Getting Back to Normal . . .

For the past three months, I have been on a hiatus from polymer clay.  I have been exploring lampworking and glass fusing with wonderful results, for a beginner.  I have been a member of the New York Polymer Clay Guild (www.nypcg.org) since 2010 with Valerie Hall serving as our President.  I met Valerie at the Innovative Beads Expo in NYC.  The show had different groups doing demos and I happened across the polymer clay demo table. There are no words to describe what I saw at that time.  Keep in mind that I had not played with clay or at least play dough since I was a kid.  She had brought tons of pieces all made from polymer clay: earrings, necklaces, pendants and beads!  I thought wow! I can make all of these!  This is not the play dough I grew up with.  I was hooked!  There are various techniques that you can use to make specific designs in the clay.  First and foremost the clay must be conditioned and from that point on the possibilities are limitless!  You can create detailed canes and skinner blends and well as use transfers and scrap booking techniques on polymer clay.  During my time with the guild, I have attended various master class workshops with: Karen Woods, Laura Tabakman and Louise Fischer Cozzi.  Valerie also gives master polymer clay techniques for each monthly clay day meeting.  While working with glass for the past three months, I have truly missed attending the monthly "clay days."  It will be good to get back to normal.  Anyone interested in polymer should definitely check out the local guilds in their area.  The pieces below were made in Valerie's clay day workshop.