Like other week’s, there’s been a lot going on in my studio. I’m going away for about 10 days with my Mom, so next week the blog will be a little slow. Because of that I’ve been diligently preparing the upcoming tutorials that will be released at the beginning and ends of February. That being said, here’s a glimpse of what I’ve been doing…
In case you’re new here, WIP Wednesday is a weekly post featuring what I’ve been working on in my studio. Hence, WIP (Work in progress) The only time I do not run a WIP Wednesday post is when my blog is closed for vacation (which is just a few times a year). On WIP Wednesday’s you are free to leave a link to whatever it is you are working on in the comments section or shout-outs to YOUR favorite clay happenings.
Each & every artist has a few tips, tricks, or thoughtful pieces of advice that they can pass on to others. As I was adding some paint details to one of my items the other day, I sat looking at my typical paint palette and I thought, “you know, this is something my readers might like to know.” So … today with you I share my secret recycled paint palette … okay, so it’s not really a secret, but it is a good tip!
Leaving a review is important not just for me, but for future buyers. You work hard for your money and so do others, and so do I. I want to make sure that you are satisfied with your purchase. I also want to know what you want me to improve.
Continue reading How to Leave a Review at Kater’s Acres
This past week was a wonderful week. We got about 18″ of snow in 2 days, we were snowed in, & due to the snow & temperatures, we spent four full days housebound. It. Was. Great! When my husband is home, I like to spend time with him and don’t get near the amount of time in my studio that I normally do. That being said it was still a busy week!
NEVERKnead is a polymer clay conditioning machine that hit the market in 2014 and had it’s debut at the IPCA Conference “ARCHES” in August.
Continue reading NeverKnead Polymer Clay Conditioning Machine Review
There’s been so much going on the past several weeks. I have broken up the jumbo picture above into segments to help show you what I’m doing and what I’m working on. Hopefully it will help you navigate better.
This polymer clay color recipe coordinates with the Winter Blooms polymer clay color palette. Get the color palette here.
Continue reading Polymer Clay Color Recipe: Sparkling Berry
This Spruce polymer clay color recipe coordinates with the Winter Blooms polymer clay color palette. This is a perfect blue based green for any cool toned palette. It coordinates beautifully with winter themed palettes. Get the color palette here. Continue reading Polymer Clay Color Recipe: Spruce
With each and every monthly project that we do here, you will essentially be receiving TWO tutorials. There’s ONE tutorial that Lisa presents in her book. There’s another tutorial that I will present as a spin off of her project. You are welcome to do either one.
Continue reading January Pavelka Project: Snowflake Necklace Tutorial
The time you’ve been preparing for is now here. It’s time to kickoff one of the greatest things you’ll do this year: challenge yourself, stretch yourself, grow, & learn.
I’d like to introduce you to Steve from the Embossing Die Company. Steve was very generous in sending me samples of his product to review, play with, and share the results with all of you! Although the Embossing Die Company was gracious enough to provide me with samples of their product, the review that follows is my 100% honest thought & critique.
It’s the promotional front-matter that sells books for the most part, right? Right. Here’s what Amazon has to say about it:
Create a beautiful one of a kind life-like Santa figure with the this inspiring book. Filled with easy to follow instructions, tips and techniques by professional artist and sculptor Michele Barrow-Belisle, this book will guide you to create your own polymer clay sculptures.
First … there’s literally nothing to compare to a new polymer clay book in your hands. I love the excitement when I order it, the surprise when I get it, and devouring it like I haven’t had a new book in forever (which is not the truth because I am an avid reader). This being said …
I truly loved this book. I have several books on sculpting human-like figures, but this one is probably one of the best I have. Michele has an easy going writing style, her instructions are easy to explain, and she (like other authors) makes it look so easy. I will say that compared to the other books on sculpting that I have, Michele uses some techniques that are a little different … and that I actually like.
She spends plenty of time showing good photos and explaining in details what the pictures are trying to show you. This book does not spend a lot of time on choosing clay, tools, etc. And … I like that about it. I like it because you can read that in so many polymer clay books that at times it feels like wasted ink. Michele gets straight to the point and dives into the sculpting aspect.
Sculpting portions include: Santa’s face, teeth, ears, neck, and hands with meticulous details to make a realistic hand. There are even some good details on adding washes of color to your baked Santa parts. Including a brief discussion on why the author uses Genesis heat set paints.
For a full sculpting book on the human figure (in particular Santa Claus) it is relatively short at only 52 pages. These 52 pages include a “Notes” section for the reader to write in, as well as the reference & links pages.
Probably my least favorite part is that this is a very short book with a very high price tag at $28.60. However, it’s Christmas … and buying yourself a ‘how to sculpt Santa’ book is merry.
Is there a product you’ve been wondering about? Do you want to know if you should buy it? Do you want to know if it’s worth the hype? Are you a company that wants your product reviewed? Leave your comments below or contact me here.
Sculpting Blessings,
In the mood for Christmas? This polymer clay elf tutorial is one I wrote for Polyform Products (the maker of the Sculpey® lines of products). It has now been published on their website. This is a fun and free tutorial. It’s perfect for figurines, cake toppers, or gifts to give this Christmas season.
