MANIGUETTE'S BLOG

On the sixth day...

maniguette — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:13:17 GMT

With a darker tint of wood, it seemed better to associate light colored pebbles.

Brooch or pendent, I don't know yet.

Which do you like best, grey pebbles / light colored wood or light colored pebbles / dark wood ? I must admit I like the contrast of these last pieces, and you ?

To be led by an idea that evolves...

maniguette — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:37:50 GMT

For me, an idea is like a flash, an image that pops up in front of my eyes. Most of the time, it comes when I'm under the shower or when I go to sleep, that's why I have a pen and a notepad next to my bed. But this time, none of this. The idea came through a skinner blend I liked so much that I had to make something out of it, but what? And that was a long moment of creativity Sahara !

In this case, either you just drop it, either you fiddle around and it comes to garbage. But, I decided to fiddle and made pebbles of scrap clay that I covered with my skinner blend.

Of course, no idea of how I would assemble it or use it. Still I sanded and polished the pebbles just for the lovely colors. The idea came when I stacked the pieces on the side of the sink after having rinced them. Putting it up gave me a hard time, but the idea was there and the result interesting.

The "zen" aspect of it made me do it again on the next day but with something more "nature" like. That's when the false rock came in. I still have to work on this hazard fake rock recipe and push it further.

On the third day, another false pebble and a third variation on the same theme with this time a natural tip : a central wooden part, quickly done with no big thinking.

Everything happened on the fourth day !!!

The wood part had to be more worked on and more emphasized. So I took out all the tools : jigsaw, files, carving tools, sanding paper, tinted varnish... Alas, the firts piece of wood gave me a lot of work, nearly ended in the garbage can because torn apart by the too big teeth of the saw, anyway I could have been discouraged more than once.

But finally, I guess you always need a first piece to make the others seems easy. The false pebbles also evolved. Judge for yourself.

Some of these pieces will become pendants, others brooches, what's for sure is that this "zen" collection will increase in the course of my desires and the time that passes by.

Back from Nottingham Polymer Play Days

maniguette — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:04:00 GMT

Ok, so "Nottingham Polymer Play Days" are already over. Funny how fantasctic moments flow by so fast!

Just as last year it was a fantastic workshop with people coming from 15 different countries!!! Isn't Europe fine this way?

Thank you to all those of you ladies and gentlemen that came (yes two men, and such talent ones!).

I was so pleased to see what everybody was doing with this backfilling technique. I'm eager to see the second shots done at home with plenty of time.

Thank you to all these great polymer ladies for their warm welcome. Meeting Iris for the first time, meeting Dani and Natalia as well as Alison again...and how to describe Donna...such a generous fabulous, lovely person!

A special big thanks to my dear friend Helen Cox for making it possible for me to share my tips and techniques at their side.

Here are some photos to share with those who unfortunately couldn't come, next time for sure...

Donna of course!

The classes and the fish and chips party!

Edit from the 5th of june :

Helen has just told me she would run this event again next year. I don't have the dates yet, but will give them asap. Keep your eyes open England is just next door !!!!

Still green, but not the same.

maniguette — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:36:37 GMT

A new ring collection that I took a great pleasure making. The color was born accidentally mixing a "ca-ca" grey left-overs with lots of yellow and a dot of red. I was searching a brown, but it seems the "ca-ca" clay had too much blue inside for that. Nevermind, I love the color that came out!

And so a new pair of earrings was born in that green. A pair of odd earrings, short, but so cute.

As you can see, the earring "rod" is fixed crooked in order for the earring to stick to your ear, otherwise it leans forward...

Tropical green

maniguette — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:16:56 GMT

After the blue lagoon, what about a tropical green? I guess holidays in a sunny place seem obvious, don't you think so?

It was about time!!!!

maniguette — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT

As some of you know, I am very busy. But as creatinga and working with the clay is most important for me, I took the time...

Oh, not much, just a little bracelet again... With an evident need of turquoize seas, I must admit!

It has a precious pearl look that contrasts with the black raw side...and the light playing around with the blue...

Can't wait till exotic holidays!

maniguette — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:04:00 GMT

A new French Polymer and Metal Clay Association

It’s name is

LezArt’gil

Concentrate and share information, educate by the means of workshops, conferences, publications, have polymer and metal clays recognized as artistic mediums .

We hope it will grow and become as useful as your guild is to you.

Be sure to have a look at it.

A dedicated website is already open : http://www.lezartgil.org

Gathering Polymer and Metal clays, the objectives of this association are similar to those of your own guild.

which means : the clays

Pencil box

maniguette — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:17:03 GMT

Ok, I see you want more bracelets... well...no! Back to objects. Why? Well because my shelves are litteraly overloaded with "things to cover" and that my good resolutions for the new year include emptying my shelves.

But I promise I'll come back....with new bracelets.

In the meanwhile, here is a pencil box or maybe I could use it to store my blades...?!

Will 2009 also be a bracelet year???

maniguette — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:18:27 GMT

I hope you all had fun during the Christmas holidays. Everything was fine for me till yesterday when the flue germs decides to stay with me and have fun! Sore throat, fever and sneezing, but I'm sure not to be the only one, so...

To start this new year, two bracelets, I don't know if I will make as much as last year, but it seems I can't stop myself...

The first one in black and red to see the effects of colored UTEE in clay of a contrasting color. As you can see, the base of the bracelets is the one taught by Donna in Vegas.

When modeling, the UTEE appears as small stars in the clay. Then comes the curing and that is something!!! When I took it out of the oven it was more like an exploded comet dripping everywhere, UTEE is thicker than other embossing powders. I thought it was good for the garbage can. But be patient and go thru the sanding part! When finished you will see those interesting effects re-appear like on some beads I made in the same way.

The second bracelet comes after a lesson given to my students about imitating stones like marble. I made rings too and even if playing around with paint is quite "yucky" the result suits me.

Your turn to have fun!

Remember

maniguette — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:00:05 GMT

Last year some of you including myself had the wonderful opportunity to attend the first Euro Clay Carnival hosted by Helen Cox in Nottingham...

Well the delicious Helen has prepared a new amazing meeting for this year :

POLYMER PLAY DAYS

Let yourself be tempted by three days of claying in Nottingham with the lovely Donna Kato, the delicious Natalia, her charming husband Dani, the discreet Alison Gallant, the talented Iris Mishly and myself .

To get all information click here : ici

A silver drawing

maniguette — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:33:54 GMT

Ther are some pepople that when you meet them, make you go further than just dreaming. This is what happened when I met Karinouchka . Before I just wished to try silver clay I had heard of 4 years ahead without ever doing it. How could I be sure not to through everything away if it was a wreck?

So when Karine said she'd show, me I was so excited! That time I made earrings for my daughter and a silver leaf for myself. But the seed she has planted started to grow, and I just had to go further. It started with an idea that became a drawing.

But I had to be over with my Christmas Fair before getting to my personal projects. Today was the "D" day. First I made a very simple ring for my daughter, she wanted it that way, and now she is very happy!

My second try was a pendant for my mom's christmas present, the drawing above!

Thought I would have some problem when firing, but Sabine's tuto on "Parole de Pâte" and toilet paper came to my help!!! The firing went great and nothing moved. The surprise will be complete on christmas day!

A great thanks to Karine for her do's and don'ts and most of all her frienship. I just hope I made you want to give it a try too! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Fair

maniguette — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:44:04 GMT

Only one Christmas Fair this year, due to too less time and courage and because some cities have chosen the same dates!. So next week-end you can find me in Maule (78) :

saturday 6th of december from 10:00am to 8:00pm

and sunday the 7th of december from 10:00am to 6:00pm

I hope to meet many of you there.

In the meanwhile, here are two rings made this week :

A nice week-end to all of you!

Advertising for friends

maniguette — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:30:18 GMT

If I show you this picture, most of you will know who I am about to speak of :

So for all those that keep dreaming to see her at work when looking at her books, for those who find it easier when seeing it rather than following a tuto.... Mathilde Colas has just given us the dates of the workshops she is organizing in Grandville (50) :

6, 7 et 8 février 2009 : “Canes : géométrie et couleurs”

Objectifs: Travailler les couleurs et les assemblages pour concevoir des canes complexes.

Prix : 185 €

5, 6 et 7 avril 2009 : “Textures : fabrication et utilisation”

Objectifs: Fabriquer des textures rigides ou souples à l’aide de techniques variées puis les exploiter dans le travail de la pâte polymère.

Prix : 195 € (fournitures spécifiques incluses)

If you are interested by one of these workshops, please contact her to recieve the technical description.

Watch out, number of places is limited.....

Las Vegas Clay Carnival 2008

maniguette — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:46:00 GMT

The Craft Fair in Paris is over. I had a fabulous time with lovely girls (Thank you Karine, Fati, Anne-Lise and Florence!!!) I got to meet lots of interesting people wanting to know more about clay. I hope I got them into trying it and hope they will have as much pleasure as I have all the time.

So, it wasn't just finished that I was on the plane to Vegas to meet again all those wonderful teachers and friends from Nottingham this summer.

Don't look that fresh, right!..Caught a cold and a sore throat on that Fair ...

Bye bye Paris and after a 7hour flight, 2h30 transit in Philadelphia and another 5 hour flight, ~~hello~~ good evening Las Vegas :

Gone for a lilttle walk on the strip on th first day before the Carnival:

You can find casinos all over the place, in airports, in the hotels, everywhere! I didn't play, didn't feel like loosing money. The first evening we had the very great chance to eat with Donna and her adorable mom (I love you so much Mom!) and three of her friends assisting the Carnival in a restaurant in the Bellagio's.

The very next day everything began with Natalia and her wonderful husband Dani (They are so sweet):

Did you see girls, my play partner is no other than Helen our hostess in Nottingham last summer. Ok, we did talk a lot!

Here's what it gave : I like the shape, but it is so huge! The afternoon was held by Kim and a surprising technique I need to go further with :

Next morning, Donna gives the start. How lucky we are. Here's the result :

We spent the afternoon with Leslie and her modeling world. I did much better than last summer, Audrey wasn't around to giggle with me, guess that's why (sorry Audrey) What do you mean I was the one making it impossible to work?

The third day started with Judy and a signature cane. Great, I needed one and her help was precious. I even learned how to reduce a cane with the acrylic rod. I would never have beatten the clay this way before!!!:

Afternoon with Cathy and her amazing little Brooch book : and as Judy had been by before, the signature cane was to be put on the back of it!

The last day, Sue Kelsey showed us how to make a little box all in polymer. I hate the color of mine, but love the idea. I will surely make more.

The last afternoon was in company of Lindly and her wonderful Mokume Gane. I already used her lesson, but I found out I was making several mistakes. Now it's perfect. My piece needs to be sanded and buffed, it cooked too hot making the translucent go yellow, but still I love it!

And last but not least, the Pizza Party with poker chips swap, and the winner is : all of us!!!! I also got my book dedicated by Donna (Ok Isabelle and Audrey I apologize for making you believe your's didn't get signed, that was nasty, but it will cost you a lot of money...an airplane ticket to Vegas...oups should have told you before?)

A great thanks to Donna, Judy, Kim, Leslie, Cathy, Sue, Lindly, Natalia, Dani......see you soon!!!

Now I'll go back and struggle with the jet lag!!!!

Oups, I nearly forgot to show you the poker chips I recieved :

and the gift, made by Donna, it's mine!!!

Just to keep you waiting!

maniguette — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:33:00 GMT

As I will be very busy on the Salon Création et Savoir Faire with Karine and Fati very soon, I just wanted to show you photos of my new bracelets I will have with me to show on the salon as well as in the States right after...

Hey, these aren't bracelets??? Of course not, these are the 80 poker chips, ya 80!!! As most of you know, we swap poker chips at the end of the carnival. Yes, as soon as the Salon is over, I will fly to Las Vegas with my dear husband to attend the Las Vegas Clay Carnival with Donna Kato, Kim Cavender, Judy Belcher, Sue Kelsy, Cathy Johnston, Leslie Blackford, Lindly Haunani and last but not least Natalia Garcia de Leaniz.

I have to leave I haven't done the chalk pieces yet....

At last!

maniguette — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:10:27 GMT

Had many things to do and prepare lately and didn't show you any of my work, since....

So here you go, all messed around : shinny earrings made a few months ago

A vase made last week-end for the Fair. I love the contrast between the two surfaces.

A clock inspired by a painting I saw monday when I was wondering around to empty my head of this week-end (I aften need to do that after a fair). I love it's raw side...(Am I getting freeky?)

And now it's really time to get back to my order....bye bye!

Grant Diffendaffer

maniguette — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:22:00 GMT

Here's a name most of you already know, for the others, it's an opportunity to discover.

This man works polymer clay marvellously well, with a sens of estheticism I truly admire. His last book was the Christmas present I offered myself, and I never get tired of looking at it. For those who like me admire his work, here's a GOOD news :

Grant Diffendaffer will be inSwitzerland the 6th et 7th of june 2009

for a "Recursive Molded Beads" workshop.

Cost
Class incl. Material: 216,00 Euro
Accommodation (cost per night):
Room (6 beds): 21,50 Euro
Room (2 beds): 28,00 Euro
Single room: 37,00 Euro
Lunch and dinner: 9,50 Euro
Youth hostel fee: 3.50 Euro

For more information contact :

Sabine Backer
Email: sabinebacker@bluewin.ch
http://www.sabine-backer.com

There are places left, it's your turn. Don't forget your dreams stop were reality begins...

A turn

maniguette — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:05:55 GMT

Some of you noticed that my work has changed in a certain manner since I came back from the Euro Clay Carnival in Nottingham this summer. I hadn't realized, but it triggered something in my mind and the manner I work evolved insidiously. This showed on my last bracelets mostly.

Lately I saw that I would be missing lamps for the Arts and Craft Fair next week-end and had to make new ones. Well, on the lamps too it shows, just couldn't make them as I used to, had to adapt them to my new ideas and work directions.

So I gave birth to a new lamp yesterday, but the colors don't contrast enough to me...

And a second new born today that suits me far better. Others will come up in the next days... No I didn't forget the second part of my order, but I still have time before the dead-end (early november).

I'm green today...

maniguette — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:20:28 GMT

Ok, I know I had to finish the ring first, but my fingers wanted to realize a project I've been thinking about since my first bracelets. It takes time to think things over, find all the problems and give them a correct solution.

Ok, you're asking yourself : " what is she actually talking about?" Well I wanted a watch in one of my bracelets :

The problem was to be able to change the battery and the hour easily, this is what took time to settle. At the end, I'm very proud of it and might make more in different colors.

Thanks to all for your comments, now I got to get back to work on that order...

From my imagination to the paper...

maniguette — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:17:55 GMT

and from the paper to the clay. Not always easy to put on the paper the countless ideas fusing in my little head. But when I get tit right, it's so easier to realize it with clay after.

The ring that you can't see on the drawing is nearly finished...be patient.

This was just a pause between my big order, now finished, and a second one arrived just after. Well, back to work now!