{"id":6631,"date":"2009-11-09T03:33:51","date_gmt":"2009-11-09T10:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=6631"},"modified":"2009-11-08T19:11:14","modified_gmt":"2009-11-09T02:11:14","slug":"julie-picarello-linda-gross-julee-wolfe-polymer-clay-meetup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/julie-picarello-linda-gross-julee-wolfe-polymer-clay-meetup\/6631\/","title":{"rendered":"Julie Picarello, Linda Gross, JuLee Wolfe | Polymer Clay Meetup"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Julie <\/span>“It’s wonderful to get together with others who are as excited about polymer clay as you are.” ~Freda-K<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It really is amazing that having a passion for a craft or art medium like polymer clay, can take reletive strangers, and turn them into instant friends. That is how I felt when I met up with polymer clay artists’ Julie Picarello, Linda Gross and JuLee Wolfe, just this past Friday evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can see just how happy we are in the photo above. Julie is the one with the red top, JuLee is behind her in white, Linda is across from her in the pink. And that’s me in the yellow coat in front.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have been following along here at the blog, you will know that I ran into Linda Gross at the Fraser Valley Bead Show<\/a> just a couple of weeks ago. She lives fairly close to me, but previously, we never had the opportunity to meet up in person.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the bead show, Linda mentioned that she was hosting a workshop in her home with Julie Picarello<\/a>, the well known Polymer Clay Mokume Gane Guru. Wouldn’t that be quite the title on a business card! Now, since I was familiar with Julie’s incredible work from seeing it online, I really wanted the chance to meet her in person while she was in town.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well after a few back and forth emails with Linda, and some schedule shuffling, we ended up rendezvousing at a local restaurant. Much to my delight, another polymer clay enthusiast from Seattle was also able to join our little meet up — JuLee Wolfe, VP of the Northwest Polymer Clay Guild<\/a><\/span> (NWPCG).<\/span><\/p>\n

What an exciting opportunity to connect face to face with like-minded polymer clay addicts, instead of only ever chatting online. And such a nice time we had!<\/span><\/p>\n

Julie Picarello has the warmest, kindest smile you will ever see. Linda is so passionate and vibrant; and JuLee is a quiet observant woman whose love for polymer clay clearly shines through.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

They each had wonderful stories to share. The good, the bad and the exciting aspects of being in this amazingly creative industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

I loved hearing how Julie found her passion in polymer clay, specifically in Mokume Gane. She has developed this popular polymer clay technique into her own distinctive style, which she has become quite famous for.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the way Julie… you’ll be happy to know that your reputation precedes you here at my blog. On more than one occasion, readers have taken the opportunity to reference your wonderful work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Love the colors.\u00a0 I could easily see that palette used in one of Julie Picarello’s pieces… just add some gold to it. The picture looks just like one of my cats that I used to have…Teddy was his name. Thanks.<\/span> ~Lupe-M<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Julie told me that she originally got hooked<\/em> on polymer clay while watching a Victoria Hughes video back in 1995. It inspired her so much that she had to drop everything part way through the video and start creating! It was funny to hear that to this day she doesn’t even know how the video ended, though she was sure it must have been good. She was so busy making things that she never looked back!<\/span><\/p>\n

Another story that comes to mind (there were many of them) <\/em>from our little get together the other night, was Linda’s description of how she got started only 2 years ago. She had never done crafts and wanted to do something with her hands. She started with knitting and quilting but found they weren’t for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

A friend who was a real<\/em> jewelry designer (her words for someone who works with precious metals)<\/em>, suggested she get into beading. She did. She then found herself looking for unique focal beads and was discouraged by how expensive they were. She heard about how you could make your own beads with polymer clay and the rest, as they say, is history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, we also talked about my online journey and my love of sharing what I’ve learned about polymer clay bead making with everyone, especially beginners. The excitement and passion I have for the future of polymer clay and the amazing supportive community that is being created here.<\/span><\/p>\n

If there is one thing I learned from the evening, it is that as crafters and artists, we need to connect with one another. That our hearts, spirits and minds are recharged and inspired by making friends with people who share similar passions.<\/span><\/p>\n

I also realized that I need to get out there<\/em> more. At some point in the near future, I will need to step away from the computer and my work table and meet with more people face to face by getting out to some of the larger events. Sharing laughter, ideas, friendship and our common need to create something beautiful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you Julie, Linda and JuLee for a wonderful evening! I hope to meet up with you all again real soon. Until then…<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\"Cindy\"Polymer<\/p>\n

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