Busy Making Polymer Beads

Building up stock for my bead display

I'm very busy making lots of polymer beads for the August 9-10, 2008 bead show in Fairplay, Colorado. My signature beads are faux ivory made from my own designs featuring birds, fish, horses, rabbits, and more. I will also have some mokume gane beads to add some color to the neutrality of the ivory.

I may have the smallest display at the bead show. I have no tent and plan on bringing just two 4 foot tables. It all has to fit in my Prius! I am somewhat ready for rain despite the lack of shelter, I will bring plastic to cover my tables with and a raincoat and umbrella. I will be at a disadvantage if it rains, compared to everyone else who will have a canopy tent for people to duck into, but that's ok, the rain doesn't usually last long. I am keeping it simple this year, and if I do well, I'll buy a tent for future outdoor shows.

Fairplay Bead & Fiber Show

Front Street where the bead show will take place.

I took a driving trip over the weekend to Fairplay, Colorado, the site of the Fairplay Bead & Fiber Show on August 9-10, 2008. This is an annual outdoor event put on by lampwork bead artist Pat Pocius. Fairplay is 85 miles southwest of Denver, and 28 miles south of Breckenridge.

Pat Pocius' South Park Pottery, Bead Store and Lampwork Studio

I got a booth and will be there selling my polymer beads. So far I am the only polymer bead maker to sign up. If you are in the area, stop by! I'll have a full report of the show and how it went.

Polymer Beads on Etsy

Faux ivory focal beads by Caren Goodrich

I am currently lining up some new polymer beads to list on etsy, I plan on debuting them on July 7th. So once this weekend's fireworks are over, I'll have the offerings up and running. Hope to see you on etsy next week and have a great Fourth Of July!

Coast to Coast Texture

Eucalyptus seed capsules

Here are some of my favorite texture tools from nature to impress into clay. I reject the use of store-bought texture plates. I prefer to discover my own! My first choice is always the amazing things from nature, and the items shown take you from coast to coast in the USA.

The first photo shows eucalyptus seed capsules from Napa, California. I was on a plein air painting trip a couple years ago and while painting under a eucalyptus tree, I noticed these on the ground and started picking them up. They are like having little stamps! I was surprised at the different design in some of them. They are wood-like and never fall apart. So keep your eye peeled for these little gems if you are in California, or the eucayptus' native Australia.

Florida shells

Now we travel across the US to the beaches of Florida, where shells and shell pieces are easily found. While visiting Florida a couple winters ago, I was away from my art studio but got my art fix by getting up early to beach comb for texture tools.

The big shell in the back has a nice ripple to it, which when stamped onto clay makes nice waves. The one on the left makes a nice gesture/movement impression, with it's dot-dot-dot spray of curved texture. The one in front I call a "potato chip", they are all over the high tide line and make a more symmetrical impression.