Last week I attended the first Polymer Claycation, an event that has risen up from the ashes of the old Clayathon. It happened at a different time of year, and at a different venue, but I saw many of the same familiar faces, and the make-whatever-you-like-to-make vibe was alive and well.
I set up my work area on Sunday, and by tear-down time on Thursday, I had a nice little pile of baubles to bring home and buff. Let me show you what I made!
I spent Sunday making canes to replace some old favorites that I have run out of: four Jubilee canes in Circus, Violet, Salmon, and Honey.
And on Monday, I made a batch of tools (crochet hooks, seam rippers, and pens) and a batch of jewelry (bracelets, rings, barrettes, and earrings) out of each of the four designs.
Tuesday, I winged it, pulling six random canes out of my boxes, and making more tools with them. I’ve been meaning to replenish my supply of crochet hooks and seam rippers for a while, so I focused mainly on those, and some stick pens, too. You can never have enough pretty pens around the house, as far as I’m concerned!
I set up a little sanding station in my room, which was perfect. I love the opportunity to be social, but I need my down time. The hotel had Netflix, so over the course of four days, I watched the Martha Stewart documentary, a corny Christmas movie, and a few episodes of The Great British Baking Show while I wet sanded my pieces smoooooooth.
Tuesday night, while I was starting to write the first draft of this post, I thought of a couple of new color schemes I wanted to try. The result was the very pale Shoreline, and the very dark Midnight. Theoretically, Midnight actually glows. I haven’t tested it, but the light parts are made from glow-in-the-dark clay, so it should work!
So then Wednesday, as you might have guessed, saw me making things out of those two new designs. I also did a few last-minute experimental pieces that I had hoped could be the beginnings of a lovely collaboration with my brother the woodworker and his lathe, but I brought them to his house a few days ago and neither of us were particularly impressed. I want to keep working on this idea, though, so if it goes anywhere I’ll be sure to share.
By the time I packed up on Thursday morning, I had a LOT of nearly-finished stuff that just needed a good buffing on my bench buffer at home. (The buffing is done now, and I’ve photographed and listed everything in the shop: take a look!)
I enjoyed taking advantage of the coffee maker in my room every morning before heading down for a real breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I had a copy of an older issue of Polymer Week that I took my time reading through. It was nice.
I brought my fancy camera, thinking I might capture some of the lovely Lancaster, PA countryside, but I never took the camera out of the bag. There just wasn’t the urge to go anywhere. I was always either making something or taking part in one of the social events (party, game night, auction – oh my!) The most scenic thing I snapped with my phone was a little church that was basically in the hotel’s back yard. I got it once at sunset on the day I arrived, and again as I was packing up the car to leave.
I’m already thinking about next year. Can’t wait to do it again!
If you have a chance to attend a multi-day makers retreat or some kind of artsy gathering, you should do it. Being immersed in a creative world for a while is a special experience, particularly if your daily life doesn’t allow you the freedom to practice art as often as you might like. Seeing what other people are making is inspiring. And devoting nearly all of the hours of the day to getting your craft on is such a decadent treat!
Extra points if you can time your retreat to happen right after a turbulent election season that didn’t quite go your way 😁. I found myself so appreciative of the distraction. And of the occasional opportunity to commiserate with like-minded friends over a glass of wine or a dish of ice cream.
I didn’t realize how much I missed people! It’s been four and a half years since we had one of these in-person experiences. I also didn’t realize how over-stimulated it made me, but when I got home, I introverted myself right into a cocoon with only a blanket, a hot water bottle, my comfiest sweats, and a bowl of soup for company 🤣
Anyway, that was Polymer Claycation 2024. Two enthusiastic thumbs up from me!
P.S. Fellow attendee Diane admitted to being my blog stalker (her words), which I found flattering as well as funny, so hi, Diane 😁👋🏻
