Dragonsglass

yep…we are getting closer each day so the last couple of days I focused on making a friend her annual “polymer clay” Hannukah present. My friend is a yellow rubber duckie fanatic. Her bathroom has yellow rubber duckie decor. Heck, last year I gave her a yellow duckie toilet seat for hannukah. It didn’t fit the toilet so I turned it into a clock and it is hung above the sink in there. This year I seem to be making Hannukiots so…..yep, you guessed it. She is getting a yellow ducky Hannukiah.

It took me a couple days to make the ducks. I think the hardest thing was coming up with what “profession” to give each duck. Once I had them all finished I made a base for them out of wood and painted it to make it look “watery” since we all know ducks like water. This picture is a composite one. The base is a curve and I missed with getting the angle right on one section. The penny is for size reference

And the ducks are from left to right (as you are looking at it)Nun duck, Artist Duck, Doctor Duck, Hippy Duck, Shamus Shalom Duck, Rabbi Duck, Construction Duck, Diver Duck, and finally….Professor Duck.

thanks for looking and I wish a Shabbot Shalom to you and yours

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Hey…I figured that was a catchy title. It made you look didn’t it? Well, after playing with pods at Sandy Camp (thank you Donna Kato for sharing this technique with us!) I thought they would make some great hannukiots so I made a couple. One serious and one….well hilarious. I am going to bet you will be able to figure out which one is which

Once I had those finished I went back to making my *eye*pods. Here are a couple for you to look at

And they will look at you. They make great computer sitters. Chances are the *eye*pods will be showing up in the Dragonsglass store soon.

Have a great evening.

the last couple of weeks I have doing some thinking. What makes an artist an artist? Is it that they call themselves an artist? Is it that they sell at fairs and shows? Or that they teach their art? What differentiates between a crafter and an artist? Do crafters have a different set of ethics and values then an artist? So many questions and no one pat answer to any of them.

I am not sure *I* have the answer for any of these but I have thoughts. I used to called myself an artist, in glass, polymer clay and wire. Now I am not so sure this is the right thing to call myself. It’s so very hard to put a “label” on ones self. I *enjoy* working with my glass, wire and clay. I enjoy creating things that my mind sees. But, is this enough to claim the label of “artist”?

I sell some of my items, be it raw canes or completed jewelry. I enjoy sharing my items. I enjoy seeing what others have made with them. I enjoy knowing that someone else has something they like and will treasure. Does this make me an artist? Somehow I don’t think so. It more likely makes me a salesperson. Or..someone who likes to share stuff.

I have taught clay classes. I enjoy teaching classes, seeing the students eyes light up when they realize they *can* make a cane and have it look awesome. I love seeing their faces when they create an item from their own minds, not following a tutorial. Does this make me an artist? Actually, I think this makes me a teacher.

There are so many out there I consider true artists. Their works are eye candy, filling the mind with emotions. I don’t seriously think I am in the same category, much less the same “label” as they are. I guess this makes me more of a crafter then an artist right? Or maybe not. For all I know there are pieces of my work out there that others consider eye candy and that fill their mind and soul with emotions.

What I think it really comes down to is what one sees them self as. I see myself as a human being that enjoys making and sharing creations, be they of glass, clay or wire. And, as a human being I too can get wrapped up in labels and all the baggage that goes with them. And, as a human being (still ) I find I can make mistakes, speak without thinking, make without engaging the brain, forget, remember, anger, sadden, and so on. I find myself looking back at last year and how it ended, and promise to myself to be more aware of myself in my art/creations. This year is new (5768)…and I aim to keep lines of communication open, with myself, and with others.

Been a while since I have posted anything and I have finally recovered from 6 days of fun and laughter at Sandy Camp 2007. This year I went down a day early with a couple other so I wouldn’t have to jump right in after a 5 hour car drive. boy was that a good idea since the drive turned into an 8 hour one for us. Munchie went with me and she was such a good girl on the drive. She curled up on her pillow and slept most of the way.

Once there we unloaded in our room and crashed for a bit….like all night. Wednesday morning the insanity began at 10am with camp check in. Folks we arriving ready to clay the days away, talk and laugh with old friends and new friends, and of course to nosh at the share table. No demos were scheduled for Wednesday.

Oh Thursday I only managed to make it to one demo, but boy howdy was it a good one. Julie Picarello shared with us her impression mokume gane technique. She has got a box full of the neatest impression tools. I think that was “almost” the best part, seeing all the fun things she had found to make impressions. Of course now I am really looking at things differently now. Matter of fact…I realized my ring making mandrels will be perfect for making impressions with the end that has a notch. Julie was kind enough to offer her tools to any one who would like to borrow them. I took her up on that. I only have one focal made, baked, sanded, and buffed. Of course I have no clue what I am going to do with it now, but it sure is purdy!

The next couple days was spent playing with MG stacks, talking, eating and…yep you guessed it, laughing. Somehow I never do get a lot of things made at Sandy Camp, and this year was no different. I did make a cervical cancer awareness ribbon for folks to use making things for a SC regular who had to miss this year because his daughter was just diagnosed with cervical cancer. On the third full day, Donna Kato did her new pod technique demo. I was front and center for that one. I love the whole pod concept. I did manage to get the pod I made almost finished before having to go home, and finished it up at home the day after.

Yes, a purple pod. I actually made something in purple again. Well that pod started a pod addiction that I am having way too much fun with. My next pod has…*gasp* eyes. I love it. It is now sitting on my monitor in the office keeping his eye on everything for me when I am not there.

With Donna’s blessing I have taken her pod idea and veered off in my “Kathi” direction (a little weird and warped) and have been making mini podmen like there is no tomorrow.

Dang I am having too much fun. After cranking out a bunch of them I decided to take a bit of a break and make my yearly channakiah. This year….a giant Podman. yep…I have it bad I think. I will keep posting all my Podmen….large and small in my Flickr account. I am sure there will be many new additions as the days go on.