Amanda’s Musings

Every time I discover I’m in a Treasury on Etsy I take a screen shot. Its interesting to see how many times my work is chosen by other sellers for this. Some months there are a lot (I was in 6 at one time in June!) and sometimes none, its very random and I don’t know that it says much about your store (unless its consistent).

Still, its a bit of a buzz to go through the list of treasuries and see whether theres a gold star next to any (indicating my item is there). Here’s the rest of October and so far for November:

My Beach Party Ring (second row, left)

My Mask, an entry into the pcagoe challenge for October (left, second row).

My Give Me Swirls Magnets (bottom, left)

My Peacock Memoirs Necklace (middle, second row)

My Spanish Rose Earrings (middle, third row)

My Bright Flame Teaspoons (top, left)

My Star Tiger Beads (right, second row)

Just for fun, here’s a treasury I put together this month. It was entitled ‘I may not be a smart dog, but I know what roadkill is’ (from Toy Story 2):

Treasuries are fun when theres time to put one together! A great way to show off your fellow Etsians and link to your own shop.

One year ago today I wrote this post. I shared about my new found love for using polymer clay and how I was intending to set up shop to sell. My ‘Etsy Birthday’ (day I set up my Etsy shop) isn’t until December but this week marks the week I started creating with polymer clay.

It all started while searching for jewellery findings (bits to make jewellery with) on the net. I discovered a great online shop called ‘Over the Rainbow‘ run by Heather. Heather sells polymer clay and its often a lot cheaper to buy off her in Australia. On Heather’s site she had a section all about Millefiori caning. I’d never heard of this before although, like most people reading this, I had seen it (think of those candy/lolly shops where they roll out the lollies and make hundreds the same). The more I read the more I wanted to give it a go so I bought three packets of fimo, yellow, black and white (which turned out differently to what I thought - see below). I also joined the Australian Polymer Clay Guild that Heather runs. Thank you Heather - you are responsible for my polyclay adventures!

One year ago I had no idea what the terms ‘polymer clay’ (I called it Fimo which is a brand name), mokume gane (a technique) or ‘letting a cane rest’ meant. In one year I’ve had a great time teaching myself the millefiori cane method, mokume gane and generally learning as much as I can about this versatile medium.

The best way to describe it is in pictures. For example, here’s the very first batch that came out of the oven:

You may notice that its a blobby mess. Thats because at that point I did not know that I’d bought transulcent clay and not white. I thought they would look fabulous until I took them out of the oven. I still like those yellow and black beads though.

After trying my hand at miniatures, sewing pins and a range of very flat pendants, I started to enjoy the process of discovery more. I realised that theres a abstraction to this medium, something you can both control and let loose at the same time. This is the thing I love! If I want to make something specific, I can but if I want to see what happens when I mix two colours and cut diagonally I will get a surprise!

My caning method isn’t that perfect but I’m getting there. Some early efforts included these:

but more recently I’ve done these:

As time has gone by, I’ve moved away from the kitch:

and more towards the artistic (if you like):

I’ve even tried my hand at wire wrapping:

I’ve made miniatures, beads, pendants, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair clips, barettes, napkin rings, bookmarks, decorations, aceos, artwork, phone charms, keyrings, buttons, magnets, thumbtacks, brooches, rings, tins, a jar, spoons and a mask.

I have issues with the thin line between art and craft (or craftsmanship and handmade) so those areas where I felt were a little close to the craft line have slowly been weeded out (important to me but not to others).

All along this last year I have really enjoyed this journey. I have found creating things this way a great outlet for my passion for creativity and design. I have also found that selling online has allowed me to cover my costs and keep going. I have met some amazing people, especially via the Polymer Clay Artists Guild Of Etsy (PCAGOE) which I am part of. I have learnt everything I know so far via the internet and to this day am yet to meet another polyclayer here in Perth (I’m sure they’re out there).

I have four online stores now. They are:

MadeIt
Mintd
Etsy
Wahmania

To finish off, here are some of my personal favourites. These are items I’ve made that mean something to me. They either mark a step along the process of improvement or they are things I particularly like. Thanks for sharing my Polyclay Birthday with me!!

I often tell people that I have a background in painting but I don’t really show it very much on here anymore. The main reason for this is that I don’t paint as often as I used to, its just too much work to set it all up and then pack it away (Keziah would have a field day!!).

There are times when I just really itch to start painting again. I still have all my supplies of course, my paints (acrylic, oil, pastels, watercolour, goache etc..) and my ‘tools’ (easel, brushes, gesso, retarder, linseed oil, canvases) BUT it will only be when we move house (hopefully within a year) and I can set it up somewhere separately that I’m likely to start up again properly.

In the meantime, I’ve been having a ball with polymer clay and then recently sewing and of course Keziah is having fun painting as you can see. I don’t think either of these will be a passing phase, mainly because I’m about to reach my polyclay birthday (if you like) and I’ve still got heaps of ideas and a long list!!

On Tuesday Keziah did some painting again. She would do it every day if I let her. I love her painting but of course the cleanup is a bit of a task as you can see from that photo! So, while Kezi was busy doing this:

I got out my moleskine (fold out one) and dipped my finger in her paint pot. I started to fingerpaint in my moleskine, mark making and generally enjoying myself. She had no idea I was borrowing her paint of course. So, here’s the results so far of what I did just for fun. It was great to get my hands dirty again and play with paint, even if it is cheap non-toxic water based kids paint!!

I may be more inclined to encourage her to paint more often now, seeing as I’ve found a way that we can paint ‘together’. As she gets older (she’s only 2) we will hopefully have more days like this. I can’t wait!

I’m having a fun competition!

Somewhere in my wahmania store my daughter Keziah is hidden. Please search my products to find her. When you know where she is, either message (via the wahmania forums) or email me (polyclarific@oddsocks.net) with your answer and I will put you in the draw for a free suprise necklace or earrings (you choose which and also suggest a colour) with your next order.

Happy searching!

PS(not the pictured necklace, that one has sold already!!)

When I was about 5 years old I woke up to the sounds of laughter in the dark. I was terrified and thought that it was something very scary so I tried to scream for my Dad. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget, it was as if my throat tightened up and went dry and no noise came out. I then heard the strange tinkle of a bell and had no idea what that was. As I looked over at my bedroom door I saw what I thought was a ‘ghost’. So far, this all sounds very scary doesn’t it.

Do you know what I really heard and saw? The laughter was actually the hooting of an owl outside in a tree. The bell was a toy being played with by some guinea pigs I had home from Kindy over the weekend (photo above was a Kindy photo). The ‘ghost’ was actually the way the streetlight was shining through the window and reflecting on the wall.

That night is something I’ve never forgotten and something that sometimes comes to mind when the house is quiet and dark. Silly I know but those are the memories that stay with you from your childhood!

Now that I’m older I can truely say that this verse applies to me;

“Praise be the name of God for ever and ever, wisdom and power are his…..He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

I’m so glad that God knows what lies in the darkness, it means that I can relax and trust him, even with the big scary things in life.

You might be wondering why I have put the words ‘market stall’ in quotes. Well, my first ever public, physical, actual market stall was at our local Curves last night. I’m a member of Curves and this month they (and I think most Curves) did a special breast cancer awareness fundraiser social night. They invited members who had home based businesses to come along and set up a stall inside the gym. Everyone wore bright pink (ok, I wore pink but not too bright) and some of the trainers (who are crazy nuts) wore bright pink tights and halo’s and the like.

There were around 10 stalls in all and I had to think through how I was going to put it together as the last time I did anything like that it was with my Mum who used to sell at school fetes etc.. a lot. That was when I was in high school! (for the curious, around 15 yrs ago and more).

So, here’s me at my little table (sorry about the blurry pic) and me selling my wares:

And here’s a closeup of my table, the beads and pendants first:

and then, this is how I put the earrings on display. I don’t have an earring hanger so this was the best I could come up with:

and a view from inside, across my table. They did a pretty in pink workout first and then pushed the machines to the side:

Now, to those who sell big time at markets, when I say the amount of sales I got you will think thats a low number. First let me tell you that my expectations were pretty low, I do that so as to not be disapointed. The most sales I have had in my online shops in a night (I don’t mind saying because for me its a hobby business and a learning experience I’m happy to share), is 3. So, my aim was to sell 4 things. In total, I sold 9 things and have the likelyhood of one custom order so that will make it 10. For me, this was a successful night!! I think a lot was raised for breast cancer research too!!

The event allowed me to have conversations with local ladies as well which isn’t something I get to do much.

I have one other post I need to do this weekend about polymer clay so hopefully I’ll get a minute to do so.

My brother Johnathan has been working hard at his new website. He and my sister in law Candy live in Papua New Guinea (although they are currently in Australia awaiting the birth of their second bub). The site is great, has sections about what they do in PNG, photos including family and scenery ones (from Australia and PNG) which are worth looking at as Johnathan is a great photographer.

Its a work in progress so he would love some feedback if you’ve got a moment. So, here’s the link and I hope you’ll take a peek:

Burns Abroad