Hi all you happy clayers!
I have been playing around with a video program and here is my second attempt...oh...an you might like the projects too...
http://www.polyclayplay.com/Products/CalendarProject/CalendarProject.html
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!! and a Safe and Happy New Year!
If you like E-Books and you like Polymer Clay Projects, join either of the Poly Clay Play Clubs and get both my books free. Merry Christmas!
Happy Poly Clay Playing!
Trish
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
...the faster it goes!
Where did the year go? I cannot believe it is almost 2008. The old saying "The older you get, the faster it goes." keeps coming to mind. How true that is.
I am a little sad about Christmas this year. We don't have room to put up the tree and it would be a little sad this year anyway...we don't have much in the way of presents to put under it to give. Hopefully my hubby will get a response from one of the tons of job applications he has filled out.
On a really happy note, the club continues to grow, by mm instead of inches or feet or yards even but it is growing...and I must be doing something right...all my yearly subscribers keep signing on for another year. That is very exciting and I really appreciate all my subscribers. I love coming up with the projects and all that goes with that...designing and creating with clay, the photos, working with PhotoShop, the writing and even the publishing is fun.
I don't do a very good job of advertising...that has always been my downfall with any business I have done. The good news, there are others that are helping with their listings in blogs and such. I just added a new link to an arts and crafts lover who wrote wonderful things about Poly Clay Play. (Check out B Creative U listed in my links) Thank you to all who have gone before her too!
The ATC swap I hosted was fun. The pics of the exchangers ATC's are at Poly Clay Play...http://www.polyclayplay.com/challenge. Just click on ATC Swaps to see all the fun holiday cards everyone came up with.
Send me a note if you want to be involved in the Valentine Clay ATC Swap. I will add your name to the list that is growing. I am looking forward to making Valentine ATC's. I haven't come up with the details yet but will very soon after the holidays.
In June I started offering a "Challenge" every month. There haven't been many entries in the last few challenges but I am hoping it is because of all the busy holidays. You can see the current challenge at the same address as the ATC's along with all the fun entries in the past challenges.
My youngest daughter turned 23 yesterday. Once again...time flies....! She was just a tiny baby the day before, it seems! I made her a polymer clay beaded watch band. It was for a watch she has loved but wore out the band for. As usual, I made it too long for her skinny little wrist...I remember being that skinny...hmmm, not only do the years go by too fast, the pounds come on too fast too! LOL
I added a fun thing to Poly Clay Play...go check out Poly Grams!
http://www.polyclayplay.com/sendcard I found this neat program that lets me put e-cards there for you to send to your friends. Of course the pictures I am using are made from photos of polymer clay. Go to the bottom of the choices of cards and you can see the gingerbread guys I made as small gifts for friends.
They were great fun, all 40 of them...join the Poly Clay Play Club and you can get the instructions to make him (hint, hint, hint LOL). He even smells like cinnamon!
Go send a Poly Gram card to a friend! I will add new cards as I get them made. If you have a certain sentiment you would like to see there, let me know and I will see what I can come up with. I am not happy with the way the page is set up but it will get better when I have more time to fight with the html...oh I mean play with it! LOLI don't know that I will have time to get back here to write more until 2008. I hope you all are going to have a very Merry Christmas and a very SAFE and Happy New Year!
Happy Poly Clay Playing!!
Trish
www.polyclayplay.com/Invitation
Sunday, October 14, 2007
More things to keep me busy...hmmm I will have to give up sleeping!
1.) OK...Mark and I found our first Geocache. It took a couple of times to figure out our handheld GPS but 3rd time's the charm. You can read more about it at www.pcpgeo.com Click on Our Adventures.
2.) I am launching an ATC Swap...Artist Trading Card...it should be great fun! The club members get a tutorial of one to make and in the Freebie's there will be a free tutorial posted some time today for a very simple ATC...just to give you an idea of how to start if you are like I was and don't have a clue. www.polyclayplay.com/Free.htm There will also be a basic guide to ATC's there.
OK...I haven't had lunch and it is after 4 PM...I need a snack until dinner! LOL
Just wanted to share what's new.
Happy Poly Clay Playing!
Trish
2.) I am launching an ATC Swap...Artist Trading Card...it should be great fun! The club members get a tutorial of one to make and in the Freebie's there will be a free tutorial posted some time today for a very simple ATC...just to give you an idea of how to start if you are like I was and don't have a clue. www.polyclayplay.com/Free.htm There will also be a basic guide to ATC's there.
OK...I haven't had lunch and it is after 4 PM...I need a snack until dinner! LOL
Just wanted to share what's new.
Happy Poly Clay Playing!
Trish
Friday, October 5, 2007
What's New? Geocaching and ATC's
Since coming back from my retreat, I have been playing catch up! I am almost there! Wooo Whoooo!!
In the last few days, I have done research on a couple of topics. One being Geocaching as I mentioned in the last notes. I plan to make a tutorial on making your own Signature Item to be placed in caches. I made one of my own, although I already know that it will evolve. You can see it at www.pcpgeo.com. I would love to see other polymer clay Signature's and post them for everyone to see. If you or someone you know is interested in Geocaching, send them to the site! If you make your own clay Signature's, send me a photo and I will post it.
The other research I have done is a result of the suggestion of a newer club member to add a project for ATC's to the Club. I think it would be grand fun to host an ATC Swap. In case you don't know, ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. The rules are short...
1) They must be exchanged, NOT sold!
2) They must be 2 ½ X 3 ½ inch or 64 X 89 mm in size.
Type in Artist Trading Cards Polymer Clay in a search engine and you will get links to see lots of samples!
OK...enough gabbing, time to get back to work.
Don't forget to check out pcpgeo.com
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
In the last few days, I have done research on a couple of topics. One being Geocaching as I mentioned in the last notes. I plan to make a tutorial on making your own Signature Item to be placed in caches. I made one of my own, although I already know that it will evolve. You can see it at www.pcpgeo.com. I would love to see other polymer clay Signature's and post them for everyone to see. If you or someone you know is interested in Geocaching, send them to the site! If you make your own clay Signature's, send me a photo and I will post it.
The other research I have done is a result of the suggestion of a newer club member to add a project for ATC's to the Club. I think it would be grand fun to host an ATC Swap. In case you don't know, ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. The rules are short...
1) They must be exchanged, NOT sold!
2) They must be 2 ½ X 3 ½ inch or 64 X 89 mm in size.
Type in Artist Trading Cards Polymer Clay in a search engine and you will get links to see lots of samples!
OK...enough gabbing, time to get back to work.
Don't forget to check out pcpgeo.com
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
Monday, October 1, 2007
Beach fun!
I had a great time and it was fun to see all the cousin's again and it is always great to see my sister. I only see the cousin's once a year and being the baby, it is fun to hear all the stories that I wasn't around to be a part of. I was born later and am young enough to be several of the cousin's daughter.
One of the cousins taught us about Geocaching. Wow, what fun that is and what a great way to get some exercise and visit fun places. If you haven't heard of it, go to www.geocaching.com. It is free to join. When you do, put in your zip code and I am sure you will find lots of caches close to you.
It also has my mind working on polymer clay...hmmmm can't think of what they are called in geo lingo...signature items (I think). The basic premise is...you use a handheld GPS receiver (global positioning satellite) much like the map ones in cars to find the coordinates of the "find". One type is a box with trinkets to trade. You take something (such as a keychain) and you leave something in it's place. There is a log for you to sign to say that you have been there. Read more about it. There is so much more! The cache's are all over the world and if you like treasure hunting, or scavenger hunting, you will probably like this. Once you have a gps (you can get them for less than $100) the cost is only gas to get there and time and exercise to find the fun.
Once I have a few finds under my belt, I will probably add a project for signature items and maybe have a link on my site to compare with other geocachers. Let me know if you have done this! I would love to learn more and find other polymer clayers that are having fun with it.
Back to the beach...every year we all bring little gifts for each other. This year, mine was a "shell purse" for hunting shells. I think it was a big hit and came in very handy on the beach. I wrote the project for the Poly Clay Play Kid's Club. It was made by decorating a plastic tube, shaped like a pringles can but plastic. Drink mixes come in them. Then I decorated it with a beach theme with a cord handle and a lid.
About Color...I just read about a neat place if you want to get a color scheme to match a photo. Go to http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/colors.php It is a neat place and may help if you have a brain freeze about what colors to use! LOL
OK...I really should be working since the weekend put me way behind.
Happy Poly Clay Playing!
Trish
One of the cousins taught us about Geocaching. Wow, what fun that is and what a great way to get some exercise and visit fun places. If you haven't heard of it, go to www.geocaching.com. It is free to join. When you do, put in your zip code and I am sure you will find lots of caches close to you.
It also has my mind working on polymer clay...hmmmm can't think of what they are called in geo lingo...signature items (I think). The basic premise is...you use a handheld GPS receiver (global positioning satellite) much like the map ones in cars to find the coordinates of the "find". One type is a box with trinkets to trade. You take something (such as a keychain) and you leave something in it's place. There is a log for you to sign to say that you have been there. Read more about it. There is so much more! The cache's are all over the world and if you like treasure hunting, or scavenger hunting, you will probably like this. Once you have a gps (you can get them for less than $100) the cost is only gas to get there and time and exercise to find the fun.
Once I have a few finds under my belt, I will probably add a project for signature items and maybe have a link on my site to compare with other geocachers. Let me know if you have done this! I would love to learn more and find other polymer clayers that are having fun with it.
Back to the beach...every year we all bring little gifts for each other. This year, mine was a "shell purse" for hunting shells. I think it was a big hit and came in very handy on the beach. I wrote the project for the Poly Clay Play Kid's Club. It was made by decorating a plastic tube, shaped like a pringles can but plastic. Drink mixes come in them. Then I decorated it with a beach theme with a cord handle and a lid.
About Color...I just read about a neat place if you want to get a color scheme to match a photo. Go to http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/colors.php It is a neat place and may help if you have a brain freeze about what colors to use! LOL
OK...I really should be working since the weekend put me way behind.
Happy Poly Clay Playing!
Trish
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Cousin's Retreat
Yea!!! My Sister and one cousin are flying in so we can meet the rest of the group for our annual Cousin's Weekend Retreat this weekend. We will meet at a beach house graciously donated for the cause of keeping 9 ladies sane (maybe insane LOL) for another year!
This will be our 5th year of fun! It will be a nice time away for me. It is so hard to justify a vacation with my hubby having such a hard time finding a job but this will be a free weekend and a much needed break from Poly Clay Play not to mention the fact that we all have such a fun time every year. I love my Poly Clay Play job and will miss it terribly but you just have to step back every now and then and get a new perspective. Hmmmm how will I go the whole time without claying or access to the Internet?
I have been working very hard this month so that I can afford to be out of pocket for 6 days, two of which are at home but with my Sister and Cousin here before and after our trip to the beach, I won't be able to accomplish much!
Hmmm 4 days on the beach. I love the beach as my Kid's Club will see reflected in some of the projects! Who knows, the inspiration may still be there for the other club too!
OK...back to getting everything done in time.
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
www.PolyClayPlay.com/Invitation
This will be our 5th year of fun! It will be a nice time away for me. It is so hard to justify a vacation with my hubby having such a hard time finding a job but this will be a free weekend and a much needed break from Poly Clay Play not to mention the fact that we all have such a fun time every year. I love my Poly Clay Play job and will miss it terribly but you just have to step back every now and then and get a new perspective. Hmmmm how will I go the whole time without claying or access to the Internet?
I have been working very hard this month so that I can afford to be out of pocket for 6 days, two of which are at home but with my Sister and Cousin here before and after our trip to the beach, I won't be able to accomplish much!
Hmmm 4 days on the beach. I love the beach as my Kid's Club will see reflected in some of the projects! Who knows, the inspiration may still be there for the other club too!
OK...back to getting everything done in time.
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
www.PolyClayPlay.com/Invitation
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Busy Month!
It has been a busy month and I have kinda let this go, thinking no one was interested BUT a great subscriber sent a comment to my last post asking where I am sooooo....Here I am...
As you read in my last post, the Calendar project for this club year is so much fun! (The Poly Clay Play Club started in Aug. 2006 so Aug. 2007 started a new year for us.) Last year, I always looked forward to the Calendar project...it is hard to believe I look forward to it even more this year. October was really fun, making the costume for Callie and her friend, the spider! I am sure this will end up being my next book...when I get all the months done, that is.
I have spread myself as thin as I can, which is good and bad. The good is that club members benefit from 12 or more projects every month. The bad is, I can't seem to get ahead. I am really loving the Kid's Club too. I originally thought I would keep way ahead on that one BUT...I have a subscriber that took advantage of the great Bonus plan that means she gets 2 kits every month. I am not complaining!! I am thrilled and I have always worked better under pressure.
To tell the truth, I dreaded the jewelry projects when I added that category to the club and then when I was asked to send them to the Bead Bugle online magazine I was really nervous about them...Dreading it no more...I am having a great time with the jewelry. It helps that my daughter has fun clothes that she is always needing jewelry to match and like all other projects, when using polymer clay, there are a million ways to work with it and a million things to do with the clay.
Christmas is coming and that makes it really easy to come up with projects for October and November since I love this holiday. Also, I get to start celebrating early since I write these projects and deliver them a month ahead to give subscribers time to get them done way before the holiday.
The monthly challenge is evolving. We are on Challenge #4. It should be one that everyone, from beginners to pros, can definitely feel comfortable entering! Read more about it at http://www.polyclayplay.com/challenge/ You can also see all the entries from the past challenges there. Get busy!!! The more the merrier...especially since the more entries, the more prizes!
I always want to add a new "freebie" to the site but I don't have the time as often as I like. I would love it if everyone would send suggestions of what they would like to see or learn! I have always said, I don't mind constructive criticism. I want the site and the club to be as good as it can be and it helps when people let me know what they would like to see! It's too bad I have to focus on making money with it (husband is having a hard time finding a job). I keep hoping the club grows enough to make a living with it. If you are one of my club members and really enjoy it, please tell all your friends! If you haven't joined the club, give it a try. You can always try it for a month just to see if it is for you and in that month, you can pay for it by taking advantage of the 20% discount that club members always get to take off products they buy. For $7.95, you get at least 12 projects and that is not including all the tips and techniques pages. Some of them are projects in themselves. You can read more about both the clubs at http://www.polyclayplay.com/ There is a link at the top of the page to both clubs. The Kid's Club is a great way to introduce kid's to the fun of polymer clay! The link to the "freebies" is there too.
As with all craft endeavors I have done, selling the product is not my favorite. I am not a salesman and that has always been the hardest part! Polymer clay play has been the easiest to talk about for me! I guess because it has so much going for it as a craft. You can do so much and go in so many directions!! You can turn it into a career or keep it as an escape from the daily job of living.
I feel fortunate that I have this business and really hope it continues to grow. It is a culmination of all the jobs and hobbies I have done in the past. I love doing crafts and one of the most exciting parts of working with clay, to me, is INSTANT GRATIFICATION! I can make a project and in a short 30 minutes (usually) it is baked and ready to look at. But...when I do get tired of playing with clay, I can work on preparing the photos I take and writing the projects...then, when I am tired of that part of the job, I can work on the website. It is a little overwhelming sometimes, doing it all myself but there are pros to it too. I don't have to wait on someone else to meet my deadlines.
I am in awe of many polymer clay artists and appreciate their inspiration to me and others. My projects tend to be "cutesy" except for most of my jewelry projects...of course, I had to throw a ladybug in for one of them! I love ladybugs and flowers as I am sure my club members have figured out! LOL I have to hold myself back from making every project about ladybugs and flowers oh and butterflies too! LOL I am amazed at the work of many of the fairy makers that I have seen, mainly on EBay. I don't have the patience to learn the human body and muscles to do a fairy project justice. That is one of the examples of making a good living with polymer clay!!! I hope I can at least be an inspiration! I feel that being creative and just having fun is one of the most important things to being good at any art and teaching that is one of my main goals with the club.
OK...I have rambled long enough...Kay, I bet you are sorry you asked where I am after reading this rambling! LOL Thanks for letting me know I have at least one reader!
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
As you read in my last post, the Calendar project for this club year is so much fun! (The Poly Clay Play Club started in Aug. 2006 so Aug. 2007 started a new year for us.) Last year, I always looked forward to the Calendar project...it is hard to believe I look forward to it even more this year. October was really fun, making the costume for Callie and her friend, the spider! I am sure this will end up being my next book...when I get all the months done, that is.
I have spread myself as thin as I can, which is good and bad. The good is that club members benefit from 12 or more projects every month. The bad is, I can't seem to get ahead. I am really loving the Kid's Club too. I originally thought I would keep way ahead on that one BUT...I have a subscriber that took advantage of the great Bonus plan that means she gets 2 kits every month. I am not complaining!! I am thrilled and I have always worked better under pressure.
To tell the truth, I dreaded the jewelry projects when I added that category to the club and then when I was asked to send them to the Bead Bugle online magazine I was really nervous about them...Dreading it no more...I am having a great time with the jewelry. It helps that my daughter has fun clothes that she is always needing jewelry to match and like all other projects, when using polymer clay, there are a million ways to work with it and a million things to do with the clay.
Christmas is coming and that makes it really easy to come up with projects for October and November since I love this holiday. Also, I get to start celebrating early since I write these projects and deliver them a month ahead to give subscribers time to get them done way before the holiday.
The monthly challenge is evolving. We are on Challenge #4. It should be one that everyone, from beginners to pros, can definitely feel comfortable entering! Read more about it at http://www.polyclayplay.com/challenge/ You can also see all the entries from the past challenges there. Get busy!!! The more the merrier...especially since the more entries, the more prizes!
I always want to add a new "freebie" to the site but I don't have the time as often as I like. I would love it if everyone would send suggestions of what they would like to see or learn! I have always said, I don't mind constructive criticism. I want the site and the club to be as good as it can be and it helps when people let me know what they would like to see! It's too bad I have to focus on making money with it (husband is having a hard time finding a job). I keep hoping the club grows enough to make a living with it. If you are one of my club members and really enjoy it, please tell all your friends! If you haven't joined the club, give it a try. You can always try it for a month just to see if it is for you and in that month, you can pay for it by taking advantage of the 20% discount that club members always get to take off products they buy. For $7.95, you get at least 12 projects and that is not including all the tips and techniques pages. Some of them are projects in themselves. You can read more about both the clubs at http://www.polyclayplay.com/ There is a link at the top of the page to both clubs. The Kid's Club is a great way to introduce kid's to the fun of polymer clay! The link to the "freebies" is there too.
As with all craft endeavors I have done, selling the product is not my favorite. I am not a salesman and that has always been the hardest part! Polymer clay play has been the easiest to talk about for me! I guess because it has so much going for it as a craft. You can do so much and go in so many directions!! You can turn it into a career or keep it as an escape from the daily job of living.
I feel fortunate that I have this business and really hope it continues to grow. It is a culmination of all the jobs and hobbies I have done in the past. I love doing crafts and one of the most exciting parts of working with clay, to me, is INSTANT GRATIFICATION! I can make a project and in a short 30 minutes (usually) it is baked and ready to look at. But...when I do get tired of playing with clay, I can work on preparing the photos I take and writing the projects...then, when I am tired of that part of the job, I can work on the website. It is a little overwhelming sometimes, doing it all myself but there are pros to it too. I don't have to wait on someone else to meet my deadlines.
I am in awe of many polymer clay artists and appreciate their inspiration to me and others. My projects tend to be "cutesy" except for most of my jewelry projects...of course, I had to throw a ladybug in for one of them! I love ladybugs and flowers as I am sure my club members have figured out! LOL I have to hold myself back from making every project about ladybugs and flowers oh and butterflies too! LOL I am amazed at the work of many of the fairy makers that I have seen, mainly on EBay. I don't have the patience to learn the human body and muscles to do a fairy project justice. That is one of the examples of making a good living with polymer clay!!! I hope I can at least be an inspiration! I feel that being creative and just having fun is one of the most important things to being good at any art and teaching that is one of my main goals with the club.
OK...I have rambled long enough...Kay, I bet you are sorry you asked where I am after reading this rambling! LOL Thanks for letting me know I have at least one reader!
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
New Direction for the Calendar Projects
I am so excited about the new Poly Clay Play Club perpetual calendar. You may recognize this photo (see previous post) but I just had to share the final project results for the August Club Calendar Project. Last year, each month the calendar project included a printable calendar along with magnets to decorate for the month. It was great fun and one of my favorite projects to design and write every month but I have to say I am even more excited about this year's calendar projects!
You may notice the project is themed for September. Each month I create the project for the following month so that members have time to complete it before the next month starts.
I can't wait until next month! The calendar project is going to be great fun, as are all the projects, I think!
Happy Poly Clay Playing!
Trish
Read more about the club and products offered at www.polyclayplay.com/Invitation
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Varnishing Tips Free Tutorial
I have been meaning to add this tutorial...actually tips page for my Poly Clay Play Club subscribers for a long time...I have put it on my Freebies page. Feel free to read it, save it... The tutorial is written about the way I varnish things...feel free to take from it what works best for you. After you read it, please let me know how you varnish items! Suggestions are always welcome and encouraged.
There are other freebies you are welcome to open and save. Enjoy! More are on the way. I try to add at least one a month.
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Poly Clay Play Ribbon Caddy
Poly Clay Play Ribbon Caddy with Polymer Clay Embellishments
I posted a new item on ebay last night. It is a really fun project and I posted another listing with the instructions for making it. My husband was going to throw the "cake box" away and it inspired me to make this great way to store ribbon and still be able to see what I have!
Check it out at trishs.clay.play on ebay. Let me know what you think!
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Hello and welcome to my blog...I am not usually very chatty so this may remain short and sweet. Who knows, maybe I will get better.
I want to introduce you to my passion...my Poly Clay Play Clubs! You can read more about why I started the clubs by viewing "About Me". I truly enjoy creating and writing club projects each month. My inspiration comes from all kinds of different places...many from the wonderful Polymer Clay artists who share their work on the Internet. Thank you to all that have come before!
The Poly Clay Play Club - geared toward adults - launched August 1, 2006. Wow this last year has gone by fast! I am really excited about the new year with the club. When I started it, I offered 8 projects...it has grown to at least 12 projects each month. Hmmmm...sometimes that number is overwhelming but I want to offer a club that members look forward to each month and try to offer a variety of projects.
This month's projects were great fun! My favorite is the Perpetual Calendar featuring Callie...the calendar girl. Each month the Calendar Project will use the basics...Callie and the number and day blocks...and decorations relevant to the month. The picture at the top shows Callie holding the "day" block. I can't show you the rest...I don't want to spoil it for the club members who haven't received the whole project yet.
Hmmmm...I managed to be rather chatty after all. LOL I guess because I get excited talking about the club!
You can read all about the club at the links listed to the right. Be sure to check out the Kids Club too!
Happy Poly Clay Playing,
Trish
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