A very enjoyable day commenced at 10am under the expert guidance of guild member Janice Cooper. Janice showed us in easy detailed steps how to produce a clay bangle, from forming the shape through to the final stages of sanding and finishing.

Nine members watched the first demonstration on how to fashion the base clay around a former and produce a patterned sheet of clay to cover it using leftover canes. This stage completed we were then shown how to cover the base clay with the patterned sheet and to finish the bangle ready for baking.

A further demonstration followed after baking on removing the bangle from the former without damaging the clay and sanding for a professional finish. Alternative methods for shaping the bangle were also shown. With Janice on hand throughout the day, providing extra help and advice when needed, we each produced a unique, but equally beautiful and wearable bangle to be proud of.

Many thanks to Janice for providing an excellent and inspiring workshop.

Thanks too must also go to Penny who makes the long trek from Wales with all her goodies to be with us, so that we may purchase items we may have forgotten or to just plain indulge ourselves!

written by Sue Moore

Meeting Fellow Clayers

My first experience of meeting like-minded enthusiasts on Sunday at Lichfield, was a joy. I discovered the wonders of polymer clay about 6 months ago, and this obsession has taken over from my previous obsessions with beading, resin work and gilding.

I have always maintained that I am at my happiest when I have an obsession to keep me out of my head!
Have felt pretty isolated in my passion for this extremely adaptable, and forgiving medium for creativity until, I came across the polymer clay guild. I was overjoyed - not only did such a guild exist, the workshops were not at the other end of the country.

My first (I hope of many) workshop was facilitated by Janice who demonstrated and supervised the making of bangles. Thank you, Janice for sharing your expertise and patience. I found this workshop enjoyable and useful. I can feel a plethora of bangles coming on! Lucky friends and rellies.

It was also great to meet other creative women who were so kind in showing me how to make different canes and achieve effects I had not considered, or been aware of. Thank you, Angela, for showing me the delights of translucent clay teamed with pearl and white. Thanks also to Carole for showing me a quick and easy way to produce butterfly wings which could also be used as flower detail. Really looking forward to joining you and Sue for a play session, Carole!

I returned home to the usual demands of being a wife and mother, feeling buoyed up by the day. Not only by the technical and creative aspect of the day, but also feeling inspired by the comradeship and sharing of women.

So, my first experience of meeting fellow clayers can be summed up in six words – “Thank you”. “Girl power”. “clay power” .

written by Sue James