Raw Polymer!

Here's what I've been working on using 

polymer clay.

This is the raw product

BEFORE

sanding, polishing, buffing, patina-ing

Well, you get the picture.

No, you don't, because you haven't seen them yet!

Just trying out covering polymer clay with translucent to see what happens.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus!

Working on adding faces.  I'm not there yet.

Jesus carries his cross.

Dragonfly!

When these are finished, I'll show them again, and you can see the differences.

Sara Sally LaGrand - Artist Extraordinaire!

Rich.  Earthy.  Organic.  Filled with Life.

Sara's art.

The places to find Sara are listed at the bottom of this post.

My goal is to show case her amazing art so that you will have the distinct privilege of seeing these masterpieces without distraction.

No comments are needed except to say,

WOW!

Let's begin.

Bernadette, a brooch about a deep thinker.

Lisa, a brooch about a modern woman.

Sara featured this amazing sculpture in her blog!

 

Copper Ribbons

bottecelli

Eggo's Eyes

Sara Sally LaGrand

Artist Extraordinaire!

Places to find Sara Sally

Etsy

Pretty Babies

Blog

Hospital Art

I don't know what it's like in other places,

but one thing I have found,

with the exception of one major hospital in this area,

that art, works of art, are on display, for all to enjoy.

Regions Hospital,

where Jenny was when she was sick,

and, yes, she is home now recovering,

had some beautiful works of art.

I didn't cover all of them.

Actually,

on the first floor and the 6th floor, I found some lovely art.

Follow me along this quick path.

I love this statue with its living art.

These living sculptures surrounded the statue.

Beautiful!

I love the detail in these flowers.

Oils.

Photos

Prints.

Mosaics.

Ceramic Stones

Even lights and their arrangements.

Wow!

Hospital art!

Nature's Sculptures -- Inspiration from my Garden

Sometimes, all you have to do is to look at that which is closest to you in a new light, a new moon, a new direction for inspiration.

And when your view changes, so does your idea or concept. With luck, your ideas have challenged the images in your mind, and creativity is enabled.
Closer or farther, the colors change, the ideas melt into new ideas for the blessings of the creative mind.
Let's choose to look beyond what we see and imagine what can be.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Do you remember Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music singing this song? She had such a beautiful voice! Now that you've read this, will you be able to quit singing that song? I don't know. It's pumping through my brain as I write. Anyway, Julie sang about "rain drops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens." These are really fine things to have and appreciate. Here in Minnesota those warm woolen mittens come in handy in the cold winter months. Now, to the person who melts glass, whether you be a beadmaker or a sculptor, you know we need tools! In my view, the more the merrier, however, we do tend to run out of room after a bit. So, "When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, " I look at my tools, and I'm glad.
I looked up the definition of a tool at dictionary.com I use that site a lot! Here's how they defined tools.

tool

(tōōl) Pronunciation Key n. A device, such as a saw, used to perform or facilitate manual or mechanical work. A machine, such as a lathe, used to cut and shape machine parts or other objects. The cutting part of such a machine. A bookbinder's hand stamp. A design impressed on a book cover by such a stamp. Something regarded as necessary to the carrying out of one's occupation or profession: Words are the tools of our trade. Something used in the performance of an operation; an instrument: "Modern democracies have the fiscal and monetary tools . . . to end chronic slumps and galloping inflations" (Paul A. Samuelson) I decided that for the next few days, I will show you some of my favorite tools from my "studio." Now these are tools that I use every single day that I make beads. I don't exagerate when I say that. Rather than turn this into a blog that will make you fall asleep, I am going to carry this blog on for a few days. Well, maybe you'll fall asleep anyway, but I'll have the pleasure of knowing you can't quit singing "These are a few of my favorite things." The first thing I'm going to show you is my brass stump shaper. The edges are beginning to show signs of wear. Whenever I need to move glass, make a dent in hot glass, reshape some glass, I grab my stump shaper. I have the small sized stump shaper. There are larger ones available, but, for now, this one suits my needs. The handle is a little bit loose, but I think some glue will keep it together. I found the next tool at the local thrift store. I think I paid 25 cents for this wonderful tool. I use it whenever I need to crease hot glass, to move hot glass. I use it almost as many times a day as my stump shaper. You can see the burn marks from when this has been in the fire. Many people use a razor tool for creases and indentations. I use my 25 cent spreader. I don't think I could do without it! Now this unique tool has seen a lot of HOT glass. I use it everyday when I make my butterflies for Beads of Courage. I use it as a ruffling tool. I don't know what it's actually called, but it's original purpose was for wire wrapping. By using it, you are supposed to be able to get consistent sized wraps. I've never used this tool in that way, but it has served me well when using it for hot glass. Please let me introduce you to my mini mashers. I use these everyday for various things, including the butterflies I make for Beads of Courage. I used to own a regular size of mashers, but I guess I am just not strong enough to squeeze them to make them work. I finally gave up and gave them away. I could never mash anything with the big mashers, but these mini mashers are a dream come true for me. You can see the burn marks on the blades. They have had a lot of use, both in and out of the fire. The last tool I'll show you today is my Obsidian Shaper. All right, for those who know better, I know that's not the real name for this tool, but, even though I searched for the correct name, I couldn't find it. When used in the way it was intended, you can shape some of the most beautiful egg shaped barrel type beads you have ever seen. I use this wonderful graphite tool to help me round out beads. I have used it to make the egg shaped barrel type bead, but I think I need more PPP. The graphite helps to move the hot glass into a much rounder shape. I have found that this tool can work wonders with a lopsided hollow bead. I love it! Someday, I will use it for the purpose for which it was intended. Now, for the novice bead maker who might be reading this blog. You can do without a lot of the tools I have. The tools, other than those you can make yourself or find in a thrift store, are very much worth the money you spend. I do not buy a tool until I am ABSOLUTELY convinced that I will use that tool on a regular basis. I have sold tools that I thought would work, but I found that I couldn't use them in the way they were supposed to be used, or I sold them because I didn't feel I used them frequently enough to warrant the expense of keeping them. With most tools you buy, you won't get your investment price back even if you sell them. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, that is a true statement. Newbies, treat your tools kindly, but use them well. You won't regret the investment if your beads improve. Look for sales. Look at thrift stores. Look for old tools being sold. Those are the best ways to find what you really need to make great beads or sculptures.

My Beadalina Arrived Today!

When you see the work of a fabulous artist who goes by the name of Angelina Beadalina, you know why I wanted to own a piece of her work! Well, today I do! This is an absolutely fabulous sculpture that I will treasure for the rest of my life, and knowing that it's a Beadalina, well, that will make this piece of art even more special. Ang, thank you for your ability to share your talent with us through this glass medium! I am truly impressed by the quality of your work and your ability to take a glob of glass and fashion it into this marvelous work of art. I'm sure that everyone will agree with me when they see this woman with her hair blowing in the wind. She's mine now!