Tag Archives: Alice Stroppels Studio 215

-polymer paintings, Clayathon 2022, Online Workshops, Retreats, Wall art, Zoom Room Workshops

Premo coloR cArds by Joan Tayler

What I wouldn’t have given for these color cards when I first started out in polymer clay.

What am I talking about? I am extremely overjoyed to have them now.

Joan Tayler has mixed all of these colors in Premo, put these color cards together, photographed them, printed and laminated them. The recipes are on the front with the colors on the back. Such a lot of work.

All for only $12 a set. Trust me you will use these over and over again. You can purchase them here in her Etsy shop.

I’m teaching at virtual Clayathon in February 2022, a workshop call Paper to Polymer, see the post with more information here. I will be using these cards when we mix colors for our wall pieces that will be inspired by paper collages we create.



Not only that but Joan and Shelley Atwood are teaching a two day workshop with step by step color mixing and jewelry design. Their workshop, Wardrobe Inspired Jewelry, is on Feb. 17 & 18 while mine is the 22nd and the 23rd.

Loretta Lamb is the guest artist at virtual Clayathon this year and I know she has some wonderful things to share with us.

The line-up of talented polymer artists is long and varied this year and I’m thrilled to be included.

I hope to see you there.

Cane Mapping, canes, Tables, Uncategorized

A fishy tale.

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Polymer clay table by Alice Stroppel

I just finished this small fish table. I love doing tables because they give me a large “canvas” to work with. I put a colorful crab in the middle of this one.

This is a larger take I did months ago and now lives with a great friend and customer.

Next up? A very large mirror.

-polymer paintings, Faces, Polymer clay portraits, Uncategorized

Polymer string portraits


I’ve been working on polymer string portraits and I have to say they are really fun. 

I’ve admired the continuous black line drawings for some time now and have always wanted to do my own take on the look. 

Years ago I joined a Kickstarter campaign for a 3d pen that used plastic stings. It’s now sold in Michaels and other places I guess.  I suppose I could have mastered it I I’d spent more time with it, I still have it and might take another look at it now. 

Don’t judge now, I was just playing.

But what I really know is polymer clay. I’ve had pc in my hands almost everyday for the last 25 years and I know how it behaves and what I need to do to make it work for me. 

So finally I took the time to give it a try. I posted my first two on Instagram and Facebook with a great deal of support from other people which made me very happy. I was delighted to have one of the portraits featured on Polymer Clay Daily.

Even though I will always be experimenting, trying, failing, succeeding, both acknowledgements are always a great conformation that I’m pushing polymer.

The first and second faces were pencil drawings by me and they worked very well. I place them under a piece of glass and begin. The next one is from a picture of my friend Syndee Holt.

Syndee Holt

I wanted to make a portrait of someone I knew and Syndee always wears great hats and this picture fit the bill. I even liked the sunglasses. 

Syndee Holt


I still have work to do on this, Syndee always has a smile, I have to fix that.

I sent a photo of the portrait to Syndee for her approval and she recognized herself right away. Whew. She even said I could share it. Thanks Syndee.

Back to fixing the smile and looking for other interesting photos.

extruded, Workshops

Crazy birds tutorial

I’ve just up loaded a video featuring my newest design, Crazy Birds. They really do make me laugh. I use little canes made up of extruded pieces so I’ve also bundled this new video with my Extrusions video. You can purchase Crazy Birds alone,

http://alice-stroppel.teachable.com/p/crazy-birds

or bundled with Extrusions.

http://alice-stroppel.teachable.com/p/crazy-birds-…


canes, Stroppel Cane, Uncategorized

Free Stroppel Cane Tutorial

Stroppel Cane Earrings

Are you like me? I have a giant box full of Stroppel Canes and am always looking for something to make with them. The other day I was cleaning up my work space, that’s the way the Stroppel Cane was born actually, making another Stroppel Cane and happened to have a piece of a sheet left over. I added it to the Stroppel Cane and a new cute Stroppel Cane Earring emerged.

I thought you might enjoy make some yourself, so Ive added a free little tutorial to my online school http://alice-stroppel.teachable.com/p/stroppel-cane-earrings and to me YouTube channel https://youtu.be/yKWZe3Pq_tU

surface technique, Uncategorized, Workshops

Syndee Holt teaching at Studio 215 Feb 16 & 17, 2019

You won’t want to miss this information packed workshop with Syndee Holt. If you know Syndee like I know Syndee you will be  first in line to sign up for this workshop. She has more polymer knowledge in her head than you or I will ever accumulate.

From her blog:

“I came to polymer clay as a means to maintain my sanity as a full time working mother. My  degree is from Brooks Institute of Photography and photography is still a passion as well as part of my working life.
I’ve been an independent designer for Sculpey (Polyform Products) for over 18 years and I currently serve as the Polyform Brand Ambassador. I am a founding member and former President of the infamous San Diego Polymer Clay Guild. I’ve written over 100 articles for crafting magazines both national and internationally.  In addition, I wrote Polymer Clay for the First Time, which is still available through amazon.com.  I have also made about 33 television appearances on HGTV, Discovery, DIY, etc.”

Visit  Syndee’s Blog for tons of links and tips.

Are you looking for new color recipes? She also shares her new color mixes for Sculpey (Polyform Products).

I hope you can join us. Download application here.

Two days of clay and fun at
Alice Stroppel’s Studio 215.
Feb 16 & 17, 2019
10 -4
$140
All Sculpey clays provided with class.

Syns 3-Ring Circus

The rules of this event are simple – if you want to do a technique I show you FINE!  If you don’t want to do that technique but are still having fun with a previous technique FINE! If you want to make a “left turn” with a technique I’ve shown you and make it your own – FINE!!  If the tools and clay colors incite some other kind of creative riot in you FINE!

Ring 1: My Sculpey tool Roundup

 

 

 


Let me show you all the weird little tips and things I’ve worked out with some of these tools. IT’s quick and I’ve been told it’s (clay) life-changing!

Ring 2: Surface treatments – let’s get dirty!
Gelli plates and transfers? Silkscreens? DONE! Got alcohol pens? Colored pencils?  Let’s color!

Paints? Did someone mention Paints?  Why yes, we can explore surface treatments using paints as well.

Ring 3: The Liquid Lab

Let’s remove the veil of mystery surrounds Liquid Sculpey! Using LS and silicone molds, mix-ins, and of course, using LS Clear as glaze – making friends with a heat gun!

Of course, there will be bracelets! Of course, there will be the KC Stripper technique!

Cane Mapping, Workshops

OK Poly-Clay Twisters Retreat 2018

Tom Gibson

I have to tell you, there are some talented clayers in Oklaloma and in Kansas.

The following pictures are by students in my cane mapping workshop at the Oklahoma Poly-clay Twister Retreat. Thank so much for inviting me to be your guest artist.

The first one is by the guild’s president Tom Gibson. The names of the rest will be listed if I have them. Some pictures were taken without names.

As you can see Many people did different designs and put their on own stamp on the technique. What a great compliment, exactly what I hope for each time I teach.

There is an interesting post from Sage Bray of The Polymer Arts using Katie Way’s piece. The piece is looking at the ongoing discussion about using the instructors technique but making it you own. Katie’s business is Bullseye Studio

Chris Crossland

Patti Soliman

Llinda Bowers

Linda Bower

Patty Minton Welch

Laura Clarkson

Katie Way

Cheryl Reich

Gallery, Open House, Visiting Instructors, Workshops

Open House a Great Success

It was a wonderful turn out of polymer clay fans, some who were just getting to know the possibilities  that are contained in those 2oz packages of colored clay. 

With what seems like magic, a little mixing and cutting and anyone can create works that are big or small, jewelry or wall pieces, even sculpture that is serious or whimsical.

I am lucky to be apart of this quickly growing community of polymer artists. I’m doubly fortunate to have very good friends  join me in my studio. I’ve hosted many sterling polymer instructors over the last few years. Doreen Kassel will be here in a few weeks teaching student how to create her beautiful pods and flowers. Plus a day of her darling jiggly dolls. There are a few opening in the doll class if you are interested.

This last weekend was just pure fun. Laurie Prophater, Julie Eakes, Meisha Barbee and Dayle Doroshow gathered at my studio for 4 days of creating and sharing.

On Saturday I hosted an open house featuring their work. People were fascinated to watch as these artist worked magic with clay.

 Laurie and a customer

 Meisha and her contribution for Into The Forrest

Lois Lynn came all the way from Ocala to visit with us.
Here she is with Julie. 
Dayle Speaks with a polymer clayer about her work.

Once again I want to thank these talented women for coming from around the country to share with me and my community. We are richer for it.

Thanks to the Highlands Sun for a very nice article today. 

 

canes, Faces, Uncategorized, Workshops

Ornament Workshops at Studio 215

 

Download workshop application here.

Ornaments

Use canes from my stash

Polymer clay ornaments - Alice Stroppel

$85
10am – 4:30pm
Saturday – Nov. 5, 2016
Everything included
Make one or two

This is the first time I have offered a workshop using canes from my inventory. I’ve been teaching so much and making canes for each workshop so I have an overflow. I decided it would be great fun to see what you might do with slices from them .

I’ll have some ornaments, but if you want to being your own you can. Any color and a medium to small size or one large.

Bring your lunch and your sense of humor.

Santa Ornaments

Santa - Alice Stroppel - Maureen CarlsonSanta - Alice Stroppel - Maureen Carlson

$80
10am – 4:30pm
Nov. 12, 2016
Everything included
Make one or two

Come make your  own Santa ornaments using the easy molds from Maureen Carlson. You’ll love how they turn out. I’ll have everything you need, just bring your lunch and your smile.