Chubby Gecko and a Chance to Win

Monday Pick-Me Up: Chubby Gecko by Wired Orchid

Chubby Gecko, created by Lorraine of Wired Orchid, is an entry in the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy Challenge.  The theme given to the artists this month was “Southwestern.”

Here is how Lorraine’s describes her entry:

“For this challenge, I had envisioned the bright pottery and colors that you might see in a southwest city like Sante Fe. Geckos are the Indian symbol "Sign of Desert," (and I imagine there are several of these critters in the southwest) so I thought a gecko would be a good fit for the challenge. The scrolls and flower petals are canes that were individually placed on the gecko's lime colored body.”

Vote and Win Prizes
Hopefully this colorful little guy made your Monday happy, but if seeing him wasn’t quite enough, I have a little something extra. Vote and win prizes. Go to the challenge page and select your 3 favorite entries. Then you will be entered to win a fabulous polymer clay prize. Voting closes on Oct. 7.

Here are all the fabulous entries.

 1) Southwestern Shard Vessel by MichelesArtJewelry

Michele's description of her entry: This vessel measures approximately 5x7, is created entirely of polymer clay with slabs and canes, edges are torn, clay textured and antiqued.

2) Spirit Dancer Pendant by BeeTreeByMe

Mary Ellen's description of her entry: I thought a long while about the various things which seemed to represent the Southwest to me. I kept being being drawn to the strong spiritual quality of the landscape, cultures and traditions. The Southwest always makes me feel a very deep connection to the earth. I have tried to portray my feelings with my personal interpretation of a Hopi Kachina.

3) Treasure Box by PatiBannister

Pati's description of her entry: Treasure box, all polymer clay, turquoise coin embellishment; burnt umber glaze, wax polished

4) Wee Houses Necklace by ArrowdaleArtStudio

Cindy's description of her entry: For this piece I wanted to get back to my wee houses - and these are the "wee-est" I've done! I also wanted to capture the colors I remember from my trips to the southwest - the pinky browns in so many shades, and the deep surprising red.

5) Southwestern Dancer Pendant by ClayCenter

Berit's description of her entry: I was experimenting with the Natasha or Rohrschach technique for this piece. It was a nice surprise how it turned out.

6) Chubby Gecko by WiredOrchid

Lorraine's description of her entry: For this challenge, I had envisioned the bright pottery and colors that you might see in a southwest city like Sante Fe. Geckos are the Indian symbol "Sign of Desert," (and I imagine there are several of these critters in the southwest) so I thought a gecko would be a good fit for the challenge. The scrolls and flower petals are canes that were individually placed on the gecko's lime colored body.

7) Faux Carved Bone Necklace by RiverValleyDesign

Christi's description of her entry: I have always been attracted to the rustic look of carved bone. I made this as an inspiration for a PCAGOE challenge, and turned it into a tutorial, too! The pendant and beads are mixed with tigers eye and jasper beads, a nice "southwestern" addition.

8) Faux Turquoise and Malachite Necklace by 11BoldStreet

Susan's description of her entry: This necklace of faux turquoise and malachite may seem too obvious a choice as an entry, but it truly has it's roots in the southwest. I took my adult niece to visit a friend in Tempe, Arizona. She (my niece) wanted a chunky turquoise necklace, but didn't want to pay the price. I came home and made a big batch of Tory Hughes' turquoise recipe, then surprised her with a necklace for Christmas. This neckpiece is made from some of the remaining nuggets, plus a faux malachite donut and sterling wire.

9) Necklace Southwestern Style by CraftsByCAG

Carolla's description of her entry: All the beads are from Polymer Clay except the silver ones, the toggle clasp, and the silver charm on the pendant.

10) Just Hanging Around Pencil Cup by AshPaints

Arlene's description of her entry: This friendly gecko is just hanging around on the garden wall enjoying the southwestern sunshine. This pencil cup started out as piece of 3 inch pvc plumbing pipe, then patches of "brick" was added. "Stucco" was layered over, leaving portions of the brick exposed where the stucco on this garden wall has begun to peel off. Colorful kaleidoscope tiles add a burst of color and finishes out the look of an aged adobe wall. The gecko just climbed right up and made himself at home!

11) Southwestern Kokopelli Inlaid Handmade Box by PolymerClayCreations

Angela's description of her entry: This box is 100% polymer clay. I first made the 3 1/2" by 3 1/4" box by forming a base box over a cardboard form. Then I made a turquoise and coral cane to look like an indian blanket and covered the box. Then I cut out and inlaid the tee pees and kokopelli by hand.

12) Boots Cake Topper by Polyclarific

Amanda's description of her entry: These stand around 2.5 inches tall. Being an Aussie I'm not that familiar with the theme but I thought this fitted in nicely.

13) Sunface Kachina Necklace by RenGalSA

Deb's description of her entry: Beautiful Sunface Kachina Pendant (about 2") with millefiori feathers, jellyroll and patterned accents complimented with a necklace of faux turquoise rounds, red jellyroll cane beads, barrel beads covered with feather patterns and 4 millefiori feather drops. All polymer except for the silver beads and clasp. SO MUCH FUN!

14) Zuni Corn Maiden Necklace by SCDiva

Lynda's description of her entry: I am a South Carolinian and I love my state, but if I had the chance to live anywhere else, it would be the American Southwest. Everything about the region, the history and rich culture; the bold, vibrant color palette and ruggedness of the landscape, just fascinate me, as does the legend of the Native American Zuni Corn Maiden and started collecting corn maiden fetish beads. For my challenge entry, I wanted to recreate one in polymer and also incorporate my favorite colors of the Southwest: Turquoise, tomato red, mustard yellow, and aubergine. I created the Corn Maiden pendant, the Faux Bone Capped Navajo Blanket Beads, and the Faux Turquoise toggle clasp with its corn-shaped bar from polymer clay. I added dyed Magnesite "purple turquoise" rounds and "harvest turquoise" disc heishi beads and fluted copper spacer beads to complete the look.

15) Southwestern Tissue Box by HiGirls

Lisa's description of her entry: Polymer clay over wooden base. I used a mosaic technique to create the blanket or quilt pattern, textured with burlap, made molds to create the "conchos" -silvered with mica powder.

16) Southwestern Look Faux Leather Tin by ThePleasantPheasant

Jackie's description of her entry: This 2.5-inch diameter by 1-inch high covered tin was my second attempt at faux leather using the tutorial from 11BOLDStreet. The tutorial is fantastic and I'll be using it for many more beautiful faux leather creations in the future.