They've created Polymer Clay Central Auction Site, an auction site for polymer clay items and supplies as well as other artist-related products.
According to Leigh Ross, who runs both Polymer Clay Central and the new PCC Auction Site, the site is open to all who wish to participate in a free auction site built with the polymer clay artist in mind.
Ross says anyone selling polymer clay work, supplies, and tools is welcome. She also extends an invitation to other artisans and their suppliers to post auctions as well, such as rubber stampers, silversmiths, glass artists, and bead makers.
The focus of the site is to provide an auction site for hand-crafted gifts and goodies, or tools and supplies that can be part of something that is being put together by hand.
The site was built by Erwin Dekker, who also houses the softare. He built and is managing the site for free. His significant other, Ria van Son, is Ross's assistant manager and forum "watchdog." According to Ross, "If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the auction." Ria and Eric have been working together through trail and error to get the software running properly, and Ross is amazed and delighted at their efforts.
"Not only are they working hard on the auction site," says Ross, "but they are running it in The Netherlands! It's a truely international venture and I'm really excited about it!"
As one can easily tell, Ross is very proud of the auction site. "Polymer Clay Central's mission has always been to promote and teach Polymer Clay to as many people as we can possibly reach," she says, "and at the same time, to have a safe and respectful place where people can share and learn and mingle with others who love polymer clay and love to create!"
With the auction site, Ross sees the Polymer Clay Central mission reaching in new directions. "Since I inherited Polymer Clay Central from Arlene Thayer, my husband and I have been lovingly trying to nurture the site to grow - and grow it has!" says Ross.
Ross says her fantastic volunteer staff helps the rapid growth they have been experiencing. "All my members are so loving and willing to help teach and learn from each other," Ross says of her staff. "Everyone is so open and free to share what they have learned for the benefit of others, it really is awesome."
Ross's pride in her staff is not just her own. One of her staff members, Kellie Robinson, just had her first article published in Jewelry Crafts magazine, and Robinson's polymer clay item is on the magazine's cover.
With the high performing staff, dedicated leaders, and creative ideas that characterizes Polymer Clay Central, there is no doubt that the Polymer Clay Central Auction Site will be a successful and long-lived venture.