Polymer Clay Central has announced the September 2007 Challenge theme: Cultural Design.

Here's a few ideas for cultural designs from around the world:

• Patterns: Pattern sourcebooks are a great place to find royalty-free images for use as patterns, image transfers, or just inspiration. For a nice selection, try 1000 Motifs for Crafters -- it has about 85 pages of culturally-inspired designs. Or try one of Dover's excellent clip-art books: they have books available on Celtic Designs, Egyptian Motifs, Medieval Illustrations, North American Indian Motifs, and Oriental Designs.
• Textures: Shade-Tex makes a Cultural Pattern Set that includes textures inspired by these cultures: African, Asian, Celtic, Egyptian, Islamic, and Latin American.
• Colors: As you create, keep in mind the cultural significance of different colors. Here's a few cultural color guides:
  • History, Origin and Significance of Africana Mud Cloth
  • Ancient Egypt Mythology: Colors
  • Japanese Traditional and Ceremonial Colors
  • Global Graphics: Color - Designing with Color for an International Market
• Inspiration from Flickr: Try browsing these photo pools:
  • Textiles from Around the World
  • Egyptian Art & Sculpture in Museums
  • World Culture
  • FOOD FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
  • Muslim Cultures
  • Africa
  • India and Indians

But there's more to cultural design than other cultures. What about folk art? Or pop culture? Think of all the soup can & cartoon character possibilities!

Mail your entries in by September 15, 2007, for a chance to win one of three prizes. Good luck!