The May 2008 edition of the National Polymer Clay News e-newsletter is available for download in PDF format. To download a PDF copy of the newsletter, NPCG members must log in to the web site. Go to the NPCG Documents folder in our Downloads area. Select the Monthly e-Newsletters folder.

The newsletter was e-mailed to all members on May 1. Members with no e-mail address or who have opted out of the mailing will recieve a copy via postal mail. If you have not recieved your copy, please ensure that you have added the "execdir @ npcg.org" e-mail account to your approved senders list. Additionally, please ensure that the e-mail address in your membership record is current.

The NPCG board felt that part of these proceeds should support art-related organizations, and the first to benefit is the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF).  A donation of $1000 was sent to their organization, which is committed to supporting the careers of professional craft artists throughout the country.  CERF provides emergency relief support, advocacy and business growth programs to help sustain and strengthen artists' careers.

According to Jeanne Kirby, CERF Communications & Events Coordinator, the organization was honored to have been chosen as a recipient.  "A contribution of that size does help enormously", she said. "Many, many thanks to the NPCG for caring about your fellow artists!"

The 2008 Rings & Things Designs Contest winners were announced and three polymer clay artists are featured as Grand Prize, First Place and Honorable Mention winners. The NPCG congratulates these artists:

• Grand Prize: Lynne Anne Schwarzenberg *, Untitled (Three Tiger Lilies)
• First place, Polymer Clay: Lynne Anne Schwarzenberg,  Untitled (Three Tiger Lilies)
• Honorable Mention, Polymer Clay: Eugena Topina *, Wild Fire
• Honorable Mention, Polymer Clay: Lynne Anne Schwarzenberg, Good Things Come In Threes
• Polly's Picks: Ann Inman, Cedric & Bubba

To view photographs of these creations, please visit the Rings & Things Design Gallery

*Denotes NPCG member 

The crane has long been a symbol in Asian cultures representing good health, longevity, truth and fidelity. According to ancient Chinese legends, cranes were thought to be "well-behaved like gentlemen, incorruptible and naturally clean and honest." To be compared to a crane ranked among the highest of compliments.

One of the first books on origami was published in the late 1700s in Japan with the title "How to Fold 1,000 Cranes", and it contributed to the popularity of the origami crane. According to Japanese tradition, anyone with the patience and commitment to fold 1,000 paper cranes would be granted their most desired wish, because they exhibited the cranes' loyalty and recreated their beauty.

In our polymer community today there are two noteworthy crane projects in progress...one a wish for peace, and one a wish for health. 

Polymer artist Kathleen Dustin was selected to exhibit in the 26th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show, one of the nation's most prestigious juried exhibitions and sale of contemporary American craft.  Kathleen has been juried into the show several times in her career, and was even profiled by Smithsonian Magazine in 2000.  However, this year was especially thrilling for Kathleen as she learned that she was also the recipient of the show's New Direction - Excellence in Design of the Future award.  Receiving the award for her bold new body of work entitled "Pod Series" is the culmination of a long-held dream for Kathleen.

Congratulations to Chris Owens from Louisville, KY!  Chris is the winner of our Q1 2008 Member Appreciation drawing!  Chris has won a DVD by Judy Belcher (our current NPCG President!) titled "Millefiori Story - Creating Polymer Clay Canes".  This is a great DVD where Judy spins tales of caning that will take you from the basics to the very intricate canes.   Even if you don't 'do canes' this is a very helpful DVD with lots of tips for all!

The prize for our next quarter has been generously donated by…