Air clay vs paper clay and some more mermaidy goodness

I appreciate all your input on my Silver Bella worries about clique-ishness.  My reason for bringing it up, is that I LOVE that event and would hate to see it develop any kind of bad rep.  I always find such a happy, creative atmosphere when I am there, that I feel sad to think others might not see it that way.

Thanks for joining in on the conversation.  I hope that you will consider coming to Omaha in November and see for yourself just how magical the weekend is.

 

My life is finally getting back to normal from my trip out to CA. I'm listing some new things in the Boutique and getting back to work. The first few days back, I had a horrible time trying to focus on doing anything constructive. I just wanted to water flower beds, play with Sugarwings and Agnes Rosebud, and keep reading.  My mind didn't want to switch out of vacation mode!

After a week of having plenty of time to enjoy reading  good books, it wasn't easy to put them down. Especially when I was in the middle of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  I just had to finish it before I started back up with real life.

 

Yesterday, I was able to combine playing with Sugarwings and working. She and I got some clay out and made mermaids.

This one is still a bit rough. I used cheapo air clay by Crayola instead of getting the good stuff, the paper clay recommended by teachers at my Mermaid getaway in CA.  I found this harder to work with, it gets really goopy and easily messed up. The paper clay is easier to use, is lighter weight and dries faster.

 

It feels like it will be days before this one is dry enough to paint.  Before  I do, I'll get out some fine sandpaper and clean up the facial features, since I was simply smearing them around with my fingers dipped in water.  I must have wiped her poor little nose clear off her face three times.  This clay got so mushy, it just washes away.

Paper Clay works wonderfully with wet finger tips as a smoothing tool.  So, I ordered some online from the site that Jenny suggested, Creative Paper Clay Company

The site had kind of high prices, ($11.99) but offered a wholesale price too ($6) . So, I clicked on the wholesale button, and got the packages of clay half price.  With no minimum order and no questions about whether you were a business or not.  Odd. But I was happy they told me that I could buy it for less if I left their retail site! How nice of them to let us know.

  One of the teachers I especially enjoyed  in CA was Julie Haymaker

Her class was a crown/headband, but she encouraged mixing it up and trying something different. Knowing I wouldn't be comfortable in a head band (they give me headaches) I decided to use her ideas on a collage instead. 

There was an itinerary on the table in front of each of us, conveniently printed on sturdy card stock. So, I flipped it over, covered it in vintage papers and turned it into this.  I liked using that, because this piece becomes even more of a souvenir of the event, with the time table on the back.

Charlene gave me the transfer of a mermaid that she made from instructions by Lisa from a class at Paper Cowgirls. It was exactly what I needed.

 

Julie provided us with star fish made from Paper Clay, and head pins with beads to make the sprays coming out of the shell.

I added a frozen Charlotte mermaid and some rhinestone sparklies.

Our last class of the weekend was this journal/album taught by Melissa Phillips.  It has a canvas cover that we embellished with Glimmer Mist and stenciled shapes. 

I brought some old wallpaper and paper dolls with a summer time feel, and used those instead of the papers provided.  The papers were interesting and I'll save them for a photo album. I use scrap book papers in scrapbooks, but for art projects I prefer old things. 

I'm saving space in this little book for some photos of my buddies at the event.  Its full of pockets that I've already tucked business cards and mementos into.

And I don't think I've shown you won of my lucky wins, have I? This art doll mermaid is from Jennifer Norman

I was lucky to get Jenn Hayslip as a swap partner in Jessi's art bottle swap.  She found sheet music featuring a fairy boat and made the cutest pink bottle with this little baby fairy on it for me.  Yep, it was my lucky week!

You still have today and tomorrow to enter the drawing for my mermaid inspired pearl earrings.  Where did July go, anyway??? 

Comments

[Danielle]

I LOVE all of your mermaid/treasures of the sea items. -So fun!

[Evelyn]

Oh, I love Julie Haymaker's art - I own about 3 of her pieces. Would love to take a class with her someday. Sounds like it was a great time in CA. Thanks for sharing all of your pictures and adventures.

[Cami @ Creating Myself]

You certainly came home w/ a sea of treasures!

You should make your own paper clay...it's even cheaper than wholesale! ;o) I've used this recipe in the past & had great success w/ it. http://ultimatepapermache.com/cheap-art/easy-paper-mache-clay-recipe

[GerryART]

Your post about clique-ishness set my mind thinking about it for the rest of the day.
Discussed it with hubby, even.
I've come to the conclusion that it is very hard to give
clique-ishness
a definite boundary.
I would guess that mainly it has to do with whether or not some one is excluded . . .?

Now I do know FOR CERTAIN the The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is a very good read.
I've finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
and The Girl Who Played With Fire
and have just begun The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest

I'm sad to think that there will be no more to this story because of Stieg Larsson's passing.

As usual your post have given me eye candy and pause for thought.

Hugs & ♥♥♥s,
Gerry

[Suz Reaney]

I can't stop thinking about the Silver Bella post, Karla. I have read the letters twice and still have mixed feelings.I love Silver Bella so much. I am so grateful that you invited me to Glitter Lounge. As a Freshman I was aware there were parties and I didn't think I would be invited. I vowed to do an open house for freshman but I have such limited energy with my disability that I don't think I can.

You make some wonderful things! I am dazzled! You also got a great swap and prizes. It looks like a fantastic event.

Kat and I are having a give-away on our blog when we hit 100 followers. We are now at 98. Come and sign up, if you wish. We are going to keep it going for three days after we hit 100. The give-away is a personalized surprise box.

Thanks for being the nice person you are.

Suz

[Rochelle Gaukel]

Such wonderful mermaidy things......the collage is great! Hope you are still enjoying some mermaid weather in your part of the country!
-Rochelle

[Angela]

I just love your cute mermaids! You could totally sell these on Etsy because they are pretty I say!!
I can't seem to get an answer from anyone on where I can find info on how to do paper mache/clay figures. I really like a lot of the Christmas snowmen I see out there and would like to give it a shot. Any recommendations?

[Natasha Burns]

i've always heard about paperclay but have never played with it -nor do i know if i can even get it here, lol!
love what you made with your clay!!

[Bonnie]

I've enjoyed all your projects of late. I didn't comment on your previous post because I'm not really familiar with the reality of the workshops.

I'm celebrating my one-year blog anniversary with a giveaway. Stop by and put your name in the "pot!.

Best,
Bonnie

[Biljana Adzaga]

Hi Karla!!
Wonderful post:))) Hugs, Biljana

[Jorgelina]

love your mermaids!Cute!
Hugs

[joyce]

hi Karla, thought i'd stop by and see ya, been thinking about your love of vintage wallpaper which brings a huge grin to my face. Happy happies.

[Leann]

Oh Karla

I would have been in the line to have you do my face too. They are all so sweet. Loved the Grammy one that you are making.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Leann

[Sandy]

More mermaid goodness, thanks for sharing the beauty of your art and the links.

[creativechaos]

It's all so gorgeous Karla! Love the album.....it's so fun to see everyone's interpretations. That's why I loved going to all the tables and see what everyone was doing.

[Freda Butler]

You had some great classes and won some nice things. Sounds like you all had a great time. I love mermaids and am ready to start an underwater theme wallhanging and you can bet there will be one on there.

Hugs

FredaB

[Katie]

What a heavenly display of beautiful mermaid art! I adore each and every one of them!!

[KJ]

Stopped by for some inspiration! You are always so full of surprises!

Happy Day!
KJ

[Vicki Chrisman]

Oh..you've always got so many fun things going on! I need to go back and catch up on your posts today.. now that CHA is over. I've missed so much this past few weeks. Glad to have CHA behind me.

[jennifer norman]

Hi Karla!
Congratulations on winning the mermaid art doll I made!!!
Looks like she'll have tons of company...that event must of been fantastic!!!

Love your blog!!! Too fun!!!

xoxo,
jennifer

[kayellen]

What fun~~I have not finshed one of mermaids~~:( working alot~~~love all your treasures Karla:)
I sent one of my clinets to your shop and she said she bought something!!yippee So glad:))

Have a great week,

Kay Ellen

[Account Deleted]

everything looks wonderful!! i don't know if i told you, but my small mermaid has gone missing! i was so bummed about that...spent so many hours working on her...jenny was so kind to send me another one. i don't think i'll have time to work on her until the kids go back to school though : (

and thanks for the paperclay info...i think i'll order some too! : )

blessings,
danielle
www.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com

[barb]

always a pirates treasure to visit...here! what a bounty of beautiful beauties!

[Laurie Jackson]

I love playing with paperclay!