What I made, by Sharon

 I'm not sure why, but last week it popped into my head that I wanted to make some polymer clay gnomes. I hadn't sculpted for a while, and I had SUCH a screaming desire to make gnomes that I couldn't control myself. On Saturday I mentioned it to Elise, and she asked if she could have a gnome. So I make a platoon of pink and purple gnomes. The little ones I made into stitch markers and earrings, and I intended the big one for Elise, but I fell in love and am keeping her. Then on Monday night Dani asked if I might make some gnomes to match a photo she sent me of a four woman juggling troupe, so I made these: And I made this chubby gnome for Elise. I also experimented with some Halloween coloured  gnomes, for those who celebrate I've got a busy few weekends coming up, so I've put the polymer clay away for now, but you can be sure it will be coming out before Christmas, because what could be better than a Christmas gnome?

It was another lovely weekend spent reasonably close to home. On Friday we went to my brother's place for dinner, which is always nice (for us). They were hosting because one of their Golden Retriever  had a knee operation and can't be left alone. Their dogs seems to spend a lot of time at the vet. Saturday was sunny and beautiful and I had brunch with Elise. I wanted to confirm her measurements for  the cardigan I was about to cast on for her. She is about to head overseas for a month, so there is no measuring while I'm knitting. Then in the afternoon I made buttons for said cardigan. While I was there making checks, I made a pair of earring for Katie. Sunday was very relaxing and indulgent, although there was also a lot of exercise in there! We went for a run in the morning. The runs are getting longer and faster and more tiring. I'll probably do the half marathon at the Marysville running festival in November. Then I finished the hat I've been working on.   I t...

This weekend I knit the body colourwork of the Alma test knit I am participating in.  It's a steeked cardigan with four buttons. I thought it would be fun to make my own buttons out of polymer clay. While I crafting that, I also made a couple of stitch markers, and some earrings.  There is something so satisfying about being matchy matchy. There was also something so brain calming about two handed colourwork. I read somewhere that it engages both sides of the brain. I don't know if that's true, but I do know that I really enjoyed it. Now I'm just going to finsih the sleeve colourwork and then it's plain knitting all the way.

Yes, over the last couple of weeks,as well as knitting away on my Rose cardigan as if I have a deadline, seeing comedy festival shows, my usual social activities, pole classes and having to work for a living I've been playing with my other favourite craft - polymer clay I made earrings for Kris and Katie similar to the last ones I made myself, but in colours to suit them.  Pinks and purples for Kris: Autumn colours for Katie: They are reversible, so it's wearers choice, and you can wear the circles in any combination. I ordered some monstera cutters, and I made light earrings for myself: And heavy ones too: I love the way the heavy ones look, and I also know that lighter earrings are always the ones I reach for. Please excuse the nighttime photos, sometimes done is better than perfect. While I was trying to take these photos I discovered that I can use my Head for earring photos, and I'm pretty happy about that. Next I'm going to make some buttons to match the next ca...

I had a marvellous weekend. We hosted my parents for Friday night dinner - look how happy my mother is, Princess Daisy doesn't normally grace her in this way! On Saturday Leon and I went to the Triennial at the art gallery, and then to dinner and saw some comedy - just the two of us, like a date! Then Katie messaged and asked if I could make a number for her house. Apparently all numbers commercially available are boring. So on Sunday afternoon I took all my scrap clay and made a slab, and created this very not boring house number: Meanwhile I mentioned this to Elise who has been looking for a non-boring unit number for her place. I guess we all know what I'll be creating next weekend!

 Like I keep saying, Christmas isn't a thing for me, but this year I'm really getting into the (secular) spirit of it. After I gave Kris and Katie their candy-cane earrings, a couple of the Richmond Knitters asked if I could make them some, so I did: I also decided to make candy-cane stitch markers for the Richmond Knitters Christmas party next weekend, so it was a bit of a production line. (The beer cans are to hold the objects while the varnish is drying. I try to keep the drinking to after the crafting.) Then Kate Davies posted a recipe for biscuits ( festive oaties – KDD & Co (katedaviesdesigns.com)   that need fruit mince, so I made some fruit mince and the biscuits. I  had heaps of mince left over, so next I might make mince pies. I love mince pies. Fun fact, when I was young and had a bit of an eating disorder, I basically lived off mince pies for a season. You would have thought that would cure the love for them, but no, I still think they are delicious.

I'm getting ready for Christmas (which is funny, because I don't really do Christmas) with polymer clay crafting. On Saturday I made some candy-cane earrings and stitch markers. The weird round thing at the top is some sort of Christmas yammulka that Katie asked me to make. Something from the OC. I hope she likes it. It's been really fun making these. I tried a different brand of clay for the second lot - the first were  Sculpy three, which is softer and the next lot  Fimo, which is much firmer. I hate conditioning the Fimo, but it is easier to work with after that, particularly when it is warm.  I find polymer clay earrings so light and easy to wear. On Sunday night we went to a gig at the Forum. Frank Turner was the first big thing that was cancelled for us in 2020, so seeing him felt like we had closed that circle.  Now we can move on with music and friendship and folk / punk music. That traumatice chapter is closed! Needless to say it was a fabulous ni...

After my initial dabbling with polymer clay I bought quite a lot of stuff. I didn't mean to, but (unlike knitting, which you CAN do with just two sticks and some lovely string) it helps. I bought an extruder and a pasta maker and a bunch of molds. i also bought rainbow colours, because I love a rainbow. This weekend I was at home with time, which is something that doesn't happen often, so I made rainbows! I'm really pleased with how the colours came out. Every time I make colours I make a set of buttons, and these are the best yet. I also made earrings - I discovered that you can buy quality silver findings at the bead shop around the corner. There are surprisingly comfortable to wear, because they are so light. I really just want to make pretty shapes. I love reaching into the pocket of a random work dress and pulling out a pretty coloured polymer clay star. Because I am a practical person, I guess my next projects will be more stitch markers. Or maybe I'll juat make m...

  NetGalley were offering a review copy of  Making Clay Earrings and I said yes please so fast I think I sprained my mouse finger! I read the book and realised that I don't really wear earrings, but I am obsessed with buttons. I actually made some buttons in 2011 , but they were not very good because I didn't understand about finishing techniques, or that you can drill the clay after it is baked - and a few other issues besides. This book is clear and inspiring and fun. I went looking for supplies and discovered that the art shop just up the road from my place sells both Fimo and Sculpy. There was still the question of tools. It helps to have good tools, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I really wanted to do for an afternoon. Meanwhile at knit night I mentioned that I was about to embark on a little Fimo journey, Sonia said we was getting rid of some equipment and then presented me with this amazing bounty. I knew I didn't really want to make e...