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May 2010 Meeting Notes

Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild Meeting May 08, 2010
Our meeting began as usual with members visiting with each other while setting up for the meeting.
1. Introduce / welcome guests –
We had no guests this meeting.
2. Show and Tell
As usual there was much ooohing and aaaaahing as members showed their most recent creations. Jane had a mica shift pendant necklace. Lee Ann brought her Ruphia bead and finished vessel. Nance passed around the air dry flowers that she will be teaching. Penni Jo showed her focal beads.
3. Program: Faux Embroidery by Penni Jo ( was pointy flowers) Because of the enthusiastic response she completed the technique, submitted a syllabus to the Fandango and was accepted as one of three teachers for 2010.
4. Old Business:
Ruth reported on the Art Festival. People asked questions but there were no info sheets about the clay and our guild. Next year we need a handout and need to find out if we can demo. Also, the table needs to be rearranged for better display and viewing. In order to be part of the Art Festival next year, we need to have classes at least one center. Having classes with children and adults was discussed. If classes are taught for children then the center can supply the clay. Ruth – maybe develope kids programs in the centers. Jane, PJ & others to develop programs to teach teachers. There were a lot of positive comments about our display.
5. New Business:
a. State Fair: I reported for Angela. Enrollment for fair is July 1 through Aug 16. We also talked about demonstrating on the first Sunday again this year.
b. Play Day. It was suggested we might use our play days to prepare our state fair entries. Email Jane if you want to participate in Play Days.
6. V.P. Report (upcoming lessons):
June – Color collage (AKA design board) – exercise from the color book. Everyone bring 5 magazines, we will tear out colors, and pallets that we like and learn to make a color collage that can help us choose clay colors for caning, sculpting and designing. Also, if you like bring your favorite colors of clay, paint chips, silk flowers, etc. This promises to be an exciting, revealing and helpful project.
July- Carving by Angela
Aug – Air dry clay Nance
Sept – Pillow beads – Jane
Oct – Faux Enamel & Faux Cloisonne – Angela
7. Treasurer’s Report ~~ Angela
Balance – $640.27 Members – 10
8. BOH Report ~~ Nance
Nance is needing medium sized bottles and has contacted Norman Regional again.
9. Librarian Report ~~ Jane:
Jane reviewed the new book Perfectly Paired.
10. Drawing for a new book ~~ Jane:
We drew for the new book, Color Index by Jim Krause.
11. Raffle
Winners of last raffle brought items to the meeting. Winner to bring something to next raffle: Nance, Jane, Lee Ann
12. June Swap ~~ Pairs — bring any pair of anything to swap. Even a pair of pears.
Next meeting June 12 at 1:00 pm at the new Hobby Lobby in Moore.

Saturday May 8, 2010 Pointy Flower Pendant

Hi Clayers! It’s that time again! Our Next meeting will be held Saturday May 8, 2010 at 1:00 at the new Hobby Lobby store -2650 S Service Rd, Moore, OK- (405) 912-8100, our new venue.
FlowersOnIvorySm.jpg
Penni Jo will be demonstrating her absolutely lovely Pointy Flower Technique. Penni Jo has placed her pointy flowers on a faux ivory pendant. Please make whatever base you want to place the pointy flowers on ahead of time. Penni Jo has graciously provided us with instructions for her ivory pendant base. They are listed below with the supply list.
Here is the supply list:
Polymer Clay
1. Plugs, loaves or scraps of skinner blends. Ends or scraps of leaf canes. Or, clay in your choice of color for flowers and leaves.
2. . Background clay, shown are faux ivory and a pearl background. Faux ivory instructions are below the materials list.
3. Faux Ivory Clay: For faux ivory you will need about a half block of white and ecru or beige, and a block of translucent. See instructions below.
Other Tools
4. Optional: wire for wirework.
5. Pointy tool: like a smooth round toothpick, skewer, needle tool, etc.
6. Iron On Glass or Crystal jewels: Choice of color. Available at Hobby lobby in the aisle for ironing stuff onto jeans and t-shirts.
7. Optional eye pins: If dangles are desired, eye pins will be needed.
8. Clay tools: Pasta Machine for mixing clay.
Faux Ivory Instructions.
Condition and layer ‘faux’ Ivory clay as follows.
Polymer Clay:
Premo Ecru or Fimo Sahara (or mix your own light ivory color using your favorite brand of clay – One part)
White – One part
Transparent or Translucent. Two parts
1. Roll the clay into flat sheets about 1/8″ thick or the thickest setting on the pasta machine. Trim into the same size rectangles. Stack the clay as follows: Ecru, Translucent White, Translucent. Cut the stack in half. Place one half on top of the other. Do not flip the clay over, the stack should stay in the same order, ecru, translucent, white, translucent; ecru, translucent, white, translucent. Press from the center out to remove air bubbles.
2. Flatten the stack slightly, Cut in half again, and restack. Flatten slightly; continue these steps, building a stack about an inch high with a soft, subtle grain running through it.
3. Trim the stack until the subtle ‘ivory’ grain begins to show.
4. Roll the scraps into a ball and put the clay through the pasta machine on a medium thin setting. Lay the sheet of clay on a sheet of deli paper.
5. Cut thin slices from the edge of the stack. Gently press the clay slices onto the sheet of clay with the lines (grain) of the “ivory” running in the same direction.
6. When you have a sheet of faux ‘ivory’ large enough, roll it through the pasta machine set one thickness larger than the original sheet going with the grain of the ‘ivory’.
7. Reset the machine one thickness thinner and put the clay through it again in the same direction. Your faux ‘ivory’ is ready to wrap on the your project.
FlowersOnPearlSm.jpg
May is our raffle. Jane, Penni Jo & Ruth were the winners. Winners should bring something for the next raffle and everyone else also bring something for the raffle so we can have funding for our ever expanding and ever amazing library. Also bring a suggestion for a book, DVD, or magazine to add to our library.

Wednsday, April 14, 2010 Meeting-Hollow Form Vessels Part 2

Hello Clayers! It’s time for another great clay meeting. The meeting will be held **Wednesday, April 14th at Southern Oaks Recreation Center at 400 SW 66th street, from 6 to 9 pm**. At this meeting we will be determining if this will become our permanent location or not.
This month I will be teaching part 2 of the Kathleen Dustin’s technique for creating hollow form vessels. If you do not have some of the listed items, I will have mine on hand for use. The supply list is below:
SUPPLY LIST
Pasta Machine
Cutting Blade
Exacto Knife
Baby Powder
Armor All or WD-40
Needle Tool
Scissors
Fiber fill
Drill bit 1/8″
1/8″ Cord to string the hollow form onto (Pony Lacing works fine)
Ruler
Genesis Thick Medium
1/8″ rivets
Loctite super glue
Medium Grit/Rough Sanding Sponge
At least 1 package of clay that is the same clay that was used on the interior of the hollow form
(If anyone wants to recover the mold they made at the February class then please bring a skinner blend sheet or some other decorative sheet of clay long and wide enough to cover your mold as well as a 1 or 2 blocks of clay for the interior of the hollow form vessel and some paper and a pencil or pen)
The theme for the swap at April’s meeting will be “spring flowers.” So everyone bring a swap item. Also bring an idea for a book, DVD or magazine to add to our library.
See you at the meeting!

Central Oklahoma Polymer Clay Guild Meeting ~ March 10, 2010

Our meeting began as usual with members visiting with each other while setting up for the meeting, unloading tools and clay. The April meeting will be at the**Southern Oaks Recreational Center, 400 S. W. 66th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73139-8720 starting at 6:00 PM.**
**1.Introduce / welcome guests**
There were no guests this week.
**2.Show and Tell**
Along with the visiting and set up, we had a rather casual “Show and Tell”. Members showed their beautiful clay creations while we oooohed and ahhhed and unpacked out tools and clay.
After everyone had begun to work on the clay for the project; President Jane Linn began our meeting.Those that had not participated in the earlier “Show and Tell”, passed their artworks around.
**Program:** April was not able to teach the second half of her project ‘Hollow Vessels’ due to a death in the family. Penni Jo offered to teach a bead lesson that she saw while visiting the Corpus Christi Polymer Clay Guild in January. ‘Ruphia’s Indian bead using the Inside-Out Bead Technique’
This intriguing bead has a four sided face with braids and is a great use of scrap clay. The fabulous patterns formed by turning the twisted clay inside out looks like a colorful blanket. Ruphia is the president of the Corpus Christi Polymer Clay Guild. Penni Jo offered to teach the lesson after receiving permission from Ruphia.
**3.Old Business:**
Angela has been working on a new book and even though it arrived overnight a day late at the publishing house, the publishers were delighted with her work and projects. So much so, that they may be using one of her project pics on the cover! We were all so excited over her success and enjoyed seeing samples of 13 of the projects she designed, executed and photographed for the book. She is also working on a DVD to go with the book. Go Angela!!!
**4. New Business:**
Kay Strange was officially introduced as our newest member. Welcome Kay! This is a great group of helpful and kind folks.
Jane showed the new PolymerCafe´ magazine. Jane and Angela both placed in the magazine challenge “Faux Finishes” Jane won second place, Angela won third. Way to Go Gals!!!
Angela also had an article in the magazine and a pic of her project was on the cover!!!!
Next month’s challenge is ‘Leaves, Leaves Everywhere’. Entry Deadline is April 10th for the September/October Magazine.
Shirley will be displaying her work maybe this year. She will email the group with more info.
Since there is no secure area at the Rec Center for our books, it was voted to allow the Librarian, Jane to buy one or two rolling boxes with collapsible handles in which to store and move the books from her car to the meetings. Our library has grown and is more cumbersome to move.
**5. V.P. Report (upcoming lessons):**
We talked briefly about the idea of having a quick cane making demo or other quick tip at the start of each meeting. This was well received. Next, members to volunteer? This way we all can grow in our knowledge of this beautiful craft.
April – Hollow Vessels part 2 April – can’t wait for this lesson!!
May – Faux silk embroidery using slivers of old skinner blends to emulate the shapes formed in silk embroidery. Flowers and delicate detail created on a clay pendant or bead using slivers or tiny balls of ombre or verigated clay made from skinner blends.
Purple sliver flowers on faux ivory close up view
Also demonstrated, by Penni Jo, late in the meeting was “Unraveling the mystery of Skinner Blends” answering, to the best of her abilities, questions such as “How can I make a very narrow blend?” (a row of round magnets on the rollers to prevent the clay from spreading out) and “How do I choose colors to achieve a specific blend”. (Value is as important as color and darks can overwhelm a lighter color if the color is even slightly transparent. Adjust a lighter color to be more opaque when blending with a much darker color.)
**6. Treasurer’s Report ~~ Angela**
Balance – $648.69
Members – 10
**7. BOH Report ~~ Nance**
Nance was absent but we were reminded Angela reminded us of the North Texas Guild’s Bottle of Hope contest. Here is the link – http://www.ntpcg.org/boh.html Entries must be shipped to arrive by April 18, 2010. There are cash prizes for the winners. Check it out.
**8. Librarian Report ~~ Jane:**
Jane showed our newest book Lisa Palveka’s ‘Complete Book of Polymer Clay’.
**9. Drawing for a new book ~~ Jane:**
Be sure to bring the name of that ‘I just have to read this’ book for the book drawing.
**10. April Swap ~~ Jane and April:**
The March raffle was won by Jane, Penni Jo and Ruth. The next raffle will be in May. Each winner will bring items for raffle in May. We talked briefly about one of the canes to make might be a **Poker Chip **cane, slices of which could be used to ‘buy’ chances on the raffle. ( Wouldn’t it be fun to have a poker chip swap? Everyone’s would be so very different. )
The April swap will be Spring Flowers. Bring your happy spring item and join the swap. Any spring themed item can be entered. Think birdies, flowers, rain, violets, pansies, lavender, pale pink, blue and yellow, think new life and new joy.
**Next meeting April 14, 6:00 at the Rec Center.**
Looking forward to finishing my Hollow Vessel and seeing all of you. Please excuse all the exclamation points, but it was such an exciting meeting.
Your excitable secretary,
Penni Jo.

Wed. March 10, 2010-Lesson Change

Hello Clayers,
The March meeting will be held at the **Southern Oaks Recreation Center, 400 SW 66th Street, 6-9, Wed., March 10th**.
Due to a death in my family, I will not be able to teach part 2 of the hollow form class this month and will instead, teach it at the April meeting. Penni Jo has graciously offered to teach in my place. She will be unraveling the mysteries of the skinner blend to us and will be teaching us how to make multiple color Skinner Blends, resulting in different effects. She will also be teaching a twist on the Natasha bead called a Ruphia Peche Indian Bead created by Ruphia, the president of the of Corpus Christi Polymer Clay Guild where Penni Jo attended meetings during her stay in Texas. Thanks Penni Jo and Jane for all your help on such short notice! The supply list is as follows:
**General Tools needed:**
Pasta machine (we will have one to share)
Work surface or work surface cover
Cutting blade
Stylus or needle to make eyes on the indian bead
Skewer or knitting needle
Clay needed in colors you like
General clay tools
**Materials needed:**
A little bit of flesh and black clay
1/8 to 1/4 oz. each of Indian blanket colors or your favorite bead colors. ( 3 to 6 colors)
If you have a stash of scraps from other projects, you might want to bring them.
Penni Jo has added some additional info about the class.
Guild March Madness ~ Pick up lessons:
1. Revisit the Skinner blend. If you would like to know how to create a specific blend, let us know, we’ll help you figure out colors and amounts needed.
**Materials needed:**
a. Colors of clay that you would like to skinner blend
b. A specific kind of blend that you would like to have for a project, eg, flower petal, leaf, etc.
Bring any questions you may have about how to blends colors to make certain projects, ie. Calla Lilly.
2. Ruphia Peche Indian Bead using the Inside-out Technique (AKA Natasha Bead) Ruphia is the president of Corpus Christi Polymer Clay Guild where Penni Jo attended meetings during her stay in Texas.
Her Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24413745@N07/
Etsy Site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ruphia?section_id=5350461
**If you are uncertain about the colors you want, Michael’s has clay on sale this week. Four blocks for $5.00. **
This month we will be having our raffle. April, Angela and Jane were the winners of our last raffle and should bring something for the next raffle. Also, everyone bring and idea for a book you would like to add to our library.

Wed. February 10, 2010 Hollow Form Vessels

Hello Clayers! It’s time for another great clay meeting. This time the meeting venue and date and time have changed and will be held** Wednesday, February 10 at Southern Oaks Recreation Center, from 6 to 9 pm.** We will be trying out this venue and date and time to determine if this change will work for us so please give your input on the change. The physical address and directions are:
**400 S.W. 66th Street
(The facility is just east of Walker on 55th street next to the park,
on the right. Turn right into the parking lot. It is brightly lit and
in a safe neighborhood. It is on the street behind the Southern Oaks
Library.)** [Link to Map]
This month I will be teaching Kathleen Dustin’s technique for creating hollow form vessels. It is rather a lengthy process so we will be breaking the class down into 2 classes, one in February and the other in March. If you do not have some of these items, I will have mine on hand for use.
. The supply list is below:
**SUPPLY LIST**
Pasta Machine
Cutting Blade
Exacto Knife
Baby Powder
Armor All or WD-40
Needle Tool
Scissors
Paper
Black Permanent Marker
Medium Grit/Rough Sanding Sponge
At least 4 0z (or scrap clay the size of 2 blocks of packaged clay) of thoroughly blended scrap clay (make sure you blend the scrap clay until it is of uniform consistency and color)
1 block (2 oz) metallic clay
2-3 blocks of clay (will be making a skinner blend)
The theme for the swap at February’s meeting will be “red and/or pink.” So everyone bring a swap item. Also bring an idea for a book, DVD or magazine to add to our library.
See you at the meeting!

January 2010 Meeting Notes

There were six members present at our first meeting of the new year. We began with Show and Tell. Angela M. has been asked to create a piece for the next Synergy. She showed her “Idea Tree,” which she had created from old spools, recycled materials, and polymer clay. She also showed two items she had bought from the new Art-O-Mat dispenser at City Arts Center in Oklahoma City.

Program

Lee Ann presented two excellent techniques, making faux wood and creating a pendant using a different mica shift technique, along with a handout with very clear directions.

Business Meeting

Old Business

**Election and Installation of Officers:** The following officers were elected by acclamation:
* President – Jane L.
* Vice President – April G.
* Secretary – Penni Jo C.
* Treasurer and Web Master – Angela M.
The position of librarian will be decided later.
Annual dues were collected by the treasurer.
Next month’s meeting will be held at Southern Oaks Recreation Center, 66th and South Walker, on Wednesday, February 10, from 6-9 p.m..
There was no new business.
**Officers Reports:**
V.P April G. reviewed our upcoming meeting schedule:
* February 10 – Hollow Vessels with April G.
* March (10 or 13, TBA) – continuing Hollow Vessels with April
* April (10 or 14, TBA) – Penni Jo’s “pointy flowers” and leaf canes from Skinner Blend
* May – Color Collage project from Maggie Maggio’s color book
**Treasurer’s Report:** Angela reported a balance of $411.86, plus the dues that had been paid during the meeting. Our membership stands at 8.
**Bottles of Hope:** Nance again asked for volunteers to take over her Tuesday morning BOH project at Norman Regional Hospital, as she will have a schedule conflict beginning soon.
**Library Report:** Librarian Jane L. praised our latest purchase, Clay So Cute, by Sherri Haab, for having excellent tips and instructions and good “trendy” projects. She would recommend it for beginners and for teenagers.
**Drawing for a new addition for the guild library:** The DVD Intricate Kaleidoscope Caning, by Sarah Shriver, was drawn and will be purchased this month.
**Bi-Monthly Raffle:** April, Angela, and Jane were the raffle winners and will bring items for the March raffle.
**Announcements:**
The theme for the swap at February’s meeting will be “red and/or pink.”
Jane reminded us that our own Angela M.’s segment on HGTV’s That’s Clever will be aired Tuesday, January 19th.