Working With: Polymer Clay

One of the most unique aspects of We Care Arts is the broad range of mediums that our artists are welcome to create with.  We go beyond simple paint and colored pencils to allow our artists to explore their creativity in ways they might not have even known were possible!  Most often, these new and frequently unusual techniques are introduced at visiting artist classes, when one of our teachers shares one of their personal favorite projects with our artists, allowing them to experiment.

Some of our classes regularly explore different types of products.  Terry Schalnat, our Executive Director, teaches a class that has been known to delve into furniture restoration, soap-making, tile and glass art, and the list goes on!  But one particularly unique class happens every other week.

Two Tuesdays a month, Naomi holds her polymer clay jewelry making class.  Polymer clay, which is actually called polyvinyl chloride, is actually a plastic, not a clay whatsoever, but is referred to as such because it is treated similarly to clay when molding and sculpting it.  Those who work with polymer utilize the same tools as ceramicists, and similar techniques.  The creative potential of these little blocks of ‘clay’ are essentially limitless!

Naomi's class usually makes beads, pendants, and other types of jewelry out of their clay, usually by making sugar beads.  This technique yields large, hollow beads by mixing sugar and water into a paste and making a mold, then forming the clay around it and baking it.  Warm water is then used to melt the sugar, leaving the bead as all that remains.  There is a TON of creative flexibility in this one craft alone, but the potential of polymer clay is such that this class has been itching to branch out into different crafts.

The day I talked to the class, they were making nightlights shaped like little birds sitting in nests.   The adorable birds were shaped over light bulbs and then scored and sculpted to look more realistic and unique.  The nests were formed by braiding or layering strips of clay over one another to achieve the desired effect.  This class has been gradually shifting away from primarily making beads to these more unusual projects, really taking advantage of of the flexible qualities of the polymer.  Essences, such as pearl or glitter can also be mixed in with the clay for an added dimension.  It is a very versatile and playful medium and can be incorporated in projects with other mediums very easily!  Our class has mixed it with glass and metal to make pens and serving utensils, and professional jewelry makers even incorporate finer metals such as silver in their crafting.  

 

Left, right, and below are some of the one of a kind jewelry pieces our artists have created!  If you fall in love with any of them, they are available for purchase at our main store on Wilmington Pike in Kettering, or in our shop at Town and Country on Stroop Rd in Kettering!

 

 Did talk of these fun projects inspire you?  You can purchase polymer clay from most crafting retailers (think Michael's or Jo-Ann) and get started experimenting with this super fun medium!