Leather hard is usually just fine and best for detailed decorations. However if the piece is TOO dry, the slip will not adhere and will crack and fall off as it dries.

Bleeping cute! Holy moly!

Thank you all so much! You're all so encouraging, I want to make something else now!

Thanks so much for compiling that list!

Ohhh, that's so wonderful! I have watched Labyrinth over and over and over, ever since I was a kid. And Neverending Story is another favorite. They're beautiful. The expression on the Luck Dragon is spot on.

Oooh, I like masks.

Maybe wood? A challenge involving something with woodworking, woodburning, painting on wood, or other wood project.

It would be kind of fun to have "Iron Crafter" style challenges, though I don't know if this is where it would go. Give an object, and then have everyone make a craft that uses/incorporates it in some way (rather than a craft *about* it). Something random, easily accessible, perhaps available at thrift stores on the like; for example, "Hair Dryer" or "Garden Gnome".

I'm so in! I only just found out about it, but I bought supplies tonight. Heh, of course I take this up while also working on my term projects in school. x_x Two bad they can't be integrated. This is a great challenge!

This is a mixed media piece, but I think the polymer clay hatchling is really the focus.

This was part of an assignment for my first term of ceramics. The nest is stoneware, fired to cone 10 reduction with rutile and black stains. It is decorated with moss, lichen and feathers (found on the floor, no birds were harmed or farmed for them).

The bird is polymer clay with acrylic stains. It's hungry! It's about life-sized (pretty darn small!). It's my first polymer clay sculpture. I made some mistakes, but I like it. When I said I was making a baby bird, people said, "Oh, I bet that's cute!" I had to shake my head and say, "Actually, it's kind of creepy."

Sorry the photos are kind of crummy, I just rigged some cardstock and only had one light. I really need some sunny days to get some good photos of my other pieces.

My favorite is the spring pendant. It's so smooth and satiny looking, and delicate. The colors are excellent. I love the dragonfly wings too.

What a beautiful combination of colors. I love the combination of techniques and textures.