: Maureen

One of the people I work with closely these days is Maureen Cox. You will see her comment on here occasionally, and if you ever hear me talk about work, you'd hear about her a lot. She's an amazing woman, she sews, she paints, she's a great teacher, she's smart, and on top of all that, she's nice!

Maureen is a whirlwind of enthusiasm and inspiration. I guess I like her: I'm trying to write more about her and not sound overly gushy or adoring, but I'm failing miserably. So I'll show you her site, and be done with it: see for yourself. Click Here

People I care about: Steve

The hardest part of blogging is figuring out what to tell you. I have to say that I'm not the most exciting person every day. Yes, if you just meet me, I can be pretty exciting, but once you hear from me every day, I think it would get pretty old. Especially if I'm doing a monologue.

So I'm starting a series (at least I think it will be a series): People I Care About. I'm not saying People in my Life, because some of these people have moved on, but they're still in my thoughts and heart. And please don't assume that these people are the ONLY people I care about. If I did that, we would never hear about anything else!

Today I'm going to tell you about Steve. He was my roomate in college, and he's hilarious. He's a little boy stuck in a man's body, and yet he can be very profound, especially in his art. I love so much of his work, I have trouble choosing, but here's a fun one to entice you.

Click Here to learn all about Steve's Photo Life.

Yay, Polish!

I polished my table today. Yay. It would have been an awesome thing to do, except that I was intending to polish beads... I bumped the polish bottle, and suddenly I was polishing the table, a pen, my camera, and... possibly my friend's sewing machine... oops.

...But check out that nice, shiny table!