Polymer Clay Collaborative and Mixed Media Retreat 2009

Attention All Artists! Polymer Clay Artists! Fiber Artists! Beaders! Bookmakers! Collage Artists! Painters! Stampers!

SAVE the DATE!!

Follow your muse to the groundbreaking, first annual

Polymer Clay Collaborative
and Mixed Media Retreat 2009
June 1-6, 2009 on the campus of Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV

Demonstrate your special talent! Sell your creations at the sales table! Explore what can be accomplished through collaboration¡K.the possibilities are endless! Get a group of your artistic friends together! Be a teacher and a student! Come as a Guild! Come to explore! Come to create! Come to innovate!

* All single-room accommodations in lovely air-conditioned campus residence halls
* A 4,000 sq. ft. ballroom work area!
* Three meals/day at the bountiful campus buffets, plus snacks
* Generous 4×4 work area for all artists
* Daily demos
* Mixed media vendors on site to buy supplies
* Sale table! Sell your art – open to the surrounding communities
* Silent auction (to offset costs for following years)
* Must-have goodie bags for the first 40 reservations!
* All-inclusive pricing of only $475!
* Also available: AM and PM Yoga classes; massage therapist on-site

Take the artistic collaborative path to this mixed media event in a creative and learning environment ¡Kyour muse will be there!

Save the date – reservation information available soon!

Anne Bowers, Syd Wellman, Heidi Spicer

Mona Kissel – www.monakissel.com

[tags]polymer clay, mixed media, retreat[/tags]

Next Polymer Clay Idea:

DIY Metal Clay: How to Make Your Own Silver and…

Every good hostess knows a serving platter is the secret weapon at a party. It corrals snacks, makes everything look intentional, and saves you from running back and forth with little bowls. This DIY divided platter takes that idea one step further: each section is labeled with hand-drawn illustrations, making it both useful and irresistibly charming.

The original inspiration came from these tapas-style platters, but we’re creating an English version featuring everyday snacks and nibbles. It’s fun, it’s functional, and it makes even store-bought crackers look Pinterest-worthy.

Materials You’ll Need

White ceramic clay (or air-dry clay if you don’t have access to a kiln)
Rolling pin or slab roller
Oval platter base template (downloadable below)
Divider templates (downloadable below)
Scoring tool + slip for joining clay
Sponge and rib tool for smoothing
Cobalt blue underglaze pencil OR blue underglaze with a fine brush
Kiln + clear glaze (for ceramic clay) OR a food-safe sealant (for air-dry clay)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Shape the Base

Roll a slab of clay about ½ inch thick. Place the oval platter template on top and cut out your base. Smooth edges with a damp sponge.

Step 2: Add Dividers

Use the divider templates to cut strips of clay. Attach them to the base by scoring and slipping. Smooth joins and curve the edges slightly for a handmade look.

Step 3: Refine

Let the platter dry until it’s leather-hard. At this stage, you can tidy the walls, soften corners, and make sure the surface is smooth.

Step 4: Draw Your Illustrations

Here’s where the personality shines. Using an underglaze pencil or fine brush, sketch quick doodles into each section. Keep them loose and playful, not perfect. Our platter has:

Cheese – wedges with holey details
Ham – loose stack of wavy slices
Anchovies – three slim fish outlines
Sardines – larger, striped fish drawings
Salami – one log plus a few round slices with dotted speckles
Olives – oval shapes with pits, some sliced open
Tomatoes – little cluster of round tomatoes tied together

Note: Drawings are slightly altered from the original for a fresh, unique design.

Step 5: Fire and Finish

For ceramic clay: bisque fire, add clear glaze, and glaze fire.
For air-dry clay: allow to dry fully, then paint with a clear food-safe sealant if you’ll use it for food. Otherwise, it makes a perfect decorative tray.