Art Charm Swap & Beads of Courage Auctions

We finally swapped our charms from the Art Charm Exchange! Many talented artists participated and I received some gorgeous charms. You have a chance to participate in this event as well. Each member has charms up for auction on eBay to benefit Beads of Courage, a wonderful organization that helps children with chronic or terminal illnesses.

Here's the charm I submitted. The theme was "love". I wanted to come up with something other than a heart, but I kept coming back to it. Since the spiral is my totem symbol, I used two spirals coming together to form a new symbol, the heart, representing two beings coming together in love.

This was quite the fun exchange and I hope to do it again next year. Please check out the auctions and bid early and often!

A little (slightly late) Halloween fun: Vampire Kitty

TomWaits is such a silly boo.

Polymer Clay 2013 Guild Retreat - Day 2

First full day of our retreat at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center in Oregon Illinois. Everyone has such a great time at this annual affair. Lots of claying, learning, eating and laughing!

 Alice J hard at work.

Ann H conditioning clay.

Our workstations look messy, but beautiful things result.

Marji P made a Carol Simmons inspired cane with transluscent clay. Stunning.

 

Becky P created this gorgeous rainbow blend.

Gretchen A prebaked these in anticipating of her amazing Sugar Skulls.

Why is it that I always wait until the last minute, right before deadline, to do a project? And why is it that I feel my muse abandons me when I'm under the pressure of a deadline? Setting myself up to fail?

Well, we will find out! I signed up for an Art Charm Exchange hosted by Jennifer Cameron, a portion of which will benefit Beads of Courage. The theme is "love" and I would like to design a charm that isn't as obvious as a heart. Alas I'm having trouble coming up with an idea that I like and time is quickly running out.

 

I will find out soon what they will end up being and you will find out in about a month. Oh Muse!! Get over here!

I submitted these pics to The Flow magazine for their Women in Glass issue. Couldn't decide which one I liked better. Which do you like?

Submitted to the Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts