Step back in time with a visit to Jen Parrish’s polymer relics site. This Boston artist has created historical replicas and designs for movie, television, theatre and opera productions. Her “…as seen on tv” list is impressive and her faux jewels are sold in the British Museum’s shop.
Since I last visited her site, Jen has added Etsy, Flickr, a blog and more to her thriving business. On this winter weekend from the comfort of your computer chair you can wander through her studio and shops inspired by ages past.
ilenia ,
absolutely magic!
JeannieK ,
I have a crown this like that I wear around all day. I agree with Ilenia, it is magical.
Randee M Ketzel ,
Ever so cool–I love how she’s taken simple cutter shapes and glass and made them into magical objects–She and Kotomi have carved a niche in polymer clay–literally!–that I just love very time I see it. They are timeless.
Cate ,
It’s all lovely stuff, of course, and more power to her for creating such stunning pieces, but why oh why are some artists who are otherwise successful still so reluctant to state outright that they use POLYMER CLAY? Am I missing it? I can find no mention of polymer clay anywhere on her Etsy, website, or blog. It’s as if she’s embarrassed to admit that she’s using it. She either coyly ignores the issue of what the “sculpted” parts of her pieces are scuplted from, or she calls it, most disingenuously, “clay”. Is it in fact an earth clay that she’s using? Or is it polymer clay at all, is it perhaps precious metal clay?
As ever, another thought-provoking and inspiring link, Cynthia—thanks!
Cate ,
Oh wait, I’ve found it. In one place, she calls it “resin-based clay”, and in another, “resilient clay.” How helpful.
Barbara Briggs ,
As soon as I saw the crown, I thought of the Tudors series. I own every episode and will forever wonder each time I watch the series if one of those jewels is faux polymer!
Ann ,
She made the B for Ugly Betty??hahaha I howled when I first saw that, it was right off of an Elizabethan painting! And I had a special affinity for that show cause there was a Chinese Crested on it:)) Fun stuff!!! Thanks for the link!!!
HeatherP ,
Wow, The slideshow made me feel like I went time travelling. Beautiful jewelry, living space and cats!!! Thank you for sharing Jens video. Outstanding inspiration!
Jema hewitt ,
I made an Anne bolyn B from Polyclay many, many years ago for the award winning “headline history” – it’s good to see someone else saw Polyclay as the perfect medium for that pendant too! I covered my piece in real gold leaf……. I have to agree with Cates comments though, it’s a shame Polyclay is still seen as an “amateur” material by many people, and as long as successful designers disown it, it will continue to be percieved as a second class medium. But if Jen finds being mysterious sells more product it’s fair enough…. However I’ll always be proud to say I use Polyclay!
Elsie ,
I wholeheartedly agree with Cate & Jema!! Is there some shame or stigma around stating an item is made from polymer clay?
Is it perhaps that the featured artist is charging approx. $150.00 each for her heart pendants and doesn’t feel confident “polymer clay” would command such a price?
What a shame to not use this opportunity to promote such an amazing medium.
Jen Parrish ,
Thank you Cynthia for the kind write up! I really appreciate the interest in my designs.
(All of my work is tagged in Etsy as Polymer Clay, happy to be using it for for nearly a quarter century now!)