Clay Creations -

I have always loved working with my hands. I like the challenge of three dimensional objects. When I am painting, I often wonder what is on the other side of the picture that I cannot see. With clay, I don't have to wonder!

Pottery - 

I took a ceramics class in high school, and found that I really enjoyed working with clay. When I start to build a project, I find that the piece often has a life of it's own, unlike that of my original intent. I don't carve the project out of clay, but use a "coil method", forming the hollow piece as I go with large strings or coils of clay. I have made plaques out of clay, but find that three dimensional work is much more satisfying. I love detail work, and as a result, most of the pieces after they have been formed, have details carved into the surface. I do not like using a lof of glazes to finish my pieces. Since there is a lot of detail on the items I create, I have found the glazes usually hide the work. As a result, I have found that stains are my finish of choice on my projects. I like the rustic or organic feel of the finished project.

I am always excited to try a new finish, and I am constantly looking for the prefect glazes and effects to put on my sculptures. My next adventure will be raku firing, which makes the sculpture look slightly smokey and metallic  in nature.

Polymer Clay -

I used Polymer clays to make jewelry and terrain for miniatures, but found that I really liked forming silly faces. From those silly faces, my elf's were born! The entire elf body is made of clay, and then I add the details of the clothes and hair by hand. Each elf takes hours of work. I am devising a method  for making poseable elfs made from a cloth and wire armature. My least favorite part of creating an elf.... the clothes! I make each outfit by hand, and I don't like to use patterns. I do not consider myself a seamstress, and so many of the clothes are rustic or medieval in appearance. 

Upcoming Projects - 

I have had an image in my head for a long time... of a dragon starting to leap into the sky, with his wings starting to unfurl, his proud head held high, and his tail poised in a coil around his back legs. THAT is my dream. Now, to find the time to make it a reality, and force the clay to MY bidding, instead of the other way around!