Niche Award Finalist

Ok I don't know how to tell y'all something I find hard to believe. Today I received an email informing me that I am a finalist in the 2011 Niche Awards for polymer clay. I barely made the cut off for the entry but boy I am glad I did. I am very honored. The winners will be announced in Feb. These are the two pieces that I entered. I am not sure which one was selected. It has motivated me to get back to creating my own art. I have enjoyed teaching but it sure takes up a lot of time.

Speaking of teaching I just got back from Wisconsin and the Polymer Clay Fest. I had a great time. It was a small gathering but a good group. I had my first problem with TSA and clay. I had some clay that I needed for class in my carry on bag and they wouldn't let me take it thru. I told them I had taken clay on several flights but all they said was "well you're not taking it on this one". Insert expletive! That meant checking another bag (and $35) and going thru security for the second time. Insert expletive! Now don't we all feel safer now. Now I have two knee replacements so I am used to delays at security but coming home it was the first time I ever got a full body pat down. I had to listen to this woman explain how she was going to use the back of her hand for sensitive areas like my buttocks and breasts. Oh what fun. Yes you can insert expletive here too. I hated to tell her that I could have had a grenade between my boobs that she would not have felt but I didn't want to push it. I couldn't believe that they couldn't afford a metal detector wand. OK that's enough bitching about my flight. Back to the good news - A Niche Finalists Wow!

It's Here! It's Here!

Oh happy day! My Simmons Slicer is here! I got it put together and I was slicing away in no time. I have two retreats coming up that I am teaching at. (Clay Fest in Wisconsin and Clay Carnival in Vegas) Both are having swaps. Now if you know me at all you know I haven't even thought about what I am going to do for my swaps. Well after today I don't have to worry about it. This baby can slice up any cane into thin and even slices. It's just a matter of making the back and applying the slice. And I can get so much out of an inch of cane.
I have been working on finishing some pieces for sale at above mentioned retreats. I will definitely make use of my slicer. I will post some pics when I get them finished.
It's back to slicing.

Come See Me!

Well it's only a few weeks until Cabin Clay Fest in Wausau, Wi. I will be teaching a caning class there. Kathryn tells me that there are still a few spots left so I hope y'all can join us. It's going to be a great time. (Of course it will! I will be there!) There is also a pre-confernece class with Jeff Dever. I have taken many classes over the years and I have to say that Jeff's class is one of the best that I have ever taken. I just love his style of polymner art and he is a wonderful instructor. I don't think he teaches many classes and you should really take advantage of the opportunity.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CLAY FEST GO HERE.

Other news - I am still waiting for my Simmon's Slicer. A few changes were made and I think it will be here soon. I can hardly stand the waiting. That's the good news. The bad news is I think that I have become allergic to something in my studio. It seems like I am well one week and then I work on a project and BAM! the nose starts running, I'm sneezing, sinus headache, etc. At first I thought it was the super glue but I wasn't using that the last time. I was baking though. Maybe my oven needs to cleaned out from all the polymer residue. Anybody else out there ever experience this?

I will be going to Asheville this weekend for our October Clay Play day. It has been a long time since I have been able to make a meeting so I am excited. It's a special day and is open to anyone if you are in the area stop by.

Check out this link that Cynthia Tinapple sent to me. I loved it.

That's all for now.