Philippine Polymer Clay Guild "Finger puppet Challenge"

For the month of October, the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild conducted a halloween-themed finger puppet challenge.

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild album cover

I was thinking about what character to do for this challenge over lunch, when our black cat, Tonton, appeared at my side, begging for table food.

How can you resist these begging eyes :)

Since halloween is all about witches, ghouls, ghosts, etc. I decided to make Tonton my muse.

Design sketches for my puppet character using Paper by 53 (I love this app!)

Using a metal thimble for the base, I sculpted the cat first then added the broom and the pumpkin on

each side. Here's the finished product:

Feline Familiar by Crazy Notions

I named my piece "Feline Familiar" since black cats are known to be a witch's familiar.

For more entries, visit our facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.561532347234057.1073741830.172264889494140&type=1

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

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!

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild "Artist Trading Card" Challenge

This post is long over due already. But nevertheless, let me share with you my entries to our Guild's Artist Trading Card challenge. The challenge is to select a polymer clay artist, interpret their style via the ATC. My theme for this is fairy tales:

1. Once Upon a Time - (inspired by Ms. Laurie Mika) One of my favorite adaptation of the classic fairy tale "Cinderella" was "Ever After". Using Da Vinci's painting, I created a framed design utilizing the mosaic technique.


Once Upon a Time


2. Part of your World - (Inspired by: Mandarin Moon) Want to live under the sea? With all the corals and sea weeds? This is my adaptation of "The Little Mermaid", mandarin moon-style.



Part of Your World

3. The Princess and the Pea - (Inspired by: Ms. Sara Jane Helm) Ever slept on top of hundreds of mattresses and still not be comfortable? Such a princess indeed! Ms. Sarah Jane Helm's works on polymer clay quilts is the inspiration to this artist trading card.


The Princess and the Pea

Until the next P3 challenge!


Saturday Claying Day

I have been a very busy bee today and finished projects. I also got the chance to try out Ms. Rocky Villegas-Antonio's Carved Cuff technique. Since I only got 3 sets of push molds, I tried to maximize what I have. (Note to self: Hoarding of clay supplies should include more push molds hahaha!)  I used translucent clay, applied with alcohol inks, then added patina after baking. 


And here's the finished item:

"Tribes" bracelet

On my arm :)

Although I should have used less alcohol inks. Oh well, maybe next time.


Here's the link to the tutorial so that you can try it out:


http://theclayingmommy.blogspot.com/2012/01/tutorial-carved-cuff.html

TV stars for a day

Yesterday, me and a bunch of my clay buddies, were fortunate to be included in a TV segment for a show in a local network. The segment was all about the rising polymer clay craft here in the Philippines and how easy it is to make a business out of it even in the comforts of your own home. I was joined by fellow Philippine Polymer Clay Guild artists Melody Felipe (Purplenook) and Roselle Cruz (The Clay Artist).

Here are some screen shots of our TV shoot:


Playing around before the arrival of the TV crew (From Left to Right: Jessica Hernandez of Johz Co. Clay, me, Rochelle Diccion of Little Rock and Roselle Cruz of The Clay Artist)



Melody Felipe of Purplenook in action!



Taking a "Chicka" break



My turn on the spotlight



Interview portion



Demonstrating a flower tutorial



Outdoor shots with our products

You can watch our episode via this link:
 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/113545/ang-paggawa-ng-fashion-accessories-na-gawa-sa-polymer-clay?ref=vid_item_title

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild Steampunk Heart Challenge

To celebrate the month of love, the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild posted a Steampunk Heart Challenge.


But first, what is steampunk?
"Steampunk has always been first and foremost a literary genre, or least a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy that includes social or technological aspects of the 19th century (the steam) usually with some deconstruction of, reimagining of, or rebellion against parts of it (the punk)..."
  - excerpt from http://www.steampunk.com/what-is-steampunk/


This is my interpretation of the steampunk heart. Taking inspiration from Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. I called this "Kraken on Capt. Nemo's Heart Submarine".

Front Portion of the Pendant

I used a glass cabochon to simulate a ship's porthole with watch gears inside. Then added a blue kraken trying to attack the sub. I also incorporated some rusted screws to finish the effect.


I love copper patina! I tried to simulate that finish with mica powders, chalk pastels and inka gold.

Back Portion of the Pendant

I enjoyed this challenge very much and I can see myself be obsessed with this for the weeks to come.


Watch out for more claying adventures!

Philippine Polymer Clay Guild "Apatchies" Challenge

As promised here are my entries for our Guild's "Express yourself in APATCHIES* Challenge".

Album cover c/o yours truly :)

First let me explain what APATCHIES mean. 

    " APAT means four in Filipino. APATCHIES is a play on the words four inchies. An inchie is a small piece of art; a snippet of self-expression. In this challenge, ALL MEMBERS were asked to express themselves in 4 separate inchies." - Angeli Del Rosario, P3 Publicity Head

And here are my entries:

I used my favorite media with scrap / black clay: alcohol inks with gold foil, inka gold, mica powders and canes. What does this mean? Well, it shows my different personalities: I can be earthy, sparkly and fiery, and I love nature.

Want to view more? Go to our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.292184090835552.68120.172264889494140&type=3 to see more of the creative ways we expressed ourselves through our Apatchies.

Until our next challenge for Valentine's Day!

These are not my P3 Inchies Entries

Finally, I finished my inchies way ahead of time and I created extras for me. Actually, these are experimental in nature which thankfully turned out to be really good.

Extra Inchies!

These are made from black / scrap clays, metallic foil, alcohol inks, mica powder and inka gold!

Will post my final Inchies when we reveal it in our guild on February 8.

Inchies: Work in Progress

Our Guild's January challenge is to submit 4 pcs. Inchies expressing ourselves. Inchies are 1" x 1" works of art which can be made from paper, polymer clay, fabric, etc. For some countries, these served as a "Calling card" for their works, so people can take a sneak peek to their talented world.


I really haven't decided on what to do but I made some caned leaves and petals which I planned to incorporate to my design.

Lily petal from Kael Mijoy's tutorial

Caned Leaves (fresh batch!)

I'll keep you updated when this progresses.

Happy Claying!

Global Pinoy Bazaar 2011

Last November 5-6, 2011, the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild participated in the Global Pinoy Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent, Makati. This was the reason why I have been so quiet lately.


It was attended by 12 P3 artists: Nikka Dimaano of Anuanu, Alex & Ella Junia of Thought of You, Melody Manalaysay of Crafting Time!, Jennifer Cruz of Purpleluggage, Jessica Hernandez of Johz Co. Clay, Roselle Gusilatar-Cruz of The Clay Artist, Penny Ilagan of Earthly Jewels, Melody Felipe of Purplenook, Eliezl Panlilio of BeautynBeads, Gin Rose Caballero of Genty's Clay Haven, Paula Arceo-Esguerra of Kinkclay and yours truly.


Here are some pictures of my clay creations sold at the Bazaar:

Applique Dahlia Watch Lockets

Earrings Galore!

Flower Necklaces

Steampunk Heart lockets

The Howl & the Fusiket Watch locket collection and Marine Life Watch locket collection (My first try at Resin) 

Reversible Bracelets

And here are the pretty ladies of the Philippine Polymer Clay Guild:

The crowd at Rockwell Tent:

A candid shot of me:

Me and my sister at my booth:

Had so much fun working with these girls :) I also want to thank all the P3 guild members for the support. Some dropped by the venue, the others brought us some nourishment :) and some are rooting for us in our Facebook page. Special mention to Ms. Joyce Tan of Pinaycrafter who made all of these possible. I salute you ladies!


Until our next Bazaar! :)

P3 October Challenge

Belated Halloween to all :) I have been so busy preparing for our Global Pinoy Bazaar that I have been neglecting my blog duties. Anyway, let me share with you my entry in our October Something Spooky -Guessing Game challenge.


I decided to do a Gargoyle sculpture. And here how I created him:

I named him Gerry the Gargoyle :)


Happy Claying everyone :)