NOV

November 2007 report

Our November meeting was another lively exchange of ideas and trying novel pc techniques. We were pleased to welcome Susan Rimmer of the Mid Southern Group who joined us on her birthday -especially pleased because she brought a cake and wine to celebrate.

As usual we began with our 'show and tell' which sparked lots of talk on findings, of methods of making bracelets, of techniques such as ikat and bargello, as well as using PMC with polymer clay inlays.

Our group lunch, now an integral part of our day, was another 'feast' with everyone bringing food to share.  Later we discussed making canes using step blends, as taught by Dan Cormier at Polydays in 2005, and methods of cutting and using the veneers for pendants or bracelet tiles. One thing we touched on, but which needs further exploring at a later meeting, was the mica shift technique.

In our 'problem solving' slot we tackled 'How to stop translucent clays
discolouring during baking?'.  Suggestions ranged from tenting the work with aluminum foil to adding a pinch of white clay to the translucent mix.

Our next meeting will be on Saturday 2nd February 2008, 10.30am to 4pm, at my studio in Rotherhithe when the theme will be Image Transfers. If you would like to join in the clay fun, please contact me for venue details and if it's your birthday -don't forget the cake and wine.

SEP

September 2007 report

The September meeting of the London clayers was a whole day - and we needed it. There was so much to talk about and show each other that we almost forgot to stop for lunch, which was a 'pot luck', or rather a feast, as everyone brought something to share. A 'newbie', Michelle, joined us and at the end of the day went home knowing how to make a jellyroll and a bull's eye cane, cane reduction and the basics for getting started. Everyone brought their recent work, some as finished pieces and some as samples or work in progress. These pieces provided a structure to the day and stimulated many questions and swapping of ideas.

We played with the holographic effect of mica clays -the 'mica shift'- and experimented with paints and spirit based inks for colouring translucent and liquid clays. During the day we explored making texture tools and how to use them. We also compared notes on image transfers on polymer clay using laser and inkjet prints - a topic we hope to pursue further at our next meeting.

JUL

July 2007 report

At the July meeting of the London polymer clay group we spent the morning experimenting with various embossing, stamping and texturing techniques and the use of translucent clay sheets. As the morning flew by far too quickly we decided that next time we needed a whole day to 'play'.

So our next meeting will be on Saturday 8th September. We'll meet again at my studio in Rotherhithe, South London, begin at 10.30am and finish around 4.30pm, though people can leave at any time. We will have a 'pot luck' lunch where we each bring a dish to share as my cooking skills are rubbish.

Please contact me by email for details carol@carolblackburn.co.uk Looking forward to seeing you in September and do bring something for the 'show & tell'. Also feel free to bring some clay and tools.

JUN

June 2007 Report

The London Polymer Clay Group had its 2nd meeting on Saturday 2nd June at Waterstone's bookstore in Piccadilly. Five BPCG members came to 'show and tell' over coffee in the basement cafe.

Debbie Carlton showed her silver clay necklaces with inlays of polymer clay - a perfect combination. She also had a bag full of polymer clay samples each in a different technique. We all pitched in with ideas of how the pieces could be used as earrings or brooches.

Sarah Maloney showed her miniature food models and a tiny corked bottle with 2 of the tiniest gold fish swimming around. She explained how she had made the fish with an iridescent finish and how she put them into the 'scenic' water, (a new term for me from the world of miniatures).

Jean Power is editor of Bead magazine and came to Polydays two years ago. She brought a box full of the most beautiful and intricately stitched bead work bracelets and beads. This time-consuming work prompted a discussion on how to price such work for sale.

Kotomi Yamamura, a Japanese jewellery designer now living in the UK, joined us with several of her theatrical and dramatic necklaces and explained how she uses polymer clay as a frame and a mount to hold semi precious and glass stones.

I brought along two beaded necklaces using a spiral theme and several pieces of polymer clay jewellery that I made for my bead book.

It was fascinating to see how we are each using polymer clay in a completely differently way. We chatted and swapped suppliers addresses, websites and news till well into lunchtime when we felt we had outstayed our welcome having managed to make our coffees last more than two hours.

To keep the momentum going we plan to meet again soon to use some clay and demo techniques for each other.