SILENT AUCTION & CHARITY DONATIONS

Just as a reminder, bring money to HORIZONS! 2011 because there will be a fabulous Silent Auction...and if you have an item or two (something you have made perhaps) and would like to donate it to HORIZONS! 2011 please bring it with you.  (Please let us know before Wed.  Feb 16th,  what you will be donating and the retail price so we can make up an auction sheet!!) 

Did you know that HORIZONS! 2011 has adopted a charity for this event?  Langley Hospice do an amazing job with very little.  They are struggling to survive due to all the government cuts to grants and need help now.  If you have ever had someone you love need the services you will know how important the program is.  One of the main funding sources for this hospice is the Hospice Thrift Store.  

The VPCG is asking everyone willing to donate one piece of jewelry to bring it to HORIZONS! 2011.  This piece will be tagged and sold through the store.  It is a great way to promote what VPCG members do to help others. The VPCG will be given special space in the store for the sale of these donations.  It is suggested that you put a retail price on your piece so that the customers understand the value. I know it can seem like a lot to contribute to silent auctions and charity donations so the VPCG would like to thank you in advance for making a positive impact in the community.  For more information and to donate your item, please contact Deb Groom sculptress333@yahoo.ca 

Happy claying

Pinched Leaf Necklace workshop with Helen and Eugenia

Horizons 2011 - Pinched Leaf Necklace Workshop by Helen Breil & Eugenia Chan

In this workshop Helen will be giving instructions for making 3-5 small pinched leaves from polymer clay. Then Eugenia will show us how to incoporate them into a necklace made from nylon mesh and copper wire (including making our own clasp). The pinched leaves are easy and fun.  Helen will demonstrate how she gets a graduated colour effect on them.  If interested she can demo how to use metal leaf on them.  Time permitting Helen will demo variations on the pinched leaves she has been working on.

The workshop will last approx a day and a half.  Eugenia & Helen will intersperse their instructions.  As the leaves are curing, paint & gloss is drying, etc., Eugenia will get everyone started on working on the necklace components.

Everyone will receive a copy of Helen's Pinched Leaf Tutorial.  It may not be complete by Retreat time but the basics ready.

Helen will bring some templates for shapes that will suit this project.

A sample of the completed necklace is above!!  Everyone can make one of these, from beginner to expert.

(Nancy's note:  Our two instructors are fabulous teachers and take the time to demonstrate each and every step.  It is going to be a fun retreat and you will finish one necklace.)

Helen's link:   http://helenbreil.com/Horizons.php 


Material List

(NOTE:  there will be some supplies to share.  If you do not have a product (except clay), there will be some available.  Not to panic).

*  Clay - 1-2 oz your choice of colour - Plus some scrap clay

*  Mica powders & acrylic paint - (Suggestion:  the clay colour should approximately match the mica and acrylic paint colour.  You will be working with copper wire so keep that in mind when you decide your colour scheme.)

*  Textures stamps - See Helen's pinched leaf slideshow for ideas for textures. (from Helen: I like using radiating designs. My Watusi stamp is one of my favorites. As well any textures you made from my Radiating Lines tutorial. I've also used my Fandango stamp. You can borrow some stamps from me. )

*  Metal Leaf - Optional.

*  Acrylic Paint (from Helen:  I prefer the metallics. Whatever colours you'd like to work in - any quality paint. I will be showing you how to use 2 colours for a graduated colouring so bring colours that work together.)

Needlepoint tool
Ruler, centering ruler or sewing gauge
Stencil brush (1/2" or smaller)  -  To apply paint. (Straight edged, stiff brush)
80 grit sandpaper - optional. Will be used for texturing, not sanding.
Mini mister -  to spritz water on texture sheet for a resist.
Round cutters - optional
Focal point - optional. Small button, dagger bead for center of leaf
Plastic wrap - optional Just a small piece
Qtips or small brush - for applying mica powders, paints
Varathane Diamond wood finish gloss both spray and liquid forms - needed to seal the mica powders. For the liquid gloss, Future or whatever gloss you like to use is fine.
Cyanoacrylate glue - Crazy Glue
1/16" 5/64" Drill bits - for stringing holes, I have one set people can borrow.

The following kit will provided by Eugenia.  Cost $15.00 per person payable directly to Eugenia.
KIT:
Copper wire
5' 12g
10' 20g
10' 22g
Beads:   holes large enough for 14 gauge wire to pass through:
4 spacers
2 tube beads
1 large flat focal bead 15-20mm
1 small round bead
Nylon mesh - 2' Black Nylon Mesh

Tools You need these to complete your necklace.  If you do not have these, there will be some to share.
Flat nose, chain nose and round nose pliers
Ball peen hammer
Steel bench block

Tutorial - written instructions covering the clay portion of the workshop will be emailed to all participants prior to the class. Please bring a printed copy (black & white is fine) with you.

BUTTON, BUTTON, Who's got the button???

Answer is EVERYONE has buttons.  Pic above is the button swap at HORIZONS! 2009.

All HORIZONS! 2011 participants are invited to take part in the Polymer Clay Button Swap!  (the sewing kind of buttons!  with shank or button holes - your choice).

Make as many polymer clay buttons as you would like to trade. (We are anticipating up to 30 participants.  Actual numbers will be posted soon.)  They can all be the same or you can make each one different.  Suggested size and shape of a poker chip (but as can be seen in the picture above, creativity took over the measurements!!!!).

Standard poker chips are about 1/8” thick (the thickest setting on your pasta machine) and about 1 ½” in diameter.   Your chips can be stamped, molded, carved, painted, tinted with chalks, powders, or inks, or decorated with cane slices.

There are no rules at HORIZONS! 2011 so just use your imagination and have fun making them!

Be sure to sign the back of your buttons and bring them with you to swap at the Opening Reception. (for those who will not be at the opening but will be participating on Saturday and Sunday, we will save yours for you!!)
Looking forward to seeing you soon!!!!

GREAT NEWS !!! PARK INN on Broadway Hotel

has extended their room rate discounts for the attendees to HORIZONS! 2011 until January 14th.

If you have not booked yet, you can do this on line or by phone 1-800-670-7275.  Please mention you are with the Vancouver Polymer Clay Guild retreat.

Please see earlier blog for the deal and prices for the room.  You can share or have a room on your own.  Your choice.  See you there.

Horizons! 2011  Friday, February 18th - registration 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Welcome reception:  6:00 pm in the hospitality suite.
Saturday, February 19th and Sunday, February 20th have workshops and demos scheduled.  Come one come all....

ROOMMATES

Need a roommate for HORIZONS!!2011 but don't know where to look??  Add your comment below that you are looking to share a room.
See you soon..

Where to mail the cheques

Hi Everyone
Excitement is building here and we are busy planning and planning again.  We do need your cheques to hold your seat at HORIZONS! 2011 so in case you do not know where to send it here is the information:

Send a cheque made out to the "Vancouver Polymer Clay Guild" to

Ellen Kocher
2970 Delahaye Drive
Coquitlam B.C.
V3B 6Z3


Please include an emergency contact number and e-mail address if i don't already have it.  Also good to know if you have any severe allergies just in case...or mobility problems etc.


Registration costs are $150.00 for paid guild members and $175.00 if you are not a paid member of the VPCG.


Guild dues are $12.00 a year due now (what a deal - only $1.00 per month to belong to this wonderful group) and should be a separate payment from Horizons' registration.