For those starting out or wishing to work with polymer clay I hope this post can save you the hassles of working hard on a piece only to ruin it because of a faulty oven.

The Deni 10400 is a great convection oven for curing polymer clay pieces that are under 4-5” tall and lying down under 10”. Hot air circulates around the clay, cooking the clay evenly, and the non-breakable glass bowl is perfect for allowing you to watch your pieces cure. It also shuts off by itself. The oven includes base with handles, the non-breakable glass bowl, upper and lower racks, lid with timer and tongs for easy removal of racks. Clean up is a breeze with the built-in cleaning cycle. It’s also great for small spaces, studios, apartments. I’ve had mine for 5 years now with no problems at all. Lightweight, I’ve taken mine when I travel or vacation (never know when the mood to create strikes!).

What would make this a perfect oven is if it had a digital readout instead of dials. For that reason I would make sure to use an oven thermometer for accurate temperature control.

Happy Sculpting and as always feel free to contact me any time with questions!

Valerie

In the midst of all this chaos all I could think about were the times I’ve seen a “human” in trouble on the side of the road, homeless, or in a public place and my dismay at how many people walked on by and pretended not to see.   Something to think about?

Lastly, here are a few new pair of earrings and a pendant I’ve listed in my Etsy shop! Enjoy and thanks for stopping in!

 

When I saw them for the first time I was mesmerized by the show they put on. As a group they were amazing and I became an instant fan (can I say that without sounding cheesy?).  Steele put his soul out there for all of us to hear and feel. It was both a joy to hear and painful at the same time because you can sense that this was a guy who’d gone through some tough times.  So on this anniversary of his passing, we once more remember the man and his music…gone too soon.

One of his songs called “Greenman“, is one I really like.

GREENMAN
Spring won’t come, the need of strife
To struggle to be freed from hard ground
The evening mists that creep and crawl
Will drench in the dew and so drownI’m the green man
The green man

Sol in prime sweet summertime
Cast shadows of doubt on my face
A midday sun, it’s caustic hues
Refracting within the still lake

Autumn in her flaming dress
Of orange, brown, gold fallen leaves
My mistress of the frigid night
I worship pray to on my knees

Winter’s breath of filthy snow
Befrosted paths to the unknown
Have my lips turned true purple
Life is coming to an end
So says me, me wiccan friend
Nature coming full circle

I’m the green man
The green man

October Rust, 1996

On a walk in the woods near my home last week I happened on some beautiful pieces of “live wood” from a fallen pine, and popped them into my backpack along with an assorted sundry of treasure the forest offered up. Giving thanks for the gifts, I practically skipped home with excitement from the vibes I felt from my visit.

Once home, I did a thorough baking to sanitize the pine then laid them out on my coffee table and sketched out a few ideas… dryads sometimes place gifts of their special wood alongside the pathways of individuals who love trees, Nature and Mother Earth, and who are aware enough to perceive this special gift. They clone themselves into these pieces of wood with the intention to help us while at the same time to acquire the means to see the world without being rooted to the ground.

I decided to honor the spirit of the tree by sculpting an interpretation of a dryad “emerging” from the wood. Dryads are neutral and do not respond to he or she, but I felt that this particular spirit was feminine and sculpted her as such. I do not think she will mind, lol. It’s a work in progress and will post pictures as she nears completion.


I am thinking that this will make a lovely wall hanging piece, what do you think?