PMC Conference recap: The loot!

Show and Sell: My Favorite Product –  ArtGlass Clay
I was lucky enough to run into Paula Radke during registration. She recommended that I stop by to see her new colors and reformulated ArtGlass Clay. I took a ArtGlass Clay class a few months ago, it was so much fun and we learned a lot! Steven and I made a quite a few pieces. So I’m excited to try out this reformulated version of ArtGlass Clay. I also look forward to trying it out with PMC, it seems like there will be lots of possibilities! For those of you who don’t know Paula Radke check out her website at www.paularadke.com. What I love about ArtGlass Clay is that the process is similar to metal clay. Of course there are some major differences, but the process is familiar enough that it’s very approachable for the metal clay artist. Her directions are clear and easy to follow. She has wonderful colors of ArtGlass Clay, beautiful molds that can be used with not only her ArtGlass Clay BUT also with metal clay as well. She also has a wonderful selection of dichroic glass which she is famous for. Check it out at www.paularadke.com.

PS I love her beautiful packaging!

Carnelian Bullets from Gem Resources
www.gemresources.com

Ok so now to the vendor hall. I found these great carnelian bullets from Gem Resources. Actually I wasn’t really looking for any more gemstones because I have LOADS of them. But I needed a few of these bullets for a special project. Then Shirley showed me some of these wonderful bezel cut topaz. I was so taken with them I had to buy some. I’m thinking I might make something with windows a la Tim Burton. Hard to see in the photo but trust me they are cool!

Of course my friends at Rio Grande were there. Maria and Thomas were showing the latest things in metal clay. The weird part was I had everything they were showing. hmmmm what does this say about my paycheck??  hmmmm. The only thing I didn’t have ( and it’s on my list of things to buy) was the JoolTool. I covet this machine. What a smart and brilliant design! The disks spin and you can see through it to polish away!See it on the Rio website.

Candace from Dynasty Stamps was also doing demos at the Rio booth. She was showing her new line of stamps. I love Dynasty Stamps and Candace. She makes the best quality stamps out there on the market. The most creative designs as well. The detail of her stamps is amazing and she is an outstanding person as well! You go girl!

Here is a video of Candace using her stamps!

http://youtu.be/aoNu0xqNGok

Next stop was the Horizon Mineral Co. booth. This booth was mobbed almost the entire time I was there. No wonder, they had some wonderful things! I bought these luscious pyrite cabs in the schist. Yes schist. Although I knew what it schist was, I had to look it up anyhow. Ok Wikipedia gave me far too much info but here is the link to see for yourself the definition. Schist. hmmm sounds like Yiddish to me…

I think I might make a big huge ring from these, not sure yet but they are too great to pass up.

Also in house was Don Butler the Carving Glove guy. Don sells great Dock Yard carving tools which seem to be the gold standard of carving tools for metal clay. I already own 4 sets, yes I know, but they are worth it. I also own the sharpening tool called the Dock Yard Strop. Unlike other less expensive carving tools Dock Yards can be sharpened. I’m including the video here as I’m so happy he made the sharpening tool. I often forget to sharpen them and then I remember and I’m happy to have nice sharp tools. I should try to sharpen them at least every couple of months. If you have Dock yard carving tools you need to buy one of these NOW. Tell him I sent you!

Another person showing in the vender room was Cindy Moore. I didn’t get a chance to visit with her but here is a video of her bracelet bender which I saw the Metal Clay World Conference last summer.

Absent from the vendor room Tonya from Whole Lotta Whimsey. 🙁  Tonya we missed you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!! But never fear visit the Whole Lotta Whimsey website to check out the latest in metal clay products.

ALSO check out Tonya’s Artful Success and innovative program where participants can gain from Tonya’s expert business acumen in the art world. Follow www.tonyadavidson.com