We had the most amazing day with our two special guest artists, Fiona Abel-Smith and Ange Smith, who very generously divulged their know-how with two very different demos. Fiona took the morning demo, showing us her fun fish project. Starting with the cane for the fins, she then went on to show us the 'Natasha' body and how to finish the project.

After lunch, Ange showed us her beautiful translucent beads using, translucent clay (obviously), silver/gold leaf and alcohol inks. Using a Mokume Gane technique we picked ours colours, stacked our layers and sliced away, revealing absolutely stunning results. Unfortunately I completely forgot to take photos of our endeavours but they were all very very good. We cannot thank Fiona and Ange enough for such a fabulous day. It was a pleasure to have them both visit us.

​We had seven entries in our 'Curtain Ring Challenge', all of which were very good but there was one clear winner. ENID WINDER with her hanging piece covered in pretty roses. Well done Enid enjoy your prize.

​Also on the 'I Made This' table, more outstanding creations from Guild members.

That was a great ClayDay and don't forget our next meet is on July 16th. Hope to see members for another great ClayDay.

A reminder to all that our next ClayDay is only 3 weeks away. During this ClayDay we have 2 special guests Fiona Abel-Smith and Ange Smith. For the days workshop, Fiona will be showing us the cute and quirky fish project and Ange will be show us how to make these beautiful translucent beads. So we will have not 1, but 2 different projects to learn. 

For the fish project:

If you have a selection of your own canes at home that you think would make great patterns for the fish bodies, do bring those with you too, although everything you need to make the fish from scratch will be covered on the workshop.

To make several different coloured Fish you will need to bring with you:

•  4 x colours of polymer clay of your choice, 28g of each colour, cut into 4 equal 7g pieces
•  35g of white clay, cut into 5 equal 7g pieces
•  2g black polymer clay
•  Pasta Machine
•  Tissue blade and blunt ended round tool (knitting needle is good)
•  Craft Knife and cocktail stick
•  Clay roller
•  Wet wipes
•  Tile to work/cook on

Just as a thought, and it’s not essential, but if you wanted to give yourself more time on the day, conditionthe clay in the individual 7g pieces before you arrive.

The following will also be needed, and while I have some to borrow on the day, if you have any of the following to bring, they would be very useful, and would save having to share my limited numbers:

•  Teardrop shaped cutter (1 inch / 2.4cm in length) also known as a petal cutter
•  Mini round cutters (0.7 and 0.4cm diameter)
•  Mini heart cutter (0.4cm)
•  Squared measuring sheet
•  Liquid Polymer Clay/PVA glue
•  Fish scale texture sheet (I use the ripple one from the Makins set A of clear thin plastic texturesheets).
• Texturing material

Members and new members please take note!

After a suggestion was made to introduce a yearly membership fee, all members were contacted and asked for their opinion. The overwhelming majority voted in favour of this, so as of the May meeting, the Anglian Polymer Clay Guild will be introducing a yearly membership fee of £30. This will cover all 6 meetings, in which we hold morning and afternoon demos, and include any workshops with a professional guest artist. This will also entitle members to sell their masterpieces when we hold a Sale Day.
Memberships can be paid by cash or cheque (cheques made payable to Anglian Polymer Clay Guild) at our next meeting on May 21st. All members will receive a membership card. 

In our last ClayDay, members were taught how to prepare curtain rings to be used in projects. Be sure to get your 'Curtain Ring' projects ready before the next ClayDay to enter it into the Curtain Ring Challenge. All entries will be judged to win a special prize! (pssssstt, the prize is going to be a tool for polymer clay of course!)

As usual please RSVP by contacting apcg@live.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you!