AnKara Designs
Ann and Karen Mitchell
2323 Pinecrest Drive
Altadena, CA 91001
(626)798-8491
Ann@AnKaraDesigns.com
Background:
- Established costume jewelry company AnKara Designs in 1991
- Have worked in polymer clay for 14 years, professionally for 12 years, specializing in mixed media applications
- Have developed new techniques in liquid polymer clay for 4 years (since its introduction to the general polymer clay community)
- Appear regularly on the Carol Duvall Show on HGTV
- Appear regularly in Jewelry Crafts and other magazines
- Participate in 18 large arts and crafts shows annually
- Maintain an updated mailing list of 7,000 customers
- Publish informational company newsletter semi-annually
Carol Duvall Episodes-Home and Garden Television (all with liquid polymer clay):
- CDS-1457:Transfer Mosaic Necklace
- CDS-1413: Leopard Print License Plate Frame
- CDS-1360: Bow Tie Link Necklace
- CDS-1329: Embossed Garden Tin
- CDS-1256: Clay Fabric Lampshade
- CDS-1212: Clay Ribbon Rose Hand Mirror
- CDS-1146: Polymer Clay Cloisonne Memory Book
- CDS-1106: Double-Sided Terra Cotta Bead Bracelet
- CDS-1029: Terra Cotta Tiles
- CDS-952: Leaf Votive
- CDS-942: Clay and Fabric Bookmarks
- CDS-813: Liquid Clay Mosaic Box
Published Book:
- “Liquid Polymer Clay: Fabulous New Techniques for Making Jewelry and Home Accents” by Ann and Karen Mitchell, Krause Publications, May 2003
Published Articles:
- “Autumn Leaves Necklace with Liquid Sculpey” by Ann and Karen Mitchell, PolymerCafe magazine, October 2002
- “Fiorato Beads with Liquid Sculpey” by Ann and Karen Mitchell, Jewelry Crafts magazine, August 2000
- “Liquid Sculpey Mosaics” by Ann and Karen Mitchell, Jewelry Crafts magazine, February 2000
Accessories in Print:
- Creative Stamping in Polymer Clay by Barbara A. McGuire, North Light Books, F & W Publications, 2002
- Wire in Design-Modern Wire Art and Mixed Media by Barbara A. McGuire, Krause Publications, 2001
- “Fiorato Beads with Liquid Sculpey” by Ann and Karen Mitchell, Jewelry Crafts magazine, August 2000
- “Liquid Sculpey Mosaics” by Ann and Karen Mitchell, Jewelry Crafts magazine, February 2000
- “Metal Effects on Polymer” by Esther Anderson, Jewelry Crafts magazine, February 2000
- Polyform Products Sculpey III advertisement, 2001-2002
- Polyform Products Translucent Liquid Sculpey brochure, 2001- 2002
- Polyform Products advertisements, Translucent Liquid Sculpey 2001- 2002
- “Polymer Clay 2000”, a juried calendar by Trudy Schwartz-Burrill, 2000
- Foundations in Polymer Clay Design by Barbara A. McGuire, Krause Publications, 1999
- CD album cover, “Give Yourself Away” by rock guitarist Racquel Zonte, Fall 1999
- “A Complete Guide to Gold Plating” by Esther Anderson, Jewelry Crafts magazine, December 1999
- “The PMC Challenge” by Esther Anderson, Jewelry Crafts magazine, October 1999
- Back book cover, Recipes For Hot Sex by Dr. Joan Irvine and Jeanne Ernst, Spring 1998
- Christmas Cookie Edition, Better Homes and Gardens magazine, article featuring Annamarie Mitchell by Peg Rahn, December 1997
- Harvest Festival advertisements and brochures, 1996-Present
- “Visions of the New Millennium”, a juried date book by Trudy Schwartz-Burrill, pending publication
Television Appearances:
- Interview and clay demonstration, Ann and Karen Mitchell, Good Day Sacramento,
morning news program, November 2002
- Interview, Ann and Karen Mitchell, “Periscope”, cable television talk show hosted by Sam Coleman, November 2000
- Interview, Karen Mitchell, “Inland Empire Alive!”, cable talk show hosted by Diane Abbott, November 1997
Accessories on Television and Film:
- “Haunted Mansion”, Disney feature film starring Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Tilly,
November 2003
- “Ghost Dog: A Detective Tail”, made for television film for PAX cable station with Daphne Zuniga and Jack Wagner, January 2003
- “Pledge of Allegiance”, independent feature film with Freddy Rodriguez, Hip Films,
December 2002
- Fashion segment, “Live with Regis”, television talk show, ABC, 2000
- Fashion segment, “KTLA Morning News”, television news program, Los Angeles, 2000
- Fashion segment, “Good Day Philadelphia”, television news program, Philadelphia, 2000
- Fashion segment, “Good Morning Texas”, television news program, Houston, 2000
- Fashion segment, “Fox Thing in the Morning”, television news program, Chicago, 2000
- Music Video, ‘Can’t Be Me’ by rock guitarist Racquel Zonte, album- “Give Yourself Away”, Spring 2000
- “Forever Love”, made for television film with Reba McEntire, 1998
- “You Wish”, television situation comedy, ABC, Fall 1997
- “Ink”, television situation comedy starring Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, CBS, Fall 1996
- “All My Children”, television daytime drama, ABC, 1992, 1994
- “Innocent Obsession”, independent film, 1992
Accessories in Theatrical Productions:
- “Peter Pan”, Opera a la Carte, Spring 1996
- “The Gondolier”, Opera a la Carte, Spring 1995
- “King of the City: An Evening with Al Capone”, Scottish theatre festival, 1995
Exhibitions and Competitions:
- Invitational slide show exhibition for the British Polymer Clay Guild at the Victoria and Albert Museum (London, England), hosted by Sue Heaser, April 2002
- Invitational exhibition and competition, “The Leather Challenge”, sponsored by the Leather Factory, January 2002
- Exhibition, “Illuminating a Medium: A Retrospective of Polymer Clay” at the ‘Courting the Muse’ conference sponsored by the National Polymer Clay Guild, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, June 2001
- Winning entry, “Transparent Liquid Sculpey Creativity Challenge” at the ‘Courting the Muse’ conference, June 2001
- Exhibition, Polymer Clay Haven, Louisville, Kentucky, 2000
- Exhibition, “Incredible Clay: Feats of Polymer”, the Bead Museum, Glendale, Arizona, 2000
- Exhibition, “The Rave 2000”, Ravensdale Conference, Northwest Polymer Clay Guild, August 2000
- Exhibition, “Polymer Clay 2000”, SoHo Gallery, Pensecola, Florida, Fall 1999
- Exhibition, costumes from the film “Elizabeth” and other regal garments, sponsored by the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Beverly Hills, California, Fall 1998
- Winning entry, “Most Delicious Sweet” in polymer clay, sponsored by Accent Import/Export, Inc., Ravensdale Conference, Northwest Polymer Clay Guild, August 1998
- Winners, Harvest Festival Direct Mail Contest , out of 900+ exhibitors participating in show circuit, AnKara Designs brings in the highest number of customers based on coupons counted at gate (spring and fall seasons), 1997-Present
Classes and Demonstrations:
- Classes, jewelry design, solid and liquid polymer clay, AnKara Designs studio, August 2001, February 2002, ongoing
- Classes, Liquid Sculpey and Jewelry Design, “ Courting the Muse” conference sponsored by the National Polymer Clay Guild, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, June 2001
- Demonstration, Greater Los Angeles Polymer Clay Guild, August 2002
- Classes and demonstrations, AnKara Designs studio, ongoing
- Demonstration, Polymer clay, Huntington Library Bookstore, December 1998
Special Collections:
- Huntington Library Bookstore, 1997- Present
- Fashion Institute Museum Gallery Gift Store, 2001- Present
- Smart Museum of Art, pieces in museum store in conjunction with Archibald Knox exhibit, Chicago, Spring 1998
Unusual Projects:
- Collaborative project, patriotic ribbons in polymer clay for limited edition glass clown sculptures by Abelman Art Glass, Spring 2002
- Painting basketball awards, the Miami Heat, 1996- Present
- Painted basketball awards, the Los Angeles Clippers, 1993-1996
- Custom designed accessories for professional dancers: ballroom, flamenco, swing, belly; ongoing projects
Professional Organizations:
- Member, National Polymer Clay Guild
- Member, Greater Los Angeles Polymer Clay Guild
- Member, Carol Duvall Online Guild
- Member, Hobby Industry Association
- Member, American Crafts Council
- Member, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Leads Club
