Meeting Minutes

Seven members and three guests were in attendance at our February meeting. Shirley welcomed Myra, Denise, and Rhonda, the three guests. She began the meeting with Show and Tell and members shared some fabulous clay projects they had made.
Because we have only email addresses for some, Shirley asked those who would like to add their address and cell phone number to our records. This will be helpful in times when more than an e-mail is needed.
**PROGRAM:**
Because of our presenter was ill, our “live” program on Kaleidoscope Canes was changed to a DVD on caning: Intricate Kaleidoscope Caning with Sarah Shriver. Since Lee Ann, April, and Ruth had previously viewed this DVD and followed the instructions, they were able to interject helpful thoughts and comments as we went along.
**BUSINESS MEETING:**
Jane moved the December 2010 business meeting minutes be approved. Angela seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
Lee Ann made a motion to approve the January 2011 business minutes. April seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
**OLD BUSINESS:**
Shirley, Jane, and Myra met at Hobby Lobby’s classroom on the 5th Saturday, January 29th. A great time was had by all! Myra has even finished the bracelet she started at the meeting.
Midwest City Library show is coming up in April. The display will run the entire month. Set up is scheduled at 1:00 PM on Sunday, April 3. Shirley contacted the library and confirmed there are a total of six shelves in the two glass displays.
The shelf dimensions are approximately 12 inches by 63 inches. The space between them is approximately 14 inches. It was suggested that a solid black background of fabric in both displays would work best to accent our work. This will also unify the two cases. Shirley asked Angela and Jane to work on the signage.
We need to see what we are going to display and figure out how to organize it. This will tell us what additional items are needed. Shirley asked all of us to bring the following to our March guild meeting:
1. Our display pieces.
2. Our displays (covered gift boxes or other covered cardboard boxes which are not too large, etc.).
3. Written information for each piece (your name, name of your piece, if any, and technique used).
In Penni Jo’s absence, Jane gave a report on the tentative April retreat. As of now, Penni Jo is trying to get in contact with a church that she is aware of that lets outside groups use their well-lit activity building. Until a facility is secured, the retreat remains very tentative.
**New Business**
Proposed New Office
Shirley asked about our practice regarding visitor following-up, an area that has fallen through the cracks. A membership chairman was suggested, and April offered to take the responsibility in the future. Her availability will depend on how her job works out.
**Reports
Future Programs
March**
Mosaics with Angela
April
Tentative: Retreat
Penni Jo has been working on this, but it is not definite.
May
Tentative: Kaleidoscope Canes with Sue
**Treasurer**
Angela reported a balance of $763.93. We have 9 members.
**Bottles of Hope Project**
Nance asked for help for contacts to get more bottles to cover.
**Guild Library**
Jane reported on our newest library item:
Creative Sparks by Dayle Doroshow and Cynthia Tinapple.
**Drawing for New Library Book**
We had no drawing because of our subscription to **Polymer Cafe** Magazine is ready for renewal. This month, we will use our library funds for the renewal.
**February Swap**
The theme for February’s swap: “Love Is in the Air”
Myra brought a beautiful faux lapis lazuli bracelet
Lee Ann brought a blue swirl lapel pin heart
Angela brought a box embellished with clay hearts
Nance brought a fun red and gold heart on a red chain heart
Jane brought a purse holder embellished with clay dove and hearts.
**January Raffle**
Jane, Teresa (guest) and Angela won the raffle in January. There will be a raffle in March.

Eight members and two guests were in attendance at our January meeting. Jane welcomed the guests and began the meeting with Show and Tell. Members shared some fabulous clay projects they had made.
**PROGRAM:** Lee Ann K. taught us a technique for making **large hollow vessels**. The vessels were made over a glass form of our choosing. After baking, the clay was cut in half and removed from the glass form. It was then glued back together and smoothed before adding a second, decorative layer. As always, Lee Ann’s clear instructions and helpful guidance made for an excellent lesson.
**BUSINESS MEETING:**
**MINUTES**: Not everyone had received the December minutes by e-mail prior to the meeting, so approval was postponed until everyone could check them for errors.
**OLD BUSINESS:**
–
Annual membership dues were due. Jane asked members to pay our treasurer, Angela.
**NEW BUSINESS:**
–
**Congratulations:**
Jane congratulated Angela on the publication of her new book, *Polymer Clay 101* which she co-authored. Angela talked a bit about the process of putting it together and announced that she had some copies available for sale to guild members.
Jane also congratulated member Lee Ann for having her mica shift challenge project published in the most recent issue of *Polymer Cafe* Magazine.
Jane also had a project published in the challenge article. Congratulations also went to Angela for having a project article published in the same magazine.
–
**Election of Officers for 2011:** The following new officers were elected:
**President** – Shirley C.
**Vice President** (programs) – Angela M..
The following officers will continue in their offices:
**Web Master and Treasurer** – Angela M.
**Secretary** – Penni Jo C.
The following positions were changed from elected to volunteer:
**Bottles of Hope Coordinator** – Nance R.
**Librarian** – Jane L. and Lee Ann K. volunteered to assist
**Photographer** – Ruth Mitchell
–
**Challenges:**
1.
**Polymer Cafe Challenge**- Wearable Art: Entrants need only send in a picture of the piece, a brief description, and their inspiration. The official entry form from the magazine must be used – no photocopies. Members were encouraged to mention our guild in their entries.
Information about a **bead contest** will be e-mailed to members later.
**NEW BUSINESS:**
–
Web Master Angela M. reported that through our Web site, we have had several **requests for beginner classes**. There was some discussion, including the issue of whether we should charge a nominal fee for such a class, in order to cover materials and time. The group decided to postpone any decision until more thought could be given to the matter.
–
Jane asked whether anyone wished to meet for a **play day** on the **5th Saturday of January**. She will check with Hobby Lobby as to whether our meeting room will be available and let us know.
**REPORTS:**
**Programs**: Our schedule for upcoming programs is:
–
**February** – Kaleidoscope Canes with April (with Sue as a backup)
–
**March** – Mosaics with Angela (tentative)
–
**April** – Retreat? Penni Jo has been working on this, but it is not definite.
–
**May** – Penni Jo may teach?
**Treasurer:** Angela reported a balance of $462.93, not including the dues which have been paid today. We have 10 members.
**Bottles of Hope Project:** no report
**Guild Library:** Librarian Jane L. reported on our newest library items, *Polymer Clay Beaded Jewellery* by Isabelle Cheramy Debray and our latest issue of **Polymer Cafe** Magazine.
**Drawing for New Library Book:** No drawing was needed because we acquired Angela’s new book, *Polymer Clay 101* and also we received last month’s new book, *Foundations in Polymer Clay Design*, by Barbara McGuire. Since our subscription to *Polymer Cafe* Magazine is ready for renewal, neither will there be a drawing next month.
**January Raffle:** Items were donated by last raffle winners, Angela, Sue, and Ruth. Winners of the raffle were Jane, Teresa (guest) and Angela
**February Swap:** Next month we will have our bi-monthly swap. The theme will be “Love Is in the Air.” Jane encouraged members to use their imaginations to interpret this theme.

Hello Clayers, it’s that time again! Our next meeting is this Saturday, January 8, 2011, from 1:30-4:30, at the Hobby Lobby on I-35 and South 19th in Moore (2650 Service Road, Moore, OK 73160 ). We are in for another exciting class from Lee Ann. She will be teaching us how to make large vessels. She brought some lovely examples to our December meeting, and although I was not there, I received reports of how lovely and amazing they are! Although she will show us how to make large vessels,to save time and space, we will be making small ones. I am looking forward to another great lesson from our very talented Lee Ann!
**Supply List:**
Molds from Glass Containers Supply List
1) Smooth and clean glass container. Since all of us will be using the ovens, choose
something small.
2) Scrap clay to cover container. Will be rolled on thickest setting of pasta machine.
3) Craft knife and clay blade.
4) Pasta machine
5) Slow drying glue such as Tacky Glue.
6) Masking tape or blue tape
7)Clay the color of your final choice
8) Oven mitt or hot pads.
Don’t forget to bring an idea for a book to add to our library and a raffle item.

1. **Introduce / welcome guests**: Our meeting began as usual with members visiting with each other while setting up for the meeting. Lots of holiday chatter filled the room with happiness. Sue brought two guests, Connie F. her sister and Denise W. Another guest Debbie joined our merry band of clayers. There was a quorum of voting members.
2. **Show and Tell**: This was especially exciting as Lee Ann brought some projects as ‘teasers’ for next month’s meeting, Big, hollow vessels. The samples were fabulous hollow vessels in many styles and colors. We were all blown away by them and are eager for next month’s lesson. She also answered lots of questions, how, cut where, what kind of forms needed. Etc.
3. **Program**: The program was brought by all of us. We each brought a project to show made using a technique we’d learned. Ruth brought an ornament embellished with poinsettias and leaves made from canes that she has learned to make. Sue brought a Christmas tree with tiny candy canes made using a lesson on leaf cane learned in guild. Lee Ann brought a snow scene with a tiny reindeer and tiny trees. Her design was inspired by an advertisment. Jane brought a gingerbread man recipe card holder with matching recipe cards made by her hubby. Penni Jo brought feather earrings. Each member described their project and, if they wanted to, went into a bit of detail as to how each piece was created, any special info about it, the inspiration of the design etc. All in all, there was a lot of eye candy and information.
4. **Minutes**: Last meeting’s minutes were posted online and sent to members:
* Sue moved they be approved.
* Lee Ann seconded.
Approved.
5. **Old Business**:
* Penni Jo reported on the possible retreat next April. We discussed if we would like
to have goodie bags (PJ reminded us that Makins had asked to know about guild events,
they will send stuff): Yes. Supporters: Yes. Vendors: Yes.
* Jane reminded us that our dues are due next month. We will get a notice of the
amount with any deductions earned from Angela.
6. **New Business**:
* We were reminded that Angela’s book was out. Ruth said she had seen it on Amazon. There is also a video and a writer review with her picture. We were all so very excited!!
* Jane gave us a handout of a proposed slate of officers for 2011. They are as follows:
** Shirley Conway, President
** Angela Mabray, Vice present, Treasurer, Webmaster
** Penni Jo Couch, Secretary
** BOH Coordinator Nance
** Librarian, Jane Linn
** Ruth has volunteered to be the photographer.
* It was discussed in the group that the last two offices in the list be changed from elected offices to appointed positions by the leader. Moved by Sue. Seconded by Ruth. Carried.
* Be thinking about the offices and let the group know if you are interested in a position. Voting will take place in January.
7. **V.P. Report** (upcoming lessons):
* Jan 8. Large hollow Vessels – Lee Ann
* Feb 11. April Kali Cane – Sue will back up if April can’t teach.
* March 8 Angela Mosaics (tenative)
* April 9. Penni Jo Retreat to be held over the retreat weekend?
* May 14 Open
8. **Treasurer’s Report** ~~ emailed by Angela:
* Balance – $481.53
* Members – 10
10. **Librarian Report** ~~ Jane: New library book will be reported on and shown next month.
11. **Drawing for a new book** ~~ Jane: Foundations in Polymer Clay Design by Barbara McGuire
12. **Swap**: Members played “Dirty Swap” with the projects that they had brought to show.
After the swap, Sue spent time demonstrating polymer clay techniques to our visitors. Thank you Sue!!
Angela (2), Sue and Ruth won a raffle in November. There will be a raffle in January.
Next meeting: Jan 8, 2011 At Hobby Lobby in Moore.
January has 5 Saturdays, will we have a play day?
*Meeting submitted by Secretary Penni Jo Couch.*

Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild Meeting held on Nov 13 2010
**1. Introduce / welcome guests**
Angela got us started, getting the lengthy lesson going in order to get as much done as possible. Our meeting was postponed until the projects in the oven before the first baking
**2. Show and Tell**
Angela showed her Steampunk & flower.projects learned in the Christi Friesen class and also a Mosaic art piece. Sue showed her carved beads, Nance showed her pendant and fair entries. Lee Ann showed her finished carved box started in the previous meeting. Ruth showed a beautifully beaded necklace and earring set. Penni Jo showed pics and some things from Sandy Camp.l Starla was back and showed a necklace set. All the work was both exciting and encouraging.
**3. Program:** Angela taught Faux enamel techniques. The class had the room buzzing for the entire three hours. Thank you so very much Angela!!
– We learned to create a mold from a rubber stamp.
– Press the mold into clay and make a molded image.
– Dust the mold with pearl powder to ‘gild’ the clay
– Baking the form.
– Mixing liquid clay with alcohol inks to create clear colors.
– Paint the cooled openings in our baked and cooled forms.
– Bake again to set the colored liquids
– Fill the openings with clear liquid and clarify it using a heat gun.
**4. Minutes**
Minutes were approved. Thank you Shirley for filling in for PJ while she was at Sandy Camp.
**5. Old Business:**
A. PJ did a Sandy Camp report. Great fun was had by all.
B. The possible spring retreat was reported on by PJ and discussed by members. We talked about times, days, working and non working members. We will all be thinking. Also about demonstrations by members, what we might demo. Everyone seemed to think that they would like to learn more about member’s techniques, how they got that special texture or look. .
**6. New Business:**
A. Angela, reported on an upcoming Rings & Things contest. No entry fee.
B. Polymer Cafe Challenge – Steampunk due Dec 10th. Members can use the group magazine entry if desired.
C. Be thinking of who to run for next years officers. We will vote in December.
D. Angela’s new book Polymer Clay 101 will be out in January. Go Angela!! She will bring a book for the guild.
**7. V.P. Report (upcoming lessons):**
Dec. – Member’s ideas show and tell
Jan 8. Vessels – Lee Ann
Feb 11. April Kali Cane
March 8 Angela Mosaics
April 9. Penni Jo Retreat to be held over the retreat weekend?
May 14 Open
**8. Treasurer’s Report ~~ Angela**
– Balance – 453.53
$25.00 prize paid to best of show State Fair winner Penni Jo.
– Members – 10
**9. BOH Report ~~ Nance**
Nance reported, she will be contacting some regional hospitals.
**10. Librarian Report ~~ Jane:**
Jane reported on our new book.
Mixed-Media Mosaics
Techniques & Projects Using Polymer Clay Tiles, Beads and other Embellishments
by Laurie Mika.
**11. Drawing for a new book** ~~ Jane:
Polymer Clay Beaded Jewelry by Isabelle Chercey Bebra
**12. Swap or Raffle brought and won by:**
Starla: Necklace Set Angela
Ruth: Board, container Angela
Shirley: Lisa Palveka stuff & Toolbox Sue
April: Steampunk stuff. Ruth
**13. Next meeting Dec 11, 2010:**
Anyone who wants to swap an item that they will demo or show. It is fun and members are encouraged to swap if they like.

We had a great October meeting! Six members attended, but sadly, there were no guests this month. Jane began the meeting with **Show and Tell**. As requested, some members brought their state fair entries so everyone could get a better look. Others brought recent creations, some of which were made during our polymer clay demonstration at the state fair.
**Program:** Our own resident author, Angela (“Crafty Goat”), taught us how to cover a business card case with carved faux ivory, a project from her new book, Polymer Clay 101, which will be published in January 2011. She brought several beautiful examples which she had carved. For many of us, this was our first experience using a lino carving tool. No one finished, but Jane urged us to bring our finished pieces next time. Many thanks to Angela for an excellent lesson!
**Business Meeting:**
Minutes from the September meeting were approved.
**Old Business:**
**Guild Retreat Planning:** Jane announced that Penni Jo is currently in California, at Sandy Camp, a polymer clay retreat, doing demonstrations and gathering ideas for a possible retreat for our guild.
**Guild Show April, 2011 at Midwest City Library:**
Jane reminded us to be planning for our show in April, suggesting that our state fair entries will be appropriate, but that we will need additional pieces. Shirley reported that there are three display cases, and if memory serves, each is approximately 5′ wide and contains three levels for display. We will be able to display our guild information, as well as leave business cards. Nance suggested that part of the space be used to display a few basic polymer clay tools and some books, and we all agreed. The library will provide books from their collection, if we need to fill space.
**State Fair Re-Cap:**
Jane asked for fresh thoughts or ideas for next year regarding our state fair display and demo. For the demo, it was suggested that we need to have more sign-up sheets for visitors who are interested, and that a member should do a follow-up call or email with an invitation before the next meeting. Shirley volunteered to do that. She also suggested that we request a support behind our demo tables on which to hang our banner, such as the lattice we had this year, as it was much better than bringing in something of our own for that purpose.
For the fair entries, we re-opened our discussion about whether to divide entries into hobby and professional categories, so that everyone would have a greater chance of winning a top prize. We decided not to do so, as each judge will have different ideas on what is good, and our group is very small at this point.
Several members voiced concerns about tightening the wording of our guidelines for entries: specifically, providing a definition of “beads” and writing more specific guidelines regarding the percentage of the entry that must be polymer clay. The question of adding a new category for “mixed media” was also brought up. Decisions will be postponed until next spring, in time for the 2011 fair.
**Paseo “Hold It” Show:**
Jane reminded us that the due date for entries into the Paseo Art Association’s container show is October 23rd. The entry fee is $25.
**New Business:**
There was no new business.
**Reports:**
**Programs:** April reviewed our upcoming meetings, and we planned several more as follows:
–
**November:** Faux Cloisonne or Faux Enamel with Angela
–
**December:** Members’ Ideas and Optional Swap
–
**January:** Vessels with Lee Ann
–
**February:**TBA
–
**March:** Mosaic with Angela
–
**April:** Kaleidoscope Canes with April
**Treasurer:** Angela reported that we have 10 members and a current balance of $490.39.
**Bottles of Hope:** No new report.
**Library Report:** Jane showed our newest library purchase, *Artists at Work: Polymer Clay Comes of Age*, by Pierrette Brown Ashcroft and Lindly Haunani.
**Drawing for New Library Book:** All agreed we should order Penni Jo’s phoned-in suggestion, **Mixed Media Mosaics: Techniques and Projects Using Polymer Clay Tiles, Beads, and Other Embellishments**, by Laurie Mika.
**October Swap:** Artistic covered pens were brought and swapped by Angela, Lee Ann, Jane, and Nance (see picture).

November Raffle: As winners of the September raffle, Penni Jo and Shirley will provide items for November’s raffle.

**1. Introductions / welcome guests**
We had two guests, Beth Baker and Christine Sawyer. Beth is a bead maker and was wearing a lovely necklace / earring set that she had made. It was decide that, during the time we each introduced ourselves to our guests, that we would briefly describe how we found polymer clay. Each story was different and so much fun to hear. We all fell in love with the clay and succumbed to it’s siren song.
**2. Show and Tell:**
PJ showed some of the things made for Sandy Camp. Angela showed two things: 1. A faux wood top for a business card case, the carving project for next month and the tool used for carving. (available for about $12.00 to $15.00 at hobby stores) These pretty cases can be sold or used by the maker. Note, if desired, the carving project can be used in anumber of ways. 2. Faux Enamel, the project for November. She showed a rubber stamp example that could be used as the base and starting point for the project. 3. She showed how a reverse stamp can be made from a rubber stamp that can be used to make Faux Enamel or even Faux cloisonne. Nance brought some great beads, beads and more beads. Lee Ann brought some fabulous Bottles of Hope, necklaces, and canes. Sue show her wonderful Faux Ivory set, neckace, earrings and bracelet.
**3. Program: Hollow Beads, Puff and Pillow by Jane**
We made 2 stretched puff beads. One bead was two sided stretched bead and the other was a single side stretch bead with a flat back and hanger. These two beads were baked and while they were baking she demonstrated making lentils on a light bulb, making lentils on a metal paint pallet and the blow up puff bead. An excellent lesson with many facets and techniques. Thanks Jane!
**4. Minutes:**
PJ read the minutes. The spelling of “Armitage” was corrected by Shirley. Angela moved to accept the corrected minutes, Shirley seconded, passed.
**5. Old Business**:
A. Penni Jo – discussion on proposed retreat in spring. A Friday all day and Saturday all day might be a good start. PJ will try to get hold of the church representative for possible dates.
B. State Fair: tomorrow is last day for deliveries.
Angela brought us our parking and entry tickets.
Sept. 19, 2-6 is our demo time. A note was taken of how many would be coming. We felt like there needed to be at least four people in the demo area at once for a good showing. Sue asked what we should bring. After our experience last year it was decided to bring the following: Flyers, clipboard with signup sheet, each member working can plan a small display of finished clay items, work supplies including work surface and a project(s) on which to work while there.
Shirley will take the banner home and bring both the banner and the screen to the demonstration.
We would like to have someone arrive around 1:30 for the setup and the other members arrive as soon as they can.
**6. New Business**:
Discussion on next year’s fair discription of the categories
a. 60% rule. What constitutes 60%. a variety of opinions. PJ was going to enter a mosiac box, but the box was more than 50% of the design. The same with a bell, the glass bottom was more than the handles, thus not qualifying. [A note from yours truly, Penni Jo. When we originally discussed this rule, especially in conjunction with jewelry, the thinking was — when making a necklace with a polymer clay pendant — if it was made using a lot of glass beads and showy wirework with the pendant as a part of the necklace, this overwhelming amount of non-polymer clay parts might cause a necklace to be awarded a ribbon for all the bead work with the polymer clay pendant only an element in the design. There is nothing wrong with awards for fabulous beadwork, but this is a polymer clay division and we wanted polymer clay to be the centerpiece of all our designs, not just an element in a larger, non-polymer design. Thus the 60% rule.]
b. The question was, should the rules be changed for next year? It was discussed and one member suggested that perhapss wording might be added “aside from the underlying structure or armature.” Many members expressed a positive response to this modification
c. Also brought up was a Mixed Media option. After a bit more discussion it was tabled for a later meeting. [Another aside: after the demonstration, Jane and I discussed the “Mixed Media” category idea. If so, then many other options are open to both the polymer clay user and the metal clay user. Also, picture frames, boxes, etc. etc.]
d. Another question, what constitutes a bead? Does it have to have a hole? from side to side? if from top to bottom is it a focal bead or a pendant? Do we need to add a definition of a bead to our description? Curious minds……
e. “Bead in” ‘s Pat Pierson has a bead group that meets every two weeks on the 1st and 3rd Monday from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. We are invited to join them.
f. Shirley brought us all the submission form for the Paseo’s annual container show. Thanks Shirley.
**7. Report from VP April: upcoming lessons or demos**
Oct – Carvings by Angela
Nov – Faux Enamel by Angela
Dec – Member ideas and or a something made using a lesson learned this year, bring a sample.
**8. Treasurer’s Report: Angela**
$608.38 in treasury
10 members
**9. Bottles of Hope: Nance**
We are all still working on them, keep bringing them in.
**10. New Book Report: Jane**
The new book is very good, even if it is not polymer clay. The flower construction is basically universal and has great instructions.
She also showed the new PolymerCafe Magazine. Angela’s art is in this issue.
**11. New book Drawing:**
I must have been asleep when the drawing happened, I have no idea which book was selected. Can some one please enlighten me? thanks.
**12. Raffle / Swap: This month was the Raffle**.
Penni Jo and Nance brought items for the raffle. Penni Jo won Nance’s beads and the works for a clay covered pen light. Shirley won Penni Jo’s tools and mold.
Next month will be the Swap.
**Next meeting will be on October 9th, 2010
at the Hobby Lobby Store in Moore, OK. **