tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59845890104459763922024-03-13T15:58:16.641-04:00Imagine Uncommon ThingsMusings on polymer clay, creativity, rocks and other things.Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-20363126719855080792009-09-24T01:00:00.002-04:002009-09-24T07:07:43.324-04:00Mixed Media Maven<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SrrtjpnXgSI/AAAAAAAAA_I/NhllVL80aNs/s1600-h/Cathy+books.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384877501197025570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SrrtjpnXgSI/AAAAAAAAA_I/NhllVL80aNs/s320/Cathy+books.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://cathyjohnston.net/">Cathy Johnston</a> does mixed media so well! I love all of her fabulous little books. The photo shown above is what she'll be teaching at this year's Las Vegas Clay Carnival. In addition to Cathy, we'll have 7 other instructors there too. You can see a list of all the classes and more details on <a href="http://cathyjohnston.net/">Cathy's website </a>or at <a href="http://claycarnival.com/">our new Carnival site</a>.</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384879151155607106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SrrvDsMJdkI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/Xo_7oYPtNzg/s320/Cathy+tools.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">In addition to her huge talent, Cathy's also extremely organized. I'm so envious of people who create beautiful and functional storage pieces for their tools. The bamboo handles she created on these are simply stunning! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'm currently experiencing a bit of what my friend Leslie refers to as "pack stress". I'm leaving for Texas tomorrow and will be home for just a day before I fly to France for a workshop. I'm hoping to be able to post some photos while I'm there. The talent in Europe is absolutely incredible and I'm excited to have the opportunity to meet some of my wonderful online friends in person. T</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">his will be my first trip across the pond. I had to miss the one I'd planned for last year after my son developed kidney stones right before I was to leave. Keep your fingers crossed that no one makes any last minute trips to the ER this time!</span></p><p></p>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-14370604640986451692009-09-15T07:48:00.017-04:002009-09-15T08:36:15.232-04:00Lone Star Retreat<div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sq-JFSfsQSI/AAAAAAAAA-4/l_oDCJ6gjS0/s1600-h/dayle+doroshow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381670803688145186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sq-JFSfsQSI/AAAAAAAAA-4/l_oDCJ6gjS0/s320/dayle+doroshow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm looking forward to spending a few days in Texas at the end of the month. <a href="http://www.houstonpolyclay.org/">The Houston Polymer Clay Guild </a>is holding its annual Lone Star Retreat Sptember 27-29, 2009 at the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center in League City.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'm honored to be one of their guest instructors. They're also hosting <a href="http://www.dayledoroshow.com/">Dayle Doroshow </a>(her work shown above) who will be teaching Shimmering Rattle Beads and <a href="http://www.barbaramcguire.com/">Barbara McGuire </a>(her work shown below) who's teaching Mokume Gane Collage Pendants. </span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381671733324982594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sq-J7ZqYqUI/AAAAAAAAA_A/gS-jD2t1pIo/s320/barbara+McGuire.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">This guild really knows how to do a retreat! I'm so excited about the things they've planned and looking forward to the opportunity to finally meet some of my Texas clay friends in person. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">You can learn <a href="http://www.houstonpolyclay.org/retreat.htm">more about the retreat and the workshops here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">I can't thank you enough for all your nice comments welcoming me back to Bloglandia (thanks Cynthia!). I really appreciate you all and I've missed "seeing" you. It's going to be lots of fun to catch up!</span></p><p> </p></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-49180462229965401592009-09-09T01:00:00.001-04:002009-09-09T01:00:03.071-04:00Slightly Red-Faced<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SqchoDmpO5I/AAAAAAAAA-w/DFdEp_llSi8/s1600-h/silk+ribbons+and+pearls+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379305251963222930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SqchoDmpO5I/AAAAAAAAA-w/DFdEp_llSi8/s320/silk+ribbons+and+pearls+054.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Since I'm feeling a little embarrassed that I've been "on vacation" for so long, I thought this would be the best picture to mark the end of my five month long absence.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">When I made my last blog entry on April 9th, I had no idea I'd be gone so long. My oldest son was getting ready to graduate from high school and there was a lot going on at the end of his senior year, then it was time to help him get ready for college and all the things that go along with that. It just seemed like the longer I stayed away, the harder it was to come back.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I can only imagine all the wonderful things I must have missed during the last few months. I know there are lots of new books out that I haven't seen and I'm sure I'll never catch up on all the new photos posted by my Flickr contacts. And, believe it or not, I've only visited <a href="http://polymerclaydaily.com/">Cynthia</a> and <a href="http://dailyartmuse.com/">Susan's</a> blogs once or twice in all that time.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">It feels a little strange to have been away from clay for so long. I just finished my first real project in more than 4 months and I'm still not sure what direction to take this blog in. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I just updated my teaching schedule (you can see it to the right of my post) for the rest of 2009 and I'm looking forward to getting back into the polymer clay groove. It would be wonderful to have the opportunity to reconnect with some of you during these upcoming events and I'm hoping I haven't been totally forgotten after so long.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-9129677648238642332009-04-09T08:43:00.012-04:002009-04-09T09:30:28.931-04:00Dreamy Dolls and Sweet Easter Wishes<div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sd3zAVCuBcI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/1LyZCyK5-G4/s1600-h/Christine+Alvarado++rabbit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322677521595893186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sd3zAVCuBcI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/1LyZCyK5-G4/s320/Christine+Alvarado++rabbit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I've become enamored with the work of <a href="http://www.dubuhdudesigns.typepad.com/">Christine Alvarado</a>. Her wonderful dolls have the most beautiful faces and incredible detail. "Paloma and Rabbit Mask" seemed like a perfect fit for this time of year.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322679226435801234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sd30jkEOkJI/AAAAAAAAA-g/RPHEZy8nFYg/s320/Christine+Alvarado+lady+bird.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Her series of "lady bird" ornaments are so clever and original. I adore their little crowns and pearl necklaces.</span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322680386723901586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sd31nGed8JI/AAAAAAAAA-o/1oDd322JkUM/s320/Christine+Alvarado+Seneca+and+Julept.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;">Each of her creations have such a distinct personality. "Seneca and Julep" is part of a whole series that includes delightful little dogs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">In addition to her blog, you can see much more of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dubuhdudesigns/">Christine's beautiful work on her Flickr site</a>. Be prepared to stay awhile. It's impossible not to be drawn in to the magic she creates.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Wishing you a sweet and wonderful Easter!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-79812480309609345842009-03-27T09:42:00.025-04:002009-03-27T10:44:54.097-04:00Inspired by Lime!<span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SczZIrEhn0I/AAAAAAAAA-A/x6Az1Yu72s4/s1600-h/Psychotic+reaction+ring.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317864003041599298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SczZIrEhn0I/AAAAAAAAA-A/x6Az1Yu72s4/s320/Psychotic+reaction+ring.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Those of you who know me are probably aware of my favorite color. Yes, it's lime green. Specifically, what I like to call a "dirty chartreuse". I've seen a lot of gorgeous greens lately like this sea anemone ring from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5021581">Psychotic Reactions</a>. She isn't sharing her name anywhere. I've noticed that a lot of artists don't disclose that information online. Can anyone tell me what that's about? I'm perfectly fine with being called Kim Cavend<strong>E</strong>r. After all, it's my name. Although the majority of people in the world would prefer I change it to Kim Cavend<strong>A</strong>r. <a href="http://kimcavender.blogspot.com/2007/11/whats-in-name.html">You can read more about that here </a>if you'd like. And just a note, that really is me (Kim Cavend<strong>E</strong>r) in the photo. Apparently my sarcasm was lost on a few people who told me they were amazed Kim Cavend<strong>A</strong>r looked so much like me.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But, I digress in a major way. Psycho (please don't take offense, it was too good to pass up) has some absolutely <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5021581">gorgeous things listed on Etsy</a>. The colors are marvelous and the designs are stunning. Well worth a visit!</span><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317866387887529506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SczbTfUGniI/AAAAAAAAA-I/Rze2clyo53o/s320/Lisa+Pakosh+earrings.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Lisa Pakosh, the talented artist who created these yummy earrings and has to endure living in a tropical paradise like the Bahamas, has recently opened an Etsy shop with her equally talented mother Vickie Turner and her sister Sandra Mitchell called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6773932">Three Cheeky Wenches</a>. Besides being so artistically inclined, these three are crazy funny! Their shop is both beautiful and entertaining - the perfect combination.</span><br /></p><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317873168580999026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SczheLXZ93I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/3YugCO7XoM0/s320/Madooli+ring.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:arial;">Germany's Konstanze Filip, aka Madooli, is making some incredible new rings which she's just shared <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/conniberlin/">on Flickr</a>. You can see what she has <a href="http://de.dawanda.com/shop/Madooli">listed for sale here on Dawanda</a>.</span> <p><span style="font-family:arial;">Have a dirty chartreuse kind of day!</span><br /></p>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-6957543648072489432009-03-23T09:04:00.013-04:002009-03-23T10:34:46.116-04:00Claying For a Cause<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SceW4m0igJI/AAAAAAAAA9w/SXdmU8GbNjM/s1600-h/Kaaren+Poole+bugged.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316383784371912850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SceW4m0igJI/AAAAAAAAA9w/SXdmU8GbNjM/s400/Kaaren+Poole+bugged.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Not only is <a href="http://www.wildharestudio.org/">Kaaren Poole</a> a talented artist, she has a mission to help animals in need. Our new recording secretary for the <a href="http://www.npcg.org/index.php">IPCA</a> donates 100% of the proceeds from her beautiful artwork like this piece titled "Bugged" to animal charities. </span></div><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316386449531528850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SceZTvUG5pI/AAAAAAAAA94/aNvPgPPgwIw/s400/Kaaren+Poole+Otter+Blessing.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Having seen it in person, I can tell you that Kaaren's work is even more breathtaking in person. She has an uncanny ability for realistic sculpture. </span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I have a passion for helping to feed homeless animals and I've added a wonderful link to my blog so all of you can help too. Simply click on the purple paws in the top right of the screen and it will take you to <a href="http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&ThirdPartyClicks=ARS_linktous_120_01">The Animal Rescue Site</a> where you hit "click to donate". It costs you absolutely nothing but 3 seconds of your time. Please, please do this each time you visit my blog! You can also sign up for a daily reminder from this wonderful organization. One click a day from all of the members of the polymer clay community can help to feed a lot of homeless animals. It's a wonderful feeling to be a voice for those who don't have one.</span><br /><div><br /> </div><div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-1760014365850023852009-03-11T08:39:00.016-04:002009-03-11T09:52:13.895-04:00Cross-Pollination<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sbex2xQzd9I/AAAAAAAAA9o/aXd-KY1wu4c/s1600-h/etsy+stuff+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311909840001660882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sbex2xQzd9I/AAAAAAAAA9o/aXd-KY1wu4c/s400/etsy+stuff+057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm SO MUCH happier writing about and showing other people's work. I don't mind posting photos of <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/kimcavender/">my work on Flickr </a>but blogging about it makes me nauseous for some reason. Hopefully, it won't make you nauseous too. Queasiness aside, I'm going to write about myself today. When I first started this piece, I was thinking of the magnolia tree at my parent's old house. I was fascinated by their tree and it was the first time I'd ever been up close to a <a href="http://home.att.net/~SpanishMoss/pods.html">magnolia seed pod</a>. But, at some point during the creative process, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flutterbye856/215367826/">a lotus pod </a>got involved and the cross-pollination resulted in something that would probably make a botanist cringe. It's growing on me though (no pun intended) and I think I'll explore this design a little further. I've listed it <a href="http://kimcavender.etsy.com/">in my Etsy shop</a> if you'd like to take a closer look.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Speaking of Etsy, those of you who sell your work there or on other online sites, know how difficult it is to drive traffic to your shops. There's a brand-new site called <a href="http://luvhandmade.com/">LuvHandmade</a> that's meant to be a way for artists to promote their items. The have a blog, a forum, and an online community and it's totally free to sign up. I was chosen as their rise and shine seller this week and <a href="http://luvhandmade.com/RiseandShine.html">you can read my interview here.</a> Hopefully, the site will continue to grow and bring exposure to many online sellers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Have a wonderful Wednesday!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-82250338617570949072009-03-09T10:39:00.007-04:002009-03-09T11:21:37.547-04:00A Rainbow Sort of Day<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SbUrV8dP-WI/AAAAAAAAA9g/qJOOpnI22gk/s1600-h/rainbow+necklace.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311198991559424354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SbUrV8dP-WI/AAAAAAAAA9g/qJOOpnI22gk/s400/rainbow+necklace.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">It's a beautiful day here in West Virginia! The sun is shining, a breeze is blowing, the sky is blue, the birds are singing and the air is warm. What more could you want? How about a rainbow around your neck? <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rregenbogenland/">Germany's Margit Böhmer</a> is the talent behind this lovely piece. Her color choices are stunning and this piece makes me really happy. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Whenever I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the bad things that seem to be happening in the world today, this is the type of work that perks me up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">And when things get too crazy, I bury my head in the sand and repeat the following: <span style="color:#330099;">In my world, everyone's a pony and we all eat rainbows and poop butterflies.</span> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">May there be a little bit of rainbow in your day today!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-79461251207160987622009-03-03T07:44:00.015-05:002009-03-06T20:20:55.155-05:00Katherine the Great<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sa0mt8PXOZI/AAAAAAAAA9I/tAgcNrXh7UU/s1600-h/kathy+dewey+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308942106446215570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sa0mt8PXOZI/AAAAAAAAA9I/tAgcNrXh7UU/s400/kathy+dewey+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.elvenwork.com/">Katherine Dewey</a> is one of the most talented sculptors around. I've heard other artists refer to her books as sculpting "Bibles". Her artwork is absolutely breathtaking and even more so in person. I'd consider giving up a limb to see and touch this piece, which is the first in her "Fossil" series.</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308942951711215426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sa0nfJGPj0I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/WUf1JPOIJek/s400/kathy+dewey+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Several years ago, Kato Polyclay sponsored a competition and asked various artists to make shoes out of clay. Katherine's entry was an incredible alligator shoe and secretly, my hands-down favorite. If you'd like to see all that's involved in making a shoe like this, she recently began to document <a href="http://pub18.bravenet.com/forum/1505510207/fetch/1472080/">the process here on her website</a>.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308944863321429586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Sa0pOaZollI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/h8CmueN8KY4/s400/kathy+dewey.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">This mask was constructed over a felt form, which became a part of the completed work. It's crazy beautiful and the hair is so aesthetically perfect with the face.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">In addition to her awe-inspiring talent, Katherine is one of the kindest, most unassuming and humble people I know. <a href="http://www.elvenwork.com/">Her website </a>is packed with information for anyone who aspires to create beautiful sculptural pieces. As for me, I know my limitations. I'll just continue to worship at the Kathy Dewey shrine.</span></p><p></p>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-83616057369277445682009-03-02T08:26:00.012-05:002009-03-02T09:03:25.451-05:00Berry Inspired!<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Save5G1saII/AAAAAAAAA84/I-tIOj4dOZY/s1600-h/oksoon+berries.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308581658455992450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 370px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/Save5G1saII/AAAAAAAAA84/I-tIOj4dOZY/s400/oksoon+berries.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/oksoon/sets/72157611928145058/">Russian artist Oksoon</a> recently created these wonderful polymer clay berries that make me long for the warmer days of spring. As soon as I saw them, I was reminded of one of my favorite Flickr photos and sure enough, that's exactly where her inspiration came from.</span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></p></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308584415973520498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SavhZnZGtHI/AAAAAAAAA9A/2NMnVr91wzo/s400/BLock+party+berrries.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=85582">Tamara, of Block Party Press</a>, in addition to being a talented polymer clay artist, takes <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blockpartypress/sets/72157604273666018/">amazing macro photographs</a> like the one of these berries she discovered on a walk last year.</div><div> </div><div>Nature provides us with a bounty of free inspiration. Embrace it!</div><div> </div><div><br /> </div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-66479938362980139872009-02-19T05:00:00.003-05:002009-02-19T05:00:00.540-05:00Painting With Clay<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZy6QzmRT9I/AAAAAAAAA8o/VMFy6fwyc9M/s1600-h/Mary+Lamoray+dolphin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304319259027001298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZy6QzmRT9I/AAAAAAAAA8o/VMFy6fwyc9M/s400/Mary+Lamoray+dolphin.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">One of the polymer clay artists I'd most like to meet is <a href="http://livingwithwalls.blogspot.com/">Mary Lamoray </a>of Florida. Her clay paintings are beautiful beyond words and so rich in color and subtle details that they seem as alive as the subjects they're based on. She uses no paint or inks of any kind in her work. Everything you see is 100% clay. She may not readily admit it, but I think she adds a bit of her heart and soul in each one, too. Her newest painting, the dolphin that you see here, was recently posted on her blog and she talks a bit about how she created it <a href="http://livingwithwalls.blogspot.com/2009/02/dolphin-45x575-inches.html">in this post</a>.</span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304323411280371746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZy-Cf8noCI/AAAAAAAAA8w/sXapWqJH42E/s400/Mary+Lamoray+baby+harp+seal.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Mary has spoken publicly about her life as an artist dealing with an advanced form of MS. I've read some of her essays (which I'm now unable to locate online) in the past and they are every bit as profound and moving as her artwork. I feel such a deep sense of admiration for her and her art that I'm struggling to even find the right words.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">If you'd like to read more about Mary's fascinating process, <a href="http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/color_layering1.html">she's written about it here</a>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Perseverance, optimism, grace, and talent - she's the total package.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /> </div></span><div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-61894451172733169872009-02-18T09:43:00.016-05:002009-02-18T10:27:56.102-05:00Semi-sweet<div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZwjU4OpbWI/AAAAAAAAA8I/pDwN6Ex1NXQ/s1600-h/Horriblesweet+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304153302733778274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZwjU4OpbWI/AAAAAAAAA8I/pDwN6Ex1NXQ/s400/Horriblesweet+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">All of last weeks posts about hearts and flowers sent me into sweetness overload. I've found the perfect artist to help me make the transition back to semi-sweetness. <a href="http://www.horriblesweet.com/winkel/">Horriblesweet</a> (after a bit of detective work, I think her name is Lydia) is an artist from the Netherlands who specializes in amazing art dolls, like "Naked", shown above, and unusual headgear. </span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304153736351887650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZwjuHlQsSI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/8P-DuWS99LM/s320/Horriblesweet+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">She has a wonderfully soft and beautiful color palette and when it's combined with her edgy-looking sculpts, I can understand where the name Horriblesweet comes from.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304154517841344930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZwkbm23eaI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/DTXUIIsDvwk/s320/Horriblesweet+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This sculpt belongs to a series she's created called "Birdman".</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304158234203559826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZwnz7Yql5I/AAAAAAAAA8g/TP-DRtgdFVE/s320/Horriblesweet+4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm fascinated by the thought of several of her "Heads" lined up on the mantel in my studio. To see more incredible work by Horriblesweet, visit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22634850@N07/">her Flickr site here.</a></span></div><div><br /> </div><div></div></div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-44078788149568676612009-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:002009-02-14T06:00:00.869-05:00Cuff Love<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZWjV51atfI/AAAAAAAAA74/hsQsA-rukcc/s1600-h/Tami+Shvat+bracelet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302323732996077042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZWjV51atfI/AAAAAAAAA74/hsQsA-rukcc/s400/Tami+Shvat+bracelet.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Just in time for a Valentine's day delivery, a beautiful bracelet bouquet from Israel's </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5109880"><span style="font-family:arial;">Tami Shvat</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. See <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tamishvat/">more of Tami's work here</a>. Have a wonderful love-filled weekend!</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-28799370987610143102009-02-13T08:44:00.010-05:002009-02-13T09:21:19.855-05:00All You Need is Love<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZV5YoPRW9I/AAAAAAAAA7w/1hRTOvUbw8A/s1600-h/leslie+walrus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302277600323918802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZV5YoPRW9I/AAAAAAAAA7w/1hRTOvUbw8A/s400/leslie+walrus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Where does inspiration come from? If you're anything like <a href="http://moodywoods.deviantart.com/gallery/">Leslie Blackford</a>, it comes from everything you see and everything you do. Leslie (along with myself and Judy Belcher) had the good fortune to see <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/love/intro/intro.htm?sa_campaign=internal_click/redirect/love">Cirque du Soleil's The Beatles LOVE show</a> while we were in Las Vegas last year. What a stunning tribute to the greatest band in the history of music and what a treasure trove of inspiration. The costumes and characters are simply incredible! Leslie's "Walrus and Eggman" is the first in what I hope will be a whole series of sculptures inspired by the show. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">It's cold here in West Virginia today so I'm going to pretend I'm sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun to come. If you'd like to join me, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yNcE8c3j2M">click here</a>. Coo coo ca choo!</span></p><p> </p>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-73483990370579498632009-02-11T13:02:00.000-05:002009-02-14T09:33:58.445-05:00King of Hearts<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZH98eC141I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/k9xFnQImbd4/s1600-h/Ron+LeHocky+hearts+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301297451690746706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZH98eC141I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/k9xFnQImbd4/s400/Ron+LeHocky+hearts+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Intelligent, generous, kind, dedicated, funny, charming and talented are all adjectives I use to describe my friend, Dr. Ron Lehocky. Unless you've been hiding in a cave recently, you've probably read about this Kentucky pediatrician's great passion for raising money to benefit the <a href="http://www.cpkidscenter.com/">Louisville Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center</a>. With one heart pin at a time, Ron has raised nearly $80,000 for this deserving organization over the past few years. That's almost 8000 hearts at 10 bucks a pop. He makes each and every one of them himself in his "spare" time and each and every heart is as wonderful and special as he is. The one shown above is a custom sticks and stone heart that he made just for me. It's truly one of my most favorite pieces and it hangs on the wall of my studio with many other hearts I've collected from him over the past few years. I've given a few away as gifts but I just can't bear to part with most of them so my collection (shown here) continues to grow.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301560876297244178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZLthzLOThI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/i1krFjDXSc8/s320/Ron+LeHocky+hearts+006.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">You may have read Ron's excellent article "Skinner Blending My Passions" in the February 2009 issue of <em><a href="http://polymercafe.com/">Polymer Cafe</a></em>. It provides a wonderful insight into his passion and includes a great tutorial for making a heart of your own.</span></p><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301565395566126242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZLxo2w45KI/AAAAAAAAA7g/5mq7hFUlzAI/s320/Ron+LeHocky+hearts+009.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">If you want to read more about Ron and his hearts, see </span><a href="http://polymerclaydaily.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Cynthia's</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> past posts on Polymer Clay Daily </span><a href="http://polymerclaydaily.com/2008/12/25/8000-lehocky-polymer-clay-hearts/"><span style="font-family:arial;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><a href="http://polymerclaydaily.com/2007/07/04/polymer-with-heart/"><span style="font-family:arial;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301566416969667762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZLykTyeFLI/AAAAAAAAA7o/8TIh7XHy_9Y/s320/Ron+LeHocky+hearts+013.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p><span style="font-family:arial;">To purchase one of these wonderful heart pins (which is what I suggest), </span><a href="mailto:%20%20rlehocky@bellsouth.net"><span style="font-family:arial;">contact Ron </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">and let him choose something special for you. It will be one of most rewarding $10 purchases you'll ever make.</span><br /><div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-48097428479883245852009-02-10T09:51:00.024-05:002009-02-10T20:08:13.535-05:00Heart Attacks<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZGVDX-0SnI/AAAAAAAAA6o/Q0YHr7ptraw/s1600-h/Marcia+mars+heart.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301182121601419890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZGVDX-0SnI/AAAAAAAAA6o/Q0YHr7ptraw/s320/Marcia+mars+heart.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Hearts are everywhere this time of year. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5417557">Marcia of Mars Design </a>has made two of my favorites. I love this translucent pendant with the heart accents.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301183802943378146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZGWlPd-kuI/AAAAAAAAA6w/iIWNPUJARN4/s320/Marcia+mars+peace+heart.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;">And what could be better than a piece of her rainbow peace heart cane?</span><br /></p><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301184702460968290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZGXZmbrvWI/AAAAAAAAA64/m1mZSlqCN2U/s320/David+revonav+heart.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5557954">David Revonav's</a> elegant earrings are perfect for a romantic Valentine's dinner. You know, the kind you enjoyed before kids and life happened to get in the way.</span><br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301188188965092242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZGakirCu5I/AAAAAAAAA7A/wbmCh1qob54/s320/Janet+Chickie+Girl+heart.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;">I love this piece from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6047">Janet of Chickie Girl Creations</a> . She has such a unique style.</span><br /></p><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301189756807621010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SZGb_zV1KZI/AAAAAAAAA7I/xmevynPsPd8/s320/Susanne+D+heart+ring.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/polyholic/">Germany's Susanne Dingendorf</a> created a liquid clay heart as the focal of this beautiful wire-wrapped ring.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's refreshing to see so many variations on the cookie cutter hearts from long ago. There's definitely no shortage of creativity in the polymer clay community!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-26831002184971346252009-02-02T16:00:00.007-05:002009-02-02T16:22:57.191-05:00Wes' World<span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SYdfZFnUZkI/AAAAAAAAA6g/jo3rq8kope8/s1600-h/Wes+Warren.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298308371233138242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SYdfZFnUZkI/AAAAAAAAA6g/jo3rq8kope8/s320/Wes+Warren.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">If the terms Warrenator, Reducerator, and Kochanator sound like something from another world to you, you may be right. These are all things found in the world of Canada's <a href="http://www.custommadebeads.com/index.htm">Wes Warren</a>, polymer clay adventurer, inventor, and cane-maker extraordinaire. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">He's made some recent posts <a href="http://caninable.blogspot.com/">on his blog </a>explaining some of the work involved in building extremely precise canes that weigh in at more than 7 pounds. And, believe it or not, bungee cords ARE involved!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YiLuf_xlT4">A recent YouTube video </a>offers a glimpse into his reduction methods. Prepare to be amazed! For more incredible photos, <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/beadopolis/">check out his Flickr site</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div> </div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-92142357882024050582009-01-28T10:20:00.013-05:002009-01-28T12:07:23.744-05:00A Face in the Crowd<span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SYB_-HBww0I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/TLV4hXlsxSw/s1600-h/Julie+Eakes+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296373866802758466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SYB_-HBww0I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/TLV4hXlsxSw/s320/Julie+Eakes+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Not only is "A Face in the Crowd" a great title for this blog entry, it's also the name of North Carolina's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eekski/">Julie Eakes' </a>new business. Here's a photo of some of the pieces that I've been lucky enough to collect over the past few years. This talented lady builds some of the most beautiful face canes I've ever seen.</span></div><div> </div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296375433828373010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SYCBZUpyEhI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/aDsfokTJz9o/s320/Julie+Eakes.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;">Her newest cane, which she writes about <a href="http://julieeakes.blogspot.com/">on her blog</a>, is based on a Da Vinci drawing. I think this one is my favorite so far. In addition to being so very talented, Julie is one of the nicest people I know and has a wonderfully fun personality. If you're lucky enough to live in the Albuquerque area, she's planning a class on face canes in March. Further information can be found <a href="http://julieeakes.blogspot.com/">on her blog</a>.</span></div><div> </div><div> </div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-69875066418433454732009-01-27T05:00:00.017-05:002009-01-27T05:00:00.857-05:00More off the cuff remarks<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX5r07YN8eI/AAAAAAAAA54/ZIrWeFDofeA/s1600-h/Eva+Ehmeir+cuff.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295788768870920674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX5r07YN8eI/AAAAAAAAA54/ZIrWeFDofeA/s320/Eva+Ehmeir+cuff.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I know it hasn't been that long since my last cuff post but, it's been long enough! Long enough for me to find and fall in love with some more fabulous new work. This "Decode" cuff from Austria's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoedlgut/">Eva Ehmeier </a>is so edgy and cool. Her work has such a clean, modern feel to it.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295790401513127506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX5tT9cc_lI/AAAAAAAAA6A/ZvxeXmY_oOE/s320/Rosanna+Ohlsson-Salmon.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/28536190@N08/">Rosanna Ohlsson-Salmon</a> is a charming polymer clay artist I just "met" yesterday on Flickr. She describes this wonderful mosaic cuff as something she "made on a rainy day." I describe it as absolutely delicious!</span></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295794803995406946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX5xUN-BcmI/AAAAAAAAA6I/e_g9kifyHG0/s320/Sylvie+cuff.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">French artist <a href="http://maniguette.canalblog.com/">Sylvie Peraud</a> has some wonderful new work on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maniguette78/">her Flickr site</a>, including this gorgeous bracelet. As usual, her work is beautifully designed and finished to perfection.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'm beginning to feel the urge to shovel out the mess in my studio and get back to work myself. Anyone have a small dump truck I can borrow?</span>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-33517615070138047942009-01-26T12:26:00.043-05:002009-01-26T19:58:40.613-05:00Ringing in the (Lunar) New Year!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX30VWqTgOI/AAAAAAAAA5M/boF3oimxsPI/s1600-h/Susan+ring.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295657384555020514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX30VWqTgOI/AAAAAAAAA5M/boF3oimxsPI/s320/Susan+ring.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Happy Chinese New Year! May the Year of the Ox be a healing one for all of us. Thanks to everyone who sent me get well wishes. I feel as if I've been gone forever but I believe I'm beginning to rejoin the land of the living due in part to all the beautiful new work I've been seeing online. Polymer clay rings, like this one from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6191262">Susan Turney</a>, are popping up all over the place.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295663588371512242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX35-drau7I/AAAAAAAAA5U/vUUMdaJzBi8/s320/Jana+ring.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://janarobertsbenzon.com/">Jana Roberts Benzon</a> has been on a recent ring making binge, as well. This one was made for the lucky man that happens to be her hairdresser.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295666759684288754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX383DvTcPI/AAAAAAAAA5c/efbT8NTvPCA/s320/Nemesia+ring.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">I ran across this ring from <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/nemetamorphosis/">Nemesia</a> while I was checking out some new photos on Flickr. She's been using recycled flatware to make spoon rings and other new jewelry. Very clever!</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295669369395652130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX3_O9q-piI/AAAAAAAAA5k/WsxUXMFF1oM/s320/Rings+017.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Seeing all of these rings reminded me of my own collection of rings that I've recently acquired from other artists. I gathered them together to take a group shot and realized just how many creative ways there are to construct these fun jewelry items. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5215200">Zsuzsa</a> made the green eye ring using a purchased adjustable metal ring blank. I've seen similar blanks for sale from various online companies. The small band ring in the foreground was made by <a href="http://web.mac.com/donna_kato/Site/Home.html">Donna Kato </a>who's been using some sort of ceramic base to form and bake her rings on. <a href="http://moodywoods.deviantart.com/gallery/">Leslie Blackford </a>sculpted this cool party animal and used an oversize o-ring for the band. The pretty ring with the flower cane slices was made by Kathy Caldwell, a member of the Kentucky/Tennessee Polymer Clay Guild. Below is a photo of the socket she confiscated from her husband's tool box and adapted for use as a form to both build and bake her rings on. I love this idea. It would be so easy to make rings in the exact size you need using this method.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295695632528918338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SX4XHrd5R0I/AAAAAAAAA5w/iWnrcb5vn30/s320/Rings+002.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I think a trip to the garage to look for a socket set is in order. Keep warm and stay creative!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Edited to add: If you'd like instructions on making the flower and leaf canes like the ones on Kathy's ring, <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/easy-polymer-clay-canes-bracelet/index.html">you can find them here</a>.</span>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-32390569038633227062008-12-02T09:22:00.014-05:002008-12-02T23:19:54.389-05:00Kudos to Will for bringing back neck scarves<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/STVpwueEL0I/AAAAAAAAAog/_wd7e6jXtOQ/s1600-h/Will+Ferrell+with+scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275238824363175746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/STVpwueEL0I/AAAAAAAAAog/_wd7e6jXtOQ/s400/Will+Ferrell+with+scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">It's been a while, hasn't it? Thanks so much for all the messages wondering if I've run off to the Caribbean with Vladimir, the pool boy. For those of you who've written and received no response or, a response that's so delayed, you don't even remember why you wrote to me in the first place, I apologize. I'm finding it difficult to maintain my usual pace.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">As much as I hate to do it, I have to admit that I'm not the bad-ass warrior I thought I was. For the past 2 or 3 years, I've had some pretty unpleasant symptoms that have progressively gotten worse. I shouldn't have waited so long to go to the doctor. Lesson learned. I've spent the past few months having a lot of tests and enjoying the anxiety that goes along with all of that. On Thursday, my under-performing whacked-out thyroid gland is being removed. I'm looking forward to a much healthier 2009 not only for myself but, for the rest of the country, too.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">As soon as I'm feeling up to it, I'll be back. In the meantime, I'm wishing all of you a happy and healthy holiday and all the good times you can handle.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-86050116664245171962008-10-16T09:51:00.008-04:002008-10-16T10:05:05.356-04:00Faeriology<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SPdHI1lDLaI/AAAAAAAAAoY/FW8Z1d-XhEY/s1600-h/Lesley+Polinko+ghost+fairy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257749307125345698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SPdHI1lDLaI/AAAAAAAAAoY/FW8Z1d-XhEY/s400/Lesley+Polinko+ghost+fairy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Pittsburgh's <a href="http://faeriology.com/">Lesley Polinko </a>is one of the most talented people I know. Besides being an incredible sculptor, she's an incredibly nice person with a fantastic sense of humor. You may have seen her "No Fear Sculpting" articles recently in <a href="http://polymercafe.com/"><em>Polymer Cafe</em> </a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/faeriology/">She has two pieces available right now on Ebay</a>, including this gorgeous ghost fairy just in time for Halloween. Be sure to check out the hot merman, too!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'm getting ready to head to Mammoth Cave for a retreat and workshop with the Kentucky Tennessee Polymer Clay Guild. Hope you have the perfect fall weekend!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-5839916991393492562008-10-03T15:13:00.012-04:002008-10-03T16:01:33.924-04:00Plum Perfect<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SOZvOHN1giI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/xconasacltw/s1600-h/Keila+Hernandez.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253008303620194850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SOZvOHN1giI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/xconasacltw/s400/Keila+Hernandez.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Iowa's <a href="http://khernandezart.blogspot.com/">Keila Hernandez </a>created her "Plum Blossom" necklace after being inspired by a Chinese painter she saw at Baltimore's ACC show. You can read more about the story <a href="http://khernandezart.blogspot.com/2008/03/pendants-take-2.html">here.</a> The initial pieces she made have merged into this lovely creation. Kelia's work continues to evolve and I 'm looking forward to seeing more beautiful things from her.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'd like to end what's been a pretty rotten week on a happy note. After months of dedication, hard work and an extraordinary amount of courage, our good friend <a href="http://silastones.blogspot.com/">Ponsawan Sila </a>finally has her daughter <a href="http://www.dearada.blogspot.com/">Ada </a>home again! Because Ada has lots of rehabilitation ahead of her and many special needs that must be met, Ponsawan and her family have had to remodel part of their home in order to care for her. This expense, added to the massive medical bills they've incurred, has become an additional burden on a family that's been through more than I can even wrap my brain around.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Give some thought to skipping the next 99 cent clay sale at Michael's and making a donation to help them start to heal. You can go <a href="http://www.dearada.blogspot.com/">to the blog that Ponsawan started for Ada and click on the link in the top left corner </a>to donate through Paypal.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Hope all of you have a wonderful fall weekend!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-40468256365508766962008-10-01T08:00:00.010-04:002008-10-01T14:37:42.502-04:00Let Freedom Ring!<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SONoofetV3I/AAAAAAAAAn8/nEA_mhVgVJg/s1600-h/Philly+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252156635298486130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SONoofetV3I/AAAAAAAAAn8/nEA_mhVgVJg/s400/Philly+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I haven't fallen off the face of the earth or anything and I appreciate the emails asking where I've been the last couple of weeks. I've been feeling a little wiped out and haven't spent much time on the computer since I returned from Philadelphia. I just wanted to take the time to offer a much belated thank you to one of the most wonderful polymer clay guilds out there. I had such an amazing weekend with the talented ladies in Philly and I got to see some incredible things while I was there. Standing so close to the Liberty Bell was just awe-inspiring and a very moving experience, especially in light of the fact that our country seems to be totally falling apart right now. Not really a big surprise considering the way things have been handled the past few years. That's my fleeting version of a political rant and I'm moving on to more pleasant topics now!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252244825204262098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SOO410evBNI/AAAAAAAAAoE/gIcLW4T5kEs/s400/Philly+038.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;">Returning to my weekend in Philadelphia, it was a total affirmation as to why teaching is so incredibly rewarding to me. This gorgeous necklace was made by Barbara Egnor of New Jersey. She approached me first thing Sunday morning to thank me for inspiring her to work in a more organic fashion and for giving her the incentive to abandon her previous ideas of what constituted "perfection". She was so sincere and I was moved to tears to have inspired someone to make something so incredibly special. This piece represented freedom of creativity to her and to me, as well. I think that's truly one of the best gifts we can be given in our artistic journeys. Thank you, Barbara, for allowing me to share this story, and to all the members of the <a href="http://www.papcg.org/">Philadelphia Polymer Clay Guild</a>, your talent, kindness, good humor and generosity will stay with me always. I'm so grateful to you all.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div> </div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984589010445976392.post-65978228104861414362008-09-18T03:00:00.003-04:002008-09-18T03:00:01.964-04:00Time in a Bottle<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SNF6blPIYAI/AAAAAAAAAn0/FOq-oMpIgBI/s1600-h/painting+with+alcohol+inks+065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247109655133970434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1tyojMSop00/SNF6blPIYAI/AAAAAAAAAn0/FOq-oMpIgBI/s400/painting+with+alcohol+inks+065.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm off to the City of Brotherly Love to share my love of polymer clay with the ladies of the Philadelphia guild. I'm leaving a day early so I can take some time to do a little sightseeing. I can't believe I'm going to be standing in front of the Liberty Bell tomorrow morning!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Here's a photo of my newest excuse to keep working with these organic chips. It reminds me of a sea slug. I have pages and pages of designs to try but, to borrow a line from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILf-54Smv9M&feature=related">an old Jim Croce song</a>, "there never seems to be enough time to do the things you wanna do once you find them . . "</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Have a great weekend!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div></div>Kim Cavenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14749328210288624099noreply@blogger.com7