The Party is in Full Swing. Come join us!
May 31, 2023
Polymer community news, The Polymer Arts magazine news
What party is this? The latest project from little ol’ me, Sage. The Sage Arts podcast is more than up and running… I have 25 episodes up as of this posting, ready on your favorite podcast player (New to Podcasts? Click here to find out how easy it is to enjoy them!) and a new one coming out every week.
What’s This Podcast All About?
This podcast is all about feeding and exciting your muse. By enlightening or reminding you about important and maybe unconsidered aspects of creating and living as an artist, I hope to help you find more joy and satisfaction in what you do, sharing ways to create with authenticity and fearlessness, while supporting your uniquely defined version of success.
Now what the heck does that all mean? Well, let’s look at what this is and what this is not…
It IS…
… a way to consistently feed your muse
… all about you. Myself, my guests, and my guest co-hosts speak to the issues, curiousity, and hurdles that you as a creative deal with on a regular basis.
… focused on creating a more fulfilling, joyful, and meaningful artistic journey.
… a conversation that goes both ways with lots of opportunities for you to be heard.
It is NOT…
… all about polymer clay or any one medium, as it’s important stuff for all artistic folks.
… focused on “how-to” or the latest tools and materials.
… just interviewing successful artists and talking at you. Rather it is like a coffee house chat or other friendly gather and I include you, the listener, in every way I can.
I created this podcast to supercharge your creativity, motivation, and artistic style through novelty, story, conversation, and community. Everyone has how-tos and ways to increase your sales – valiant and necessary stuff, of course! But what does your muse need? What does your work and your love of your art need to thrive? That’s where I want to help.
I aim to give artists ways to further hone their unique voice, increase their joy and productivity, and create a version of artistic success that is meaningful, satisfying, and anything but ordinary.
Come Join the Conversation
If you have something to share, would like to be a guest (for a chatty interview), or be a guest co-host (you and I banter on a particular subject) drop me an email me via my contact page on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/ or send a voice mail (use the red button on that same site, bottom right corner of any page.)
And join me on social media!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast
And don’t forget to click “FOLLOW” or that little arrow on your favorite Podcast player so you get notices of new episodes. New Episodes come out weekly on Friday evenings, barring natural disasters or other bits of interference, of course. I hope you’ll join me there, on The Sage Arts podcast!
There are new artists and creatives joining every day with tons of great things to say…
“Just what I needed!”
“I just binged-listened … and I can’t wait for more!”
“There is so much validity in your presentation…”
“Looking forward to all the thinking and creating that they prompt.”
Taste test on my RSS website: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/
Or on the podcast home website: https://thesagearts.com/
Or start with this episode:
Building out the Box
October 26, 2013
Inspirational Art
With my connection (and faith) in the internet restored, we will resume chatting about boxes and ways to expand on the popular form.
For our weekend peek at lidded containers, I saved a piece by Kim Detmers. The concept here simply stretches the way that you can use your ‘canvas’. Even though a canvas is a flat space to begin with, that doesn’t mean you need to create your work based on that kind of two-dimensional space. Consider possible ways to build up, build out, and work into the space around the vessel, not just the ‘real estate’ that is the surface of the vessel. Kim builds up on the lid, and out into the space above the container. She has also made the lid the unmistakable focal point, which is a bit unusual since it would seem that the tendency is to make the lid an accent or compliment to the body of the box. In fact, with the lid on, it may not look like a container at first, but rather more of a sculpture. And in essence, what should an artistically formed box meant for a bit more than function be but a sculpture?
I know the concept of building into space, considering design and composition in terms of the form, and then using the space around it can sometimes be daunting to ponder. But it is great fun and quite visually impressive when something as simple as a box has been grown into a sculpture that lives in the space around the container, not just on its surface.
If you want a little more information on how to use the space surrounding your pieces, check out the article “Create With Space” in the very popular Spring 2012 issue of The Polymer Arts about this very subject. (Said issue which is just about sold out in the print format, so if you want this or the Summer 2012 issue, you might want to order them soon before we run out.)
And if you like Kim’s work, take a look at her engaging blog and her Etsy shop.
Disconnected in Kentucky
October 25, 2013
Inspirational Art
My internet connection out here at Mammoth Cave has been challenging, so this is going to be brief. I had a nice attendee’s husband drive me into town so I could get this little bit posted. (Thank you Pat Lacy & John Donica!)
I haven’t had much time to search for a piece today, but I have this box by C.A. Therien I found earlier in the week that I wanted to share. Believe it or not, this is polymer–but doesn’t it look like wonderful enamel?
Charlene (C.A.) has had her hands in quite a number of projects the last couple years. Her Etsy shop is on vacation but her you can still check out her Memorial Beads website.
Please forgive me for the brief post and if I manage not to get on tomorrow, know all is well and I will be back soon!
Defining the Box
October 24, 2013
Inspirational Art
Today’s thought on boxes is pretty simple: a box does not have to be square. It doesn’t even have to have straight sides or be flat on the bottom. A box is basically a container used to hold or store things and has a lid. That’s a pretty wide open definition, which is great for an artist.
Here is a version of a box that may be taking a bow to the square, but there certainly aren’t any straight sides. Do you agree that it is still a box?
Maureen Thomas is the maker of this box. She created a whole series of these pinched edge boxes a few years back, all lovely in their texture and variety of generally subdued but delicious colors. You can check out the boxes and more her Flickr page.
Around the Corners
October 23, 2013
Inspirational Art
I am traveling today, heading out to the Kentucky/Tennessee Polymer Clay Guild’s retreat at Mammoth Cave National Park. I’m so excited to see the park, not to mention being immersed for four days in polymer creativity with a great group of people. I might be less verbose than usual (some of you may be relieved to hear!) but I will bring you something box related the rest of the week.
Fall is just about over but I am hoping there will still be colors in the park. I so love the change of seasons, that point of transition that brings us forms, colors, and textures that are only temporary but so much better appreciated because it isn’t static and isn’t what we see everyday. I found a very cleverly done box to match that sentiment today. This amazing piece is a lunch box created by Leigh Ross, one of the founders and wranglers of the huge Polymer Clay Central website. Every side of this represents a different season and each is just wonderfully done.
The polymer on here looks so much like a painting. Remember what I said earlier this week about a box being a many sided canvas? Well, here we have that certainly taken to heart!
Now off to catch a plane. More box fun tomorrow
On the Edge of a Tin Box
October 22, 2013
Inspirational Art
Okay … raise your hand if you’ve never covered a tin box.
Oh, I wish I could actually see the response to that. My guess is most of us have tried to, or still do cover tin boxes with polymer. And why not? They are inexpensive but wonderful little boxes whose curled and folded edges are perfect for holding onto that clay. They go into the oven without warping or deforming, come in many shapes and sizes, and are durable, long lasting forms for your clay art.
But just because tins are simple doesn’t mean they should be treated simply. Boxes as a form for polymer are nothing but a six sided canvas. You can just cover it with cane slices or sheets of treated clay, but why stop there? I’m not saying you need to go wild–although you certainly can if you are so inspired–but just push it a little. Layer on elements, break elements over the edge, use texture, form, pattern, repetition, focal points, movement, and color schemes just as you would with a pendant or bracelet. The form you apply your clay to does not change the standards of good design you should be considering, although it might force you to think of the piece in three dimensions the way a pendant, usually approached in a more two-dimensional manner, does not.
Here are a few examples of tins that don’t go overboard but have plenty of color and texture contrast, tension at the edges where the elements break off incomplete, and active repetition to hold your attention and admiration. Don’t they?
This is actually only a small sampling of what Mary Anne Loveless does with tins. She’s quite the tin box artist actually. Go take a look at her Flickr site for more tin box inspiration, among other things!
Containers of a Different Sort
October 21, 2013
Inspirational Art
We’ve seen quite a number of boxes and containers on this blog. I have a bit of a thing for boxes. They are such mysterious things. In a closed box, there could be any number of surprises–things left behind, trinkets misplaced, treasures hidden, memories buried just waiting to be rediscovered and, of course, emptiness with a wide open invitation to be filled. What is there not to like about a box?
So this week, I thought I’d dig up some boxes that approach the idea of how to construct or cover an existing box-like object in a slightly different way than we might commonly see–approaches and forms that will get you thinking. You know how I so like to get your noodles moving. (Now, I just need something to get mine to stop!)
So how does one go about pushing the idea of how to construct or decorate a box or container? Well, you can try what Lisa Pavelka tried last year and make one container a day. In her case, it was Carmex lip balm containers. Yes, she did actually accomplish this, even with her very busy schedule. And yes, I think she was nuts and I even said as much to her. I seem to recall she agreed. But it certainly will press you to get really creative if you are making a different container every day. At some point, you must lose any kind of careful editing of yourself and just let go. And that can be a good thing.
I don’t think these top views really do justice the level of sheer creativity she applied to this project. Take a moment (it’s only Monday … I’m sure you have a few minutes to spare, right?) to go through her blog pages, where she posted top and side views of them, alongside a few sentences on what she did with each. It’s really a pretty fascinating project, and the many applications are quite inspiring!
Of course, she used many of her own products in making these. Her line is pretty extensive and there is much more than what you might have seen at your local craft store, so take a look at her store for things you might not be aware of yet. And of course, on this Monday we have plenty of time for some important window shopping, right?
And don’t forget … tomorrow (Tuesday, October 22nd) is the last day of our BIG print back issue sale, so get your extra print copies while the price is still really low! http://www.thepolymerarts.com/Single_issues.html
A Little Sunday Sugar
October 20, 2013
Technique tutorials
Instead of a quote this Sunday, how about a free tutorial instead? No objections out there? I thought not. First let me introduce you to the collection from which this free tutorial has been plucked, and then at the end here we’ll get to the freebie as well as news about deep discounts on The Polymer Arts magazine.
Have you ever wondered if sugar and clay mix? Well, perhaps you haven’t yet–but Iris Mishly, polymer artist and instructor extraordinaire, certainly did. That question led to her mixing talents with Sharon Peled, a master cake decorator and sugar flower artist; together they created “The Flower Academy,” a full scale polymer clay encyclopedia and tutorial.
This is not your average tutorial–it’s actually a collection covering 26 types of flowers with 29 videos and 325 pages of step-by-step instructions to help you along. The collection features more than 40 final projects including jewelry, head bands, hair pins, table centerpieces, bridal bouquets, and more. They have included some rather innovative techniques that will help you create polymer clay flowers and foliage with a very striking, lifelike appearance, like these here:
My favorites are actually the tulips and they have some wonderful designs for men’s lapel pieces. But you’ll have to get the tutorial to see them.
The Freebie!
As promised though, Iris has set aside a free tutorial as a sample of what is in the collection. With the holidays fast approaching, the ladies thought a bit of Mistletoe creating would be in order. To get this free mistletoe tutorial and more information on the Flower Academy collection, go to Iris’s Polypedia website.
The Sale!
And if you have been looking to get the couple of issues you’ve missed of The Polymer Arts magazine, or get digital but have often thought it would be nice to have your favorite issues (or all of them!) in print, right now we are having a HUGE Print Back Issue Sale!
All back issue Singles & Packages are discounted, only through Tuesday!
$3 off 2011 Back Issues
$2 off 2012 Back Issues
$1 off 2013 Back Issues
PSST! Biggest discounts EVER on International Packages
Last 4 Issues Package (Winter ’12, Spring ’13, Summer ’13, & Fall ’13) Save up to $11 on this package.
All 8 Back Issues Package (Everything from Fall 2011 – Summer 2013) Save up to $32 on this package!
Just go to the website to get your back issues at the best discounted price we’ve ever offered!
An Open Pod
October 19, 2013
Inspirational Art
Our last look at pods this week will be the end of a pod’s purpose and life cycle. It’s a bit of an incorrect statement in that a pod is really part of a plant’s life cycle, so could we consider the pod to have a life cycle of its own? Oh, sure, why not. We’re artists. We can play it a little loose with concepts, right?
In any case, the final act of a pod would be to open up and release its seeds. I think the opening of a pod is not dissimilar from the blooming of a flower in that it opens up and shows the world what it has to offer, self-serving though it may be–but then most beauty is, in essence, self-serving, and there’s nothing wrong with that. These pendants by Judy Dunn are simple but quietly beautiful examples of the revealing stage of a pod.
The polymer pod shapes peel back to reveal shimmering pearls, a very appropriate option to include as the inside of every pod is a treasure of sorts, even if just to the plant that bore it. I enjoy the way the pearls are both a focal point and partly hidden. The formality that pearls often engender is countered with the unevenness of the open pod, as well as the choice of freshwater pearls, which form unevenly. This gives the open pod an understated elegance and a show of appreciation for a very important natural form.
Outside Inspiration: Polymer Lends Color to Kauri Wood
October 18, 2013
Inspirational Art
Today’s featured artwork isn’t completely an outside inspiration since polymer is involved, but the primary material certainly is. I found these pods on the Daily Art Muse blog. They are a collaboration between Kauri woodturning artist Alby Hall and polymer pen artist Toni Ransfield.
The collaborative work itself is quite beautiful, but in researching for this post I became rather fascinated by the wood itself, its history and the long, arduous process of preparing it. This is no ordinary wood. Kauri trees are among the oldest and biggest tress in the world. The wood Alby uses is actually Ancient Kauri, a wood recovered from swamps in his native New Zealand where the trees had fallen some 45,000 years before. Ancient Kauri is the oldest workable wood in the world and is also considered one of the most difficult to work with, primarily due to the drying and finishing that is required. It is a very soft wood with a tight grain but no sap, since that was dissolved in the swamp waters ages ago. This makes for some very different working characteristics. If you are as fascinated as I am by unusual materials and the processes required to gain and work with them, you’d enjoy reading about this wood on the Ancient Kauri website.
Alby himself doesn’t seem to have a website, but do take a moment to look at his other pod forms on the DAM blog (a blog I very highly recommend you follow if you don’t already). And then stop on over to Toni’s website to see more of Toni’s beautifully caned and finished pieces.
Odd Pods
October 17, 2013
Inspirational Art
Okay … we’ll take one more look at the many form possibilities of pods. A pod doesn’t have to directly translate to something out in nature. It can be more about the idea of a pod, something carrying or transporting, and the shape may be more about the promise of what’s inside than about the form itself.
Wiwat Kamolpornwijit works quite a bit with modified pod forms and forms that reveal what might be within. This pod necklace is a sample of the pod as a concept rather than literal interpretation.
The inside of a pod could look like anything, especially when it’s an exotic pod of your own creation. This mystery allows you to create whatever your imagination might come up with, the way Wiwat has done here. His vision is of some beautiful visual textures with a few seeds peeking out from between the slices, arrayed to define the volume of the pod. These are not like any pods I’ve ever seen, but that is the very beauty of them.
