Santa's Arizona Workshop full of Southwestern Sedona Ornaments

Here in sweltering Cottonwood my studio is jam packed with ornaments and has a kind of Southwestern Sedona Christmas in August Santa's Workshop look to it that's colorful and FUN!

A lovely gift shop/gallery called Dragonfly Local Art in Old Town Cottonwood is now carrying my ornaments, both the Southwestern Sedona Ornaments (that have a touch of Sedona Red Rock Dirt) as well as the colorful Cat and Dog Collection. So, I've been very busy creating stock for the 3 shops that carry my ornaments, as well as for my own online shop. 

Earlier in the summer my husband and I began working together with Ann Metlay of Adrift Wood Assemblages to design and create a natural wood display "tree" for the ornaments. Built on a base of a gorgeous handmade walnut Lazy Susan made by Paul's Specialties, it revolves to make for a visually attractive 360 degree display area.

So, if you get to Old Town Cottonwood, Arizona stop by and say hi to Kathleen and Cynde when you're on your way to visit the locals wine tasting rooms or eat at one of the many excellent restaurants. If you can't make it to Cottonwood right now I invite you to visit my online shop MelodyODesigns

My Favorite Polymer Clay Tool: 1/4" acrylic rod for smoothing

This 1/4 (6.3mm) diameter acrylic roller is my favorite polymer clay tool. I use it all the time for adhering and smoothing applied cane slices and appliques, as well as for general all around smoothing of clay surfaces. I love it so much I dubbed it the "Magic Wand" for Carolyn Stearns when she used to sell them.

This cool little acrylic smoothing rod is so useful I feel quite sorry for any clayer who doesn't have one in their tool stash yet. After losing two of the PC suppliers who used to stock them, I asked Rob at Polymer Clay Express if he could offer them for sale. He agreed and is now stocking this Little Acrylic Rod Treasure. You can select the size from the drop down menu, as they also offer it in the 1/2" size.

After sharing the photos (above) of the "Magic Wand" being used to smooth a cherry and make the edges even on a Sedona Red Rock Disk Ornament I thought I'd also share photos of the finished products. Both the Faux Bakelite Reproduction Cherry Jewelry Collection and the Sedona Southwestern Red Rock Disk Ornament and Jewelry Collection are available at my MelodyODesigns shop at Etsy.

Faux Bakelite Reproduction Cherry Jewelry Collection

Sedona Southwestern Red Rock Ornament Collection