Meeting Minutes

**Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild Meeting**
**Date: August 13, 2011**
**Introduce / welcome guests**
Our meeting began as usual with members visiting with each other while setting up for the meeting. We had a number of guests this month. Tom Gibson, a doll sculptor using polymer clay, a medium not usually accepted by most Art Associations and Societies, Angel Mance, and Lori Luli a previous guest and beader who joined our happy group this month.

**Show and Tell**:
Myra showed a filigree Christmas Ornament, switch plate and bookmark as well as Pandora beads! Nance had a lovely feather/leaf pendant. Lee Ann showed her beautiful, finished Opal pendant. Sue had finished her switch plate and showed a number of other fabulous switch plates in a variety of colors and styles. Angela finished her switch plate in a ‘stenciled’ pattern that was delightfully charming! Cheryl showed a blade cover that was not only colorful it also provided safety. Penni Jo showed two switch plates. Shirley had some lovely silver clay seashells and a silver pendant that she’d made with her sister. Lori showed some of her work including Mokume Gane, faux wood (aka Faux Bois) and steam punk hearts, techniques she’d learned recently in a number of classes. Jane showed two incredible switch plates of falling leaves, one with wire work.
**Program:**
Resident Hobby Lobby April Gregory brought a number of demonstrations of a number of “TIPS” for use with or to supplement our polymer claying.
There were 6 sections of tips.
> 1. Clear materials: Shown in three different pendants. Each pendants was a polymer clay ‘jewel’ glued into a bezel and the bezel was then filled with a ‘clear’ material.
> a. Kato liquid clay- The bezel was filled, baked and hit with a heat gun. Most of the liquid clay remained cloudy as the layer of clay was very thick.
> b. Dimensional Mod Podge – Bezel was filled, allowed to dry and then filled again to smooth. It was the medium clarity.
> c. Resin, two part — Mixed equal amounts poured over the ‘jewel’ allowed to cure and a second layer added to level. To tint, use alcohol ink. Faux geodes can be made using resin and polymer clay mold.
> 2. Glues:
> a. Quick Set — Epoxy, very strong.
> b. Poly Bond by Lisa Pavelka — Excellent hold, heat resistant, but keep the lid on TIGHTLY!
> 3. Re-purposing (altering) materials — Metal:
> a. Silversmithing can be ‘faked’ with Polymer Clay and other materials such as adding metal dots from the scrapbooking aisle to the outside of a bezel.
> b. Silver metal to Gold effect. Sand to etch the surface and get down to the base metal to change the color of the metal using Rub N Buff which comes in metallics as well as a number of colors. She used two colors on a metal piece. Rub N Buff can also be used on Polymer Clay.
> c. Emboss metal. Stamp, add powder, dry and heat. Finish with desired effect.
> d.Embossing leather: Stamp the leather using an embossing ink. Sprinkle with embossing powder. Allow to dry. Heat. The leather now has a beautiful raised pattern.
> e. Change the color of the leather.
> f. Krylon 18 K Gold pen can be used to color and repurpose items.
> 4. Layering:
> a. Metal Filigree can be bent, cut and punched. Use the pieces to embellish a design.
> b. Use a “Big Bite” hole punch in leather and light metal. Make a hole in filigree and a leather band. Stack a number of punched items to form a design. Attach the stack to the leather strap using a grommet.
> 5. Shrinky Dinks: create designs, color or print, cut out and bake.
> a. Color with colored pencils.
> b. Print out on an ink jet printer at 50%.
> 6. Demo: Bird and cart.
> a. Showed the form used to create the bird. She covered the form with Polymer Clay, baked and cut the warm clay to remove from the form.
> b. She identified the various jewelry parts, jewels, wire, etc used to finish the project. WOW.
> c. She described how the project was assembled with the parts.
**Business Meeting:**
**1. Approval of Minutes:**
> The minutes were read. PJ goofed big time and got our guests from last month mixed up, mis-identifying our newest member. It should read We had two guests: Marolyn Bryant from Shawnee and Cheryl Rains from Oklahoma City. Cheryl Rains joined our merry band and is our newest member. (PJ thought Cheryl was Marolyn. My most humble apologies to Cheryl.)
>
> Minutes will be approved pending changes.
**2. Officers Reports:**
**Vice President -Angela**
– September 10: Bottles of Hope Day — work on bottles, share techniques & ask questions
– October 8: Faux Embroidery with Penni Jo
– November 12: Pandora Beads with Myra
– December 10: Annual Christmas Share-a-Project Meeting
– January 14: OPEN (any volunteers?)
– February 11: TBA with Shirley
**Treasurer- Angela**
– Balance: $720.19
– Members: 11
**BOH Report ~~ Nance**
She needs medium sized bottles. PJ has some that can be used by the group.
**Librarian ~ Jane**
Jane showed the new book by Christi Friesen, Woodland Creatures.
**Old Business?:**
**Promoting Polymer clay:**
1. April will ask if we can demonstrate Polymer Clay use in the individual stores near the entrance.
2. Ruth asked about the art council. Angela mentioned OVAC (Oklahoma Visual Arts Colation) will be having a 12″ by 12″ auction.
3. Angela also mentioned that OVAC website allows artists to have a portfolio on their site.
4. A show formerly with “Vision Makers” is now organized by the Brady Craft Alliance
5. Shirley to check to see about Vision Makers.
6. More pictures in the body of reports. We need more members to upload photos to the guild Flickr site. So far, only four members are represented on the group site. http://www.flickr.com/groups/okpolyclay/
**IPCA biannual retreat:**
Jane and PJ reported on the retreat, how much fun they had and that they’d met a clayer from New York City whose monthly meeting was as involved as the mini retreat held in PJ’s house last April! There were clayers there from everywhere. We learned a lot. Jane watched most of the demos. PJ sold molds and her line was picked up by Metal Clay Supply in Jacksonville TX.
**State Fair**: 
Need to enter by the 15th. If entering later cost will be $10.00.
Drop off entries September 10th and 11th.
Demo Sunday September 18th 2:00 PM
**Twister Retreat**:
Penni Jo Reported on Memorial Presbyterian Church in Norman found by Nance.
Costs: $100.00 a day and $75.00 janitorial fee for an allover cost of $375.00.
Great big fellowship hall with big kitchen. We can have both.
PJ will write to the pastor and ask if the facility is secure, are the dates open and how early can we come and how late can we stay. The pastor reported that we may have a key for the retreat, come early, stay late.
There is no security but since we will be the first in and the last out the room should be secure.
Shirley has contacted them and gotten a firm date. April 12, 13, & 14 of April 2012.
We may have a breakfast and lunch if we desire.
A motion was made by Shirley that, the facility will our first choice if the hours, security and dates check out. If so then we would like to plan to have our retreat there. Seconded by Jane, motion carried unanimously.
**RETREAT TYPES:**
The types of retreats were described by Penni Jo who has attended a number of them.
1. Classes all day long at retreat. Fandango. Students can sign up for some or all of the classes that you pay to attend. Classes last all day. Great for students, not so much for teachers and those who do not wish to take classes. The retreat room is a bit bare. Teachers strive to develop a project that the guild will want to bring to the group. Tough to get in as a teacher. Vendors get a booth for the cost of 20% of sales. NOTE: Room and all meals provided in the cost of the retreat. Approx. $500.00 + or -.
2. Demonstrations only: Sandy Camp is an excellent example of this. There are nine demonstrations over the three and a half day retreat. Demonstrators give two 30 minute demos. One right after the other. Demonstrators are selected from applicants. Demonstrators get free vendor booth and pay 10%. Attendee’s pay deposit of $100.00 for vendor booth which is applied to the 10% they will owe from sales. No meals, no room provided. Cost $90.00. Included the closing banquet.
3. IPCA bi-annual retreat. Demonstrations from a number of people. Any one can sign up to demo. No vendor section but attendees may sell from their table space and keep all of the proceeds. Cost $295.00 Lunch and Breakfast provided. No room cost provided.
4. Other Retreats I’ve read about or heard reports of can be a mix of the above. Some have short classes with a fee to attend, 3 to 4 hours long. Rest of the time is retreat.
**Demonstrations**: Since Jane and I attended the IPCA retreat and watched demos in the room with everyone else, it became apparent that we need a different room in which to demo. It is very hard for the watchers to hear the demos if everyone else in the room is chatting and laughing (which happens often at a retreat).
PJ to contact the church and see if a small room nearby could be used just to watch a demo. There may be a small additional charge for the extra room
PJ to CHECK DATES and be sure of the dates.
Guest rooms: Several offered to open their guest rooms to retreat attendees. Get list.
**Steering committee meeting**? Braum’s in Moore on 19th street Saturday Aug 20 at 1:00. After this starter meeting, we can bring our lunch to Hobby Lobby and meet before the meeting.
**New Business?**:
None of record.
**Announcements:**
None
**
Library Drawing for a new book** ~~ Jane:
Winning Title: Polymer Pizzaz II
**Swap or Raffle**
Swap Winners: Jane, PJ got Jane’s, Myra, Sue got Angela’s, and Angela got Sue’s. If I’ve missed you, please let me know which plate you got in the swap. Thanks.
**Next meeting: Sept. 10, 2011**
**At Hobby Lobby in Moore.**

**Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild Meeting
Date: 7 – 09 – 11**
**Introduce / welcome guests**
Our meeting began as with members visiting setting up quickly as we have a long lesson today with many bakings. We had two guests: Marolyn Bryant from Shawnee and Cheryl Rains from OKC.
*Our thanks to Polyform for supplying clay for the projects. Everyone loved the fresh clay and busily conditioned the colors for the project.*
**Show and Tell**
(this is not very clear in my notes. Please forgive any misinterpretation of the scribbles I call writing.)
Show and tell was postponed until first baking. One guest Marolyn, showed her earrings, Sue showed her opal pendant started last month and a swirly pink bracelet, Lee Ann had Pens! and beautiful swirly MG Marquis shape beads; Angela showed a bracelet, pendant an a pen and pencil set. (or maybe I have become confused here) More Ooos and Ahhs followed when Shirley mentioned silver clay and showed a Kathleen style bead; PJ had a new mold, and Myra had a pendant, beads and buttons.
**Program:**
Jane brought the program “Coloring on Clay using Pencils and Markers”. She had prepared three tiles for each of us on which to test the coloring techniques. She also gave each of us fresh clay from Polyform to complete the class. This lesson taught us a wide variety of skills including:
> a. How to prepare the clay after baking using 220 or 320 grit emery paper to give ‘tooth’ to the baked clay.
> b. Introduction to covering a light switch cover with clay and baking.
> c. Demonstration of using Inktense water activated pencils.
> d. Demo of using water color pencils.
> e. Demo of using markers.
When our covered light switch covers were in the ovens baking, we began on our tiles first labeling each tile with the technique, sanding, then coloring the stamped images with the variety of water activated pencils and markers. There was much happy visiting and lots of questions as we all delved into the challenge of something new.
After coloring the tiles we used thin sheets of Premo Translucent and White Translucent as well as TLS (Translucent Liquid Sculpey) over the colored designs. After baking we all had our heads together trying to decide which of the effects we liked the best. TLS seemed to be the big winner while others liked the White Translucent.
Jane had lovely stamps to share as did some of the members. Beautiful light switch covers began to emerge as we practiced our new skills.
She also showed us some photos of beautiful bracelets by Ponsawan Sila that inspired the project as well as a bracelet that she’d made using several of the techniques that she taught today. What a great lesson. Thanks again Jane. And, thank you too to Polyform for the clay for the lesson.
**Business Meeting:**
**1. Approval of Minutes:**
Minutes posted on the website were approved.
**
2. Officers Reports:**
Vice President -Angela
– August: April will be teaching some techniques that she has learned while working for Hobby Lobby.
– Sept: Penni Jo will teach Faux Ribbon Embroidery. The class will be free to the members.
– Oct: Need a teacher or idea anyone game? 
– Nov: Still needing a teacher or an idea.
– Dec: Members will each bring a project made during the year, describe how they made it and may choose to swap it with members if desired.
**Treasurer- Angela**
Balance: $697.36
Members: 10 + 1 Marolyn Bryant joined making 11.
There were a number of expenses this month presented by Treasurer Angela.
> 1. Fabric for the Library show
> 2. New Checks
> 3. Books
Expenses were approved.
**BOH Report ~~ Nance**
No report this month. Although the ladies at the Presbyterian church may have an interest.
**Librarian ~ Jane**
Jane reported on the Green magazine. It is OK, but does not seem to be enough for the price.
New PolymerCafe is here. Looks good.
Book, Patterns in Polymer came in. It looks beautiful, excellent layout with color recipes, orderly layout presented important info in the same space on all the pages making it easy and fun to read and look at.
**Old Business:**
1. Promoting Polymer clay: Angela reported on opportunities to demonstrate at the Festival of the Arts. The time requirement was too much for a small group like ours. They needed us there for long hours during the day. After some discussion it was decided that it is not feasible for us at this time
2. The possibility of individuals demonstrating our hobby singly at the entrance of a local store came up. We have seen demonstrators showing their art before at a set up near the entrance. What do we need to do to find out if we can do this? Shirley will contact April for further info.
3. Guild Report: 
**a**. Locations. Shirley reported the following:About the Edmond Community Center facility: It would be room 222, which requires a refundable deposit of $50. Set up/take down & clean fee: $20.
Occupancy loads: Theater: 50; Classroom: 35; Banquet: 50 – you’d think this would take the most space??
Rates: 5 hrs is $65 plus set-up. Full day (8 a.m.-10 p.m.) is $111 per day.
She assured me the room can be locked.
Not a good kitchen – deep laundry room type double sinks & need ice chest for food.
Parking: during weekdays we’d be sharing it with the police station & maybe a bank. But she said 35 people shouldn’t have a parking problem. No competition Saturdays. Shirley will put their leaflet in the mail to me.
**b**. PJ Reported on Memorial Presbyterian Church in Norman found by Nance.
Costs: $100.00 a day and $75.00 janitorial fee for an allover cost of $37.00. Angela mentioned that we can use the monies in our treasury for the retreat.
Great big room with big kitchen.
The cost was about the same for both. After much discussion, it was decided on Memorial Presbyterian in Norman. PJ will write to the pastor and ask if the facility is secure, are the dates open and how early can we come and how late can we stay.
A motion was made by Shirley that, the facility will our first choice if the hours, security and dates check out. If so then we would like to plant to have our retreat there. Seconded by Jane, motion carried unanimously.
**New Business?:**
None of record
**Announcements:**
Jane “It’s a girl!”
**
Library Drawing for a new book ~ Jane:**
Winning Title:Woodland Creatures by Christi Friesen
**Swap or Raffle**
Winners of the raffle: PJ won two, Marolyn won two and Myra one raffle.
Next month will be a Swap: Theme ~~ Light switch covers.
Next meeting:
At Hobby Lobby in Moore.
August 13, 2011 at 1:30 PM

Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild Meeting
Date: June 11, 2011
**1. Introduce / welcome guests**
Our meeting began as usual with members visiting with each other while setting up for the meeting, unpacking our work kits, setting up ovens all the while visiting and sharing.
**2. Show and Tell**: Myra showed a fabulous necklace using the Kali cane from the lesson last month. Jane showed a bracelet with the technique for July’s meeting. Penni Jo showed things from Fandango. Nance showed samples of faux Labradorite and faux opal, the items we would be learning to make in class.
**3. Program – A Gem of a Class**: Since there will be a number of bakings, Nance’s class began immediately after Show and Tell. We learned the technique of making faux opals first beginning with lining a bezel with super thin white clay. The clay was dusted with pearl ex powders. Layers of opal like flakes were pressed into the clay along with sprinkles of glitters. The Labradorite began with thin black clay, pearl ex powders, and glitter. When we were happy with the effects, having viewed the ‘real’ stones, we put a thin layer of liquid clay in each bezel and baked the pendants. The liquid clay was then clarified using a heat gun. After clarification, more pearl powders, and a bit more glitters and more liquid clay were applied and the piece baked again. We each could continue this process at home until the desired dome was reached.
**4. Minutes:** The minutes had been sent by email to members. There was one correction. April moved we accept the minutes. Nance seconded. Approved.
**5. Officer Reports:**
*A. V.P. Report (upcoming lessons) Angela:*
– July — Jane will teach drawing on clay, covering the types of colored pencils etc. We will have our choice of a switch plate or pendant as these are flat and will be a good practice surface. She will contact Polyform for clay for the class.
– August — April will teach a class in mixed media.
– September — Penni Jo will teach some of the Faux Embroidery techniques that she taught at Fandango
.
*B. Treasurer’s Report ~~ Angela*
Balance – $768.34
Members – 10
*C. BOH Report ~~ Nance*
*D. Librarian Report ~~ Jane:*
The newest book did not come in this month.
**6. Old Business:**
None.
**7. New Business**:
– A. State fair demo to be Sept 18th 2-6 PM was approved.
– B. Regarding our goal of spreading the news about polymer clay, Angela’s question: is there a more art-oriented venue where we could demonstrate?
– The place where Myra’s booth is at has an area where we might demo.
– Ruth might be able to give info on the Festival of the Arts in April 2012. Shirley will call to see if demonstrators have a parking area or not.
– C. 2012 Guild Retreat.
– The group decided that the first thing needed is a venue and dates.
– Penni Jo volunteered to be the Steering Committee Chairman. She will look for likely places in Moore. The rest of us will review places like hotels, churches, community centers etc and let her know what they find before the next meeting. Shirley was going to do some research in Edmond. Nance volunteered to contact OU. Someone mentioned Elks Clubs. There was an idea to contact school boards for available facilities. We discussed a Thursday, Friday Saturday format, especially if meeting in a church and a Friday Saturday, Sunday format for working people to be able to attend. We also discussed briefly a later in the evening format like 5;30 to midnight or so.
– Ruth has sent a lot of info to Penni Jo already.
– 4. Other new business. None.
**8. Drawing for a new book ~~ Jane**:
Patterns in Polymer was the book drawn.
**9. Swap**
Jane, Lee Ann, Myra and Nance brought swap items.
Jane got Lee Ann’s, Lee Ann got Myra’s, Myra got Nance’s and Nance got Jane’s.
**Next meeting:
July 9th at 1:30.
At Hobby Lobby in Moore**.
See you all there!

Nine members and one guest were in attendance at our May meeting. Shirley welcomed Lori, our guest. She began the meeting with Show and Tell and our guest shared a fabulous clay project she had made and Shirley brought some beautiful polymer clay earrings she had bought by artist, Harriet Smith.
**Program**
Sue brought us a program on making Kaleidoscope Canes. She showed us how by stacking various sizes of high color contrasting clay ‘snakes’, wrapping them, pressing, pulling, tugging, reducing, cutting, and pressing together we ended up with a design that you’d see if looking through a kaleidoscope. Sue made it seem so easy and effortless. Each person made a unique, amazing cane.
**Business Meeting**
The minutes were not read because they had been emailed earlier to members. Sue moved the March 2011 business meeting minutes be approved. Nance seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
**Old Business**
* **Penni Jo’s Play-Day Retreat**: Shirley expressed everyone’s appreciation for Penni Jo’s hard work on the fabulous April Play Day that she organized, planned, hosted, and, except for a bit of help from Jane and Ruth, single handedly implemented. Penni Jo was in Florida to teach at the Polymer Clay “Fandango”, but we felt the need to publically express our gratitude.
* **Midwest City Library Display**: Shirley thanked everyone for participating and for all the work they put into the library display. Jane thanked Shirley for envisioning it, securing the date, gathering the fabric for the background of the display, and doing the vital pre-display work. Jane also shared some very positive feedback about the display. Shirley asked for any suggestions that we can use for future displays. The suggestion was made that we advertise the display on our website. Also the display brought up the need for members to be mindful of get names and email addresses of those who show an interest in our guild so that we could invite them to a couple of our meetings.
* **Flickr Photos**: Shirley asked Angela how we can get pictures added to our Flickr site since several people expressed difficulties with posting guild-related photos. Angela offered to set up an easier option and email instructions to the group.
* **VHS Tapes**: Angela indicated we have yet to receive information on the two free used VHS from International Polymer Clay Guild. There may be none left, but she will continue to check.
**New Business**
* **Next Play-Day Retreat**: Jane, in Penni Jo’s absence, reported that Penni Jo would like for us to be thinking about next year’s play day. She feels we need a steering committee and since we anticipate having more time at next month’s meeting, she hopes we will be thinking how we would like to be a part of the planning and organizing of it.
* **State Fair Competition**: We agreed that we would not add any new divisions this year, and for clarity the guidelines for entries would read, “The primary decorative elements of the piece must be at least 60% polymer clay. (Items used to support the polymer clay are not included in the 60% requirement.)”
* **Upcoming Guild programs**:
* June: “A Gem of a Lesson” with Nance.
* July: Lesson to be announced with Jane
* August: Mixed Media with April
* **Treasurer’s Report**:
* Balance: $760.34
* 10 members
**Library Drawing**
This month’s library addition is a subscription to “From Polymer to Art” magazine. *[Note: After researching the (high) costs of this subscription, the group later agreed by email to order just one issue at this time.]*
**Raffle**
Winners of the raffle were Sue, Jane, Nance, and Shirley.
**Swap Theme**
June’s swap theme: “How does your garden grow?” Anyone wishing to participate in the swap should create one project using the theme and bring it to June’s guild meeting.

April was an exciting month for the Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild. We were able to share some of our work in our first-ever library display, plus we held our first (hopefully first of many!) polymer clay retreat.
* Check out these posts from new member Myra Cleveland for photos of our display at the Midwest City Library.
* And don’t miss Myra’a and (gracious hostess) Penni Jo’s write-ups about the oh-so-fun retreat.
Exciting times for our group!

Eight members and one guest were in attendance at our March meeting. Shirley welcomed Myra, our newest member, and Connie, our guest. She began the meeting with Show and Tell and members shared some fabulous clay projects they had made.
**PROGRAM**
Angela brought us a program on making Mosaics. For inspiration she showed us 2 clocks, pendants, a vase, and a small box she had used a mosaic technique and some reference books in our library, including the mosaic section in her book, Polymer Clay 101. From her instructions, we each made at least one mosaic pendant. She also explained and demonstrated some alternate mosaic methods.



*(Follow this link for more of Ruth’s excellent photos of the March lesson.)*
**BUSINESS MEETING**
The minutes were not read because they had been emailed earlier to members. Nance moved the February 2011 business meeting minutes be approved. Sue seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
**OLD BUSINESS**
* **Penni Jo’s Play-Day Retreat**: In Penni Jo’s absence, Jane reported that . because Penni Jo desires for each of us to experience the joy and fun of having an undisturbed, unstructured day of playing with clay and fellow ‘clayers’, even though facilities have fallen through, she remains undaunted. Penni Jo plans to have the retreat at her house in Moore. The date was discussed and agreed that April 6, our usual meeting date, would work best. The time is scheduled from 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. There is no fee. Lunch will be provided. Everyone is encouraged to bring a snack to share and for dinner, pizza will probably be ordered. A map and any other information will be communicated through email. A head count is needed because of limited space.
* **Midwest City Library Display:** The library set up time is scheduled for 1:00, Sunday, April 3, with the majority being available to set up. (However, later in the month, by consensus, the time was changed to 1:30).
* Shirley passed out forms to be filled out listing individual pieces for the display in order to make signage.
* The three display cases required the need for background covering. Using information that Shirley had gathered for us, April made the motion to purchase crushed velvet for up to $50, and if cost is significantly more for the yardage needed, to buy the black felt. Angela seconded the motion.
* Shirley asked Angela and Jane, with husband Bob’s help, to be in charge of the display’s signage. Information for each piece-your name, name of your piece, if any, and technique used, is needed to be written out at this meeting or sent to Angela by Saturday, March 19.
* Shirley will notify us of the time and date to dismantle the display.
* Everyone set out their entries and displays to get an idea of sizes and what we had to work with.

*(Look for more photos of the display items here.)*
**NEW BUSINESS**
Because of the need to spend the remaining time of our guild on preparation and final organization for the Midwest City Library Display, the regular reports on future meetings, treasurers report ($741.92; 9 members), Bottles of Hope, and library book review were sent by email prior to meeting.
Two free used VHS from International Polymer Clay Guild, while supplies last, are available to guilds for the asking. Angela offered to send, via email, the titles so members could chose and the ones with the most votes she can submit as our choices. She explained this had to be done in a timely manner, so immediate response is important.
**RAFFLE**
Winners of the raffle were Sue, Connie, and Myra.
**LIBRARY DRAWING**
The group selected *Masters: Polymer Clay: Major Works by Leading Artists* as its choice for this month’s library book.