Winter Blues

Looks nice hunh?

Winter Blues I am sure you have heard of them but have you really noticed when they are present in your life?

I have been in a funk this past week and have spent my final Christmas gift card in the hopes that it would cheer me up a little.

I was also able to participate in a quick Z Net buy with the bulk buying group I am in. I plan on making gifts for family and friends in Lebanon for gifts when we visit this summer. Its going to be hard to let go of the turquoise ones they are reallllyy nice quality.

The reason for the bead purchase now is that I am in a funk and thought they may get my muse goosed quickly. I have a problem with the delayed satisfaction when working with clay. With beads you can string a cool necklace, bracelet and earring set in an evening, with clay my cane is still resting.

This week while talking to people I realized that many are in some kind of a seasonal funk I am not the only one. We just don’t get enough sunlight in the winter months here in the North East we are like hibernating bears.

This is my view now sitting on the couch with the laptop but positioning myself so the sun is beating down on me. I can’t be out in it I have no desire to play in the snow but I know my body needs some rays. Whatever you do at the work table take a few minutes and sit where you can get some sunrays. On the couch, in the car with the heater on because it is cold, whatever you can do to get some rays just do it.

If you do this for just minutes a day in a few days you will feel the funk lifted and your creativity will be spurred without spending money to stimulate your muse. Try it you will like it.

Project 365 Pro App Drawing

This week it is not about the clay but rather an app that is near and dear to my heart. If you don’t want to see way to much of family and my day-to-day life then stop reading now. Another thing I am surprised about is how the topic turned to art and being creative if I just take the moment to look.

If you follow the blog you know my favorite app is Project 365. The tagline is take a picture a day and see your life in a whole new way. Here are a few of my pictures of the day in the last 11 months and the stories of course to go with them.

I have to start with the first one. New Phone I am in bed playing with it and the app, I tried to take a picture and upload it to make sure I could indeed use such app, when the phone fell out of my hands while taking the picture. I decided that if I could upload successfully and use the app daily it could only go uphill from there. Boy did it ever .

Hubby made shakes one day and they were truly a work of art. Picture of the day and new picture when hubby calls me. Several times a week when he calls I of course answer by saying before anything “hey baby whats shaken?” All because of Project 365 (sniff sniff).

My son using my clean work table to make a duct tape wallet. Turned out pretty good but he wouldn’t let me take one of it completed.

Hubby on his birthday. Doesn’t he look like he wants to start trouble? A kid at heart always.

My first Clay Swap Mailing last year.

This is the first time family members other than hubby and son referred to the app. As family from Vermont was leaving the driveway I was snapping a photo and one of them rolled down the window and asked if that was my picture of the day? They loved looking at my pictures of the day that I had taken so far for the year.

I knew it would not take long for my son to refuse to allow him to be my picture of the day.

Sometime in the last 10 days my Project 365 app stopped working. I was having withdrawal I needed to take my picture of the day. I had taken one and seen my life in a whole new way. I gave it a couple of days…still taking my picture and knowing that one day soon I would just be able to go back and fill it in (one of the great features of the app by the way). I mean everyone forgets every once in a while. I gave it as long as I could then e-mailed the support e-mail provided.

I got a really nice response from the company they said that the updates were complete and it would again be available in the app store. There was more in the e-mail I will give you my impression of it.

I felt like the individual was an artist. I sit with my clay and beads and findings, he sits with his computer creating a work of art for the world to either embrace or not. How many times have you just been so scared, tired, wanted to give up a project because it just was not turning out right or not being received in the way you thought it should.How many hours have you spent at your work table and you did not like what came off of it no matter how hard you tried?

 How many times in life do we hit that wall?

More important how do we get past the wall?

Now this is so frustrating because I have the perfect picture to illustrate getting over the wall and being successful but I can not access the app to find out who these 5 Superbowl Rings belong to I forgot. You see the app is available but they are working through bugs with the program that arose in January. I am waiting for the technical issues to be resolved. I know they will because of the dedication the team has.

Another success was the night when I won first place in the TDBank bowling night.

These puzzle pieces were a great success. It took a few trips to Home Depot to get the right metal for the shaping.

This is one that was not so successful. Hubby tried to make a water thing instead of buying the one seen on tv (and in Home Depot).

This one is more crazy than successful. It is Roseanne at the end of the year party for her son. She said at one point there had to have been more than 50 of them there. I wanted to get all the kids in the yard but we decided it may be better just her since they are teenagers.

If you have an I phone  I highly recommend you get this app. You will be amazed at how it will become part of your everyday life. They have the free version and the pro account.

Use it while you are out and about in your daily life. You will be able to look back at the memories. This one is of the Taco Bell employee at the drive in window. I took a picture of her……explaining to son why not it will make her happy and smile why not come on she will like it.  We got home, no nachos in the bag. Son of course said that was what I got for taking her picture. He still reminds me about that one every once in a while. Project 365!

How often in life do you get to see a Scooby Doo Van?

Beer and Cigarettes anyone?

Internet connection?

While hubby was out-of-town and could not see the flowers blooming I took pictures of the day for him to see all of his hard work.

Almost every picture taken has been taken with the intention of using it for the picture of the day. I am sure some of them would not have been taken if Project 365 did not exist. I highly recommend you get this app if you have an I Phone.

I can not wait for them to get the bugs fixed so I  can have access to this wonderful app again. I know they will do it and getting a lot of queries because of its popularity while working through the issues.

There are so many more pictures.

Lady Ga Ga.

Sons first time eating Sushi.

Playing Farmville with Roseanne and Wendy we laughed so hard we literally almost wet our pants. I am proud to say I have quit!

The time I learned my son likes the inside of french bread and I like the outside.

All the pictures of the day from Lebanon especially the lower grotto and the eggs in the light.

U Save Rent A Car.

Dallas Cowboys tickets.

I have some wonderful memories of my Son. His first day of High School.

Sons first time driving my car in the parking lot.

The time he told me he does not like Kebabs which is all we eat when we bbq.

His memorable grocery list.

The time when he found a 5 lb bag of Tater Tots and insisted that was the picture of the day.

I could go on and on and  but I think the best way for you to know how great of an app it is will be to let you  try it for yourself. There will be a drawing and 5 individuals who would like the app will be able to get the Pro Version as a gift from me. Let it change 5 lives if it can not be a part of mine until the bugs are fixed. I am taking my picture still and will go back and fill in when they are fixed.

Rules

1. You must have an I Phone.

2. You must know how to use said I Phone.

3. You need a  valid Pay Pal account as it is the preferred method of payment.

4. You will receive confirmation that you are a winner and then when you provide proof of payment you will be reimbursed via Pay Pal. You must purchase the app and then will be refunded within 5 to 7 business days.

  5. Drawing will be held February 14 2011 as my way of sharing the love .

To enter in the drawing simply leave a comment on this post.

Rock Purse Tutorial

Next swap is a Rock Purse Swap at City O Clay

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CITY-o-Clay/

Since I felt my free tutorials could use a good one since last weeks inspiration I have been contemplating doing one. I really thought about it and was going to do it, then I changed my mind to maybe, then I definitely was not going to do it, then the blizzard of 2011 hit. TDBank America’s Most Convenient Bank never closes and they did the day after hubby went out-of-town. There was no reason NOT TO DO IT!

 I mean what could my tut be that has not already been done, do I have anything new to say or do that has not been already seen? When I realized that was the fear in me talking (I could list 10 reasons for why not) I got over myself and just did it. I can tell you there were a couple of times I sat there looking at my clay table, or just after I messed up a step (mess up kept in BTW) I could have quit but did not. I encourage you to face your fear and just try something, anything you would not normally do. The sense of accomplishment you will feel will give you the power to succeed in life no matter what you try. As my clay mentor Nj says Baby Steps.

For your claying pleasure on behalf of the snow here is my version of a Polymer Clay Rock Purse. This is the no frills version to school you on the basics the touches are yours to interpret. Next time you have a snow day consider trying one for yourself. The worst thing that could happen is that you learn you do not like making rock purses, but at least you know how to make them!

I decided I would take what I know and sit down and work with the clay the way it felt it needed to be worked with taking pictures along the way.  Please note there were times son was not receptive to the scream from mom “Fouad can you come in here and take a picture of ….me holding the pliers trying to yank the rock out under the water” lol. Some are taken by me when clearly I could have used another set of hands.

Step 1. To make a rock purse start by choosing a rock. You need to consider the size of the rock and the end result which I can tell you is a heck of a lot bigger than what you start out with. Consider that very carefully before proceeding. Also when choosing a rock you want one that is smooth and uniform in size. The first rock I chose was too big when finished so this time I used rocks that were 2 inches long by 1 1/4 inches wide and another that was 1 1/2 inches long by 1 inch wide. I am trying two to see which finished size I like best. And if I mess up on one I will have the other to teach you with lol.

Again you want to make sure you get them as uniform as possible. I can not stress enough how important your rock choice is. 

Here is an example of a bad rock choice.

Step 2. Okay you got your rock now you need to roll out your inner layer mine was rolled on 3. I chose black and blue because I think that inside color will work well with my designs. You can use any coordinating colors that you want. This layer will be the inside color of your Rock Purse.

Step 3. You need to use a release agent so your clay won’t stick to the rock. There are many you can use cornstarch, armour all, repel gel, I choose Pearlex because it would give my rock a nice inside color. Thanks Kay for the tip.

Step 4. Wrap your clay around the rock but leave any excess at this time. Your goal in this step is to see how much clay you need to cover your rock.

Step 5.  Now ou will cut away the excess clay. You want enough to wrap fully around the rock so do not cut off too much.

Step 6. Flatten the edges where the clay meets. No not worry you have too much or if it is square the idea for this step is to get the two sides to go together even with the Pearlex powder you put on. Remember that is a release agent so squeeze hard.

Step 7 Cut away any excess being careful not to cut too much off with your Exacto knife.

Step 8.  When you cut there may be areas that try to separate. Dont worry, just keep squeezing them together until they form together.

Step 9. Continue to smooth until you get the ends to form around the rock. Your fingers will work well for this step. If the clay gets too warm then just throw it in the freezer for a few to firm up. I just sat mine on the stairs in the snow lol the clay wanted to play in the snow .

Step 10. When trying to mold and cut the base layer you will feel the clay not totally going to the rock. This is okay it means your release agent is working well. Keep forming and squeezing and trimming excess until you like the form around the rock and it is smooth. If you get air bubbles while working then just poke with your knife or some other sharp object to make a small hole for the air to escape through.

Cutting information is varied and the decision to cut before baking or after baking is yours as are the holes for your string. There does not seem to be much difference it is more of a personal choice. I am choosing to cut BEFORE I bake and to drill my holes. If you do not want to then please change the directions to suit your claying style. I am choosing to cut before I bake because I feel this will give me more control to get a straight line and if I mess up the cut with unbaked clay I can fix it easier. I am choosing to do my holes after with my Dremel because that tool gives me what I need for the finish. Some want to cut and do the holes differently do what you think will work best for you and if it does not work for you then try it the opposite way.

Step 11.   For my cut I do a pre cut or score with my blade and make sure I like the way it looks. This is just a light mark to see where the cut will be.

Step 12.  Can you see how there are two lines? The top one did not meet up around the rock. So I just made it lower, made sure they met all around and was even. I just smoothed away anything that was not right.  You can not do that if you baked it already.

Step 13.  Now you make your cut all the way to the rock following your score lines. 

Step 14. Mark your front or back with a small score line. This will be important later on when you are working with your rock. You want to make sure the side is put back together correctly.

Step 15. Bake at your clay’s manufacturers settings for the correct time and temp.

This is the moment of truth. I was so scared with this one. Not sure why exactly it is just scrap black clay around a rock but I digress….. You need to do it while the rock is hot so running water is the general recommended suggestion. This way you will not burn your hands while your holding a hot rock. Remember even though you are seeing mostly pics from the black rock I am working with two of them a black and blue.

Step 16. Grab your hot rock and put it under running water and separate the two halves.

Step 17. If your rock gets cold before you get it off throw it back into the oven for 8-10 minutes so it can heat back up again and try these suggestions.

Hands- use your hands to wriggle the rock loose.

Use your pliers to pull one end of the rock out if you got one side to come off but not the other. That did not work well since my rock was smooth. The pliers kept slipping off.

Use your Exacto Knife and stick it between the clay and rock as much as you can to loosen it.

Step 18. Next we will cover the bottom half with black clay rolled out on 2. If you notice in the picture I forgot this step and went straight to covering with my finish…again since I did not bake I just removed the clay as best as I could and then applied the black layer. Do as I say not as I do right? I cut around and joined the two sides here are the cut pieces ready to be joined.

Step 19. When adding you want a lip on the bottom piece so make sure you do not cover it all you want to leave space I left about 5mm. I took one side (whichever was smaller) folded it over, then took the other one and folded it over gently, pulled it back and cut on the indent lines where the two met. This is done in the same way you mark a bull’s eye cane.

Step 20.  See the bottom with the lip you can not tell I messed up can ya? Unbaked clay is your friend because you can fix it easily.

Step 21. Using your cane cut thin layers to cover your bottom half.

Step 22.  Here is the bottom half with the lip covered.

Step 23. Smooth, smooth, smooth. Use your hands, roller, knitting needle whatever you can to get that baby smooth without ruining the lip.

Step 24.  Smooth with the clay shaper and trim anything needed to ensure you have a smooth level lip.

Step 25. Find your repel gel luckily I had mine in a marked drawer after the last time I could not find it.

Step 26. Put repel gel or another release agent, on the bottom lip before moving on to the next step. I do it now so I do not  forget to do so later.

This is where I started getting punchy. I had taken a break after shoveling snow for an hour and a half and really was starting to feel my muscles hurt. I forgot to take several pictures and then when I realized it I had to dig in my container for another rock to re shoot the pics.

I reached in and grabbed one and this is the one that came out it could not have come at a better time.

Step 27. Cut around your top half making sure you leave room for the lip that this time will stick out over your top half of the Rock Purse. I cut the clay so the seam would be in the middle which led me to cut it this way which in the end really worked well.

Step 28. I used paper towels and stuffed them in the middle to give my lip support while working with it I also wrapped half of it without taking any pictures. Directions in the next step . You get the idea by now hopefully fold one side over and then make an indent and trim the other one.

Step 29. Fold the smaller of the two sides over and then wrap the other one over and get an indent or cut line.

Step 30. See the indent line that is one good line if I do say so myself not only that I did it but that when I took a picture of it with the camera in the phone it showed up so well. Cut along your indent line.

Step 31. Where they meet smooth the seam out.

Step 32. Put slices on the top the way you did the bottom, being careful not to mess up the lip that sticks out. Every once in a while I placed the pieces of the rock purse together to make sure I did not mess them up and they still fit together. When doing this go back to the score lines to help you with getting the two sides together correctly.

Step 33.  Again smooth, smooth, smooth. Whatever worked for you last time do it again. Make sure both the top and bottom are smooth and go together and come apart easily. If you need more release agent add some.

Step 34.  Once your done handling the piece take apart the two halves and smooth any joints with the clay shaper so they look nice.

Step 35. Using your stylus tool or some other sharp object make the indents for the cord holes before baking it will make it easier to drill later, and if you do it on unbaked clay and mess up you can fix it.

Step 36. Now you are ready to bake per your clay settings for the correct time. This time let your Rock Purse cool before working with it.

Step 37. Drill your holes for your string.

Step 38. See the nice holes?

Step 39. I placed my glue on some wax paper and used some unbaked clay to kind of grip my eyelet. Dip the part of your eyelet that will go into the Rock Purse in some glue.

Step 40. Place your eyelet into the hole and remove carefully so you do not accidentally yank the eyelet out while removing the clay.

Step 41. Repeat for all four holes.

Step 42. Remember this is the middle of a snowstorm and I was not really planning on doing this, even if I wanted to dig out the car to get some I doubt many stores are open, so of course I do not have many choices on string that will fit the eyelets on hand. I do have the leftover Holiday Ornament string and that is what I am using. Cut your string.

Step 43. With the string I have it is impossible to string from the inside out so I am doing it this way which may not be the best but I am almost done YEA! With your bottom piece of the rock purse put both ends in each hole.

Step 44. String one of your ends through the correct corresponding hole in the top half.

Step 45. Take the same string and go through the other hole in the top half.

Step 46. Tie a secure knot.

Step 47. Trim your ends. This may not be necessary with your string but mine needed trimming and I also glued the ends so they would not fray. If you glue make sure that the glue dries completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 48. Because your knot is now inside your Rock Purse you will want to maneuver the string so that it can be worn and the knot should be in the bottom half of your purse close to the eyelets.

Step 49. Enjoy your necklace and wear it with pride!

Not all of your attempts will work I had my flubs as well here are some of them so you can know that the only way you can master a technique is practice practice practice.

Enjoy and none of the Rock Purses featured in this tutorial will be part of the swap remember it should be a surprise.

Rock Purse Swap

The participants decided and the next swap is going to be rock purses.

There has been quite the discussion on the list of rock or no rock how to do the cord etc but what we have decided on is this.

1. It is to be a wearable vessel of no larger than 3 inches. Or as close as you can get it

2. It can be made on a rock or whatever you would like to use as a form to make it on.

3. It must be able to fit into a small priority box for shipping.

Other than that they can pretty much do what they want. The following are the inspirational links maybe your going to catch the bug??? I have a feeling the words are going to fall off the page again …………..your on your own I am not fixing it lol.

The purpose for this swap was to choose something you would not like to make in a gazillion years. Why would we choose that? Because the swaps are a learning process and this is a great chance for you to learn something that you may not have otherwise. There has been great chatter on the list about how bad each of our creations will look and it seems like some attempts at trying to pick the winner. This is okay because it is a learning process and we are all learning together. 

The votes have been counted and you picked Rock Purses!
What you wanted is now a reality and you want to make rock purses.
So what is a Rock Purse?
 Wickipedia defines it this way...please note this is not really a rock purse but all that I could find that described the process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inro

Now our rock purses will not be that detailed (unless you want them that way) they will be a simple  object in which we can store other objects.

Okay we know what a rock purse is now how in the heck do we make one? Here are a few of the tutorials we were able to find.

Here is a cute fish rock purse tut

http://www.pcpolyzine.com/august2001/fish.html

I really like this tut and think the writer is a very funny. They tell you what they tried and what worked and what didn't. Unfortunatly this page is outdated so we are blessed to even find it.

http://www.oocities.com/turkeymama/Clay/ClayPurse.html

This page focuses on the wire/cord and how to attach it highly recomended to think this through before you create your design.

http://members.tripod.com/PolymerClay_Interest/amacord.htm

None of the links on this page work (for me anyway) but you will find some tips from individuals on what they did when they made their rock purse.

http://members.tripod.com/PolymerClay_Interest/RockPurse.html

This page intrigued me I was fascinated by the fact that it was someone doing a project based on what the participants voted for. What was even funnier was what happend to the rock purse while waiting for votes to be tallied.I found it funny because it would be what would happen to me.

http://beadyeyedbrat.com/interactivevessel.html

Glass attic always has informaiton on what we are looking to make here is their page.

http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/vessels_rock-alum.foil.htm

Now you know how to make a rock purse time for some inspiration.
This is Enkhe Tserenbadam's flickr page where there are some rock purses.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/enkhe/sets/72157602432958961/

The 91st PCC Challenge was believe it or not Rock Purses so here are the participants.

http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/chall_jun07.html

No you tube videos were found on this topic which stinks.
Ha Ha when I searched Flickr for polymer clay rock purse look what came up....



tips Kay?
When you put polymer clay inro in the search box a lot of images come up.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=polymer+clay+inro&w=all&m=&s=int&mt=&referer_searched=

This is really all that could be found. If you have a link that would be good here please let us know what it is. 

Luny sent in this information Thanks Luny!
I know we have some links for the swap already but I found these and thought they were great for inspiration. Some have different styles for adding cords, tops, etc. so maybe we can think of doing things in another way if we can. Some of these aren't exactly rock purses but if even one picture sparks that "ah-hah" moment that may solve a problem you've been wrestling with then it's all good! 

Enkhe Tserenbadam .... has some stunning "wearable vessels"on her Flickr page ... they are more of the Inro type but I think some of these things could be applied to rock purses.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/enkhe/sets/72157602432958961/

Jana Roberts Benzon's wearable vessels. I'm thinking that even though we are using a rock as a BASE I don't see any reason why we cannot design the outside to make any shape. I love the way the cord is done on these.



PCC "Wearable Vessels" contest winners - some cool "cording" ideas there...

http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/chall_may03.html

Flickr photos of wearable vessels ...

http://www.flickr.com/search/?&w=all&s=int&mt=&q=wearable%20vessels%20+%20polymer%20clay

I've already seen a couple of things that I want to try as far as adding the cording, plus some different ways to make the top. I've finally figured it out that just because we take clay and wrap it around a rock, it doesn't necessarily have to be a rock "shape. It could become a duck, a flower, a heart, a sandcastle (I like that one, lol), a billy goat or anything you like. I feel better already ( says the one that hasn't even wrapped one rock yet, lol!)

hugs, luny

Our fearless leader NJ sent this inspirational post

Classic Definition (was:what does inro mean?)
I always say, in jest, that inro means “this dang kimono ain't got no fricking pockets”. LOL

http://www.norajean.com/Biz-Archive/Japan/Inro-Opened.htm

this is an Inro, opened and the sections identified. I did not make this. It is an antique.

http://www.norajean.com/Biz-Archive/Japan/Netsuke-Inro.htm

I have not checked the off site links on this page in a while, some will be broken, but it gives an overview of what an inro actually is and how do netsukes come into the picture.

http://www.norajean.com/Biz-Archive/Japan/Index.htm

On this page are links to my first experiements with making inro a very long time ago. If it is in the biz-Archive it happened during the first three years of this group.

http://www.norajean.com/New_Projects/Inro-Gold-Brown/Index.htm

This inro experiment was from 2006, where I made effort for the inside of the inro to be as decorative as the outside. It was still “close but no cigar”.

http://www.norajean.com/2007/03-20-BD-Inro/Index.htm

In 2007 I made an inro for my youngest son's birthday, that was the closest to the classical inro that I've ever done. It had interlocking compartments with a draw string that went through all the sections. I'm thinking that having the draw string go through tubes on the outside or embeded in the walls in some way would be the next part of the evolution.
Oh I forgot I had an inro review page....silly me......:)

http://www.norajean.com/New_Projects/Review-Inro-Experiments.htm

There are polymer clay artists who have made some inro that caused some angels to fall off the clouds in amazement. I'm not one of these artists I will admit. My method of making inro involves using aluminum foil or floral tape instead of a “resist” solution, because I am cheap and don't want to buy supplies I can do without.

http://www.polymerionline.blogspot.com/search/label/inro

Check that page for links to other polymer artists who make inro much better than I can at this time.
http://www.slsavarickstudio.com/ click on the gallery link to see the beautiful inro that Seth has made in the past. I remember when he was a newbie, back in the day. He has come a long way since then.
I show you my early wonky efforts and lead up to Seth's work to remind you that developing your skill set with polymer clay is an evolution. Everyone's early efforts are wonky. With practice over time, we hone our skills and out output becomes more nifty. The main difference between me and Seth is I will show you my polymer clay evolution, wonky bits and all. I show the miscalculations to let you know that no one is perfect. I share my polymer clay journey in pictures with you for free. I make no claim that my stuff is perfect first time, all the time. That just is not true for anyone.
So look at other polymer clay artist's inro or rock purse efforts and remember that they are most likely showing you the perfect outcome, not the evolution not the wonky bits. Do not feel intimidated with their long practiced perfect items. Know in your heart that they were new to all techniques at one time and the only thing that separates you from them is time and practice.