Clayworks by Kim Detmers

New Tutorial

2012-01-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

Look to the right under PAGES and you will see my tutorials. Click on the Valentine Heart tutorial link and it will direct you to a slideshow.( I hope). I am still trying to learn my way around the computer.

Favorites for fun...

2012-01-12T13:44:00.001-07:00

Just for Fun....
One of my new favorites.

Christmas Morning in the Desert...

2011-12-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Wishing you ALL a MAGICAL holiday season!

Success!

2011-12-07T14:29:00.000-07:00

We did it!

The Renaissance Faire was a great success!

The first day was sooooo windy and cold. It was horrible. We actually took the tops of my tents to keep them from blowing away. The only good thing about it was that my wind proof racks worked! Nothing blew off and we were not chasing my product around park. I was proud of myself for designing and building them.

The final day was beautiful and very crowded. We sold almost every item I had. My daughter joked that if it went for a third day we would be sitting there with one table and 5 items thrown on it. It felt good! I worked so hard for months and was so nervous. We had a great time in our costumes too. My girls looked so cute!
Thanks for all of the well wishes and for everyone who stopped by my booth. It was a pleasure and we look forward to next year!

Autumn Visitor

2011-11-01T11:31:00.000-06:00

I had a nice visit from a Road Runner this morning...

He walked right up to my office window and peeked in. Made my day!

Brooches

2011-10-21T14:43:00.001-06:00

Some fun stripe patterned brooches for the Renaissance Faire. I hate to waste a good sheet of stripes so these are made with the little left over bits.

Of course I have to add some brass bits and some sparkle. I always love to add sparkle!

Sentinel...

2011-10-05T14:02:00.000-06:00

New Dragon Sentinel to watch over tiny treasures.

This is on a slide top tin that I made into a necklace. A little Dragon's Lair with a red dragon keeping watch.

I tried these out at a recent show and they all sold so I am excited to make more for the Renaissance Faire next month.

A lesson in Listening...

2011-08-16T21:07:00.000-06:00

My work space is such a mess...again. I keep telling myself to clean it up but I get sidetracked or busy or I think I will do it later, blah , blah, blah. I remember thinking just last week that when the kids start school I will clean my office.

The kids started school today and I went into my office to get to work and my chair hit the table and I knocked my clay/supply/cubby right on its head.

CRASH!!!!! 15million little jewels and brassy bits and clay cane designs all went flying. This is a small section of the mess. It went into the hallway and the kitchen as well. Think fireworks. Boom!

I just stood there for a good 5 minutes wondering where to start and getting kind of glassy eyed at the whole mess. Then I thought, oh, I should have listened. I kept telling myself to clean up and get organized but I just kept putting it off. It really is not 15 million pieces but it might as well be. Now I have no one to blame but myself. Should have cleaned it up weeks ago and I probably would not be sorting through every last little do da on the floor. Oh , well. Lesson learned and now I know exactly what I have. Or at least I will know when I am done picking through the big pile of stuff. What a mess. Life Lesson # 4789- clean your room.

Picnik

2011-08-14T09:49:00.000-06:00

I learned about this FUN photo editing site from the Etsy Forums.

It is free for general use and has lots of fun photo editing effects and fonts. I made this post card to announce my upcoming show schedule.

There is an option to buy a membership which gives you even more fonts and effects.

I LIKE it!
http://www.picnik.com/app#/home

Mermaid

2011-08-12T18:14:00.000-06:00

I have been working on some Dragon's Lair type Fairy Doors but I got sidetracked...
A really nice etsian had an idea for a Mermaid Door.
This is my first try and I am so happy with how it turned out. I can just imagine this at the bottom of the ocean with little sea creatures coming and going and maybe a mermaid or two.

Here there be Dragons...

2011-08-04T15:39:00.001-06:00

Getting ready for the Renaissance Arts Faire

Huzzah!

2011-07-29T15:30:00.000-06:00

I have just been accepted into the Las Cruces NM
Renaissance Arts Faire. My kiddos are excited as we have to decorate my booth in the theme and we have to wear Renaissance Garb. Should be FUN! We have until November to get our costumes and decor so we are busy deciding what to do.

Meanwhile I picked up a copy of "Mixed Media Mosaics" by Laurie Mika

http://www.amazon.com/Mixed-Media-Mosaics-Techniques-Projects-Embellishments/dp/1581809832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311974338&sr=1-1

What a fun book with some beautiful artwork and great techniques.

Here is a pendant I made inspired by Laurie's book and the Renaissance Faire. The crown is a wood cutout not clay although......I might have to think on that idea.

Huzzah!

Bug Season

2011-07-19T10:31:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year down here in the desert when all of the creepy crawlies come out.

This is my way of facing my fear.
I hate bugs but I must admit that I am also fascinated by them. They are so intricate and come in the most amazing colors. I look at them while goosebumps are rising on the back of my neck and I fight the urge to run away screaming and flailing my arms. I am trying very hard to coexist with the little creatures. As long as they stay out of the house we are good.

New Favorite Etsy Shop

2011-06-27T09:42:00.000-06:00

I discovered a fun Esty shop last week.

Fallen Angel Brass
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61790283/the-garden-gate-72mm-art-nouveau

I purchased this beautiful brass art nouvaeu ornament and immediately had to create something with it.
They have such beautiful brass components and it shipped so fast which was great because I hate waiting. Lol.
If you are looking for some unique and fun jewelry findings check them out.

Complimentary Colors

2011-05-10T12:57:00.001-06:00

There is a reason why they are called "complimentary colors".

Mmmmmm!

Never gets old...

2011-05-06T10:19:00.000-06:00

This just never gets old...

Each year my girls grow some sunflowers and I never get tired of watching. I have been keeping my eye on this one for a couple of weeks and it is just peeking out to say hello.

So beautiful!

May the 4th be with you...

2011-05-03T23:00:00.000-06:00

Living life, loving my family and celebrating obscure holidays in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Stay away from the "Dark Side", laugh, and have a great day!

It is good to laugh...

2011-04-19T22:27:00.000-06:00

I just have to share because my sister is so funny and I really needed a good laugh.
My oldest is on the golf team and they have been golfing a lot. I tease her and tell her how I wish I could have retired at 16 to golf everyday. She gets to miss school and visit golf courses all over New Mexico and even Texas. This is the result.(see funny tan line). So I sent this picture to my family letting them know how good it is to be on the school golf team and my little sister emails me this without any message or comment. Like one is needed. Ha, ha!
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/19/an-in-home-foot-tanner-for-just-230/
Thanks for laugh Sis. I will start saving my money. I think it will make a great birthday present.

Officially the Nerdiest Parents in Alamo

2011-04-16T18:53:00.000-06:00

Since moving to a small town without a lot of entertainment options and being the parents of 3 girls we decided we would have to get creative and think up our own fun. We threw a Lord of the Rings Party for our teenager and her friends.
At first the kids were kind of shy about it not wanting to advertise their parents geekdom but by the day of the party it was all the talk at the school lunch table. We had an outdoor showing of the movies and we all dressed up. It was fun and the girls really got creative. Two of my daughters friends showed up in huge boxes, cut and painted like the two towers complete with the "eye" at the top of one. This cute guy hooking up the sound is my hubby as Frodo after Shelob the spider winds him up in her web. We had a Gollum, a Hobbit a Tree Ent Wife and a Uruk Hai in attendance as well as Eowyn and my neighbor who had not seen the movies came bearing chicken wing appetisers and dressed as "Lord of the Wings". Funny!
Now the word is out that we are total nerds and the kids can't wait to throw a Star Wars Party. I guess it is not where you live but what you make of it.

Take the Long Way Home

2011-03-31T18:03:00.002-06:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d94e4cd06508eeff5651794/take-the-long-way-home?ref=pr_treasury

I made my first Etsy treasury today...
It is a collection of some of favorite items on Etsy and I am inspired by the beautiful colors.

Spring has Arrived

2011-03-21T09:45:00.000-06:00

At dusk yesterday as we were outside enjoying the beautiful New Mexican sunset we saw a whole swarm of these on our lilac bush.

We thought they were hummingbirds at first but at closer inspection discovered that they were some kind of moth.

They flitted around and looked drunk with nectar. It was beautiful and I am so happy to have Spring arrive in the desert!

Golf Season

2011-03-14T17:09:00.000-06:00

My oldest just made the school golf team.

So, got me thinking about golf......
I made her some cute flower ball markers. They are magnetic so she can change them to match her mood. They just attach to an alligator clip on her hat.

I guess I will have to make her some Tiger ones to match the school mascot. Go Lady Tigers!

It's my Birthday!

2011-03-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

The vultures are circling...
My hubby has never been good at surprises but he definitely pulled this one off.

Good thing I am not sensitive to the number issue. It's all goooood! The sun is shining, my laundry is done, I am going to have a great day.

Cherry Blossom

2011-03-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

I had a special request for a cherry blossom badge reel. I wanted the little pollen drops (for lack of better word) to stick out. I think it turned out nice. I especially like the dew drops on the petals.

So many possibilities with all of the fun supplies at our disposal.

Desert Rubble on Polymer Cafe

2011-03-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

My April 2011 issue arrived today and I thought what a great cover! As I was flipping through the pages I came across the artist profile and thought what beautiful and fun creations. Then I noticed her dragonfly and hey.... "I know that bug!" It is Lynn a.k.a. Desert Rubble. WOW!
Funny, I saw her picture on the cover and her beautiful pendant and did not know it was Lynn until I spotted her Dragonfly Avatar. Now I feel officially introduced. Lynn is always so supportive and leaves the nicest comments here.

Without babbling on I just want to say....Congratulations! What a fun spin on steampunk and I love your style.

Check out Desert Rubble a.k.a. Lynn on Artfire http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&sc_id=98936&seller_id=90161&op=new and she also has a wonderful blog http://lynnsdesertrubble.blogspot.com/

I am in LOVE with that Piranah Fishie! Great job Lynn! Keep inspiring us!

Leprechaun

2011-03-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Yeah! It 's March.

Spring is around the corner and my favorite holiday is coming up.....
Leprechaun day!

We are getting ready for our wee little visitors and our families traditional "green eggs and ham" or green waffles. Love it!

Rained Out

2011-02-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

We are home from the big show.

As you can see from this angry cloud we got rained out for the first two days. :( It was really wet and not much fun. The last day was gorgeous though and I made enough to cover my expenses plus a little profit so all was not lost.

We met some wonderful folks from all over the world and had a great time meeting fellow artists and talking shop with them. I am full of new ideas and ready to get back to my worktable.

Taking My Show on the Road...

2011-02-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

We made it through the great freeze of NM and are getting back to normal around here. Water pipes have unfroze and our heat is back on. The kids are finally back to school.

Now I am scrambling to get ready to go on the road. I am vending at the Palm Springs Arts Festival on Feb 18th - 20th in sunny California.

Even though I have been doing shows for 16 yrs. this is my first big "Arts Festival". I am a little nervous but excited as well. I have been working hard and have some fun new works to sell.

If you are in the area here is the link with more information. Stop by and say hi. I would love to see some friendly faces.
http://www.palmspringsartsfestival.com/index.html

Brrrr!

2011-02-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

We moved here 1 yr ago and they told us we would love it because it does not snow here. Comming from Utah where it snows a lot we thought great, we won't miss the cold.

Here we are.... Day two without heat and now no water. The lines are frozen because they have shut off the gas.

We kept warm last night all wrapped up in electric blankets. Thank goodness the power is still on. I drove all over town and not an electric heater to be found.

The bad part is that we cannot leave. They are going house to house to turn your gas back on and if you are not there....well.....no gas. ??????!!!!!!!!!

Trying to be brave but it is COLD!!! minus - 12 last night. My kids are troopers and we are all ok but it does not look like we will heat again tonight. A little frustrated that we cannot leave the house. Folks in the middle of town have heat and water so I do not know why only some of us are affected. Well...this is the part of life that is the adventure. I am missing Utah right now. At least they were equipped to deal with the freeze.

Before and After

2011-01-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

FREE Tumble Weeds

2011-01-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

The great Tumble Weed Round-Up of 2011.

Being new to the desert we did not know what a tumble weed looked like until it was too late. Now we are overun so I recruited the kiddos and we had a round up. This is only a small portion of them.

They are VERY pokey and not fun to play with.

Beautiful New Year...

2011-01-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

May you all have
a beautiful New Year!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Does not feel like Christams here in New Mexico with the warm weather so we drove down the street to White Sands. Beautiful....looks like snow and feels soft like cookie dough.
Hope you all have a safe, hapy New Year.

Bar Flies

2010-11-30T13:51:00.002-07:00

My sister has been after me to make her a set of these for quite a while. I finally got around to it.

She came up with the cute name.
Bar Flies /Wine Glass Charms.
My sister is very clever.

Of course you have to have a fruit fly in the set.

Holiday Season

2010-11-10T17:25:00.001-07:00

The holiday season is approaching...
FAST!

What a Mess!

2010-11-06T10:31:00.006-06:00

It is no longer an "Organised" Mess.
Honestly... look at the tiny space in the front of my table that I work on. I have so much stuff spread out that I am working in a 6" space.

Time to clean off the work table. Maybe I will find some stuff I have been missing.

My kids would say..."Mom, time to clean your habitat."
Have a good weekend everyone! I will be busy straightening up.

Guardian Beads

2010-10-11T17:09:00.000-06:00

These are my Guardian Beads.

They are also known as "natasha" beads or an "inside out" bead. I call them guardians because sometimes I can see angels, animals or faces in them. They are like a Rorschach test and everyone sees something different in them.

They are scraps all mushed together, formed into a log and cut open to reveal the picture inside. When cut the right way and opened up the right way all of the sides and middles match up.

Kind of fun and addictive to make because you never know what you are going to get.

Cloudy Day

2010-10-07T14:16:00.000-06:00

My computer caught a nasty cold! I have had it in the repair shop all week and I just got it back with all new systems etc... That means I have to figure out how to use all of the new stuff and find all of my old stuff. I am not patient with this. Grrr!

Meanwhile....I am in awe of all the beautiful clouds! New Mexico has the prettiest clouds I have ever seen. The sky here is breathtaking and I can certainly see why it is called "The Land of Enchantment".

Finished Badge Reel

2010-09-25T14:00:00.000-06:00

If you have to wear a badge....

No reason why it can't be fun.

Badge Reel Garden

2010-09-25T13:55:00.000-06:00

These are the front pieces for ID Badge Reels.

I only wish my real flower garden looked so colorful.

Happy

2010-08-22T09:39:00.001-06:00

Sunflowers always make me HAPPY ! "Sunflower pot" 3" x 3"

New Line

2010-08-16T13:16:00.000-06:00

I have been working on some new designs and have been inspired by the beautiful crosses in New Mexico.

I have also seen sooooo many interesting tattoos down here ...

Here is my take on both. I am working on a whole new line of jewelry components and decor with this look.

This is one of the few times that it translated well from my mind to the finished product. Rarely do things turn out how I envision them. This is partly because I never plan. I just go with it and see what I end up with. This, however, is just how I wanted it to look . Yeah!

Southwest Flower

2010-08-01T10:33:00.000-06:00

I don't usually play with these colors but I am so glad I did this time.

My daughter said it looks very New Mexican. I have to agree.

Revisiting

2010-07-27T18:36:00.000-06:00

I started teaching a class here in Alamogordo and so I have been revisiting old projects. It has been fun and it is interesting to find out that things I did when I first started seemed so hard at the time but are much easier this time around.

I honestly have to say that now I look back at the old stuff , it really was not that good but I remember being so thrilled with it when I did it.

I may look back on this in a few years and think to myself, " I can't believe I thought that was good."

Always learning....= good.

Wings on Things...

2010-07-26T10:57:00.000-06:00

Been playing around with a more detailed wing design for my bugs.

Really happy with this one!

My Favorite...

2010-07-18T08:53:00.000-06:00

I might have to hang on to this one.

Brassy Bugs Part II

2010-07-18T08:52:00.000-06:00

A year or so ago I did some of these with brass bug stampings. These are done with filigrees and dangles and brass connectors.
I think they are a little more interpretive. I love the bright colors and I can't wait to finish them with chain and some vintage glass dangles I have found.

Eyeglass Keeper

2010-06-28T10:38:00.000-06:00

Cute little bug pin that
holds your eyeglasses.

BUGS !

2010-06-28T10:34:00.001-06:00

I made bugs this last weekend.

I saw a Vinegaroon in my backyard last week and it was the creepiest crawler I have ever laid eyes on. Anyway, it inspired me to make some cute friendly non-creepy crawlers.
I have not made bugs like these for a few years so it was fun to revisit the bug mode.

Flower Pot... Is it Blue or Orange...?

2010-06-22T08:43:00.000-06:00

My Flower Pot is in this months issue of Polymer Cafe Magazine. I sent them a picture of my Orange Flower Pot but thought I sent them this one. I titled it "Flower Pot in Antique Blue".

I really do know the difference between Orange and Blue...LOL

Reminds me of the time I was asked if my earrings were OOAK and I replied "no, they are polymer clay". (OOAK = one of a kind) for those of you that did not know that either. Now we both know.
Anyway, here is the Flower Pot in Antique Blue. :)

Displays

2010-06-19T20:09:00.000-06:00

These are my beautiful new displays that my hubby built me. They are a little more wind proof than the old ones.

Oh, the challenges of outdoor shows.

My Booth

2010-06-19T20:07:00.000-06:00

Today was my second show in my new State of New Mexico.
Here is a shot of my new booth layout .

This was in High Rolls NM at the "Cherry Festival".
It is in the beautiful Lincoln National Forest. It was sooooo HOT! Hot and dusty but we survived and had a great day.

It's the little things....

2010-05-03T11:56:00.000-06:00

I am making little fruit flies this week... They always make me smile!

New Spring Bouquet Tutorial

2010-03-31T10:30:00.000-06:00

Here is my first tutorial.

I hope it makes sense. I am new to this so be patient with me...

Click on the TUTORIAL link at the right of this page to see it.

Happy Spring, Enjoy!

The Desert

2010-03-27T16:10:00.001-06:00

This is the cutest darn cactus.
Being new to the desert is interesting. Lots of different kinds of plants that I have not seen before. This little guy looks cute but he is fierce! Those spines are very hard and sharp which is why the resident bunnies have not eaten him yet.

Fairy Drops

2010-03-22T21:14:00.000-06:00

My daughter said these look like Fairy Drops.
The little pearls are the swarovski crystallized pearls and I love how they give it a delicate look.

I would love to do a whole set in creams and whites for a bride. I think they look romantic.

Spring Bouquets

2010-03-21T10:11:00.000-06:00

These are some beading components that I will be making into necklaces as soon as I gather some pretties to go with them. They have loops on the back for dangles and embellishments.

I am experimenting with the best way to hold them together and think I have it figured out. I have cut a clay backing template and then set the flowers onto that. I need to complete one and have my daughter wear it for a quality control test.

I usually embed crystals into the clay by pushing them in to create a little bezel. With this batch I tried the "hot fix" crystals from firemountaing gems. I still pushed them into the clay but think the heat activated adhesive will really hold them in well.

I think I will try to get a tutorial together for these but I have never done one here on my blog so I am trying to figure that out as well. I have so many clay ideas that I am trying to figure out that it is really distracting me from the laundry pile down the hallway. Oh, well, the laundry is not going anywhere and I really need to figure this clay project out or I just can't give the laundry my full 100 % and then the quality of the laundry suffers.
(This is my defense and I am sticking with it.)
Have a Happy Day!!!

Lavender Bouquet

2010-03-18T12:51:00.000-06:00

Spring is close and I got the Feva!

Antique Blue

2010-03-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

I took all of my little scraps of chain and miscellaneous beads and just started mixing. This is what I came up with.

I like how it has an antique look to it. It is amazing how just a small difference in the way you put something together can change the whole feel of a piece. Usually I tend to put the shading light to dark. This one I did the opposite and put the light part at the outside ends of the petals and it really made a difference.

This is why I love polymer clay so much. You could give ten different people the same blocks of clay and tell them each to make a flower and you would get ten totally different flowers. Diversity is wonderful!

Lots of folks are feeling blue...

2010-03-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

http://jessiemaccreations.blogspot.com/

I am not the only one feeling blue...
Check out JessiemacCreations for some more blue beauties!

Still Blue...

2010-03-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

I am stuck in blue mode but can you really blame me?.......So many possibilities.

Blue

2010-02-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

I am in a blue mood...

Not blue as in sad and sullen but the beautiful blue of the sky or my little ones eyes. I usually don't play with blue because it not on my favorites list, however I am trying to do some different things this year so I am stepping outside my comfort colors ( green,purple and orange). I must say. I LOVE this! The gold gives it an antique look and I can see it as a lovely brooch or strung with some pearls.....

My next challenge....Red! Ahhhhh!

What I get back...

2010-02-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

So I am going to go out of my comfort zone. I am not a good blogger because
1. I hate to talk about myself. It really makes me uncomfortable because I figure who really cares and I don't ever want to come across as "look at me, look at me. "
2. I am clearly not a writer.
3. I am so afraid of offending someone that I never dare write about anyone else which puts us back to #1.

With that said I had three wonderful ladies blog about my art this week. Two today. I am always grateful and kind of surprised. Again, refer to #1.
When I sell something I get some cash and we conclude a business transaction and I really hope that they are happy with their purchase and on we go. Well, I am so fortunate to have so many of you share what happens after that transaction. I want to share with you what one of those talented ladies blogged about today.
Here is a little of what I get back ..... http://sewbrookie.blogspot.com/ PRICELESS! I am so happy to be a teeny, tiny part in that big memory. What an honor. You have made me feel like maybe, just maybe this is what I am supposed to be doing.

So many beautiful blogs....

2010-02-19T16:17:00.004-07:00

So many beautiful blogs... Never enough time.
Here is another gorgeous blog today devoted one of my favorites...wine!
eternal eden

She featured my bottle stop among other wonderful vine inspired goodies...

Fairy Portal Giveaway

2010-02-17T10:36:00.008-07:00

Visit Purple Lemon designs at www.purplelemondesigns.com/blog/purple lemon designs to see a really cute blog and win one of my fairy portals

Visit purple lemons etsy shop for some of the cutest darn personalized stamps ever!

Strawberry LOVE

2010-01-30T14:16:00.003-07:00

These were hearts until my daughter said they looked like strawberries, sooooo I added some seeds and I think they are delicious!

Queen of Hearts

2010-01-25T10:46:00.003-07:00

Getting in the Valentine spirit.

These remind me of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.

Please let them keep their heads so they can wear fun jewelry!

2010-01-09T11:14:00.002-07:00

Thanks everyone for the good feedback on my new flower pots.

It is always great to hear positive comments on a new project. It keeps me creative knowing that I might actually have a good idea once in a while.

Honey Pot

2010-01-08T10:59:00.002-07:00

New Obsession

2010-01-08T10:37:00.001-07:00

Ahhh! All I want to do is make these cute little pots!

Flower Pots

2009-12-29T11:45:00.004-07:00

Winter time is always fun for me to wind down and try out new things.

I have been collecting forms to cover with clay since I started about 8 years ago and I am looking at this huge pile of "stuff" to one day cover in clay. Well, today is the day.
These are little wood pumpkin boxes. After I got a hold of them my girls thought they should be called "flower pots".

Great for holding life's little treasures.

Snow Day

2009-12-02T13:58:00.002-07:00

Wow.... This is Dec.1 and apparently it never snows like this here. They cancelled school so my girls were happy but hard to think that last week we were wearing shorts. My sister said it snowed like this to make us feel at home.

Just like Utah today.

Here we are on the day after Thanksgiving at White Sands National Park.

What an amazingly beautiful place. We are wearing shorts and it is a gorgeous day. We went sledding down the soft sandy dunes and laugh at the dog who keeps thinking it is snow and trying to eat it. Ewww!

Hard to believe it is November 27th.

Holiday Portals

2009-11-11T11:57:00.003-07:00

They're here...

Holiday Portals in time for Thanksgiving.

Lots of you have requested a portal for your "elf on a shelf". These might do the trick.

http://www.amazon.com/Elf-Shelf-Christmas-Tradition-Gift/dp/B000XR6MBQ

No Pain , No Gain

2009-11-10T17:02:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I said my Orange wall sounded "yucky". Not that any of you care what my walls look like but I have to share my orange wall.

I used to paint my house whenever the mood the struck me. I would change colors whenever we got tired of the old colors which could be quite frequent. I used to paint other peoples walls too. Murals, colors, whatever. Well, I was younger too. I painted this wall yesterday and it is a pretty good size wall. It is texured in that orange peel type texture which I have never dealt with. This is a stucko town. Every wall in New Mexico must be stucko or some textured version. Anyway, it is a lot more work to get the paint into the texture.

I used a dark yellow base then went over the whole thing with a dragging brush and a rag in a burnt umber glaze. The glazing part took about 2 and a half hours. I finished up, cleaned up and went to put my paint away. I reached up and thought my arm was going to fall off. Oooo the burn in my shoulder.Oh my. I have not been able to move my arm for two days. I guess I am out of painting shape. Like I said, I used to be younger too.

I love my ORANGE wall !

Home

2009-11-10T09:32:00.002-07:00

Home...

We are getting settled in our new home.

It does not quite feel like home yet. I need color on my walls for it to be familiar. I did paint my living room orange yesterday. It sounds yucky but it turned out very colorful and we love it. Makes us happy.

This is the view from the front porch. The sunsets here are so amazingly beautiful that it makes up for the lack of green...my grass and trees that I am missing.

There are other kinds of beauty here in the desert and I look forward to see what all of the growing things do in the spring.

I will post more as I slowly get unpacked. I did find my clay and I am starting to work on some fairy portals for the holiday elves.

Until then, Thanks ! xoxoxox

2009-10-04T09:05:00.002-06:00

I never know what to "blog" about.

I always feel kind of uncomfortable writing about myself. I started my blog so that people could find my artwork when I was not vending at shows.

I joined esty shortly after and so my blog became secondary and kind of a back up.

I am going to try to be a better blogger after my big move.

Here is some news on my big move.... This is a picture of the New Mexico, White Sands balloon festival held a couple of weekends ago in Alamogordo, NM.

This will be my new home. Ahhhh! I have lived in Salt Lake City, Utah my whole life. This is an adventure of enormous proportions for me and my family. Alamogordo is a very small city compared to SL.

I hear they have lots of festivals so I will continue to be able to set up my little clay booth and sell my art.

My kids are kind of excited for a change and my hubby has a great new job so all will be ok.

I have to thank everyone who was so supportive during our transition and for those scary months when we were without a job and insurance and pretty much terrified of what the future held for us.

I can't wait to get settled into our new home and meet new friends and see where my art takes me next.

I will miss my friends in SL and all of my market friends (You know who you are!) and the great experiences I shared with the wonderful art community in Utah. You are an amazing bunch and I hope we will cross paths again.

Talk to you all when we get settled. Thanks and BE HAPPY !

Brass Bugs

2009-08-31T10:38:00.002-06:00

Try, try, try again... Success!

Cross Pollination...

2009-08-19T10:51:00.003-06:00

I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of strangers. I feel like I shouldn't really say strangers because we share a talent and a desire to create things. It puts us together as peers, mentors, someone who inspires us and makes us want to be better .

I only say strangers because we have never met in person. I don't really know anything about them other than I get words of encouragement, a kind message on my etsy shop , blog or a really nice compliment on my work.

I have kept my blog just about my work but today I am joining the other nice "strangers" and I am going to occasionally post other works that inspire and make me want to be better. I call it cross pollination and like in the garden, we all benefit. So here's to all of you bloggers, artists, patrons of the arts, and strangers....Thanks from the very bottom of my heart. I am inspired by all of you.

I am starting with this amazing self taught artist Tonja Lenderman who heard I was having a tough time and really went out of her to way to make me feel better. She featured me on her blog today which is so beautiful and I was so excited to find her etsy shop. www.tonjastreasures.etsy.com

Just when I thought there were no more fresh ideas... Look at her cute little flower canes. They arrive to you already cured and are used for nail art or scrap booking. Genius!
http://tonjastreasures.com/wordpress/

Thanks Tonja, Thanks Dayna and Rana, Thanks Polymer Clay Daily, Thanks Libby, Thanks to all of you anonymous posters and everyone else who goes out of their way to be kind to a friend or "stranger".
You make the world a better place.

Thanks

2009-08-17T10:57:00.002-06:00

Thanks to everyone who has sent me good wishes latelty. My family has been going through a real tough time as of late but it is all working out .

Life can be crazy at times and mine is upside down right now. We are unexpectedly moving to New Mexico.

I have lived in Utah my whole life so this is a big move for us but we are up to the adventure and hoping for a great new start.

Meanwhile I have had to put away my clay and start packing up my house. Ahhhhh!!!!

My U of U jewelry and many other items will soon start appearing on my etsy shop so keep checking www.claybykim.etsy.com if you want to purchase any. For now I am still vending at the art market on Saturdays until I sell my home.

Thanks again for all of the kind words and support.

"Life is what happens when we are making other plans."

Crafter License for the U of U

2009-06-23T10:49:00.002-06:00

Yeah!!!

I am the first ever officially licensed crafter for the University of Utah.

Thanks to everyone who supported me, signed my petition and sent good thoughts my way.

I will be selling U of U Saturday at the market. GO UTES!!!

It is refreshing to have a BIG corporation go to bat for us local little guys and have a good outcome. I have to thank Brett at the U's licensing department for making this happen and I hope all of you other crafters who sell U items get on board and sign up.

Events

2009-05-27T18:41:00.004-06:00

The applications went out and the verdicts are in...

I will be at the Riverton Arts Festival on June 5th -6th

http://www.webspawner.com/users/rivertonartsfest/

I will also be at the downtown art and craft market , Saturdays June 13th thru Oct 17th

http://www.downtownslc.org/events/art-craft-market.htm

I would love to see you! Stop by and say hello.

Color

2009-05-18T14:07:00.002-06:00

I love the bright colors on this one.

He will be for sale at the downtown art and craft market at pioneer park. June 13 - Oct. 17th.

Click here for more info

http://www.downtownslc.org/events/art-craft-market.htm

Art Nouveau Bugs

2009-05-17T16:27:00.002-06:00

Still using up my vintage brass findings.

Sssnakes

2009-05-02T10:51:00.003-06:00

If you don't like snakes then please avert you eyes.

I love this snake. He is so colorful and I think would great in anyones garden.

Mums the word...

2009-04-21T13:09:00.004-06:00

Mum vases.

I love how bright these are!

It is a test tube and they are perfect for those beautiful spring blooms.

P.S.

I still need lots of signatures for my petition to get a crafters license implimented at the U of U. Please forward it to all of your Utah fans and friends. Thanks to everyone who has signed...http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/localcraftersUtah

CraziBeautifulWomen of Utah

2009-04-20T12:39:00.002-06:00

I am the featured artist today ...

http://www.crazibeautiful.com/gettinCrazi/

I am giving away two fun items so check it out.

Local Artists Please Help

2009-04-17T13:25:00.004-06:00

SHOP LOCAL, BUY HANDMADE
I have created a petition to help local Utah artists get a crafters license in place so that we can sell our U of U products locally in small venues and be in compliance with the University of Utah licensing perimeters. The University is trying to get a license approved and feel that input from local artisans will help with their efforts. This is an important issue for anyone who has ever or is interested in selling or buying U of U products and will benefit all of us as well as help the University monitor trademark infringement etc... We do not fit into the large mass produced items and therefore gaining a traditional collegiate license is near impossible. This will help us to sell locally and legally and keep it in our community. Please help by signing this petition.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/localcraftersUtah

Deep Orange

2009-04-08T16:57:00.002-06:00

Here is the finished product.

I love how they turned out. I actually kept a pair for myself and I really do not need another pair of earrings.

I am usually a green girl but there is just something about the orange this year. Orange does not rhyme with anything but it looks good with almost everything!

What's cookin'

2009-04-07T17:01:00.003-06:00

Here's what I'm cooking today.

Garden Beads

There is always HOPE in the garden...

2009-03-29T12:18:00.003-06:00

I love spring and even though it is snowing right now in Utah, I have been looking for all of those wonderful spring flowers.

This is a cute little flower slide I made and it fits on a watch strap type bracelet. I guess I could make a flower in each color of the rainbow and they could be interchangeable. Now I have something to tide me over until the snow melts.

Happy Colors

2009-03-28T11:45:00.004-06:00

Ever hear that song by Jimmy Cliff. "I can see clearly now the rain has gone...it's gonna be a bright, bright , sunshiney day."

I dare anyone to give it a listen and tell me it does'nt make you smile. It makes me feel happy, just like the colors on these earrings.

Inklings & Imprints

2009-03-26T09:30:00.004-06:00

I bought these amazingly beautiful rubber stamps from an etsy seller a while back and have just now had the time to put them to use. Check out their shop for the most gorgeous original designs ever!

http://www.inklingsandimprints.net/

Bangles

2009-03-18T18:23:00.002-06:00

I love spring !

I never get tired of making flower canes.

Shamrock

2009-03-13T21:19:00.000-06:00

Erin Go Braugh !

Easter Bunny

2009-03-10T09:16:00.000-06:00

Gearing up for the Easter Bunny.

Spring Fever

2009-03-10T08:51:00.004-06:00

Springtime in Utah.

Vacation

2009-03-04T09:06:00.002-07:00

I just returned from my "big adventure" with my family. We took the kids on a 14 day cruise to New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of New Zealand and the grandeur of Australia.

One thing we learned is that people are pretty much the same all over. We have the same hopes, dreams and generally, most people are nice. We discovered some new friends and were inspired by the kindness of strangers. We saw a Tasmanian Devil and fed a Koala Bear. It was such an amazing journey half way around the world and one we won't ever forget.

Photo is Dunedin, NZ and the Sydney Opera House in Australia

Conversation Hearts

2009-01-29T09:26:00.005-07:00

These speak for themselves.

I have listed them on my etsy shop for one week only.

Getting ready for my family's big adventure. We are sailing away to New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia in one week. I am getting anxious about the UBER long plane ride but looking forward to seeing another part of the world. Going to feed a Kangaroo and visit the Sea Dragons. Can't wait!

Valentine

2009-01-26T17:38:00.003-07:00

This week I'm making valentines.

Vintage Treasures

2009-01-13T08:55:00.003-07:00

I am in trouble again. Add vintage brass and findings to my new list of addictions. I cannot stop looking, (and buying) all of that splendid treasure from the past. My supply cupboard has spilled out onto the work table and I feel as though I have raided the royal coffers. Lovin it!