Voilà - It has been about a year since I first heard of this name.  I wasn't sure about it at the time it was getting off the ground.  When I saw the names of the biggest and best artists in the field of polymer clay art, I was haunted by the possibility that Voilà would not be a good fit for someone like me - no formal art training, no studio, no awards.  I had only discovered that "sculpey" came in colors a year and a half earlier. 

Oh, I'm so happy I went ahead and signed up.  I've learned and experienced so much here. 

Christine, the brains and organizer behind this place, has been so patient, helpful, and encouraging each time I lose my password or can't find the right button for this or that.  I'm still learning to maneuver on several fronts around here, but along the way I've found several priceless treasures. 

There is a wonderful camaraderie here.  Artists from around the world are making contact and learning from one another.  I like this aspect especially since I'm a world language teacher - 26 years of teaching French and Japanese at the high school level, and learning Spanish at the moment.  I have to admit it thrills me to see artists (from Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Latin America and more and more!) doing amazing things with polymer clay, my newfound passion. I see all the announcements of retreats and conferences in Europe, and dream that someday I'm going to attend one in France or Germany...  Wow!   

Voilà has been a safe haven for me.  There is no "drama" as is the case sometimes at other forums.  I am so relieved that there are neither energy zapping judgments nor the cliques of best buddies are so common elsewhere. I'm so encouraged by the professional and helpful attitudes of the members here. 

Above all, I just love looking at the artwork of other members.  I find myself drawn to the Polymerista entry photos each month, wondering at the amazing variety of textures, colors, techniques and creativity in general.  Each month we are encouraged to enter the competition, and then we are given scores that tell us what we are good at and where we need to improve.  I was one of the "judges in training" - a group lead by Christine.  We actually developed the score sheet together with communication flowing like I'd never seen before.  Christine made certain that each person's views were heard, discussed and incorporated into the process.  How affirming and what a fantastic learning opportunity for all of us! 

Now, I've come to the reason I felt I needed to write this post.  I had been looking at different photos that were uploaded by various members, when I fell in love with one photo in particular, Carme's pendant.  I glimpsed it on the slideshow of her profile photos, but I could not see it long enough to be satisfied, long enough to be able to absorb and appreciate all the layers of color and texture and surprises it held. 

I clicked enough buttons here on Voilà to find my way to send her a greeting and message, and she wrote right back.  She explained that we were already contacts on Flickr.  I get so mixed up on names and nicknames and avatar names at different sites, but I'm so happy to have found her anew on Flickr.   Her pendant was so inspiring to me.  I think she called it an "experiment" on her Flickr photostream.  Wow, what an "experiment"! 

 I didn't want to copy her work exactly, but I loved it so much I had to try to do something similar, making it in my own style. Here is my mokume gane

I call a faux gold abalone,and here is an entry I finally had time to make on the November Art Bead Scene challenge - Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life.   

I don't really know how my friend Carme made her pendant, but I had so much fun learning by looking at her work and trying something similar.  I hope she will be flattered. 

¡Muchas, muchas gracias a Carme!

Merci à toi aussi, Christine, for making this wonderful place for us to learn and meet and discuss and appreciate... I am so glad you took the initiative and time to do this for us.  It is truly and inspiring, safe and motivating for me.  Many hugs and happy thoughts are coming your way today!