Philippine Polymer Clay Guild "Under the Sea Challenge

This September, the Philippine Polymer Clay guild revealed another one of their challenges named "Under the Sea". The challenge is to create a project inspired by the sea.



Challenge Cover

 I have always loved ocean-themed pieces. And for this challenge, I decided to go back to something I really love doing - Steampunk! Inspired by Jules Vernes' 20,000 leagues under the sea novel. I decided to do an underwater scene with the Nautilus exploring the ocean floor, discovering the mysteries of the sea.

First, I conceptualized a design for my entry.

Concept drawing of my piece

Then I started doing the elements of the bracelet. I started with a background of foil and alcohol inks and made my own polymer clay bezels. Then I hand-sculpted the steampunk octopus extending his arms all throughout the panel, injected the submarine, and incorporated metal findings with designs of a fish and starfish (I also tinted it with alcohol inks) and watch gears.

Raw panels of the bracelet

I finished the bracelet with a coat of UV Resin then assembled it with glass beads.

I named this piece DEEP SEA DELIGHT.




Deep Sea Delight Bracelet


To quote Jules Verne: "The sea is the vast reservoir of Nature. But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence quenched, and their power disappears. Ah! sir, live--live in the bosom of the waters! There only is independence! There I recognise no masters! There I am free!"

Fortunately, I was one of the winners of this challenge. Ms. Marie Segal, an internationally-renowned Polymer Clay Artist, was invited by the Guild to judge.



Letter by Ms. Marie Segal to the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild challenge participants

 Please visit our Guild's facebook page to view all of the wonderful pieces made by our members at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.546296788757613.1073741829.172264889494140&type=1

Our little bundle of Joy

The reason why I have been so quiet with my blog posts lately (besides being busy with my day job) is we recently received a blessing from God.

 

Me, my hubby and baby Sophie during our vacation in Coron, Palawan



We're blessed with a little bundle of Joy due on the later part of 2013!

Last Sunday, even it was raining hard in Manila, some of my friends from the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild threw a surprise baby shower for me. My husband was the accomplice. It was held at the Bizu Patisserie in Greenbelt 2, Makati. Here are some of the photos:

 

Group picture while eating

 

Games Galore!





My yummy afternoon tea set



Sponsored treats from our friend





Serving dessert :)



The girls (and kids) of P3 :)

Excited parents-to-be

  

One more picture before going home

Thank you guys for making this a special day for my family. 

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild "Mosaic Challenge"

It has been a long while since my last post. A very nice and big suprise came our way last March that my claying activities took a back seat.

Anyway, please let me share our guild's challenge for the month of July. Our theme was Mosaic.

The guild's album cover

For this challenge, I decided to make a new technique using tinted liquid clay as a medium to "paint" a picture to polymer clay. I was inspired to make a Buddha image for the design of my bracelet bangle from my recent trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Buddha bangle bracelet

When worn

But since you cannot appreciate the design due to the irregular design of the bangle, I decided to make another mosaic piece using a card holder as my blank canvas. This time my design is a koi pond.

Mosaic Koi pond Card holder

But I did not submit this though.

Until my next polymer clay adventures!