Tag Archives: Meisha Barbee

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. 

 

Cane Mapping, canes, Workshops

Polymer Clay Cane Storage

Polymer Clay Cane Storage - Alice Stroppel

Over the years I’ve stored my canes in many different ways and at my home studio I still hang on to my very wonderful metal filing cabinets with small drawers.

But for my downtown studio I have been using a new system I “borrowed” from Meisha Barbee. I’ve altered it and this looks nothing like hers, but the idea is the same and is working so well for me that I’m thinking of expanding it.

These stackable trays are for 12″x12″ pieces of scrapbook paper. They are made of the hard plastic that does not play well with polymer clay so I had my local glass company cut me 12″x12″ pieces of tempered glass.

Polymer Clay Cane Storage - Alice Stroppel

Now I don’t have to wrap every single cane to keep them from sticking together. They stick to the glass instead. And as with Meisha’s system you can remove the glass shelves, or just pull them out to see what you have . I like to keep you cane separated by color.

I thought it might be something that would work for you.

I’m having a Build Your Cane Inventory workshop on Oct. 3. followed by a full day Cane Mapping workshop in late Oct (TBA).

I try to emphasize to my students how important it is having lots of canes already made so when the desire to create hits, you don’t have to start from scratch. Canes in different color ways and lots of Skinner blend plugs.

As you can see, this next workshop will be full of fun and funky canes. That’s just how I roll!