Fall 2006

At this point I was still using inks and paint to add color to my creations. I joined other local artists and crafters at a holiday art fair to sell my works. The weekend was a success and lit a fire of inspiration within me.

My first show! I was excited, and my nerves got the best of me. I hyperventilated and dropped things, shook like an earthquake... I just wanted to run away. It was hard work, just the preparation pooped me out. I didnt have any pro-displays so I ransacked my home and came up with an earthy, eclectic feel to my area. I included items from my sister and a friend split the fee's. Between all of us, we had a blast and it was profitable for all. Doing this requires that you really have your ducks in a row, there is alot to think about. It is more than just setting up a card table and demanding a price. I'll leave it at this for now, someday I'll write a book detailing my experiences. Here are a few of the items I created for the show....

SUMMERS END 2006

The leaf impressions I had done intrigued me, so did the stamping. I started making pendants. Still struggling with color, I tried inks and colored pencils.

Using the internet, I searched keyword Polymer Clay and was overwhelmed by the list of resources. Discovering The Glass Attic was like opening the encyclopedia of clay! Glass Attic introduced me to polymer clay artists with incredible talents. The works of Donna Kato, Maureen Carlson, and Sharon Cipriano floored me. I had so much to learn!

A real turning point in my clay journey was discovering Etsy. Etsy is a community of artists, coming together to sell their art. I knew I wanted to be a part of this movement! Inspired by the shop creations, I (prematurely) opened my own online store early in the fall of 2006. I immediately sold the Green Koi (pictured center above), but really hadn't mastered my clay techniques. The ball was rolling, and gaining momentum! The next couple of months brought much joy to me as I uncovered the many beautiful techniques possible with polymer clay!

Like a Rolling Stone

SPRING & SUMMER 2006 By now I was clay crazy! The more I played with it, the more versatile I found it to be. My faces were time consuming, and my imagination was going faster than my hands could work. I went to the craft store to check out the clay supplies. I found face molds and shape molds, scrolly molds and ethnic molds. Needless to say, I was all about molds! I literally ran home to experiment!

For some reason, the colored clay hadnt caught my eye yet. I was imagining the play-doh-looking kid creatures and wanted a more complex finish (little did I know....). I kept trying to use flesh, ivory, white and translucent then add paint to it. I tried acrylic, stains, inks, powders.... everything imaginable. I discovered that rubbing a baked piece brought out a shine, then sanding it before buffing brought out an even higher sheen. I inadvertently mixed some scrap and ended up with a marbled effect, which stunned me. I made a little flower, then started impressing leaves.

My sister then introduced me to rubber stamping. Of course I applied it to my new addiction... clay! Lo and behold, I was completely taken by the results! More visits to the craft store and I bought a pasta machine and starting covering vessels and candles with clay. I bought a clay/stamping kit. Away I went, stamping and baking. The tutorials included in the kit referenced a website. That's where I launched into the REAL clay world, the internet! I discovered the possibilities where endless!

I tried new projects, read the facts, found new methods.... I was consumed by this art. I just hadn't found my niche', polymer was wonderful but what on earth was I going to do with all these clay tidbits?

The Old Iron Gate

EARLY 2006 More than a year had passed since my first clay creation. Hurricane Katrina had ravaged New Orleans and Mardi Gras was approaching. I was so inspired by the strength of the people living amongst the ruins of their city, preparing for a celebration of life. I had some old iron finials I had collected to top off birdhouses I make for the garden. Using the finial, I mounted a polymer sculpture of a womans face. She is painted, crackled, glossed, adorned with string and fibers. Her blank stare reflects her loss, yet her expression conveys the strength of her determination to overcome. I named her 'Mardi Gras'.

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The Long & Winding Road.....

FALL 2005 Now hooked on clay faces, I couldnt put down the little wads of smushy stuff. My next face emerged somewhat theatrical looking. Still, his expression was so realistic and mesmerizing! I couldnt picture him as a Santa, but still in the holiday spirit, he became the first in a series of "SnowPeople". I entitled these creatures with the thought of a snowball formed in your hand, then magically taking on life. Have a look:

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We've all got to start somewhere....

DECEMBER 2004 I will begin my blog with my beginnings in polymer.... it all started at a Christmas party given by my close friend and artist Kathy. Her house was decked to the nines with trees and lights everywhere! What caught my eye were the realistic looking Santa's she had perched here and there. I couldnt figure out how the heck she made these creatures! She told me to get some clay, the kind you bake in the oven. I kept thinking "you mean that stuff kids make blob monsters with?" So, I set out to make my own Santa. He is somewhat raw and unfinished, a little out of proportion here and there.... but I was thoroughly pleased with his outcome! And, I was hooked on polymer clay! Here he is, 'Father Christmas' December 2004:

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