The Weekly Polymer Arts … ?

Well hello there! Surprised to see me on a Sunday? Well, I am here because I am trying something different. To start with, you may have noticed that blog posts were missing this past week. My apologies for that. Suffice it to say that my system, and life in general, made me take a break and so it was not until this weekend that I was able to put something together for you.

The funny thing is, I had already been looking at changing the frequency of the blog. We only have so many minutes in the day for all the fun stuff that comes our way and its more likely that we’ll set aside the stuff seen regularly than the rarer offerings. I’ve decided that I’d like this blog to be one of the rarer offerings, making a tiny contribution to the de-cluttering of your email inbox or RSS feed and giving me a chance to put together some juicier posts for you.

So, how does once a week sound? On a weekly post, I can share a couple of pieces of fabulous art along with polymer relevant news and fun takeaways like tips, tutorials links, sales, and discounts from polymer retailers. And how does this Sunday arrival feel? Cynthia already provides us a jumpstart to creativity on Saturday with Studio Mojo, and the weekdays seem a bit overburdened with news and emails and so I propose being a part of your Sunday, giving you a bit of eye candy, inspiring ideas and useful news to start the day or wrap up the weekend. And if the blog comes to you as an email at work, well, it will be there waiting to brighten up your Monday morning.

So let’s get rolling.

Some news first, since it relates to the beautiful mokume you see here … The first issue of The Polymer Studio was released yesterday, Saturday the 19th, and already the response is a glorious hurrah! Whew! The first of anything is always a bit nerve-wracking to put out but feedback has been nothing but glowing so far. If you were expecting to get a digital edition, it went out at the crack of dawn East coast time so check your inbox (and if it’s not there, check your spam folder or write us). Print editions went out in the mail Friday so they are on their way as well.

If you haven’t subscribed or ordered a copy yet, do it soon so you’re not missing out on some really wonderful tutorial projects including this “Kitchen Sink” mokume technique from Julie Picarello. You get the step-by-step on how to make the brooch/pendant you see here as well as how to create the “dropout” pieces you see surrounding it, from the same mokume blocks. Working with the translucent layers to get this intricate mokume is easier than you might think and it’s just too much fun seeing what comes out in your slices.

So, if you haven’t gotten your copy ordered or started your subscription already, you can do so on our website at www.tenthmusearts.com.

I have also been sent a special offer from Helen Breil. She just released a new techniques video class, Six Exceptional Textures, and you can get it now for 15% off!  If you have not yet had the pleasure of creating alongside Helen in one of her tutorial books or videos, you do need to treat yourself. She divulges a wealth of tips and ideas in crystal clear and highly detailed instruction. This video class includes step-by-steps, ideas and inspiration for making your own unique handcrafted one-of-a-kind texture sheets in 9 packed videos. Click here to get it. The discount is good through January 31st.

Okay, that is enough news and fun opportunities for this surprise Sunday post. I do have exciting plans for this once a week format so be sure to open it up next week and see what the regular postings will be like going forward. If you want to be sure you get all our news and publication announcements, sign up for our twice monthly newsletter as well. In the meantime, enjoy all the creative things you’ll be trying out when you get your new issue of The Polymer Studio!