Learning, Playing and Experiments

Going to Creative Journeys Studio is like receiving a big warm hug. It is a beautiful facility, run by two lovely (and talented) women, Ellen Prophater and Sue Sutherland (http://creativejourneystudios.blogspot.com). They have a permanent gallery of polymer clay that documents the history of this art form and dazzles you as you meander through. But they also have a portion of the gallery where you can purchase polymer pieces from artists across several continents.

 

Creative Journey Studios in Buford, Georgia

And they bring in wonderful instructors!

This last weekend I spent three days at the studio with Cynthia Tinapple for a class called ‘The Secrets of Inlay”. She has been inlaying polymer clay veneers into wood for years . . . . decades even. Bowls, bannisters, stair risers . . . . nothing is off limits . . . . even a crack in the driveway, but that’s another story!

But this class was so much more than just inlaying polymer clay into wood. She pulled out all sorts of tips and techniques throughout the three days.

My excitement for taking Cynithia’s class is based upon . . . . well . . . .  it was Cynthia and my recent work with Banyan Bay Studios (www.banyanbaystudio.etsy.com). They design wood-turned components such as beads, cabochons, toggles, end caps, etc. Bead weavers, and those that do kumihimo use many of their components. For 2017, they are developing a new line of components that will be customizable. By creating channels, for example, bead weaving can be done directly around the piece. But as I looked at them, I thought . . . I could use that channel for polymer clay!

So we have been playing,   . . . . . lots of playing . . . . ummm, I mean, experimenting. This is just a small sampling of the results. They really are beautiful. Their new components should be available by the end of the year and I promise to keep you posted on their progress.