OUR NEXT MEETING

We meet on a Zoom platform the 4th Saturday of the month at 12 noon. Meet & greet starts at 11:30am. Due to the Holidays there is no Zoom meeting in November. December we meet the second Saturday in December. We will post if a meeting is cancelled. We also have a Queen City Clayers Facebook page. Guild members have access to the Facebook guild group.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Poinsettia Cane class
















Here are some pictures I took at our last meeting. Unfortunately the Asheville crew couldn't make it because of the snow.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Meeting today is on

Hi Y'all,

We are having the meeting today. 12:30 at Expressive Impressions. Yeah, the ice is melting on this side of town!
Can't wait to see Julie's poinsettia cane. Now I have to rush and finish my bulls eyes.

Hope to see you all there.

Maggie

Friday, December 18, 2009

Meeting

Hi Y'all,

We will be making a decision about the meeting at 10:00 tomorrow. Hopefully the ice/snow will be showing signs of going away. We will post asap.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Meeting news

Hi Y'all,



The Queen City Clayers meeting is this Saturday, December 19th, 12:30 at Expressive Impressions. It's going to be lots of fun. A group of our BRPCG friends are coming from the Asheville area. Julie will be demonstrating her lovely Poinsettia cane.

The fun starts at 12:30.

Maggie

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Supplies for Sat Meeting


CLAY: You will need two oz of dark red and two oz of light red. Now if
you are afraid of mixing colors just bring 4 oz of red and about 1 oz of
white. What I hope to do is make sure that we have different shades of
red between all of us. So after we get together I will have some people
make their red lighter and some make their red darker. After we make
our skinner blends and leaf halves we can then trade with others so
everyone will not have to make all the of the shades. Get it? Ok you
will also need to bring green, black, gold, translucent and your
background color.
CANES: Bring two leaf canes if you have them. One will be used for the
holly and one for the poinsettia class. If you don't have any bring a
skinner blend that goes from dark green to light green. If we have time
we can make it into a leaf cane if you need the help.
GOLD LEAF
BASIC CLAY STUFF - pasta machine, acrylic roller, mat etc.

Supplies for Sat Meeting

CLAY: You will need two oz of dark red and two oz of light red. Now if
you are afraid of mixing colors just bring 4 oz of red and about 1 oz of
white. What I hope to do is make sure that we have different shades of
red between all of us. So after we get together I will have some people
make their red lighter and some make their red darker. After we make
our skinner blends and leaf halves we can then trade with others so
everyone will not have to make all the of the shades. Get it? Ok you
will also need to bring green, black, gold, translucent and your
background color.
CANES: Bring two leaf canes if you have them. One will be used for the
holly and one for the poinsettia class. If you don't have any bring a
skinner blend that goes from dark green to light green. If we have time
we can make it into a leaf cane if you need the help.
GOLD LEAF
BASIC CLAY STUFF - pasta machine, acrylic roller, mat etc.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Hi Y'all,

Our meeting tomorrow (November 21st)is at Expressive Impressions, 1:00. We are using Laurie's beautiful necklaces that are not polymer clay as an inspiration. Julie has been experimenting and the following are the supplies she said to bring.

"I would bring embossing powders, gold or silver leaf, stamps, texture plates, inks, paints and anything else you can think of to add surface techniques to clay. You should also bring some light colored conditioned clay. If we have time we can work on a new technique that I have been working on. You’ll need a deep stamp (I’ll bring some) some inks, some liquid black kato (again I’ve got some) and a heat gun."
Of course your clay tool kit is always needed - work surface, blade, pasta machine, hand wipes, etc.

Can't wait to see her new technique!
See you there.
Maggie

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Exciting news. Our own Julie Eakes has been invited by Donna Kato to instruct at the 2010 Clay Carnival. We know what a great teacher and artist she is. If you don't please check out her blog (see the link attached to this blog). Way to go Julie, Queen of face canes and all round talented artist.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Hi Y'all,

We had Our October 24th meeting at Expressive Impressions. Five of us were there. I brought information and the regristration sheet for the Kathleen Dustin workshop in Asheville in March.
Cheryl demonstrated how to make little elf heads and attach them to glass Christmas balls.
We all thought they were adorable. Great job Cheryl! Thanks for the balls too. Each one turned out different. So Cute. After that I demonstrated a different style of face making. Then we made more funny faces (no, not just at each other). Some of us also worked on other projects or shopped. After all we do meet in a great bead store.
It's surprising how fast 3 hours can go by when you are having so much fun.
Our next meeting will be November 21st. We will be doing a surface technique inspired by the beautiful necklace Laurie brought. More on that later.

Posted By Maggie

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Demo for Sat 24th. Santa's elf.

Here is the supply list for Cheryl's demo this Sat.

This Saturday we will be working on an Christmas Elf ornament. You will need to have all clay "conditioned":
1 block of flesh or beige color for face,
1 block of your favorite Christmas red color, or Christmas Green (this is for his Hat and Bow)
1 block of white
E-6000 or super glue2
black tiny glass marbles for his eyes
And of course your basic claying materials. If you want to make the full Elf also, you will need to bring both 1 block of red and green, 26 g wire for body, two little 1/16 balls of yellow and two 9/16"balls of brown for shoes and two brown ropes to wrap around each ankle. And a small strand of tiny Christmas lights to string in his hands. This will be a fun challenge for me in size and correct proportions. Wish me luck in finishing the actual Demo piece on time.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Erin Rose Fae


Inspired by the Wendy Froud's dvd "Creating a Faery Figure" dvd I made my first cloth dressed doll and named her Erin Rose Fae. Her dress is made of crinkled cotton and the bodice is formed from a piece of a belt I found. Her hair and braids are viscose and are adorned with tiny polymer clay roses. Her stand is a polymer clay "rock" path. She isn't perfect but I learned a lot from the dvd and making her. Can't wait to start my next one.

Maggie

Oct 24th Demo supplies

Hi everyone,
This Saturday we will be working on an Christmas Elf ornament. You will need to have all clay "conditioned":
1 block of flesh or beige color for face,
1 block of your favorite Christmas red color, or Christmas Green (this is for his Hat and Bow)
1 block of white
E-6000 or super glue
2 black tiny glass marbles for his eyes
And of course your basic claying materials. If you want to make the full Elf also, you will need to bring both 1 block of red and green, 26 g wire for body, two little 1/16 balls of yellow and two 9/16"balls of brown for shoes and two brown ropes to wrap around each ankle. And a small strand of tiny Christmas lights to string in his hands. This will be a fun challenge for me in size and correct proportions. Wish me luck in finishing the actual Demo piece on time.

Dragon Votive


This wonderful work of art, was presented by Maggie Westfall. She used a translucent polymer clay to cover the glass votive. The sculpted dragon is faux jade, made from translucent and a tiny amount of green, applied to the clay surface. Bits of imitation metal leaf and stamp designs complete the decoration around the rest of the votive. The dark base is made of polymer clay rings.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Dustin Workshop in Asheville

Here is the information I promised on the Kathleen Dustin workshop.
It is so exciting to have the opportunity to learn from one of the top polymer clay artist around. If you aren't familiar with her work check out her site. www.kathleendustin.com

Workshop Description and Details:
While making a pin or large bead, each student learns how to layer translucent
polymer clay to produce a rich depth of surface using image transfers,
permanent inks, simple millefiore, gold leaf and powder inclusions, carving,
sanding and buffing. At the same time, Kathleen presents basic artistic
principles to aid students in making decisions as they work with this involved
technique. This is an intermediate to advanced level workshop.
When: Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, 2010
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Avery Creek Community Center (directions on request)
Cost: $310 (BRPCG Members)
$350 (Non-BRPCG Members)
Payment schedule:
$50 Deposit due by November 1, 2009
One-half of remaining balance due by January 22, 2010
Remaining balance due March 15, 2010
Cancellation with full refund if cancelled by February 26, 2010
No refunds after February 26, 2010
Lunch: Potluck or $5 if coming from out of town
All Images ©2008 and used by
permission of artist
www.kathleendustin.com
Workshop contact:
Barb Verni-Lau
828-691-5879
gvernilau5@aol.com
THE BLUE RIDGE POLYMER CLAY GUILD IS PROUD TO
ANNOUNCE A 2-DAY WORKSHOP WITH RENOWNED ARTIST
Kathleen Dustin
Saturday, March 27 – Sunday, March 28, 2010
Asheville, North Carolina area
TRANSLUCENT TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN
DECISION PRINCIPLES
Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guild
Kathleen Dustin Workshop
Saturday, March 27 – Sunday, March 28, 2010
Registration Form
Please print or type all information
Personal Information:
Name:
Address:
City:
State & Zip Code:
Telephone
Number(s):
Email Address(es):
Payment Information:
TOTAL WORKSHOP FEE $310 (BRPCG Members); $350 (Non-Members) þ
Deposit: $50 (Due November 1, 2009) $
One-half of any remaining balance (Due January 22, 2010) $
Final remaining balance (Due March 15, 2010) $
Lunch (if not bringing a potluck dish): $5 (includes lunch for both days) $
Payment in Full $
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $
£ Place me on waiting list if class is full; hold any payment made.
£ Do not place me on waiting list if class is full: return any payment made.
LAST DAY TO CANCEL WITH FULL REFUND IS FEBRUARY 26, 2010
Make all checks payable to _________________________. Sorry, no credit cards.
Mail completed registration form (including check) to:
Barb Verni-Lau
473 S Turkey Creek
Leicester, NC 28748

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hi Y'all,





Our last meeting was so much fun. There were 5 of us there. We all shared finishing ideas, tips and tricks. Learned a lot and had fun doing it.

Our next meeting will be on the 24th of October. Cheryl will be demonstrating an Elf Holiday ornament. Can't wait. See you there.



BTW

I'd like to mention the Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guild is hosting Kathleen Dustin to teach 2 days in March. What an exciting opportunity to learn from one of the top polymer clay artist around.
A deposit is due November 1st. I will post more info soon.

Maggie

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Link on Cane Tutorials

Here is a link that I stumbled on. I think it has a lot of great tutorials. Some have to be translated others I can't figure out how to translate but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Here is the link http://www.naamaza.com/site/detail/detail/detailDetail.asp?detail_id=46688

Hope you enjoy looking though them as much as I did.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Kumihimo Loom

Thanks for all the great suggestions on finishing off polymer clay pieces. If you get tired of the buna or waxed linen, try making your own cords with the Kumiloom. Julie and Maggie got one Saturday from Expressive Impressions for only $8.00. Here are some good links to get you started - you can get as fancy as you want but with the intricate work you guys put into the polymer clay pendants and beads, a simple yarn or C-lon cord is perfect! I use hemp, C-lon, any and all yarns, eyelash yards, the scrapbooking yarn packs - great color and texture combos, ribbons, try anything! This should be enough to get you started - enjoy.


Braiders Hand


Kumihimo KumiLoom Braiding Instructions - video tute


Orion's Plummage - Practical Braid

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Hi Y'all,

Our last meeting was so much fun. Julie kept us moving fast on making flower canes. She even brought play dough so we could try the play dough reduction technique. What a hoot. It works too.
Our next meeting will be on finishing techniques. Bring your beautiful baked clay pieces that you don't know what to do with. You will also need to bring your clay kit (work surface, rollers, pasta machine, blades, liquid polymer clay) clay to make "frames" , wet/dry sand paper- 400, 600 and 800 grit, small container for water, wire and tools (round nose, flush cutters, chain nose pliers, etc.) for wire wrapping and bale making.
Julie, Cheryl do you have anything to add to the supply list?

Thursday, August 13, 2009












FuN, fUn, Fun! Here we are claying away at the July Meeting. In the first picture is Kathy. Then the second picture has Julie and Brenda. The third one is Brenda and Maggie. Laurie is in the fourth picture, and Julie again, all is having a great time.



more supplies

I forgot to include translucent and scrap clay. Also bring a small bowl and a soft toothbrush. We are going to try out a new technique.

Supplies for August 15th meeting

We will be doing flower and leaf canes at our August meeting. In addition to your usual clay supplies bring some skinner blends in some pretty flower colors. Example - pink to light pink, yellow to white, blue to white etc. Also bring some green skinner blends for the leaves. Use about half a package for each color in the blends. Leave them as slabs instead of rolling up into plugs. You will need shades of green clay for the leaves, some gold and browns and white and black clay. Since we are doing caning I would highly recommend a stiffer clay like Kato or Premo. See you then!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Hi everyone,



I'm running behind as usual posting about our July 25th meeting.

We had it a Expressive Impressions on S. Tryon as usual.

There were 6 of us there. Brenda, Julie, Cheryl, Laurie, Kathy and Maggie(me).

We had a very short discussion of guild business. Show and tell followed. Julie showed off her latest Maasai woman cane and beaded pieces from her trip to Africa, Brenda has been busy making photo transfers, Cheryl and I showed off our turtles from last time. After that Julie did a demonstration of a really cool technique using a skinner blend.
We all left with pretty little pieces to use. Laurie took some photos of the meeting so hopefully we can get them posted soon. A fun time like always. Sharing and learning and laughing. That's what makes clay guilds so great.
Our next meeting is on August 15th. We will be demonstrating flower and leaf cane techniques
so we will have pieces to use for our September Demo on finishing polymer clay jewelry. We have had many requests for both of these so don't miss it.
Submitted by Maggie

Monday, July 20, 2009

July Meeting

In addition to your usual clay items you will need three colors that will make a nice skinner blend. You will also need some white and black clay. A 2oz block of each should do it. See you on Saturday!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

June meeting report

Our June 20th meeting at Expressive Impressions had 5 people there including new member Linda. Linda is a neighbor of Brenda Branson and an art teacher. She is already well into polymer clay and brought lots of show and tell. Cute dragons, turtles, mermaids, dolls and more.
Also there were Kathy (new member in May), Cheryl, Julie and Maggie.
Julie, fresh from her class with Kathleen Dustin, Africa and Shrinemont, had lots of things to ooh and aah over. The eye candy just kept coming. Apparently she had a marvelous time at all 3 places and is getting offers to teach her face canes all over the country.
The business discussion of the meeting was short as usual. Cheryl brought some books with cute little Christmas things in them. We voted and are going to do an elf for October.
After business we started conditioning our clay making skinner blend bullseyes for the CF inspired turtle. It's so much fun when little balls of clay turn into something amusing. And everything is better with cane slices and beads on top. Everyone left with their own very unique turtle.
We twisted Julie's arm a little and she will do our demo for July 25th (our next meeting). Check back for details.
Feel free to let me know if I missed anything.
Posted by Maggie

Thursday, June 11, 2009

May meeting report, June meeting announcement

Hi everyone,

Sorry it's taken me so long to get this meeting report out. The Queen City Clayers met on May 30th at Expressive Impressions. We had 5 people there. Me (Maggie), Cheryl, Laruie and 2 new faces (Kathy and Larua). Both are tallented clayers. Kathy found us from our listing in PolymerCafe. Laura has taken classes from Irene Dean where she met Bridgette from the BRPCG who told her about us. We discussed the possiblility of getting QCC business cards, and developing a logo. We did show and tell then since it was a clay play day went to doing own things. I made a torso for necklace display. Cheryl worked on a faux lampwork bead. Kathy mixed a ton of colors. Larua made canes from a skinner blend canes and a cute little head which she suggested should go on the rather large torso I was working on. Laurie worked on framing little glass tile covered pictures with polymer clay. We all had such a good time the meeting time went before we realized it. Thanks to Expressive Impressions for letting us meet there.

Our next meeting will be June 20th, 1:00 at Expressive Impressions. We will be trying Christi Friesen inspired turtles. Bring what ever clay colors you want for turtles. I suggest at least 2 or 3 and beads for the eyes if you like.
Hope to see you all there.
Maggie

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

May Meeting

Hi Everyone,
This month's Guild meeting is on the 30th of May. We encourage everyone to bring their current Polymer Clay project to the meeting to work on; or "If" your stuck on a idea or need some help with a project that hasn't been completed bring it, and we can try to help you with a solution. : ) So if you haven't had time to Clay around lately, here is some time away from all the distractions to have some fun. Next month, Maggie will be presenting a Christi Friesen inspired Turtle.
Christi Friesen work has been shown in many popular magazines and in her new book: Polymer Clay and Mixed Media together at last! Here is her website: http://www.cforiginals.net/
Please take a look at her wonderful works of Art and more.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Hi Y'all,

Time's fun when you're having flies, er i mean time flies.......
Our meeting is this Saturday (the 25th)
Since most of us missed the last hidden magic demo by Sharon Solly, Cheryl Smith has agreed to show it to us so check out last months supply list and come join us. I couldn't attend the last meeting and am looking forward to learning this fun looking method.
1:00 at Expressive Impressions.
Maggie

Saturday Meeting- April 25th

Hello Eveyone,

Due to several members unable to attend the meeting last month. We are going to redo the Demo. Here is the turorial for the technique that is going to be shown again at the meeting.
you can find it here:
http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/archives/2008/09/08/10290126.html
This is a very fun version of Mokume Gane called Hidden Magic. (For a picture of my competed work see last months post)
Please bring the necessary supplies so you can "participate and learn " the technique. Along with your basic polymer clay kit.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday. Please remember if the weather
is nice to dress cool, the room does get a bit warm. Especially when we turn on the oven.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Hidden Magic



Here is the Hidden Magic Technique I made in the March meeting! Sharon Solly demo'd this technique provided by Parole de Pate (http://paroledepate.canalblog.com/) she was so very kind to provide the English translation. Even though the pictures were so good you could have followed the instruction without the words. Thank you Sharon for demonstating this wonderful technique. I decided to make a bracelet out of my shavings. This is my first successful attempt at making this Bracelet. I plan to put it in the Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guilds silent Auction at there next meeting. Which happens to their fun filled ClayDay next Saturday.

Queen City Clayers next meeting will be April 25th at 1pm at Expressive Impressions. The April Demo has yet to be decided, will post when available.

Sharon Solly has been published several times in Polymer Cafe, to view her art go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharonsolly
If interested in the Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guild's ClayDay on April 11th go to:http://www.brpcg.com/

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Exciting news:
We are meeting on the 28th at Expressive Impressions and we will have guests from the BRPCG. Bridget Downey and Sharon Solly are coming. Sharon is going to do the demo on "Hidden Magic" , a french version of Moku magane (sp?). Sharon has been published in Polymer Cafe and seen on Polymer Clay Daily. She is a wonderful talented teacher. Bridget is a talented clayer and lots of fun. Hope you get to come meet them.

Supply list to follow.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

January meeting, February meeting info

Hi Y'all,

I'm so bad at this I should be fired! Anyone want to take over?
Our last meeting was on January 24th at Expressive Impressions. We had 5 there including 2 new people. Linette and Ellen. Welcome. Show and tell included Julie's latest cane and bracelets. I brought a box and inro pendant make from the faux brocade technique from our previous meeting. As you can see from Cheryls photos the demo she did was translucent layered beads. She started with translucent skinner blends and went through making all the canes. Great job Cheryl! What a busy fast moving time. 4 hours just disappeared. The beads are so fun to make and even prettier in person.

Our next meeting is on February 21st , 1:00 at Expressive Impressions. Julie is going to demonstrate color mixing.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Translucent Bead


Here is a look at my first attempt of a Translucent Bead. On January 24th, Queen City Clayers Guild will work on the canes to put together this intricate layering effect and complete a finished Bead.
Maggie's wonderful artwork. The raspberry bracelet demostrates mokume gane technique. As the blue Bracelet features a Brocade technique which Maggie demonstrated in our November Guild Meeting.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

January 24 Meeting

At the next meeting on January 24, we will be making Translucent Overlay Beads.
Using Donna Kato's Translucent Skinner Blend Striped Canes as shown
in her new book " The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques". We
will make a Translucent Dot Cane, Translucent/White Jellyroll Cane,
Mokume Gane Translucent/Foil Cane, and Colored Translucent Skinner
Blend/Stripped Cane. These canes are needed to make Translucent
Overlay Beads.

Supply List includes:
*6 -7 packs of Conditioned translucent clay (DO NOT combine packs,
keep each pack separate after conditioning)
*Make 4 different Translucent colors. Mix 1 pack of already
conditioned translucent clay to a small amount of colored clay.
(i.e.. Translucent green, or translucent blue)
*1-2 packs of Conditioned White clay
*1 pack of Conditioned Black clay
*Foil i.e JonesTones ( I will be bring mine if you don't have any
foil)
*Basic Polymer Clay kit (i.e. roller, table mat, cutting blade,
pasta machine, knitting needle to smooth cane, & Polyester Batting to
bake bead on)
It will take a little time to make the Translucent Skinner
Blend/Stripped Canes, so please have your Clay Conditioned prior to
the meeting.
If you have any questions, just let me know. Well I look forward to
seeing you all, and hearing about your Holiday. Our meeting place has
downsized, so please let us know if your are coming on the 24th.
Claying away,
Cheryl

Monday, January 5, 2009

Congrats to Julie

Congratulations to Julie for not only creating her own really cool blog, complete with pics and instructions but also getting mentioned on Polymer Clay Daily. She is on her way to fame and we will be able to say we knew her when.


Maggie

Friday, January 2, 2009

January meeting

Hi y'all,
I've been really bad about posting. Busy/lazy. Our next meeting is scheduled for January 24th at the newly downsized Expressive Impressions. Same location but the showroom will be the former classroom and the classroom is in what used to be the office. The entrance will be from the balcony. We will be doing a translucent cane covered bead and will have a supply list soon.
I have been remiss about posting a meeting report for our last meeting November 22nd.
We had such a great time. Sharon Solly, VP of the BRPCG and famous for her articles in Polymer cafe came all the way from Asheville to join us. She is so talented, such a natural and generous teacher. And a real hoot to be around. Thank you Sharon for joining us.
We also had another talented guest. Jan from Charlotte. Welcome Jan. Brenda, Cheryl, Julie and Maggie (me) were there also. Julie brought her amazing new face cane and other things along with tales from Clay Carnival in Los Vegas. Sounds like she had a blast.
We agreed to not collect dues this year until /unless we need them for room rent or supplies.
We had a ball doing the faux brocade technique. It's amazing to see other clayers choices of stamps and colors. Each turns out different. All in all it was an afternoon full of laughs and learning.