Many thanks go to Cyndi Lavin, owner of the art blog Jewelry & Beading. She’s recently uploaded an interview with me on her Artist Profiles series. You can see the interview here: http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2008/05/08/artist-profile-ca-therien/.
Today I finally restored the pictures for the faux opal tutorial. You’ll find the tutorial in the sidebar to your right. Each of the pics in the tutorial is clickable (just like this one) for a larger view. It’s a great beginner tutorial that really helps you practice alot of techniques. If you don’t have the inks called for in the supply list, don’t hesitate to try other things - eye shadows, chalks, powdered pigments, whatever!
Let me know if you have any questions about this tute - or about any of my other tutes - by clicking on the email link in the sidebar.
Jenny from Operation Hope Foundation recently sent me an update about the Beading Club at the Prey Veng orphanage. They were all very excited about the package I’d sent them, and Jenny sent me back some pictures. These are some of the pieces that volunteers had designed, for the children to make.
If you’d like more information on what this whole thing is about, then go read the February 2008 newsletter HERE. Jenny had contacted me a few months ago about teaching polymer clay classes to the kids there, and while I can’t do it right now, what I can do is send them things and promote the entrepreneurial adventure these kids are on.
These two are from some of my clay beads I’d sent them. Pretty earrings!
They’re learning how to make canes! 
I fell in love with these little sculpted beads, especially the bunny.
I hadn’t sent off a package recently, because I wanted to give people an opportunity to pop something in the mail for me to send to the orphans. If you’d like to participate, they need beads and beading supplies. Just drop me a note about what you’d like to send (use the email link here on my website, and write “Cambodia” in the subject line) and you can send your donations to me at:
C. A. Therien Polymer Clay Arts, P. O. Box 10581, Peoria IL 61612.
I’m expecting I’ll send off another package in about two weeks.
