30 Apr 2013

April One Colour Challenge

     It is the last day of April and it's time to get organized and write my Monthly Challenge post. Last month I was challenging myself with tropical colours, this month I challenged myself with one colour. I always wanted to try to make something with one polymer clay colour and see the possibilities.
     Early this month I was impressed by fellow 12 Polymerclay Projects in 2013 members' work using only one colour - blue.

Water Anemone by Elvira Krick.


     Days were galloping quicker and quicker, I didn't have time to make new cane but I had ideas for curvy shapes. Actually I made my first black wavy beads two months ago but then I was just playing, thinking about neutral complementary beads for my neck pieces. During April I have developed my wavy bead designs and I'm pleased with the results. They are little steps, I still have a lot to learn.

Wavy Beads Necklace by Valg Studio.

     One of the ideas was to create long wavy bead, I decided to try it with one colour, just to see if it works. Process was very interesting. I was curious how durable the big wavy bead will be. I had a surprise, it feels like a piece of leather, very flexible and soft!!! More testing needs to be done, but I feel very good about these long wavy beads.

Black Elephant Liquorice by Kni.Kni.
     Can anyone stop time, days are galloping too fast.

25 Apr 2013

My Guest Post & First Interview

     Blogging is still quite new skill for me, I like to look at other blogs to see what they are doing, how, what is important and try to find my way of blogging by combining different ideas.
     Back in February one of the bloggers I have been flowing for a while and liked the style invited other creative bloggers to have a guest post on her blog. First I said to myself: "No, it's not for me", but then few weeks later I said: "I'll try and see what happens!" Nothing happened, there was two guest blog posts and after that blog haven't been active.
     I was a little bit confused, I hope everything is well for Rebecca and blog will be active again soon. But because time is moving so fast and things are changing much faster than sometimes we can predict I decided to post my interview myself. It could be interesting after a year to look back at this interview and see the difference. I hope you will enjoy reading it!


     Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself!
Hi everyone, I have a common Latvian name Līga and I am used to reaction when people ask me do I know baby biscuits called LIGA here in Ireland. I have two little girls and its fun I can give them "my own" brand biscuits.

I believe many of art and craft people started their creative journeys at early age. Mine started when I was in primary school. Back then I loved making my own skirts from mammy's dresses. About five years ago I fell in love with polymer clay when I saw beautiful polymer clay necklace. I was amazed by the choice of colours and techniques you can use to achieve most incredible designs. There is good expression that ''in order to find yourself you need to get lost''. I think it describes what this craft means to me very well.


     What do you make, how do you make it and what materials do you use?
My medium is polymer clay and I love making polymer beads for different jewellery projects. In simple words polymer clay is plastic clay in many colours and with great effects, for example, transparent or glow in dark features. I make everything from scratch - shape beads, cure them in the oven, next step is sanding and glazing, and then I can enjoy assembling process. Best compliment I have received is: "You take something ugly (if we presume that plastic is ugly) and make it beautiful".



     Tell us about your creative space.
My creative space is small home-based studio. It is really small but it's great to be able to close the doors and work away in silence or not to worry that curious little hands are wondering around when I am not there. I could wish to have a view over beautiful scenery from my window, but I have a quiet country town street. Believe it or not it has its charm and even I don't have clock in studio I know what time is from people passing by.

     The fun stuff – five words to describe you.
Maybe this is the hardest question. Here are five facts that could describe me a little bit better:

1. 10 years ago alone hitchhiked 1000 km for the intentional volunteer project.
2. I used to smile more couple years ago.
3. My favourite flowers are tulips, love coffee and figs.
4. Once I was Miss Elegance in my local school.
5. I would like to learn to ride a horse or even drive a car.

     This interview is quite long so I divided it in half. I am hoping to post the second half during May.

15 Apr 2013

Festival Season

     It has been a while since my last blog post and the reason really was Festival. During the first week of April we enjoyed glorious sunshine and International Pan Celtic Festival celebrating traditional song, music and dance from the six Celtic nations. Every nation has unique culture, great to see traditional costumes and town buzzing with many activates. We were also busy involved in Creative Carlow Pop - Up shop together with another 13 Carlow makers representing locally produced arts and crafts and taking part in Celtic Taste of Carlow craft fair too.

The History Festival of Ireland poster by Derry Dillon
     Next we are looking forward to Eigse Carlow Arts Festival in June.  Another great event in June in county Carlow is History Festival of Ireland taking place in Duckett's Grove. This summer Carlow has a lot to offer and between many other events one to enjoy should be Carlow 800 celebrations in August.
Pan Celtic Festival 2013. Photo by ValgStudio.
     It feels great that not only nature awakes but also people. Day's are getting longer, temperatures are going up and there is definitely more activities to enjoy. Every day on social media you CAN hear about different festivals being advertised - Music, Arts, History, Garden... choice is yours!
... or enjoy Vintage Car Run. Photo by ValgStudio.
     My favourite festivals are by the sea. I am not big fan of enormous size festivals with big crowds. I like events like Maritime Matters at Hook Lighthouse - you can have picnic, live music and stunning views, relax and enjoy quality time with your family and friends. I hope we are having sunny and warm summer this year, take plenty sunbaths, held lots picnics and BBQ's, and visit great festivals.