Studio snapshots

Libby Mills, an American polymer clay artist, is featuring snapshots of studios from all over the world in her blog. It's been so wonderful to see how others have set up their studios and to gather a helpful tip here and there. This week, she's featuring mine! What a lovely surprise to come home to...
http://libzoid.net/blog/2008/04/28/studio-snapshot-melanie-dilday/
Do check out her other blog entries...she writes a very interesting, useful and eye catching blog.
I've been away teaching in Queensland this week (was an absolute pleasure to teach this gorgeous group of women) so I'm just resting now for a day or two before I get back in my studio. Hope to have something new to show you soon.

Grafton Artfest Autumn 2008

Well! Can you tell I've been busy? I normally always get some window of time to write on the blog but it's been a little crazy these last few weeks. Crazy but loads of fun and so fulfilling. I've just had a week teaching at my first Grafton Artfest, a fabulous event held in Grafton NSW, bringing artists and students together from all over Australia to learn all manner of incredible arts.
I had the most amazing week teaching both polymer and silver claying to a keen bunch of students. This is what I love most about teaching. Watching the joy on their faces when they see the results of their efforts. Look at their happy faces! What a week! Jam packed full of all kinds of techniques. I love the shot of them heads down diligently searching for their silver pieces amoungst the steel shot just after the polishing. For you teachers out there, an easier way for students to find their own pieces amoungst the others is to press them in polymer first so that they have a template of their own pieces to match up against. Saves a lot of time and prevents squabbling over pieces!
The shot with the pussycat is amazing in itself. Apparantly this cat lives at the school and is looked after by a big hearted maintenence guy who says that cat rarely goes near people...and yet she graced us with her presence all day, even curling up to sleep in one of my boxes. A room full of lovely women must have lured her in eh!
And have a look at the work these girls accomplished. If you click on the picture you'll get a bigger shot which you can also zoom in on. I made sure I took very high res shots so those who want a good look, can! And to think most of them had never even opened a pack of clay before.
All in all, a truly fulfilling and fun time for all of us. Thanks so much to everyone who made it possible. Special thanks to Suzanne and Janice from Aussiepolyclayers for your support and friendship and to Sylvia and Myra and the'mystery woman' for buying the pieces I put in the auction to raise funds to help make Artfest possible.

When something speaks to you...

Aussiepolyclayers Rock Swap was a pivotal point for me, Lisa, thank you for choosing such a fabulous theme for our swap...because I had to produce something that wasn't 'normal' for me. Something that made me uncomfortable in a way because I had to think outside the box of everything else I'd ever made. So I went with what Rock meant to me, the rich reds and browns and yellows of aussie rocks, the smattering of vivid opally colours, the crags, the layers, the fissures and boulders and bulges. I had so much fun making those that I used the same layered landscape theme in producing something even closer to my heart. Mt Chincogan. Ever since we moved onto this land in Mullumbimby (aboriginal for 'small hill') I've been wanting to create something representing Mullumbimby. I added fine silver bails I made with the Makins extruder with the core adaptor to which I added more clay to create an organic effect...and finished it off with fibres and polymer clay end caps.
If you hang on a tick, I'll run and take a pic of the 'real thing' from my front yard...
Ahhhh, it's great to have my camera back!

Rock Swap

Still no camera but luckily Lisa Henderson, our Rock Swap hostess extrordinaire over at Aussiepolyclayers http://aussiepolyclay.21.forumer.com/ took this photo of one of my pieces so I have something to show you after all.

Check out all the other fabulous entries on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lillybriar/

I'll be back with more pic just as soon as my camera comes home. Promise.

Most artists are 'grown' not born

Christie (Skygrazer) over at http://skygrazer.com/journal/archives/154 made a very interesting comment about artists...that there's no magical wand or myth about being an artist, that she (like most of us) "have a subconscious belief that people who could draw or paint were born with the knowledge and the vision." and goes on to say "I didn’t know there were tricks and tips to “seeing” that help you to recreate what you see."

I found this most interesting because I too held that notion and I had the same 'ah ha' moment after I turned 40 and discovered that there are techniques to be learned to achieve certain results and that once you practiced with these techniques, you could actually make something 'artful'! What I wanna know is how come in all the time I was going to school, not ONE teacher actually taught any basic art lessons. That's the true tradegy, that art in those days was not encouraged... it was all about learning the 'practical' stuff ....like algebra and dissecting frogs! Art was considered play time, not something to be taught and encouraged. Inevidently, I'd already made up my mind that I couldn't draw by the time I went to high school and so I didn't take art as a subject later on because I thought I didn't have what it took to be an artist...certainly no god-given talent. It wasn't until I learned about claying that I thought 'hey, I can do something'...and being encouraged by the results I learned more and more, through books and videos and experimenting and practice, I actually became good at something artful. This helped push me through all my subconscious beliefs and associated fears and led me into drawing and painting at Tafe where I once again had an 'ahha' moment about art...it's learned! I now believe that everyone is an artist, just that many of them, like me, don't know it because they weren't guided in their formative years.
Let me say though that just knowing techniques doesn't make you an artist. It's how you put these techniques together, it's how you express yourself and how much you're willing to step out of your own way and let creativity flow through you that will make you a truly unique artist. I'm only just getting to that stage in my claying where I can automatically draw on any number of techniques to create something...where I have ideas that make me jump out of bed and create....AND that these ideas would not have been possible had I not known the techniques and possibilities.

Anyone 'grok' what I'm saying here?

So, for all those who haven't had any formal art lessons and those who truly believe that 'haven't an artistic bone in their body' like I did for about 40 years...I encourage you to take the plunge. Go enrol in a course or buy a book or a dvd and actually DO these lessons. You'll be AMAZED at what you can do once you have been guided....

I don't have pics today as I'm waiting for my camera to come home. I had a fabulous weekend away at Suzanne's studio in Sawtell. We both got to experiment with new ideas that had been brewing. Next week, I promise to have something new to show you.

Great new metal clay book

The Handbook of Metal Clay, Textures and Forms is a new book by Hadar Jacobson which I received (and devoured!) from Roz at Eclectic Studio the other day. I'm very impressed with this book. Not only do I love Hadars work and the fabulous projects, she writes about all kinds of valuable tricks and tips and this book comes with tons of good clear photos.
https://www.eclecticstudio.com.au/
Also...a rare sighting of me with lippy! Had to have some pics taken for the magazine article and though I rarely wear makeup, I still remember how to put lipstick on, much to my husbands horror. Nice pic of the studio view too...everything is so lush from almost 7 weeks of rain!

Hollowy vessely pmc

Last time I made hollow vessels and beads using cork clay, they kinda bubbled and bent outa shape. I put it down to using recycled paste ...so this time I used fresh paste and voila! No probs at all. The urn vesse looks big but it's not even 3/4 inch tall, the others about 1 1/2 inches. Got a goddess theme going on right now. Who knows why, she just slips in there every now and then. These would look better hung but I've run out of silver chain...sorry.

Polymer Clay Daily

I just about choked on my coffee the other day when I wandered over to Polymer Clay Daily, the wonderful site Cynthia Tinapple writes about what's happening and the who's who of the polymer clay world...because guess what? It was my turn! My moment of glory. I must say it was a fabulous write up and made me realise yet again, how lucky I am living this gorgeous creative life up here in the tropical wilderness. I love my life! And I'm ever so happy to share my home and my studio with anyone who wants a few days break from the rat race. Check my workshop page for details.
Oh...and the link to the featured article...
http://polymerclaydaily.com/2008/02/07/dildays-tropical-setting/

And for those who want a pic or two, how about these...had a small window of opportunity to silver clay...and took it.

French tutorial translated into english

This isn't my pendant...it's Violettes from Parole de Pate..but I'm certainly going to be trying out the tutorial. Those wonderful people at Parole de Pate often have interesting little morsels to digest...in the form of wonderful jewellery or tutorials. This latest tutorial deserves a special mention...because they have especially translated the tutorial from french to english for us! Waahhooo. Next block of time I get, I'll be giving this a go!
http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2008/02/05/7826600.html

Making tube bails using Makins Core Adaptor

Well, talk about positive feedback! I've just been asked if I'd send my pmc tube bailed necklaces with polymer clay focals and end caps to the writer of a new book on polymer clay and mixed media. Using my mum's expression...I'm tickled pink! Here's a couple of pics of one of them...it's a reversible bead, the wearer can chose what side she wants showing.
I also wanted to show pics of the Makins core adaptors in action...for those who haven't seen it. The example here uses polymer clay but it's just as suitable for silver clay. I have two extruders, one for silver and one for polymer...so as to avoid contamination. There are two sets (of different sizes) of core adaptors which are easily cleaned so I only have one set of these. I was impressed with the Makins extruder already (I love the dotty canes it makes!) but now I've used the core adaptors, I'm doubly impressed... and I imagine I'll be using it a lot more judging from all the great feebback these pmc tube bails have been getting.
You can buy Makins products from Jen Tattam at Metal Clay Australia http://metalclay.com.au/

Sculpture Park

I've been making some wonderful things but since they're in the same vein as the 'rock swap comp', I can't take pics cos it'll take away the surprise. Which is why I've left you with these gorgeous pics of the Sculpture Park in Ballina that I went to last week. I'm so pleased I did. It was a real treat. Here are some of my favorite pics...that top sculpture with all the goddesses is fabulous isn't it?! These are all purposely taken in high quality shots so if you want to click on them, you'll be able to see detail.

Aussiepolyclayers First Swap Comp

I've been having a ball! Just spent two days in my studio making "rock themed" pendants for Aussiepolyclayers First Ever Swap Comp. We've had some wonderful swaps but Lisa Henderson (http://www.lillybriar.com/) came up with a FABulous idea in honour of our new forum (we've given yahoo the flick in exchange for a board that allows our members more flexiblity). A swap which is also a competition! This is an exciting national swap and competition open to all polymer clay crafters and artisans. The Swap is played out as normal with Swapeees making ONE EXTRA piece that is retained for the competition. Winner of the Great Swap Comp 2008 will win a $50 Gift Voucher to use at the Bead with Me, via in store or online. Winner will also receive a NEW Christi Friesen “Emerald Isle”T-shirt. There is ALSO a Peoples Choice Swaard (Swap/Award). Items will be on display to the public and the public will vote for their favourite. Winner will receive NEW Christi Friesen “Emerald Isle”T-shirt and their choice of Christi Friesen Book (Dragon’s, Jungle, Sea, Cats or the upcoming DownUnder).

Come check us out...Aussiepolyclayers... http://aussiepolyclay.21.forumer.com/

Everone welcome to become a member. Sign up for the swap too if it interests you. The more the merrier!

Ofcourse, this also means I can't show you pics of what I've been making because it's a secret till the swap deadline. So, I'll leave you with a picture of Lisa Hendersons beautiful work...

Mokume Gane Heaven

These are the result of that fabulous day with the 'gurls' playing with the mokume gane technique. I also had some ready made pmc pieces I'd made for just this purpose...my aim being to have several pmc pieces pre-made for impromtu embedding into polymer. It worked!
Directly above is a button with a pmc sculpted fish embedded into it.
The middle one has a textured pmc layer between two layers of polymer clay mokume gane. I added a pmc starfish and some pc sand and a little gold snail shaped 'thingy' on the bail. Notice the hollow tube bails? These are the first I've made using polymer clay with those core adaptors in the Makins extruder...and I'm really happy with the effect.
The top is a pic of the whole bunch of mokume gane things. I'm playing around with different shapes...
I have one more piece to show you which is in the oven now...stay tuned...

I'm back!

Well, as some of you who have written to nag me about not blogging for over two weeks (good for you!) would know, I've been on hols...doing nothing but reading books and enjoying some down time, away from clay. I get stale if I don't do this every now and then. I cheated a couple of days here and there, wanted to make something for my Mum and make a start on a commissioned piece this week, but mostly just letting myself stop still for a while, feel who I am again. It was a whirlwind of a year for me and stopping for a while did me the world of good. But I'm back! had a wonderful day with some girlfriends yesterday. Since they were new to clay I thought I'd start them off with mokume gane, always a crowd pleaser! I have some beads in the tumbler for them as I write this and later on in the week, I'll have some 'show and tell' for you I promise. In the meantime, here's a pic of us all having a break. Anyone would think I worked them hard???
In the meantime, I want to introduce someone in the claying world who's work I've been admiring for a while now. I've been watching her progress over some time now and am so enjoying her work, I thought you might like to see it too. Many of you from the US will know her already but my Australian friends probably don't so this is for you. Interestingly, there's a new clay just released on the market, Studio by Sculpey...and I wasn't at all surprised to see that Susan has already 'test driven' it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbysusan/
Enjoy her site...and I'll be back with pics next week!

Much gratitude to you all and Happy New Year

Being the last day of the year, I would like to thank all my friends and polymer clay buddies and the many wonderful folk who have left comments on my blog or emailed me privately to say a nice word of support over the year or who have helped me, taught me, filled my heart or made me laugh…

Some of these special people are featured below…clicking on their name will take you to their website or gallery to kick start those creative juices for the new year…

Thank you pics

Lise Moody

Heather Richmond

Erin Johnson

Jen Tattam

Lara LeReveur

May Bartrum

Amanda Katz

Robert Dancik

Lisa Henderson

Sera Pinwill

Pam Annesley

Barb Fajardo

Libby Mills

Lex Sorrentino

Kathi Gose

Roz Eberhard

Judy Dunn

Hector Vera

Christi Friesen