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If caning be the food of love, clay on!

I've been claying since around 2012 and absolutely love it. Polymer clay is so versatile and I'm always trying to find new and fun ways to create designs. I find inspiration for my clay everywhere; in colours, shapes, patterns, nature and structures. Join me in my ramblings about my world with polymer clay.

Ireland: I came, I went, they conquered!

10/8/2019

14 Comments

 
What an AMAZING weekend I've just had in Ireland, teaching the Irish polymer clay guild how to make patchwork bunnies and chickens. A nicer, more fun and enthusiastic bunch of clayers I've yet to meet.  Here we all are, minus Aoife (the chairperson of the guild who is in the photo being held up by Laura!).
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However, I'm getting ahead of myself. First came the preparation.
In my usual over-the-top-don't-leave-anything-to-chance way, I tried to prepare completely before I left. My one worry was that people wouldn't have time to complete their project, so I tried to prepare as much as possible before I went, not anything that was a particular skill, just the boring parts. Cutting out triangles of clay to make a rainbow blend is quite easy for one...…………….
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​    Slightly more time consuming         for 11

    Then, I decided that the clay was too oily, so I needed to 'leach' some of the oil out to make it more workable. This involved putting sheets of white copy paper on the clay and weighting it down.

I don't want to see another rainbow blend for a while!
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Then the bunny and chicken bodies...…….....if any customs person had opened my case I would have had a lot of funny looks. 

I stayed with Aoife and her family. I'm incredibly lucky with my Irish friends, both Laura and Aoife host me and allow me to take over their kitchen tables with my clay, and even involve their children! Considering I'm not thought of as particularly good with children, I find Aoife's and Laura's ones lovely. Perhaps I'm just better with Irish children!

​The workshop was great - (I don't mean my teaching, although a friend of mine describes me as not being humble at all, so perhaps I do!). The Irish sense of humour is second to none, I've finally met people as loud as me, enthusiastic and a little crazy, and totally totally genuine.

I've been to a lot of workshops and always enjoyed myself and learnt a lot; however I've never understood people who complain. I go to the most wonderfully run workshops, with tutors who are so generous with their knowledge, and come away feeling honoured to have been part of it. Yet there's always someone who moans. They didn't like the tutorial, the tutor went too fast/slow, the room was too hot or not lit well enough, or the coffee didn't taste nice. These moaners almost put me off becoming a tutor, I have a real fear of not being good enough or liked, but I've got a wonderful newspaper clipping on my pinboard at home by Jamie Oliver who quotes Theodore Roosevelt:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena..... and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly"

Google the complete quote, it's great.
So, with Theodore's words ringing in my ear, I (as my mother used to tell me to) 'girded my loins', and went to Ireland to teach. If anyone complained, I didn't hear them!!!

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​Everyone who knows me know that I'm absolutely rubbish at remembering people's names. Poor Rosemary was called Margaret for two days. I ended up making myself a sticky label to remind me of her name, and every time I called her Margaret she put it on her head to correct me! I love Rosemary/Margaret!

A few more photos of the bunnies and chickens, and their creators. Sorry Aoife, Laura and Niamh, I didn't get a photo of you with your creations, although Niamh's is the lovely green one shown. 

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And finally, the last word has to go to my two new friends. Sophie and Kristina are two children (don't ask me their ages, I've forgotten!) who accompany me when I'm doing clay at their house, and show incredible talent. The thing with children is that they don't over-think things; they just do it.
Consequently the barriers to creativity that us adults have don't apply, or don't to such an extent, and both Sophie and Kristina are very talented clayers. 
​Here is a couple of dragons that Kristina made on the morning that I left Ireland. She's inspired by Birdy Heywood, the original and best 'dragon lady'. If you want to make a dragon, contact Birdy, she does 1:1 dragon workshops at her home.
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Right, the rambling has to stop. I'm working tomorrow, the 'proper job' that pays for clay, so I'd better get some sleep. Only 13 more days and I'm off to America to spend a week with my lovely friend Donna Baratta. So excited. A whole week of nothing but clay with a talented clayer and good friend. 
Happy days!
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Oh, if you've read this far, firstly well done! and secondly, if you'd like notifications of the next polymer clay ramble, please sign up to the mailing list. Once I've worked out how it works,  I'll send you emails letting you know when a new post is up!
However, don't hold your breath...…….technology is NOT my friend!
14 Comments
Celine Neenan
10/8/2019 07:50:29 pm

What a super weekend we had.Thank you so much my lovely friend. Your a wonderful tutor. Our bunnies and chickens are truly unique and scream Helen Cruickshanks style and quirkiness. Please cone back soon.We are misding you already. 😍😍😍

Reply
Helen
10/10/2019 03:54:08 pm

It was so lovely to see you number one! Xx

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Celine Neenan
10/12/2019 11:21:27 am

😍😍😍 Come back soon xx

DEL O LEARY link
10/9/2019 02:13:36 am

Best workshop I have ever attended . You were a brilliant teacher and had the patience of a saint with us asking questions and just shouting over each other. Cant remember the last time I laughed so much. I love the bunny I made and will treasure him 😍😍😍

Reply
Helen
10/10/2019 03:55:09 pm

I’m so glad you enjoyed it Del, your bunny was gorgeous xx

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Aoife Smyth Murphy
10/9/2019 03:58:32 am

Thanks so much for an amazing weekend Helen! We, all enjoyed it immensely. 😊 Kristina is so chuffed to have her work featured on your blog! We will see you again soon my lovely friend! 💚 💚 💚

Reply
Helen
10/10/2019 03:56:39 pm

I’m hoping to visit as soon as possible, your family was so welcoming, and thanks to Kristina I’m now totally hooked on Dragon Merge game! Xx

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Pauline (next to the real Margaret)
10/9/2019 04:16:59 am

Helen, thank you so much. I loved it from beginning to end. Great group and topped with a great tutor!

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Helen
10/10/2019 03:57:31 pm

Ah thank you Pauline, at least I got your name right! Xx

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Lin Morton
10/9/2019 06:32:59 am

Lovely blog Helen, looks like everyone had a great time. The photos are great too, loving the patchwork creations. Never fear, you are definitely a very good tutor xx

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Helen
10/10/2019 03:58:34 pm

Thank you Lin. Hopefully you’ll be pleased with the patchwork bear you’ll be making in November. Really looking forward to seeing you xx

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Donna Baratta
10/9/2019 11:47:58 am

WOW! What an incredible workshop you all had! Well done! I enjoyed the photos of creators with their bunnies and chicks. Rather like dogs and cats looking like their owners, these incredible creations look like they reflect the personalities of their creators in colors, patterns and poses (😋 yes I’m thinking about you in particular, made me laugh that chicken did!) I hope one day to have the opportunity to join you as she always speaks so highly of your group. I anxiously count the days till Helen arrives and I get to immerse myself in her creative flow, delightful humor, and kind spirit. You’ve all inspired me! Happy claying!

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Helen
10/10/2019 04:01:33 pm

They really are the best group ever to teach Donna. So much fun! Only eleven more days before I visit. Yay 😀😀😀

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Alfonso
10/10/2019 05:33:32 pm

What a brilliant weekend, great to have some holidays doing the things you love !! Amazing!! Maybe I should consider increasing my hobbies ? Great job!

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    Helen Cruickshank

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