A Weekend in Polymer Heaven

A Weekend in Polymer Heaven
by Marty Woosley

Garland, Texas

Thursday, September 28

This is the day I have set aside to "get it together", and now I am sitting here in my studio wondering just what I need and what I want to take. I have been looking forward to this for several months. A weekend in the Texas Hill Country with good friends. new friends and lots of good claying—the All-Texas Polymer Clay Guild Retreat.

Since I am teaching a Matchbox Necklace demonstration, I need to get some matchboxes for all the attendees interested in doing a necklace, so off to the store. Cooler, yes, I need to take a cooler—because here in Texas one cannot leave clay in the car for very long. I always take my cooler with ice for my clay. I know for some of you folks it sounds impossible, but here one can cure clay in the car!

I am back from the store and just about packed. Oh, yes, well, I do have to get my clothes together and better get the camera loaded and my meds—sure don’t want to get down to the hill country and not be feeling tip-top. Hubby said he would load the car when I was ready. Do I really want him to see ALL I am taking? Golly, wish he was going to be there when I am ready to unload and reload. Guess some men just don’t understand what all you HAVE to take on a clay weekend.

Friday, September 29

Up at 7:00 am and ready to go. It’s a three and a half hour drive, but I love it as it gives me some time to contemplate my weekend. I think the anticipation is almost as good as the weekend. I am really getting excited to see friends and make some new ones. Clay is a great medium for expanding one’s social group. Who would have ever thought I would be able to meet friends from all over the world by playing with polymer clay?

9:15 am

Minor delay—Hubby just called and told me to check if the oil in the car needed to be changed. Well, it does and guess who has to has to do it before leaving town? Right, just what I want to do, but think I will take Irene’s book on Polymer Clay and drool over a project.

10:30 am

The gas, oil change, and car wash really cut into my weekend budget, but I am off and ready to play.

12:30 pm

I am at the Burger King in Hillsboro, TX (the outlet center of North Texas ), and the outlets are calling me, but I need to get down the road. Tried to buy a frozen coke and the machine is down—I need caffeine!

3:00 pm

Stopped at a Wal-Mart to grab a snack or two just to cover me if the food is not up to snuff. I am sure we all know how we’d feel being out in the boonies with no food.

Almost there and the country is beautiful! Trees and hills and two lane roads with double no passing for about 10 miles. The old man in front of me is determined that his waving me on will make me pass him—right!

Arrived—Balcones Springs Executive Retreat and Conference Center—wow, I am going to love this place. What a nice welcome from the Austin Clay Guild. Beautiful polymer nametags (all different) and a goodie bag. Got my assigned room and unloaded my car.

Yes, was thinking of my hubby for a few minutes—miss him but I know he wouldn’t have enjoyed the weekend. Clay is not one of his hobbies.

After settling in at the cabin and making up my bed, I returned to the workshop meeting room to set up my workspace. Pick a spot and set up I was told, so I did. Four to a table, plug in extension cord to wall and then plug in my light, my pasta motor and I am ready for action. New faces and old friends----this in going to be a great time. It’s a laid back atmosphere and we are going to" play it by ear", Barbara Sosna, weekend coordinator, tells us.

Did someone say dinner? Wow, they were right, the food was wonderful and the dining conditions great. Dinner was buffet style and delicious—my compliment to the chef. Now I know my snacks will NOT be needed. My weekend is going to be super. Our weather is perfect, meeting and sleeping rooms great and a great group—what more could I want?

Back to the meeting room and Barbara fills us in on what’s up for the rest of the weekend. Silent auction, raffle ticket sale and demonstration requests. The group made suggestions on what they might want to see demonstrated and then someone in the group volunteered to demo the request. What a talented group of people. The rest of the evening was spent with free studio time, and I must admit I wandered a bit seeing just what people were up to.

Off to bed but laid there thinking of what I want to do with my free time on Saturday. Some members of the group are going to meet and walk at 6:30 am—well, this body will not see the walk—good for them!

Saturday, September 30

7:30 am

Breakfast and again the chef made my day. I also had a chance to take some pictures with my digital camera and my new 35mm macro lens. It’s so quiet here and relaxing. I sure was ready for this type of a weekend.

After breakfast, we started our demo/classes. Raku techniques and two different types of transfer methods were demonstrated, then some studio time.

Lunch, wow again! Then it was my turn to do a demo/class on the matchbook amulets. I decided to do it as a three-step demo—where each student could make one in class. I think it worked okay, and some of them were using the transfer techniques we learned this morning. It great to see what such creative students can do when turned loose. Later in the afternoon we had demos on translucent liquid sculpey and morphing a cane.

Dinner already! Even with the wonderful food it was hard to tear myself away from the studio. But when we sat down for dinner, it was such fun talking to everyone and hearing about their experiences and what they loved to do. One always learns a great deal from someone who will share his or her ups and downs with the clay. Everyone has their own way of working the clay and boy, I love to take it all in.

After dinner we were excited about the raffle and the silent auction. After eyeing the auction items, I placed my bid and crossed my fingers. More demos on carving polymer and fast Mokume Gane, and now I am really excited. Two of my tablemates have a business making jewelry from face canes, and what wonderful work they were doing. Well, I commented that I didn’t see a white hair like me and low and behold—a cane appeared. I was thrilled. I won my auction for a little polymer covered book. I went to the retail area and purchased a beautiful necklace that was made from carved polymer clay by Mary Newton from Austin. She does wonderful work, and I had to have the necklace. It’s midnight and the day was very full, but I need to rest up for Sunday.

Sunday, October 1

I was the first one to the workroom, and I had a few minutes to look around and see what everyone did after I called it a night. Again I was thrilled to see all the different styles and ideas. That is what I came here for—creative energy—I think that is great for my spirit. Our brunch was at 10:00 am and again, more great food. Sure can’t fault the chef and his assistants—fresh, hot beignets for dessert. Can you believe it?

We went back to the studio to evaluate the weekend. Well, you can imagine my evaluation—all fives for Excellent. This was one of the best times I have had. Thanks to the Austin Guild, many of us learned a large amount of new information.

Dr. Rebecca Clearman, from Houston, was one of the attendees. Lucky us! After our brunch she showed several exercises for artists since we can get all tensed up working with the clay. Boy, after we did the exercises, I felt much better.

Several clayers left for home about noon, but I was able to stay until about 2:00 pm. Driving back to Dallas was good, as I had lots of time to contemplate a clay weekend to remember!