Crafty

We had 15 members and 1 visitor at our November 8th meeting. We kicked things off with Show and Tell that included a cat and pumpkin pin, a wide variety of personalized magnets, a turtle sculpture, bikini earrings, and a Bottle of Hope.

Our presenter this month was Penni Jo, who showed the group how to make her amazing “dressy earrings” on tiny coat hangers. Her instruction and handouts were superb, as usual. Thank you, Penni Jo!

In the business meeting, October’s minutes were approved with a motion by Penni Jo and a second by Lee Ann.

Connie gave a report on upcoming classes:

• December: Annual Christmas meeting. Bring snacks. If you want to participate in the Dirty Santa swap, bring something you made from polymer clay. No raffle or inchie swap in December.
• January: Tom will show how to make an owl similar to his state fair entry. Raffle month.
• February: Angela will show how to make containers using cookie cutters as the form. Inchie swap month.

Angela gave the treasurer’s report. We now have 27 members.

Nance gave the Bottles of Hope report, and said she has bottles she needs covered. She reported that the BOH are very popular — the hospital is giving them to patients just as they’re starting chemo. She specifically requested BOH for young children.

Jane gave the librarian’s report. Our newest book, Creating Lifelike Figures in Polymer Clay, has good sculpting info for people. The new Polymer CAFE arrived and has a Sydney Holt project. This month’s Polymer CAFE challenge theme is nature, with photos due December 31st.

Webmaster Myra reported that she’s waiting on class info so she can put the retreat signup online.

In new business, we discussed the 2015 retreat. Tom passed around the retreat class options from Lisa Pavelka for us to choose from, and folks voted for their favorites. Tom asked for 3 volunteers to contact companies about goody bag/auction donations; Jane, Angela, and Deborah signed up.

Our inchie swap theme for the meeting was Thanks/Thanksgiving.

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.

Minutes recorded by Cheryl Rains.

With 19 members in attendance, Tom opened the meeting with Show and Tell. LeeAnn showed a Bottle of Hope and a pendant made from Helen Breil’s new book. Nance showed her fall leaf brooch. Tom displayed two Bottles of Hope.

Chris and her friend taught a dual class on making a witch pendant and a fall leaf pendant using glass pebbles as a focal point for the piece. It was a lot of fun.

In the business meeting, August’s minutes were approved with a motion by Connie and a second by Lori.

Connie gave a report on upcoming classes. October’s meeting will be a sharing of ideas of how to use inchies and a demonstration by Penni Jo. In November, Penni Jo will be teaching us how to make her darling dress earrings with the hanger as part of the findings. Connie asked that the treasurer send a $40 check for the rental of the church for this month’s meeting.

The treasurer’s report was given. We currently have 25 paid members.

There will be five attendees to demonstrate at the State Fair.

Jane reported that our new book, Design Basics by David Kraus has not arrived yet. Penni Jo said that the book really helped her own design process and would be a great addition to our library.

There was no old business.

In new business, Penni Jo told about a company, CaBezel. CaBezel is a tool to help you create consistent bezels and cabochons every time. They have teamed up with Best Flexible molds. The CaBezel CJM013 works with the Almond Cabs and More, PJ001, to make bezels that fit the cabochons.

October will be raffle month. If you won in August, please bring a prize for the raffle. November will be inchie swap. Our theme will be Thanksgiving.

Our next meeting will be October 11 at 1:30pm at the Arts Center on the State Fairgrounds.

We had 15 members (including this month’s new members Marsha and Alice) and 1 visitor at the August 9, 2014 meeting. Show & Tell items included Bottles of Hope, a fish sculpture, pendants, earrings, and Best Flexible Molds texture sheets.

Angel was our instructor this month. She presented “Let’s Swellegant.”  Her pre-baked pendants and countless samples showing different coating/patina combinations were so helpful in learning about these coatings. Thank you, Angel! Angel also brought product samples and coupons, which were provided for the group by Christi Friesen. Thank you, Christi!

During the business meeting, we discussed the following:

Minutes from the last meeting were approved. Jane motioned and Cheryl seconded the motion.

Vice President Connie gave an overview of the upcoming programs:

• September: Chris Crossland– glass pebble project
• October: things to do with inchies

Angela gave the treasurer’s report. We have 25 members.

Bottles of Hope coordinator Nance told of the great reception we received form our last batch of donated bottles. The hospital is giving the bottles to patients just before they go into chemo, and is even auctioning off some of the bottles to raise money for cancer funds.

In new business, we discussed putting out a call for artists for our 2016 retreat. We also discussed the upcoming state fair where our guild sponsors a polymer clay category. Entry forms need to be submitted online by August 15th. The guild will be demonstrating polymer clay at the state fair on September 14th.

We selected a color and design book as the new choice for our library.

We held our raffle, where Marsha, Connie, Deborah, and Jane were the winners. They will bring prizes for October’s raffle.

The meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting will be September 13th at 1:30. Because our usual meeting place at the fairgrounds is unavailable during the state fair, we will be meeting at the Covenant Life Church at 3106 N Utah Ave (near NW 30th and Utah) in Oklahoma City. The theme for September’s optional inchie swap is “back to school.”

Minutes recorded by Angel M.

We had 12 members and 1 visitor at the July 12, 2014 meeting. Show & Tell items included Bottles of Hope, jewelry, dragons, Best Flexible Molds texture sheets, and a pen. Penni Jo also asked the group to offer opinions on the texture sheets as a focus group.

Jane was our instructor this month. She presented “Extruder: Retro & Beyond”.  Many samples were sent around to inspire us to get our extruders out and use them!  Jane took us through the steps to make a retro cane.   Jane and Myra brought and showed extruder discs from a couple different companies.   Myra demonstrated two discs that worked together to make a heart cane.

During the business meeting, we discussed the following:

Minutes from the last meeting were approved, Penni Jo motioned and Cheryl seconded the motion.

Vice President Connie gave an overview of the upcoming programs:

• August: Angel – Swellegant
• September: Chris Crossland– glass pebble project

Angela gave the treasurer’s report. We have 23 members.

Librarian Jane described the latest addition to the library, the current Polymer Café. The challenge listed in the magazine is “Faux What?” due August 31, 2014.

We discussed where to have the September meeting due to the State Fair of Oklahoma during the month.  Many questions were raised, and we are checking on an alternate date in the same location.

August is raffle month, members to bring items for raffle are: Myra, Connie, Tom, and Angela.

Inchies were brought by four members.  August inchies will have a theme of “Back to School.” Anyone who would like to participate should make and bring enough inchies to swap.  Connie asked if we were going to continue doing inchies, due to the low number of members participating. No solid answers were gained from this question at this time, we may need to visit this again.  The question prompted conversation about what to people use the inchies for.  It was suggested that we explore what kinds of things could be made with the inchies.

Nance handed out bottles to cover for our on-going Bottles of Hope project.

Web Master Myra reported that things were fine, and she had nothing new to report.

Tom opened the topic of renting storage space to house our library and ovens.  Tom e-mailed earlier this month about this topic discussing the need etc.  $20.00 a month was the fee for renting a cabinet at our current location.  After much discussion, it was concluded that we have funds to cover this type of expense.  The library books would be accessible when the doors to the Art Center were open.  The president, vice-president and librarian will have a key to the library cabinet. Some of the members went to check out the cabinet and where it was located. Nance motioned to approve renting the cabinet and Angel seconded, the members were in agreement and the motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting will be August 9th at 1:30 at the Contemporary Arts Center on the OKC Fairgrounds.

We had 14 members at the June 2014 meeting. Show & Tell items included Bottles of Hope, jewelry, cat bowls, a barette, a baby footprint set, ghoulies, and goodies from Bead & Button and Fandango.

Penni Jo was our instructor this month. She taught the group how to use her tools to make Trumpet Blossoms. Other members also brought and showed their favorite tools, including a credit card, a linoleum carving tool, extruder discs, and many handmade tools.

During the business meeting, we discussed the following:

Vice President Connie gave an overview of the upcoming programs:

• July: Jane and Myra – extruders
• August: Angel – Swelligant
• September: Chris – glass pebble project

Angela gave the treasurer’s report. We have 23 members, including Jennifer and Elizabeth who joined during the June meeting.

Librarian Jane described the latest additions to the library. We drew Polymer Clay Gemstones: The Art of Deception by Randee Ketzel as the new book to add to our library.

We discussed whether to do a live demonstration at this year’s Oklahoma State Fair, and several people said they would like to participate.

The winners of this month’s prize drawings were Tom, Angela, Myra, and Connie. July will be swap month, with a theme of “Red, White and Blue.” Anyone who would like to participate should make and bring enough inchies to swap.

The meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting will be July 12 at 1:30 at the Contemporary Arts Center on the OKC Fairgrounds.

We had 9 members at the May 2014 meeting. Show & Tell items included texture tools, covered utensils, Bottles of Hope, baby footprint kit, Swelligant pieces, and auction wins from the Fandango retreat.

Nance Ross was our instructor this month. She taught the group how to make bugs captured in faux amber. We had lots of creepy crawlies… and lots of fun! Thanks, Nance.

The business meeting began with a motion from Angel and a second by Jane to approve the March minutes.

Vice President Connie gave an overview of the upcoming programs:

• June: Everybody bring your favorite tool. Penni Jo will also demonstrate using her tools.
• July: Jane – Extruders
• August: Angel – Swelligant

Angela gave the treasurer’s report. We have 21 members.

Librarian Jane talked about the latest additions to our library: the DVD from the 2013 retreat, a HandCrafted magazine from Stampington, Polymer Clay Artist Guide by Marie Segal, and the latest Polymer CAFE.

We discussed last month’s retreat:

• Folks were pleased with our decisions to buy cord covers and hire a clean up crew — said it made Saturday night’s tear-down much easier.
• We got good feedback on the round tables and mats in the classroom. The group agreed we should purchase mats again next year.
• We discussed this year’s changes to the inchies swap (instead of trying to do a formal swap with baggies, retreat attendees approached others they wished to swap with). The consensus was that this made it more casual, and worked as a nice conversation starter.

In new business, we briefly discussed next year’s retreat:

• The 2015 retreat will be the 2nd weekend in April (April 9-11, 2015), in the same location.
• Lisa Pavelka will be our featured teacher.
• Tom will be our retreat director.

Penni Jo also gave a report from the Fandango retreat that she and Cheryl both attended.

Next month will be a raffle month, with Penni Jo, Elizabeth and Connie scheduled to bring prizes.

The meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting will be June 14th at 1:30 at the Contemporary Arts Center on the OKC Fairgrounds.