Creativity is not the problem for me, making the time to make the work is the challenge. So I guess the best thing I can do to be creative is make sure my bench is clean and I can sit down and work any time. And then schedule more time!

The other thing I do is keep a sketchbook and scribble my illegible drawings in them, and then write lengthy text to explain what the picture is. Really, I’m not kidding. There’s a reason I work in 3-D.

I have noticed that some of my best, most interesting work, has been in response to “assignments,” from outside, such as entering gallery shows, contests or book call for entries.

Sometimes I’ve even missed the deadline for the actual show, but made the piece anyway, and come out with something really cool. That’s how I made the Anti-War Medal Piece and the “secret identity,” piece you may have seen in the article on Inspiration in Studio PMC.

Check out all the responses to this question, from these metalworkers in the new, expanded Blog Carnival. We’ve got blacksmiths, metalsmiths who work in silver and metal clay artisans!

http://www.chris-parry.blogspot.com

http://lorahartjewels.blogspot.com/

http://www.kaskiles.com/

http://www.fleseri.com/blog/

http://angelacrispin.canalblog.com/

http://penny-candies.blogspot.com/

http://gentrydesignco.typepad.com/jewelrydesignchronicles

Designers Steve Midgett and James Binnion are the driving forces behind Extrusion Patterned Metals Corporation. They have teamed up to create a new patterned metal material, which they have dubbed XPM’s. eXtrusion Patterned Metals look similar to Damascus steel and Mokume Gane, but with some very significant improvements. Midgett explains, “XPM’s are created through a patent pending hot extrusion process that allows us to do things that are unheard of when using more traditional techniques. We can now bond virtually any metals together, things like titanium to silver, gold, or platinum, and then work them way beyond the limits of traditional patterned metals.”

Fitzgerald’s, a venue normally associated with rock ‘n roll, will be hosting Chicagoland’s Western Suburb’s first Indie crafts fair this month. Check out the Constructor Craft Fair Sunday, May 25th, from 12 pm to 8 pm. Fitzgerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, IL.

Check out their website for a complete list of vendors, with links to their sites, and directions. Constructorcraftfair.com.

Sponsored by Flybird, ReadyMade and Sherrif Peanut.

Check it out here: http://projectpolymer.com/forum/

Click here to read the article and see the great pictures.

She uses Sculpey, but for texture plates, I prefer Kato Klay.

via Craft

It works really well!

Read the article here.

Pick up the thread here.

Submissions must be not exceed 1′ x 1′ x 1′. All media are welcome and encouraged. The deadline for submissions is June 30.

The opening reception will be held Saturday, August 2 at the Firehouse Studio, 3 Dunn Street,
Kingston, NY. Please email ameiatoelke (at) yahoo.com with images and any questions.

Cold-Connected Jewelry
By Mary Hettsmansperger

Lark Books seeks images of contemporary jewelry for publication in the
gallery portion of a how-to book tentatively titled Cold-Connected Jewelry, scheduled to be released in the spring of 2008. We accept high-quality transparencies, 35-mm slides, and high-resolution digital images.

Artists whose work is selected for inclusion will receive full acknowledgment within the book, a complimentary copy, and discounts on the purchase of books. Artists retain copyright of their work.

Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2008. No fee is required.

TYPE OF JEWELRY REQUESTED: By “Cold-Connected Jewelry,” we mean jewelry that is created by wrapping, stitching, riveting, and/or folding metal, and by making cold connections with commercial
materials such as screws, bolts, pop rivets, eyelets, brads, nails, and jump rings.

We want pieces that are primarily made from metal components (though other materials can be included in the piece), and we encourage a range of metal types and colors from gold to silver to copper and aluminum.

• Jewelry forms can include necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, brooches, hair ornaments, and more.

• All visuals submitted must represent work that is original in
design. Recent work is preferred. A maximum of five entries per artist is allowed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, AND TO PRINT OUT AN ENTRY FORM
Go to the Lark web site at www.larkbooks.com. Click on “Work With Lark” and then “Artist Submissions.”

For further questions, contact Larry Shea at larry@larkbooks.com or
828-253-0467 ext. 756.

Call for Entries: 500 Plastic Jewelry

Lark Books seeks images to publish in a juried collection of international studio jewelry. Each piece must prominently feature plastic. We wish to showcase a wide range of techniques—from low tech,
inventive repurposing to computer assisted rapid prototyping—and diverse materials, including acrylic, latex, epoxy resin, rubber, nylon, thermoplastics, and photopolymers. All jewelry forms, such as
rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and pendants, will be considered, and all designs styles, from camp to couture, are welcome.

500 Plastic Jewelry
Juror: Susan Kasson Sloan
Entry Deadline: July 1, 2008

For more details and guidelines, visit our website:
Larkbooks.com/submissions/artist-submissions

Here are a couple of odds and ends I’ve picked up at second hand stores for possible use as textures on metal clay. The item on the right is some sort of kitchen gadget, or part of it anyway. The other was in the toy section, and I have no idea what it is!