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Meeting Time Change

We are an enthusiastic bunch and we love to clay. This seems to cause our meetings to run right to 5pm or a little over and causes an issue for the class that follows us at 5pm. In an attempt to eliminate being rushed toward the end of our meetings and running into the class that follows us, we have made a change in time. **We still meet on the second Saturday of the month and at the same place, but we will now be meeting at 1pm until 4pm.** All in all this solution should work out better for us and for the class that follows us.

January 2008 Meeting Notes

Note: Thanks to our newly-elected secretary Shirley for providing these meeting notes.
Six members and one guest, April Gregory, attended the January meeting. April became our newest member at the end of the meeting, giving us two Aprils among our membership.
Jane Linn led us through the fun process of creating faux pewter picture frames. Everyone had good results, and each person’s frame was unique. She also showed other ideas for faux pewter, including a cleverly constructed wine stopper and an intricately decorated knife handle. Jane also demonstrated how to make faux abalone and showed us multiple beautiful samples she had made as she tested and perfected the technique in preparation for the meeting.
The schedule for the next few meetings is below:
* February 9: Hearts for Heroes, which will be taught by three members.
* March 8: Extruder Canes – April Salcedo
* March 29: 5th Saturday Play Day – Bottles of Hope. Angela will host this meeting.
* April 12: To be announced
During the business portion of the meeting, we discussed the following items:
* Election of officers: The following slate of officers were elected for 2008:
* President – Angela Mabray
* Vice President – April Salcedo
* Secretary – Shirley Conaway
* Treasurer – Angela Mabray
* Librarian – Jane Linn
* Photographer – Cassy Salcedo
* Web Master – April Salcedo
* Library Fines: The question of setting library fines for overdue books was discussed. The group decided that if a book is not returned after two months, the borrower will be fined $1.00 for each succeeding month. After six months, the borrower will be required to purchase the book.
* Silver Clay: Penni Jo suggested that rather than going to the expense and effort involved in preparation for a lesson about silver clay, those interested might do better to find a local silver clay group to visit. She announced also that she has a set of DVDs about silver clay which anyone may borrow. April mentioned that the Firehouse Art Center in Norman periodically teaches classes.
* Group Clay Purchase: Penni Jo mentioned that no more members had submitted orders for clay.
* Library Drawing: Making Polymer Clay Beads by Carol Blackburn was chosen to be purchased this month for the guild library. Angela announced that last month’s choice, a subscription to Polymer Clay Cafe, has been ordered and should be arriving soon.
* Membership Dues: Angela announced membership dues are due next month from the first three members who joined the guild.

January Meeting: Faux Pewter Frames

Faux Pewter Frame by Jane LinnThis month, Jane Linn will be showing us how to make two different faux surfaces — pewter and abalone — using polymer clay . Then she’ll be teaching us how to make a gorgeous picture frame using the faux pewter technique.
* When: Saturday, January 12, 2008, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
* Where: The new Hobby Lobby in Norman, 2417 W. Main, Norman, OK. (The classroom is up front, near the check stands. Go right after entering & it’s the first door on the right.)
* What to Bring:
* Strong Polymer Clay: Black (2 packages) and Pearl. Small amounts of several colors of your choosing (e.g., Blue Pearl, Green Pearl, Gold, and Purple).
* Frame: small or medium, wood or paper mache (no plastic)
* Rub n’ Buff-Silver Leaf (optional — we’ll have some to share if you don’t have any)
* Cotton swabs (3-4)
* Rubber stamps to stamp on picture frame
* Metal or wood tool with softly rounded point: (optional — you can make one of these by gently sanding the point of a round toothpick)
* Round toothpicks (3-4)
* Sharp craft knife, such as Exacto
* Flexible tissue blade
* Brushes, and other favorite tools
* Soft cloth
* Polymer-friendly varnish-satin
* Rubber-type gloves and Baby Wipes with alcohol (optional but encouraged — the black clay is really messy)
* Pasta Machine (optional)
* Baking Surface: Ceramic tile or cardstock large enough for your picture frame to bake on
Jane recommends conditioning your clay ahead of time (or coming a little early to the meeting and doing it there).

December 2007 Meeting Notes

Penni Jo @ okpolyclay 12/08/07We had 7 members and 1 returning guest at our December meeting, and with Penni Jo’s help, we all got to create cute snowman light switch covers. Penni Jo Couch did a wonderful job teaching the lesson — showing us not only how to cover the light switch plate, but also how to create a faux knit effect with polymer clay. Several members raved about how much fun they were having! If you missed the meeting, you can find all the instructions here.
Our upcoming meetings are:
* Jan. 12: Faux Techniques with Jane
* Feb. 9: Hearts for Heroes with Cassy, April & Angela
* March 8: Extruder Canes with April
* March 29: 5th Saturday Play Day
* April 12: Bottles of Hope (tentative)
During the business portion of the meeting, we discussed the following items:
* Bottle of Hope: Angela recently met with a local cancer survivor who shared information about a Bottles of Hope reception in Kansas City and offered some medicine bottles for our group to cover. The group agreed to schedule a Bottles of Hope-themed meeting, tentatively in April. Angela will check whether her contact would be available to share with the group during that meeting.
* Hope on a Rope Challenge: In other Bottles of Hope-related news, Amaco is holding a Hope on a Rope Challenge. Entries should include a mini-bottle, decorated for children, hanging on a necklace with beads made using AMACO Bead Rollers. Entries are due January 5, 2008.
* Group Clay Purchase: Munro Crafts sells clay and various other crafting supplies, and they offer 50% off retail prices on purchase totals over $200.00. Some of our members plan to put together a group purchase, coordinated by Penni Jo. Please get in touch with her ASAP if you would like to participate.
* National Polymer Clay Guild: Angela mentioned that the NPCG has started sending out regular e-newsletters including member news. If any members have polymer-clay related news (articles published, etc.), please let Angela know so she can pass the info along.
* Group Clay: The group voted to purchase a few bars of “group clay” the next time there’s a sale. The idea is to have some on hand in case members or guests need a little extra of a particular type/color of clay for a meeting project.
* Officers: Officer elections will be next month. People have expressed interest in running for all of the offices except Treasurer and Webmaster. Please contact Angela if you’re interested in running for one of these offices, or if you’re interested in running for President, Vice-President, Secretary, Guild Librarian, or Photographer.

December Meeting: Snowman Light Switch Cover

SnowmanColor.jpgThis month, Penni Jo will be showing us how to make a snowman-themed switchplate cover, just in time to help us deck the halls with polymer clay Christmas cheer!
* When: Saturday, December 8, 2007, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
* Where: The new Hobby Lobby in Norman, 2417 W. Main, Norman, OK. (The classroom is up front, near the check stands. Go right after entering & it’s the first door on the right.)
* What to Bring:
* Polymer Clay: Metallic Blue Fimo, Metallic White Fimo, Pale Blue, Black. Very tiny amounts of: Orange, Yellow, Brown.
* Switchplate Cover: Penni Jo used an inexpensive one from Wal-Mart
* Medium Sand Paper (optional)
* White Glue: Sobo or The Crafters Pick
* Metal or wood tool with softly rounded point: You can make one of
these by gently sanding the point of a round toothpick.
* Sharp craft knife, such as Exacto
* Razor blade or flexible tissue blade to lift the faux knit
* Brushes, and other favorite tools
* Pasta Machine (optional)
* Clay Extruder (we can share if you don’t have one)
* Baking Surface: 6” ceramic tile or cardstock
Penni Jo recommends having your switch plate ready to cover when you get there.
Update: Here’s the tutorial [PDF]. It includes specifics on how to get your switch plate ready to cover: lightly sand it, then put white glue on it to make the clay adhere better.
Update #2: Penni Jo also sent along her Faux Knit Worksheet [PDF] for any of you go-getters who want to get started before meeting time. And the link to her previous tutorial should be working now, in case anyone else out there was having problems.

November 2007 Meeting Notes

We had 8 people at our November meeting & had a wonderful time learning all sorts of nifty things! April showed us how she does the watercolor/torn paper effect with polymer clay. She also squeezed in a clay extruded cane demo (which was met with much ooh-ing & ahh-ing) plus a demo on sanding and buffing polymer clay pieces for a great shine. Here’s copies of April’s handouts, in case you missed the meeting:
* Watercolor / Torn Paper Steps
* Quick Hand Sanding & Buffing Tips
And for those of you who missed the sanding/buffing demo or just want more info, April recommends checking out fellow member Christie’s sanding & buffing video.
Thanks to April for a great lesson!
Our upcoming meeting schedule is as follows:
* Dec. 8: Covering Switch Plates with Penni Jo
* Jan. 12: Faux Techniques with Jane
* Feb. 9: Hearts for Heroes with various member demos
* March 8: Extruder Canes with April
In the business portion of the meeting, we drew a new item for our library, a 1-year subscription to Polymer Cafe magazine. And speaking of Polymer Cafe, our own Penni Jo is in the latest issue — she’s even mentioned on the cover! Way to go, Penni Jo!
Dana joined the group (welcome, Dana!), so we’re now up to 11 members.
We discussed the Hobby Lobby display. Angela expressed concern that our poster had disappeared, but April found it after the meeting — it had just fallen behind the display case. April and Jane offered to help keep the display “fresh” by updating it with new items after the monthly meetings. If you have an item you would like to loan us for a month to display, please bring it with you to the next meeting.
We also discussed the upcoming officer elections in January. Shirley requested that the officer duties be posted, so that folks can read through them and consider which office they would like to volunteer for. Angela agreed & will be sending this information out to the email group.

November Meeting: Torn Paper / Watercolor Effect

Watercolor Technique Bead by kreativekarmaThis month, April will be showing us how to do a torn paper/watercolor effect with polymer clay. If time permits, she will also give a quick demonstration on finishing pieces by sanding and buffing.
* When: Saturday, November 10, 2007, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
* Where: The new Hobby Lobby in Norman, 2417 W. Main, Norman, OK. (The classroom is up front, near the check stands. Go right after entering & it’s the first door on the right.)
* What to Bring:
* Clay: April suggests either Premo or Kato clay for this project; you don’t want your clay too squishy. Bring 1/2 to 1 block of black, 1/2 to 1 block of white, 1/2 to 1 block of translucent, and 1/2 to 1 block of any other color you would like. (She suggests 1/2 block of clay to save on time and space). Also bring some scrap clay for the base of your projects. Optional — if you plan on making beads, you might want to try pre-baking some beads prior to the meeting, to cover.
* Pasta Machine: A must for this project! (though we can probably share if you don’t have one to bring)
* Wax or Deli paper: We will end up with sheets of clay and will want
to lay it on a clean surface.
* Bead Baking Supplies: If you plan on making beads with this technique, then bring items to bake them on.
* Tissue Blade: To trim our stacks of clay.
* Brayer or Acrylic Rod
* Ceramic Tile: If you are choosing to make something other than
beads, then you may want to cook your items on a tile.
April will also be showing a very brief demonstration on the world of extruded canes — a little teaser for the upcoming meeting dedicated to extruded canes. No supplies needed for the demo — all you need to do is sit back and watch!