May E-News

The Polymer Paradise Cruise: A Clayer's Cruise Continued from front page


The big drill.

...Anne Igou, Klew (a.k.a. Karen Lewis), myself, Jana Roberts Benzon, and Jackie Truty, are all recognized experts in polymer clay. Their collective credentials include magazine articles, columns, awards, books, DVDs and television appearances, product lines and global teaching experience.

It has long been my dream to bring clay to the sea with a floating workshop. Thanks to Amaco's sponsorship and the help of many generous companies, we were able to offer this opportunity to the claying world. Participants from around the country met up in Long Beach, California to set sail on the Carnival Pride; a virtual floating city complete with an 8 story atrium. For many, this was a trip of a lifetime! A variety of offerings were available from collaging to bead making and even a chance to work with Art Clay Silver and see how polymer clay could be used in conjunction with this exciting medium. Low student to teacher ratios ensured that everyone got lots of individualized attention from the instructors as well as having a chance to get to know one another.


Polymer Clay Cruise instructors, (left to right) Jackie Truty, Anne Igou, Lisa Pavelka, KLEW (Karen Lewis), Jana Roberts Benzon.

The week started off with instructors and many volunteers invading cruisers Judi Weers and her daughter Tammy Dooley's luxury suite for a champagne bon voyage party and goodie bag packing session. Laughter filled chaos abounded as bodies were circled throughout the room and even the outdoor balconies to pass bags along goodies stationed with each person. Bags were filled to near-overflowing. AMACO provided all of the clay, the ovens and most of the tools for each crafter along with lots of other full sized goodies and products to play with at sea and home. Each crafter received bags that were worth nearly double the cost of the workshop package with additional products provided by supporting sponsors: 3M Corporation, Alumicolor, Art Clay World, Beacon Adhesives, Covered in Clay, Fiskars, JHB International, JustRite Stampers, Polymer Café, Poly-Tools, Ranger, Ron Mergeler, Scor-it!, and Swarovski Crystal. Crafters also received some handmade clay goodies in the form of dragon eye pins from Kathi Gose, swirled lentil bead zipper pulls from Judi Weers, flip flop phone charms and millefiori badge buddies from me. A special perk for participants was not having to bring anything other than a pasta machine and small tile. Everything else was provided for them. As if this weren't enough, play clay was provided for the open workroom sessions for all to share.


Ilene claying around.

In addition to the classes offered, most evenings offered free demonstrations and even an instructor round-table seminar on working with clay as a business. When all of the cladies weren't busy creating, they had a myriad of options for entertainment and relaxation from special events including cocktail parties, themed nights, casino fun, disco dancing, nightly entertainment, karaoke, shipboard and port-of-call shopping, not to mention exciting excursions in: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. If all this wasn't enough, there was plenty of time when not playing or claying to relax at one of the many pools, get in a little workout time at the gym or just chill in one of the many lounges or enjoy an in-room movie and free room service around the clock.


Lisa and Jana get airborne.

Before long, word got out about the clay group on board and ship's staff popped in to watch or shop from the instructors collections of finished work. Even the events coordinator for Carnival, Gillian joined my workshop to get her feet wet. The fire safety marshall, Geethan, joined in with the workroom gang to play with clay, adding to two new polyholics to the ranks! The overwhelming inspiration for everyone was cruiser Selma Foreman who came solo from Florida. What make's that so special is that Selma is 93 years young! Selma amazed us all with her exceptional clay work (she teaches clay senior citizens where she lives). She took the maximum number of classes and was always seen, pen and paper in hand at all demos and the open workshop sessions. She set a wonderful example to us all!

A big shout out goes to Haley Hertz who is moderator of the "cruisincladies" newsgroup at www.yahoogroups.com I encouraged everyone to sign-up for fun chat about the cruise, see cruisers pictures and more. It is the group's intention that this evolve into a general forum for all things clay.

During our last dinner together, everyone was abuzz about the next Polymer Paradise Cruise. Details for the 2008 sailing will be available soon here on the Amaco Designer E-Newsletter and at www.heartinhandstuidio.com

Interested in winning your own Polymer Paradise Cruise Tote filled with all the goodies our cruisers received? Click here to register.