Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

Peter and I just returned from a road trip to Utah.   We drove to Coral Pink Sand Dunes that were once (170 million years ago) covered with ocean.   We climbed a steep wet sandy hill of beautiful coral colored sand and stood at the top looking across miles of coral colored sand dunes, high ridges swooping into flat beaches.   We carefully walked among the Welsh’s Milkweed plants taking pictures of the lovely thick-skinned leaves and the globe-shaped blooms.   The thick skins protect the plant from heat, wind and sand damage as the deep roots tap into water under the sand and send horizontal runners making new plants.   These plants are only found in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona and are on the federally threatened plant list. This is where I began to pay attention to the repetitions of shapes and lines throughout the road trip. I always try to be aware of design elements around me and I enjoyed focusing on this idea. I think I could have spent ...

Why would I spend time making a kitchen sponge holder when I could have bought a pottery one at the craft faire?   In fact, Peter wanted to know why I needed one at all. It was just one of those things…..I saw it at a craft booth and thought “What a great idea!   I bet I could make one of those out of polymer clay!”    So the project began. First I measured the sponge and was explaining to Peter how it worked.   It was actually like a napkin holder – 2 sides with finger slots and a bottom.   That is when Peter started asking questions like “how would the sponge dry with no bottom holes?” “How would the water drain with no feet to hold the sponge higher than the counter?”   And that is when I decided to really put my design to the test with “Good Product Design Requirements” 1.        Function - Does it work? 2.        Repairability – Can it be repaired? 3.    ...

One of the polymer clay groups on FaceBook is 'Polymer Clay Collective'.  This is a group of artists working in polymer clay who share ideas and support each other.  I'm so glad to be a part.  A new feature of this group is the 'Polymer Clay Collective Conversations' where a different member answers a set  of questions.  I get to be first - the trailblazer! I hope you enjoy learning a little more about me and in two weeks I get to learn more about someone else. • Tell us a bit about where you live. I live in Prescott AZ right next to the national forest.   When I look out my studio windows, I often see large black ravens swooping between the pine trees.   Binoculars are always available for close viewing of our smaller forest birds.   You’ve probably read about the forest fires we have had in our area this summer.   The monsoon rains we are having are so welcome. • What do you do when you're not polymer claying? As of 2010, I...

Saturday August 24, I’ll be giving a 3 hour workshop on making polymer clay buttons at The Sedona Knit Wits (928-282-3389) just in case you want to call and make a reservation!).    I’m planning on showing how to condition the clay and using three different techniques for buttons as well as finishing.   The class should be lots of fun! In preparation, my supply list is made, the tools we will be using are collected or the coupons from Jo-ann’s and Michel’s are being collected and the knit shop is advertising. Using 2013 colors, I selected two color schemes with 3 colors each.   Each student will have a choice of 3-2oz squares in cool colors or 3-2oz squares in warm colors.   Next I wanted to find out how many buttons I could make out of 6 oz of clay.   I chose the cool colors of clay, my tools nicely arranged and my class goals typed beside me.   I was ready.   You all can probably guess what happened.   I got side tracked right ...