CFCF 2010: Supporting the Polymer Collection Project at RAM

The Polymer Collection Project at RAM is a dream realized by Elise Winters and the polymer clay community.  It represents years of planning and hard work and a major step moving forward to have Polymer Clay works by renowned artists recognized by the Fine Arts World as a true art form.

Roche Celtic Knot Pendant

Shriver Tessilated Bead

Doroshow-Fold Book

Maggio Poetry Bracelets

Haunani Petal Lei Bracelets

Dever Pin

 Elise will be the first to admit that she hasn’t done this alone, relying on many in the polymer world to help bring this dream to fruition.  Some of those include Rachel Carren, Nancy Travers, Nan Roche, Lindly Haunani, Carol Watkins along with Laura Tabakman and Lili Velez.  Also a key element in this project is Bruce W. Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections at RAM, many thanks to him.

We at CFCF are pleased to support this project by donating a portion of each registration fee to the project.   We are also please that we’ve had the great fortune of bringing some of the talented artisans, whose works are included in the collection, to teach hands-on workshops at CFCF this year and in years past.  Just a few of the artists included in the collection project are: Jeffrey Lloyd Dever (CFCF 2010), Dayle Doroshow (CFCF 2010), Lindly Haunani (CFCF 2010), Tory Hughes (CFCF 2009), Donna Kato (CFCF 2008), Maggie Maggio (CFCF 2010), Nan Roche (CFCF 2008-2010), and Sarah Shriver (CFCF 2008-2010). 

We urge you to ponder where we polymer clay artists might be without these pioneers and innovators…and consider a donation to the project.  You can learn more by following this link.  Once again, congrats to Elise and all who have worked so hard on this project.

CFCF 2010 Pre-Conference Instructor: Jana Roberts Benzon

Benzon Laser Cut Pendants

For the past five years or so, Jana Roberts Benzon has continued to reinvent herself through her work, each a little piece of art.  She first brought us her Arabesque technique, then her Sea Sculptures, and now she brings us her new “Laser Cut” technique.

In this exciting workshop, you’ll learn Jana’s technique for what she’s labeled “Laser Cut”.  Dramatic and geometric, with depth and seeming aged history, this technique lends itself to so many different types of jewelry or artwork.  Learn to create pieces that have an old world, or even ancient feel, with delicate and yet bold dimensional detailing.  As you create your pendant in class (with the shape of your choosing…circle, square, diamond..whatever!), you’ll see how much fun this new and innovative technique is to play with!  You can bring your own canes (such as flowers, leaves, and/or wood grain) to the workshop to implement into your pendant, or use canes that Jana will provide.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn this brand new technique!

CFCF 2010: Haunani and Maggio Bring “Color Inspirations” to Cabin Fever

Polymer Clay Color Inspirations

Haunani Petal Lei Bracelets

Maggio Poetry Bracelet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Lindly Haunani and Maggie Maggio are considered the foremost color experts in the world of polymer clay…they are the “queens” of the rainbow.  With the collaboration and publishing of their new book, “Polymer Clay Color Inspirations“, they are providing step-by-step tutorials and advice to those who may lack inspiration in their color choices or just need a bit of a brush-up on their techniques. They are bringing their expertise to Cabin Fever Clay Fest in February 2010 with two BRAND NEW hands-on workshops, developed especially for CFCF.

Haunani will be teaching her “Petal Lei” bracelet on Saturday (waiting list only) which is on the cover of their book and was recently juried into a gallery exhibition.  Lindly’s color palette has a infinite range and her ability to coax and guide those faint of heart colorists is amazing. 

Maggio, on the other hand, has an inspired sense of creating color blends and uses a more technical and scientific technique to developing your color palette.  Her CFCF workshop on “Poetry Bracelets” is newly developed just for CFCF.  Maggie will help students to create stylish colors and turn them into a piece of art that express mood and emotion -  to wear proudly on their arm.

To register for Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2010 in Laurel, Maryland, click here.

CFCF 2010: Jana Roberts Benzon added and Nan Roche’s revised

BENZON "Lazer cut" Maya

JANA  ROBERTS BENZON

Jana Roberts Benzon has been officially added to the Cabin Fever Clay Fest Pre-Conference Instructor line-up.  Jana has been an instructor at CFCF in both 2008 and 2009.  She will be returning again to Cabin Fever Clay Fest 2010 as a pre-conference instructor, teaching a one day workshop on her new “laser cut” technique.  For those who have taken a workshop from Jana before, you know that she is a master at detail and technique  (photo on left is an example  - specific project may

Jana Roberts Benzon

 vary.)  A more detailed description of her workshop is coming, but in the meantime, Jana is excited to debut her “Laser Cut”  technique in this workshop!  People describe these pieces as looking ‘ancient’ or ‘Mayan’…come and learn how to use this super fun and innovative technique to create interesting work with depth, mystique and a seeming history!  Don’t miss your chance to learn from Jana while there is space available. 

 

NAN ROCHE

ROCHE-Celtic Knot Pendant

Nan has also taught at Cabin Fever Clay Fest in 2008 and 2009.  For CFCF 2010, she has decided to expand her Saturday Pre-Conference workshop to - Celtic Knotting/Braids: Explorations Using Extruded Clay.  She is very excited to teach this workshop which is new and never been taught before. 

Celtic knotting is a challenging knotting system that has been used for over 1000 years in European tribal groups for decoration of jewelry, metal objects, carvings and many other art objects. Using extruded polymer clay it is possible to recreate many of these knots to make beautiful jewelry.        

Braiding, though more familiar, can be simple or quite complex. Simple braids can be grouped for elegance. Multiple strands create round and square braids that are dimensional and complex.  Both are fascinating and beautiful.           

This class will explore both Celtic knotting and braiding using extruded polymer clay that forms cords. The techniques can be combined in unique and unusual ways. Working with polymer clay gives possibilities that fiber cording would not: the ability to shape knots and braids and fix them with baking.   

In this class we will learn how to extrude polymer clay using a clay gun as extruder and a caulking gun for pressure as well as finishing techniques using rubber cording, drilling and sanding and polishing. Students will be encouraged to use and combine the techniques above to create a unique and dramatic piece of jewelry. 

CFCF 2010 – Early Bird Deadline Extended thru Oct. 30…

Good news!  We’ve decided to extend the early bird registration discount to you for another month – until 30th October.  

The CFCF workshops being taught by Tony Aquino, Maureen Carlson, Louise Fischer Cozzi, Grant Diffendaffer, Dayle Doroshow, Laurie Mika, Kathryn Jo Ottman, Lisa Pavelka, Sarah Shriver, and Ronna Sarvas Weltman have some spaces available for you but they are filling fast, so don’t wait. 

There are still openings in some of the pre-conference workshops – Nan Roche, Maggie Maggio, and Cindy Silas.

 

You can find more information on the individual workshops by visiting www.polymerclayfests.wordpress.com.

 

Where else can you get hands-on workshops from so many talented and experienced instructors in one place?  And the Holiday Inn hotel is just 20 minutes from downtown Baltimore off of Interstate 95…how convenient! Take Hands-On in Laurel and head to Baltimore for Synergy sessions.

 

Please pass along this information to members of your guild and friends who may be interested. 

CFCF 2010: EXCITING NEWS and UPDATES

CFCF 2010 Pre-conference Classes

Yes, it’s true!  We are filling quickly but there is still room for you to join us! 

Pre-conference workshops run 19-21 Feb. and include a two-day Master Class from Jeffery Lloyd Dever (1 space left), and one day workshops from Lindly Haunani (2 spaces left), Maggie Maggio, Nan Roche, and Cindy Silas.

CFCF Workshops

The CFCF 2010 officially runs 21-24 Feb. including our “Celebration Party” on Wednesday evening when we will eat, auction, and be merry!  Proceeds for the auction will go to the American Cancer Society and the Children’s Defense Fund. 

To remind you of our wonderful line-up of instructors, we have:

Tony Aquino, Maureen Carlson, Louise Fischer Cozzi, Grant Diffendaffer, Dayle Doroshow, Laurie Mika, Kathryn Jo Ottman, Lisa Pavelka, Sarah Shriver, and Ronna Sarvas Weltman.

The following workshops are full, so please select carefully when filling out your registration form:

Grant Diffendaffer Mon. 1PM  –  FULL

Ronna Sarvas Weltman Tues. 8AM  –  FULL

Sarah Shriver Tues. 1PM  –  FULL

Lisa Pavelka Wed. 8AM — FULL

CFCF 2010 Conference Instructors: Kathryn Jo Ottman

Kathryn Jo Ottman

Kathryn grew up in Northern Wisconsin as the third oldest of eight children and from the beginning  sought out her creative side.  With little to no funds for extra-curricular activities such as school sports, dance or music lessons, she forced herself to discover the magic inside – starting small with sculpting animals from modeling clay, then on to teaching herself (as the only left-handed person in the family) to knit and crochet.  In high school, her interests turned to wire sculpture and at the UofMD, she expanded her work to pastels and oil painting. She earned her BA in Business and minor in Fine Arts.

Artistically, everything came full circle for her in 2000, when personal tragedy led her to discover the extremely versatile artistic medium of polymer clay.  From there on, her life was transformed.  Kathryn has been working with polymer clay for nearly a decade, teaching classes and exhibiting her work in juried and gallery shows.  Her love of color and texture most influence her work and she uses everyday inspiration to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, home décor items, books, and dolls.  Each piece is created using custom-blended clay colors and a variety of techniques including Millefiore cane work , Mokume gane, carving, etching, texturing and imitative techniques. 

In 2005, she began laying down plans for a local creative conference specifically geared to polymer clay and mixed media artists, but one that would also give back to the community through fundraising for specific causes.  From this, Polymer Clay Fests and Cabin Fever Clay Fest were born.  Now in its third year, CFCF continues to grow and attract new and experienced artists from around the world.

She currently teaches at GEPPAC, Strathmore, and VisArts Center in the DC area as well as various venues across the country.  Her work can be seen in galleries in Washington, DC and at juried shows around the country.

  Dangles – 4 in Four? 

 

   

This is your challenge…let’s see if we can do it!  Ever had a friend who had a pair of earrings to match each outfit?  In this workshop, students will create beautiful dangles for any occasion using simple canes, embossing powder, texture sheets, polymer “fabric” and polymer buttons.  Students will learn to make earrings from the simplest to the more complex layered styles using many different techniques.  Bring along your imagination and lots of color!

CFCF 2010 Conference Instructors: Tony Aquino

Tony Aquino

Tony is the man with the knowledge and knows all the chemistry behind polymer clay.  He is a chemist and product innovator with VanAken, International, manufacturers of Kato Poly Clay.  He has been involved in the formulation and production of polymer clay and a wide range of other products in the art world, from crafts to fine arts, for over thirty years. Along the way, he took time to play and create with the products he helped to develop and experience their performance as the artist and consumer would use them.  In Tony’s opinion, polymer clay is the most versatile of all art mediums. His interest and curiosity has led him to develop original techniques and uses with a goal to be inventive and sharing.   

 

Channeling a Bracelet

Tony is widely known for his experiments with clay. Tony will share his technique of making a bracelet from a combination of polymer clay and Kato Liquid Color. This 100% polymer clay bracelet is formed in an aluminum channel mold. The project is what Tony calls a “Raku-mitation” channel bracelet with a pitted surface highlighted with shimmering metallic colors. He will also show additional methods used to make a variety of designs utilizing this technique. As the Chemist for Van Aken, he is working on several more designs and finishes that he will also pass along to his students. So if the spirit moves you, join Tony in channeling your an inner bracelet!

Aquino Channel Bracelet2

Aquino Channel Bracelet

CFCF 2010 Conference Instructors: Maureen Carlson

Maureen Carlson

Maureen has been working in polymer clay for over 30 years and inspiration for her work comes from all around her…the magical mysteries of the world.  On her blog, she says “I’ve always delighted in seeing faces in the things around me, like in clouds and in the grain of wood and hiding in the crevices of stones. I realize that’s probably because I, as a human being, am trying to see my own species reflected in everything I see. But it surely is fun.”   She also shares, “I’m going to use a phrase, rather than the words innovative or original, to express my creative goal.  What I strive for is to imbue my work with ‘the quality of being alive.’  For me that means that there is an energy inherent in the piece, due to a combination of factors, that calls forth an answering hum within me.  When that hum starts a-humming, then I know that I’m immersed in the creative process.”

 

Stackables: Sculpture in Motion

A wonderful sense of fulfillment will occupy your spirit when finished with Maureen’s workshop.  Using polymer clay, threaded rods, face push molds, metal stamps, paints, powders, words, intention, and plenty of introspection, students will create a sculpture that expresses an idea, mood or personal message.  Watch out world!

Carlson - Stackables

CFCF 2010 Conference Instructors: Dayle Doroshow

 

Dayle Doroshow

Dayle is a mixed media/polymer clay artist and owner of design studio Zingaro, stamp of distinction.  She began her training in traditional ceramics in New York City and sold her pottery in local Greenwich Village shops.  She developed an interest in book arts and continued to study BookArts through the California Crafts College and San Francisco Center for the Book. Her jewelry and handcrafted books can be seen at art shows on the West Coast.   Dayle enjoys teaching and sharing the creative process in workshops across the United States and in France.  Her work can be seen at www.dayledoroshow.com. For anyone wanting to expand the use of polymer clay to book creation, Dayle will offer the perfect starting point for you.

Fold Books- 10 Variations on the Theme 

Folded papers and books have been around since ancient times.  With single sheets of paper, a bone folder, your hands and your imagination come explore a cornucopia of unique folded designs.  These pieces of paper will blossom into effective pieces to communicate your message and art.  This spirited hands-on workshop will guide you through at least ten fun, folded designs to use for books, cards, altered books and journals, brochures, invitations, and more.  The book covers will be made of polymer clay and embellished with an assortment of techniques.