Name Cane. FAIL!

 

My caning abilities have clearly suffered since my time in the studio has diminished! 

I'll be so glad when we are completely done with the house and I can devote more time to being in the studio! I do however, have to get back up to speed with my caning, and I have to do it soon, as I have another commission to get started on!

This one involves a picture cane! Better come out nicer than this name cane!

*sigh*

To think, people actually used to buy my picture canes!

*hanging head in shame*

Tuesday Twofers!!

Every Tuesday I’ll be zeroing out an item’s price at my ARTFIRE shop! Be the first to find that FREE item, and it’s YOURS!!

In my ETSY shop, find the item with a text heart (♥) on it – SOMEWHERE in the items’ Description or Title.

Come back here and post about it with a link to the item and it’s yours for half price!!!

No additional charges!

Technorati Tags: tuesday twofer,free,half price,free shipping,shops,Constance Pelkey Designs

Web Cam – anyone? Open Studio

Technorati Tags: web cam,polymer clay puppet,making,jester,marionette

Check me out this afternoon! At 1PM eastern time, I’ll be working on my newest puppet, a black and white jester marionette!

I’ll turn on the web cam, conniepelkey@yahoo.com and you can watch me work! I might not answer a chat from you, as I’m concentrating! Please, don’t be offended!

I’m still new at this, so let me know if the light is bad or the camera angle is off. Post a comment here please! I’ll be doing this, soon on a regular basis! It will be on Monday afternoons from 1PM eastern time to 3PM eastern time. Set your reminders and come watch what I’m doing!!

Birdie Googins – too funny!

Technorati Tags: Birdie Googins,Mardens,Maine,weather in maine,spring jurried coop,bug swap

We, here in Maine LOVE watching this local actress who advertises for Mardens, a local salvage retail store. (Big Lots on a local level) Just watch the ads on her website, and then check out the local TV stations interview with her. She is very cute and funny. Very “back woods Maine”! HA!!

I almost hate to say it, but we just might miss out on mud season this spring! It been a couple of LOVELY February days these last couple days of late March! BBBbbbbbbbrrrrrr!!!

On a quick business note, I finished up a box of items that I was finishing and getting ready for jury. I’m trying to get admitted into a co-op and I had to prep up some items for retail sale… adding hang tags/ packaging etc… So, I go tomorrow to drop off this box. *crossing fingers*

Bugs are coming in fast and furious at this point! So fun to open a box and goodies every day! It’s like your birthday every time the mail comes! Too fun!!

Put yourself on view. This brings your talents to light. - Baltasar Gracian

The bug swap sign up deadline is here! Today. Friday January 30th, 2009.

I've been quite busy this week what with making and repairing a few PMC pieces that have been languishing in the repair cup, making my masks for the Mini Mask Swap, and contacting folks about the bug swap!

Mom has informed that she will be financing a new lap top for me! It'll be an early birthday, Valentines Day, etc gift. I've picked out a Dell small business model that has a web cam attached! I'm so excited about it! It'll be a few weeks before it arrives! I'll be certain to let you all know when I get it!

I've started a new feature on my blog called Wordless Wednesday, it's a take off on the What's on the Work Table posts. In it I'll be taking step by step shots of my process for the current project. The first one went over quite well! Folks liked it!

Working on this theme of putting myself out there, on view - when the new lappy arrives and I figure out the web cam, I'll be having Open Studio time. I'll turn the camera on and invite folks to watch while I work. *Excited squeal!*

I go back to work this weekend too, Saturday and Sunday 11 to 3. This is good as $ has become very tight for us! My belly feels really good finally, just the occasional twinge happens now! My knee surgery is yet again, on hold until we find out the results of all the procedures and blood work Nancy had this week. She *might* need a surgical procedure - we just don't know yet. Good thoughts and prayers are greatly accepted.

Don't for get to check out my Artfire Store and my Etsy Store! New stuff added weekly!!

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Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey, then where you are reading it from is in violation of copyright!
Thanks!! Connie

Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. ~Author Unknown

• Worried about the state of the economy??
• Maybe not quite so much now that we have a brand new president??
• How about that ever growing grocery bill??
• Wouldn't it be nice to have a little stress reliever right there, handy-like in your pocket??

These beauties will do the trick! Polymer Clay Worry Stones from Constance Pelkey Designs!

Feeling a bit stressed and need a healthy release? Rub one of these soothing little stones and feel the tension melt away!

These little polymer clay worry stones have been impressed with inspirational words, such as

"Dream"

"Create"

"Wish"

to name just a few. They come in various colored mesh gift bags and are shaped into pleasing "stones" that comfortably fit in the palm of your hand.

No two are alike, therefore we cannot specifically guarantee which stone you will receive.

Thanks for your interest!!

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Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey, then where you are reading it from is in violation of copyright!
Thanks!! Connie

New items added to both ARTFIRE and ETSY stores!!

Once again my study in contrasts has produced a gorgeous piece! I LOVE to make pieces that are full contrasts, and this one certainly fits the bill!! One side is as smooth as glass pink polymer clay that's been treated to the "ghost imaging" technique and the other is textured, antiqued fine silver!

Check out the new items added to both ARTFIRE and ETSY stores!! I'll be adding a few new items each day, with the exception of Sunday's, a gal has to have some down time, right??

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Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey, then where you are reading it from is in violation of copyright!T

Constance Pelkey Designs Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Constance Pelkey Designs Bi-Monthly Newsletter


Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to anyone who might be interested!

In honor of the United States Presidential Inauguration Day, I'm having a Grand Re-Opening sale in my Etsy Store Front, and a Grand Opening Sale in my new ArtFire Store Front!!

All day on Tuesday, January 20TH, 2009 while I sit here in front of the TV and watch history being made, I will be uploading new items to both my ETSY and ARTFIRE stores!! I'll also be offering FREE SHIPPING to all sales during the first 100 days (Thursday, April 30th, 2009) that President Obama is in office!

• To subscribe to this newsletter please email conniepelkey@gmail.com and place "ADD ME!" in the subject line!!

• To unsubscribe from this newsletter please email conniepelkey@gmail.com and place "REMOVE ME!" in the subject line!!
  

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Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey, then where you are reading it from is in violation of copyright!
Thanks!! Connie

Inauguration Day Celebration!!

I haven't forgotten about my New Year, Old Health Issues and New Business Commitments that I posted about almost a week and a half ago.

No, in fact!! I've simply been waiting for the New Horizon of HOPE to appear in full reality!

Inauguration Day is here!!

Hip, hip HOORAY!!!
Hip, hip HOORAY!!!
Hip, hip HOORAY!!!

In honor of the USA's karma pendulum swinging back to sanity and the Realm of Hope arriving...

I'm having a grand reopening sale in my Etsy Store Front, and a Grand opening Sale in my new ArtFire Store Front!!

All day on Tuesday, while I sit here in front of the TV and watch history being made, I will be uploading new items to both my stores!! I'll also be offering FREE SHIPPING to all sales during the first 100 days that President Obama is in office!

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Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey, then where you are reading it from is in violation of copyright!
Thanks!! Conni

New Year, Old Health Issues and New Business Commitments

I'm not big on new years resolutions.

However,

This new year I am committing to make a strong "go" at my little business, Constance Pelkey Designs.

Over the last couple years I have had both my shoulders done. I had TWO torn rotator cuffs. My right arm needed my bicep reattached too! It was bad! It took many, many months of rehab to get them both back in shape... unfortunately that meant I could do very little in the way of creativity. I was however, able to crochet. Now, don't get me wrong, I like crocheting, but that being my only outlet was somewhat limiting!

I'm so glad that I can play with my polymer clay and precious metal clay, and bead, and sew, AND crochet again! YAY!

In the meantime.

I've had a "gut" issue for the last couple months that involved emergency surgery for a bowel blockage early in November, on voting day in fact, and the ensuing severe pain in a knot of scar tissue and nerves along my waist next to my belly button that's the ultimate result of this and a few other abdominal surgeries. Because of severe pain in this area I was hospitalized again for a couple days the week before Christmas. This issue isn't resolved yet. I have an appointment to see the original surgeon who cleared the blockage and I'm awaiting a second opinion appointment with another surgeon, hopefully that will happen next week.

I need to get THIS issue resolved - SOON - because I was scheduled for total knee replacement surgery on January 6th.

AK!!!!!!!

That's been postponed until the gut issue is resolved!

*shaking head and rolling eyes*

*sigh*

I've been out of work and in limbo, essentially since the beginning of November.

Best thoughts and wishes will be greatly appreciated during this whole process of resolving the gut issue - SOON - so I can go ahead and deal with the knee issue!

At any rate.

During the time, I continue to be laid up with all this health stuff, my "resolution" is to concentrate on my business. I have an ETSY store and I also recently opened an ARTFIRE storefront as well. I've joined a couple of "teams" on ETSY, I also joined Facebook and still belong to the Polymer Clay Central message boards. I've been taking good pictures of all my inventory (finally!). I plan on continuing to photo edit and will be listing new items on a weekly basis to both stores. I'll be trying some different marketing techniques, too. I'll also be creating new items and I hope to join my sister in law in attending one or two larger crafty type selling venues this summer and joining a couple Maine based craft and art associations.

Keep your eyes pealed here at this blog to be updated and PLEASE, pass on my URL http://ConstancePelkeyDesigns.blogspot.com to ANYONE who might be interested in my "stuff"!

Happy New Year to all and best of luck to me in sales this new year of 2009!!

Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey, then where you are reading it from is in violation of copyright!
Thanks!! Connie

Art Fire, Etsy and My Shop Policies

• Payment

I accept PayPal, credit cards through PayPal and eChecks through PayPal. Payment is due at the time of purchase. If you know there will be a lapse between purchase and payment arriving, such as for an eCheck, please let me know. Items NOT paid or arranged for will be relisted and the sale canceled.

If payment isn't made, the first day I will send a reminder convo or email. The second day I will email. The third I will cancel the transaction and relist the item. If there's a reason for a delay, convo me and we can work it out!

• Refunds and Exchanges, Other problems:

First, please contact me so we can work out a solution - every problem is unique! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, please convo or email me. I will refund or exchange errors I make. I will exchange any item once I've received it back in saleable condition. Return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer.

Since all situations are unique, please give me a convo or email and we'll work it out!

• Shipping:

I ship Monday to Friday, as needed U.S. Mail, First Class Post. To the Continental U.S. and overseas destinations this takes about 1-2 weeks to arrive. Customs or other fees incurred are the responsibility of the buyer - I cannot legally mark commercial shipments as gifts to avoid those.

Over all, return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. If your product is not something you love for ANY reason, please send it back (after emailing me) within 2 weeks of receipt so that I can make it right for you!

• The Other Stuff:

I'm open to discussing custom, designs, and /or wholesale arrangements.

Technorati Tags: selling,Etsy,Artfire,policies

Grand Reopening of Constance Pelkey Designs - ETSY

I'm VERY excited to announce the Grand Reopening of my ETSY store!!!

After a long hiatus due to TWO torn rotator cuff surgeries that placed me on the sidelines for nearly two years, I'm proudly announcing the GRAND REOPENING of my "Constance Pelkey Designs" ETSY (ConniesClay) storefront!!

From now until the first day of the New Year I'll be offering FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE!!!

Uniquely Handmade. Poly Clay, Fine Silver, Fiber Arts.!

These mixed media items were created primarily from artist-grade polymer clay, Fine Silver and Fiber Arts.

My Etsy, ConniesClay.etsy.com

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Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

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Polymer Clay Creativity Workshops!

Polymer Clay Creativity Workshops!

Taught by Connie of “Constance Pelkey Designs”

Workshop dates:

September 13 & 14 ~ or ~ October 11 & 12

Polymer Clay offers a rich and varied playground for artists of all ages and skills. It is a medium that appears almost eager to please, allowing its use in a surprisingly wide range of styles and rendering techniques.

It can be made into flat collage illustrations and surface decorations of all sorts. It's also great for sculpting figures, creating decorative household items or beads and personal adornment.

These workshops take the students from the beginning basics of working with Polymer Clay to an intensive look at the wide variety of creative uses and embellishment potentials of polymer clay.

A wide array of techniques will be covered. Included are basics of preparation, color blending and simple "cane work" or millefiore. Then we will move to surface decorating techniques like mokume gane (a technique taken from Japanese metal and wood working) stamping, inclusions, ghost imaging, texturing and faux effects (mimicking bone, wood, turquoise, etc). Storage and baking, safety issues, and finishing options will also be covered.

Each workshop will be given as a two day session (ten total hours) with technique demonstrations by the teacher and plenty of student 'hands on' work time. We will start off with polymer clay basics and work our way to more in-depth detail of the various surface embellishment techniques. Students will ultimately make a variety of bead "samplers" and decorate small storage boxes with mosaic tiles and pieces using the techniques learned in class.

Students will need:

• a healthy curiosity and willingness to have FUN!

• a work surface (acrylic plate, ceramic tile or other similar non porous surface)

• other tools as desired, including, but not necessary; a pasta machine

Many tools and supplies such as clay, foils, powders, inks and stamps, texture plates. and more will be provided for use in class.

There will be two motorized pasta machines available.

• Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian, sugar free lunches will be provided. Bring your own drinks.

• Unfortunately my studio is not handicap accessible, as it's located on the second floor of my home. If you can not do stairs, PLEASE let me know and we can arrange a time and price for me to come to you!

COST OF TWO DAY WORKSHOP IS $135

TO REGISTER FOR A WORKSHOP PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL:

conniepelkey@gmail.com 207.333.1145

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Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey Designs, this site is in violation of copyright!
Thanks!! Connie

Grand opening!!

Grand opening!!

Come shop "on the moon" at my new eCrater store (ConstancePelkeyDesigns.ecrater.com) !! Free shipping to the US Mainland!!

I'm also celebrating the opening of my new eCrater store at my Etsy store (ConniesClay.etsy.com) by offering free shipping ANYWHERE until June 7th!!

Just a few examples of what you'll find at my stores!

~~~

Connie

.·:*¨¨*:· Constance Pelkey Designs ·:*¨¨*:·.

Polymer Clay, Fine Silver, Fiber Arts Jewelry & Accessories - Art for you and your home!

My Blogspot

Constance Pelkey Designs - Etsy

Constance Pelkey Designs - shopping on The Moon!

Offensive?? I think not!!

Yesterdays post was NOT my norm. I'm not very political, although I do follow what affects me. This blog is for me, a place where I can talk about me, my loving partner, our home, our beloved pets and of course my main focus is my art work. It seems every time I stray from my regular focus and comment on something political, as I did yesterday, that's the day that someone comes to my blog, for the first time, looking for polymer clay work or jewelry, they see that political (usually about my Lesbianism) post and wham! They are so offended that they find it necessary to shoot me an email telling me what a terrible person I am for throwing my sexuality in their face! They (innocently) are looking for artwork and they happen across my "offensive post!" Sheesh! Get a grip people! Talking about my basic rights as a human being having been denied me is NOT offensive. Talking about what my (yes, female) partner did to help me whilst I was having shoulder surgery is NOT offensive! I read other artistic blogs all the time and they always post about their family life and various things that affect them. Do I find that offensive?? Nope. And if I did, I'd simply mark it as "read" in my reader and go on about my day! We all have things in our lives and beliefs that not everyone is going to agree upon! Just let it be and don't bash someone because they do or believe in something that you don't!

*shaking head*

So, without further political ado.... here's some shots of the flowers and yard I took the other day!

Ah spring!

Here's Dilly underneath the flowering tree in our back yard. It always puts on a glorious show in the spring! It smells nice too! Anyone know what kind of tree it is?

Dilly and the lilac...

Lilac close up.

My tomatoes, jalepeno peppers, basil and chive plants.

A flowering bush out front, I believe it's some kind of holly.

Our house plants live on the front porch all summer, the aloe has seen better days, seems every time it gets to looking good the dog knocks it over and breaks a bunch of leaves! The orangy-red begonia was sent to me by a dear woman I know when I had my shoulder surgery. It's quite lovely!

And our front porch...

ooops!

Better not look at that last foto, it has a rainbow flag (gay pride) hanging there in your face!

*removing tongue from cheek!*

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!!

Connie

~ Life's too short to use cheap beads! ~

New Pictures

Well, this afternoon I plan on bringing all my finished salable items out onto the loverly, warm and sunny back deck (of Ice Out fame). Then I'll take brand new pictures of them all with the new camera we got for Xmas, I've been diligently working on getting better and better at taking pictures with it! I'll soon be in the process of resetting my Etsy store and my PayPal store (in the sidebar) and setting up my new eCrater store, which happens to be powered by Google!

So... yay for bright sunny days!

Connie

~ Life's too short to use cheap beads! ~

Tag! You're It!

Being tagged as a blogger is a bit different than the childhood game of tag, being tagged as a blogger is more of a call out to say, "I read your blog, and I like it." Much better than the feeling I used to get being tagged in the game, as a kid.

The rules:
1. Place the name of the person and URL on your blog.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write seven things about yourself.
4. Name seven of your favorite blogs.
5. Send an email letting those bloggers know they have been tagged.

Favorite Blogs:
1. Funny, smart, and talented Entrepreneur/ Mom, Lisa over at Polkadotcreations.com
2. Cat, very talented, business woman/ Mom over at Catherienarts.com
3. The illustrious Moe, way over in beautiful Hawaii! Moeart.blogspot.com
4. Kathi, my dear and longtime friend in the land of fruits and nuts, Southern California. Dragonsglass.com
5. The infamously talented Aussie; Melly, from down under over at Clayhappenings.blogspot.com
6. Those feline friends and their Mom from Missouri Nels-ed-nitro-xing.blogspot.com
7. And Katherine, my buddy who has finally met her midlife prize of becoming a nurse! yay! Midlifenurse.blogspot.com

Seven things about me:
1. I'm 47 years old
2. I live in Augusta, ME but yearn to be in the American Southwest
3. I'm partnered to a wonderful woman
4. I love my motorcycle
5. I have a degree in cooking
6. I work with polymer clay, beads, precious metal clay and fiber arts; sewing, crochet, felting...
7. I work as a animal care specialist at a major pet store - I love it!!!

~ Life's too short to use cheap beads! ~

Sea shell Countenance and others

I've had today off from my job and I spent it finishing up stringing some PMC and Polyclay pieces. I think they came out rather nice. *smile*

This first one I've named "Sea shell Countenance"



It's made of precious metal clay, green tinted sea shells and silver lined seed beads we purchased last winter on our wonderful trip to the US southwest and the Mexican Peninsula.

Reminds me of those warm, sun filled precious days we had! Yum!



This next one is called: "Florals in basket weave"



I learned the basket weave caning technique from none other than Klew herself on the same trip I mentioned above.

So fun!



This next one is called simply: "Floral pendant with beads and fibers"



It's a polymer clay caned floral cabochon that I wire wrapped and then strung on coordinating strings of seed beads and fun fibers.



MMMmmmmmm! Purple....

Connie ~

~ Life's too short to use cheap beads! ~

Constance Pelkey Designs on ETSY!