Polymer Clay Daily

AiryBeasts

Brooke Duckart merges a love of characters and airplants on PolymerClayDaily.com

This lot of AiryBEASTS from Oregon’s Brooke Duckart has already sold out and there will be a new batch on Etsy on February 4.

Brooke works at a stop-motion animation studio in Portland and has a head full of characters which sometimes emerge as AiryBEASTS, small containers for air plants. You can see what she’s up to on Instagram.

Brooke Duckart merges a love of characters and airplants on PolymerClayDaily.com

I just discovered that Claire Maunsell will be teaching her Artisanal Polymer Bangles on Craftcast today (Wednesday, January 31). Claire approaches clay from a background in glass so her methods feel very different and she’s forever finding some stunning new surface techniques. Catch her if you can or add the recorded class to your library. 

Oddfae step into the light

Dawn Schiller's characters go all chromatic on PolymerClayDaily

Usually, Dawn (Dee) Schiller’s goblins hide in seashells, peer out of watch cases and dribble down candlesticks.

Her newest Chromatic Goblins step out into the California light and proudly reveal their colors.

Does this signal a change in attitude for Dee and her OddFae? They’re so proud of themselves. Follow her on Facebook and see more on Etsy.

Sometimes when you’ve had a change of heart, you can’t stop it from coming out in the clay.

Small farmers

Kratzner's small farmers on PolymerClayDaily.com

We end our week of characters with a tip of the straw hat to small farmers. These guys are from Oregon’s Gesine Kratzner.  She’s an artist/illustrator/animator.

On her website you can see how she moves easily between drawing and sculpting. See these guys in action here.

Her works include Squids, Grumpy Pets, Worry Warts, Astroturf Planets and more strange creatures. You’ll find them on Facebook and Etsy then smile your way through Pinterest and Instagram.

Nothing like a good chuckle to get you in a weekend mood. Join us on StudioMojo if you need more smiles.

Furry polymer

Helen Violet sculptures on PolymerClayDaily.com

Toronto polymer sculptor Helen Violet has a full schedule of commissions for 2017. In late summer/fall of this year she’ll open a shop for those pet lovers hoping to get on the 2018 list and you can read the details of her ordering and pricing here.

Previously an illustrator, Helen created her first polymer and acrylic sculpture in November 2015 as a gift. She was quickly swamped with orders for the 7″ to 8.5″ replicas of favorite pets (like Brutus here) which you can see on Instagram and Facebook.

“This is not a ‘business’ to me, but an opportunity to connect my love for animals with my love for creating and share that with wonderful people who have been touched by their fur friends as well,” Helen says.

What a treat to see polymer art that hits the sweet spot on so many levels!

Hanging polymer

Fedoruk on PCDaily

“I must have been an elf,” says Canada’s Ken Fedoruk, “It’s the only thing that explains my affinity and passion for developing Kenfolks, an assortment of handcrafted figures that I’ve been crafting since 1989.”

But not all Ken’s figures are your typical elves and Santas – as in this sparkly ornament called Christmas Elf – Sweetie Ice Cream Swirl. 

Oh, you’re going to have a good time browsing through Ken’s huge collection of polymer Christmas characters on Instagram, Facebook and the Kenfolks site.

Makes you think about the family members you might want to hang on the tree.

This elf needs to get back to her studio.

Staying warm with polymer

Walker on PCDaily

The UK’s Karen Walker (clayground) pays close attention to to textures and patterns in her fashionably dressed winter characters.

The faces may not reveal much but the plaid scarf, thermal weave, pleated pants and polka dots speak volumes.

Karen markets Cernit clay and these small figures are her specialty. Look at all the lovelies on her Facebook and Instagram.

Her free Snowman tutorial on YouTube is fun for a last-minute gift.

Seashore polymer

Klootwijk-Barten on PCDaily

The Netherland’s Eveline Klootwijk-Barten (CreaLine) cracks us up with her all-too-real ladies at the beach. Look at those smooth skin tones, those relaxed poses, those ample thighs! You can tell that she’s laughing with, not at, these ladies of leisure.

Klootwijk-Barten on PCDaily

Eveline has put together an impressive list of weekly classes and frequent workshops and has organized two FIMO events. She’s been working in polymer since 1994 so she comes by her impressive sculpting skills honestly.

Take a look at her site and Facebook to see all the people she’s introduced to polymer and catch her enthusiasm.