After greeting our visitors, Tom opened the October meeting with Show and Tell. Among the inspiring pieces shown were a prehistoric gecko, necklaces, Bottles of Hope, a panda, candy corns and other Halloween-themed items, and witch pendants from last month’s lesson.
Our program this month had two parts. First, various members shared ideas on how they display or use inchies. Inchies are 1″ by 1″ square pieces of art. Our group regularly hosts themed inchie swaps to give folks a chance to explore different techniques in polymer clay and share the results. Ideas shared were:
- Wear inchies on a lanyard (perfect for retreat swaps). Display a collection of inchies on a board with artists’ info written below.
- Display a collection of inchies in a painted frame, using E6000 to glue down the inchies.
- Re-use inchies to decorate cards or journals. Make your own inchies to embellish extra-special business cards. Make a mosaic of themed inchies.
- Embellish a picture frame with an anchie. Display a single inchie in an elaborate frame to make tiny art. Wrap a jar with fabric and glue on an inchie. Frame brightly-colored ribbons with inchies attached.
Thanks to members Connie, Marsha, Angela and Penni Jo for sharing these ideas.
Penni Jo taught the second part of the program, demonstrating several different polymer clay candy corn methods. She gave us info on using molds, making canes, and a special Skinner blend that does a perfect job of capturing the candy corn’s color blend. Thanks, Penni Jo, for sharing your talent with us once again!
In the business meeting, September’s minutes were approved with a motion by Penni Jo and a second by Kay.
Connie gave a report on upcoming classes:
- November: Penni Jo will be teaching dress earrings on a hanger
- December: annual Christmas meeting with dirty Santa swap and snacks
Angela gave the treasurer’s report. We now have 27 members, including our newest member Katherine, who joined this month.
Jane gave the librarian’s report. We received a book, Design Basics, and the latest Polymer CAFE. We took suggestions from the group on library books, and selected Creating Lifelike Figures in Polymer Clay: Tools and Techniques for Sculpting Realistic Figures by Katherine Dewey.
In old business, we discussed the state fair. Six members participated in the group’s state fair demo. Connie asked about trying shifts again for next year, instead of asking members to stay for the entire demo. Penni Jo and Tom have been talking to the director of creative arts about providing our own judge for our sponsored polymer clay division. The group suggested local and out-of-state ideas for judges.
In new business, we discussed the 2015 retreat. Tom asked for 3-4 helpers to contact donors about goody bag/auction donations. We also need to vote to choose which classes we want guest artist Lisa Pavleka to teach at the retreat. The options will be sent out prior to the November meeting.
We finished our meeting with a raffle. The winners were Kay, Laura, Angela, and Myra.
Our next meeting will be November 8 at 1:30pm at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center on the State Fairgrounds. Our theme for the November inchie swap is give thanks / Thanksgiving / fall. Please bring inchies to swap if you want to participate.
