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Love love LOVE this artist!!  Again spotted an image previously now mooching for more info!!  Enjoy!

oooooh I have found her website.... take a look....

http://karenmargolisart.com/Karen/Intro.html

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This stunning sculpture, Continuum, was created by artist Karen Margolis.  The clusters of pods and tulip-like shapes are made from maps and handmade papers.  If you look closely in the photos, you'll see the incredible textured effects of a soldering iron.  I have to say that those are the most beautiful burn holes I've ever seen!

 
Still looking for a little info on Katy Usvitsky after spotting her in an exhibition (blogged below) but here are some images I have found so far......
 
Now here is an exhibition that I wish I could have gone to see!!  Check these beauties out! 

Curated by Lovina Purple, the show examines artwork that has been created in traditional craft techniques such as weaving, quilting, lace-making, knitting and embroidery. The exhibition features works by artists Elisa D’Arrigo, Karen Margolis, Christina Massey, Hyo Jeong Nam, Gail Rothschild, and Katya Usvitsky.

http://www.escapeintolife.com/press-release-exhibit-art-show/knot-your-average-knit/
 
From the minute I clicked on this site and figured out how it 'emerged' I was hooked! And then I discovered the actual work!!! Stunning!

http://www.junkomori.com/
 

Alice R. Ballard

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..."My art is a reflection of my relationship with natural forms. It is often the metamorphosis of Nature's forms, as they change from season to season, that attracts me to that universal world in which differing life forms share similar qualities"... Alice B. Ballard

Kathleen Dustin

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Widely recognized as one of the world's leading polymer clay artists, Kathleen Dustin has been a pioneer, an educator, and source of inspiration for those interested in this emerging medium. Her exquisite art jewellry pays attention to the natural forms she finds in the
woods of New Hampshire. Here you will find information about Kathleen,
her artistic vision, see examples of her earlier and latest unique polymer
work, check her current show and workshop schedule, visit her blog, and
have the opportunity to contact her.

Shannon Weber

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Love it! Just random gatherings woven together....
..."I spend my time amazed by nature. I weave original one-of-a-kind vessels and assembled collages of multiple layers of weaving, stitching, tying, encaustic, and paint that work around the edges of traditional techniques. Most materials are hand gathered. A small listing includes, but is not limited to, seagrass roots, bull sea kelp, roots, beaver sticks, barks, willow and native grasses"... Shannon Weber
 
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This guy is amazing!!!  Something inspired me ages and ages ago to collect my children's old discarded plastic toys and 'stuff' to one day create a giant mirror frame for my hallway and I never recorded the name of the artist but have just come across some of his work online...brilliant check it out!!!


...Robert Bradford creates his life-size and larger-than-life sculptures of humans and animals from discarded plastic items, mainly toys but also other colourful plastic bits and pieces, such as combs and buttons, brushes and parts of clothes pegs.
In 2002, he started to consider the possibilities that his children’s forgotten toys could have as part of something bigger. Bradford says he likes the idea that the plastic pieces have a history, some unknown past, and that they also pass on a “cultural” history as each of the pieces represents a point in time. Recycling is not his primary concern, but each sculpture certainly keeps quite a few pieces from becoming landfill. Some of the sculptures contain pieces from up to 3,000 toys and sell for £12,000 (US$19,000).
 
ahmmm a lookin for more info now!!......
 
I love keeping up to date with Polymerclaydaily.com as I get to hear little titbits about some wonderful artists and crafts people, then I start some mooching and discover even more!!  Carol Simmons is one of my recent favourites, along with Rachel Gourley (see earlier posts).  They both work with colourful Polymer canes.  I tend to be really influenced and excited by artists looking at things like microscopic bits, underwater creatures etc so Carols work is fab!!


She has published a new Flickr site which gives you a quick view of how her botanically-based art has grown.

Carol Simmons is unveiling new work with this Sporocarps piece (see image and quote below). After years of looking at mosses, lichens and algae under the microscope, she reinterpreted her vision in polymer.
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"Sporocarps are the spore-containing fruiting bodies of mosses, lichens and some algae. This is my most recent piece of work. It is undoubtedly informed by my studies of mosses and lichens while in grad school. I spent many hours peering at them under a microscope and drawing what I saw. Working next to my wonderful new friend and artist Laura Tabakman at a recent retreat inspired me to try this sculptural form. The standing components of this mini-sculpture (4 inches across) are elevated on telephone wire.

 
A ceramic artist – Toronto based Lisa Robbins take on seeds, gestators and mature pods. Otherworldly and a bit on the wild side. I want to name them – don’t they look like friendly little creatures who want to come for a visit and stay awhile?
http://www.fireandearth.ca/cognipods/index.html
 
These polymer sculptures by Angelika Arendt remind me very much of the crocheted coral from one of my earliest links but in a harder form! Fabulous colours and patterns - like giant sweeties appealing to my (not so) inner child!!

http://www.angelikaarendt.de/sculptures.html