#polymerartchallenge 3 and a couple more videos

As you can see from the videos of the work rooms here and here, it is a really relaxed environment with ample space for chatting, sharing of ideas and support. We work using an apprenticeship/ mentor model where the more experienced ladies help the newer ladies as they do more complex and difficult tasks. An early skill taught is the very careful use of the pasta machine to condition clay, make the scrap bases for beads such as our Bindu beads and then, with time, learning how to read our recipe book and mix colours. (Thanks again Carolyn and Dave Good!!!) In the videos, you can see we are learning how to use the Lucy extruders donated to us by Kimberley Idalski, Valerie Cook, Joey Barnes and Lucy and George Struncova. We also give our Makin Extruders (thank you Jen Tattam) and our PCE extruder (thank you Rob and Wilma) a plenty of use!In the videos we are working on a couple of new designs: a custom made black and white petal mala based on the design Lindly Haunani allowed us to make and a triangle version of our Bindu beads that is selling well.  There is lots of discussion about what is working, what isn't and what we need to change. These are our mantra questions!The flower beads that we are featuring on our second day of the challenge are made by the ladies with the most experience. We have only been making them for the past year and the design is still being refined. Most get sold in galleries in Australia as single, triple or five flowers on adjustable Buna cord.  We love making them!The rules: Post an image of your work on 5 days and each day nominate another person to participate.And our nomination for today? Check out the link here to find out!