Polymer Clay Daily

Radical polymer

Sayra Lopez shows rebelliousness in her art on PolymerClayDaily.com

Switzerland’s Sayra Lopez (NinkaPop) takes the minimalist vibe that’s everywhere and turns it into Radical Fashion that stands out.

“It’s about being brave, standing up for what you believe in, and standing up for you,” she says. It’s for the rebellious ones, the misfits, the ones who make their own rules.

NinkaPop’s designs often mix media. Here they sandwich resin between high voltage color polymer. Their collections also include smooth clear shapes in acrylic. Experience their approach on Instagram.

Polymer with a twist

Indiana’s Riley (RiClayCollection) gets ready for Mothers Day with a twist.

She gives a narrow pale ribbon of polymer a slight twist and ends the earrings with a delicate matching ball. The effect is both contemporary and classic.

Riley is an arts fundraiser and finds herself surrounded by inspiration. She started with clay during quarantine.

Rebels in barbed wire

Maryam caters to the bold and rebellious on PolymerClayDaily.com

Do cowgirls (and cowboys) wear barbed wire earrings? Wait! Maryam (GraciousRebelDesigns) is from Philadelphia so she’s probably not aiming for ranching types. 

Maryam caters to the bold and rebellious on PolymerClayDaily.com

In fact, Maryam says she makes earrings for the brave and the rebellious. She started during the pandemic.

These polymer barbs and hoops are much more comfortable than real wire. They look quite convincing.

Come on over to StudioMojo this weekend where we continue to focus on upcoming artists with fresh perspectives. Gracious rebels are just what our community needs. In-person classes are being scheduled and clay is appearing back on the shelves. We’ve got the scoop you’ll want.

Gone too far

Belinda Broughton likes to go too far with surface design on PolymerClayDaily.com

Australia’s Belinda Broughton has gone too far. Paint, powders, inks, crackle. You name it, she wants to try it on polymer.

The farther she goes, the more crazy, juicy, color-soaked patterns Belinda brings to life. Here she has a Thelma and Louise moment and drives off the cliff. It’s a joyous moment and she’s got the earrings to prove it.

Surface design is not for the timid. It’s going to be that kind of week. Hang on.

Polymer popularity

Alyse Morrissey dangles stylish monochromatic on PolymerClayDaily.com

Houston’s Alyse Morrissey (morriseymadeclay) makes lovely, monochromatic dangles in pale earthy pastels. She has an eye for shapes that flatter.

Alyse has worked with polymer for a year and she’s taken to the whole art/biz thing like a duck to water.

You may have noticed a growing number of young artists in your midst lately. I say welcome and wow!

If you’re wondering how the clay supply dwindled, polymer popularity within this new group is part of the answer.

This youthful infusion is what the polymer community has wanted. What now? That’s what we’ll look at in this week’s StudioMojo with input from a clay manufacturer. Discover the answers with us. 

Mistaken identity

In a case of mistaken identity, Sally Kirk gets featured twice on PolymerClayDaily.com

The earrings that I raved about earlier this week were from Houston’s Sally Kirk (Blossomandclay) using Moiko silkscreens. Right tool, wrong artist.

Once I fixed that, I went to her Instagram for a wander. Sally’s two little girls giggle and sing and sort components for their mom. They are very proud of her. They scribble and paint and work on their own art just like mom.

In a case of mistaken identity, Sally Kirk gets featured twice on PolymerClayDaily.com

I could be wrong again, but these waterfall earrings appear to be extruded strings laid out precisely. Such a simple and glamorous treatment from Sally.

Pandemic purchases…we’ve all made them. An imprint tool that will make you a mokume gane star. A class that will uncover deep secrets. We are all susceptible to the idea of a quick fix, the magic pill.

StudioMojo will offer you a few more. If you’re lucky enough to be economically stable, some of that stimulus money could be patriotically spent supporting artists. We’re all in this together and we’ll talk you through it on StudioMojo. Join us. 

Yes, you can

Gosia's bright collaged earrings challenge us on PolymerClayDaily.com

“I could never wear these,” is what you’re telling yourself, right? I’ve been adding progressively larger earrings to my stash to get over my fear of being too old, too short, too whatever.

And you know what? I’m getting comfy with in-your-face, I’m an artist, deal-with-it earrings.

These colorful collages from Poland’s Gosia (Malgorzata Wawrzynczak at Moiko) are my current favorites. She’s in the silkscreen biz so I’m guessing that’s part of her process. Are they bits of collaged silkscreened veneers or are they canes? Who knows?

Earrings that don’t match? Really? Yes, really. It’s a thing and it won’t hurt you to try it. It’s time to (carefully, gently) drag our scaredy-cat selves out of the house and into the roaring 2020s.

Little touches add up

Myranda Escamilla adds flirty touches to her earrings on PolymerClayDaily.com

These joined circles from Texas’ Myranda Escamilla (shapeandformstore) are trendy with some twists. The carving on the lighter circles reveals a flash of hot pink beneath. And the speckles in the clay add another element of interest.

Add to that, the slight twist, like a flirty turn of the head, as the circles link.

And who can resist the juicy dark purples? Lots of care and quirky personal touches will add loads to the allure of your work.

This week’s StudioMojo brings you a conversation with Kathleen Dustin who’s cutting back on her shows and production work. But from the sound of the new classes and projects she’s dreamed up, she won’t be binge-watching tv anytime soon. Join us for the complete scoop.

Graphite for business attire

Natalya Volkova's designs visually stretch the neck on PolymerClayDaily.com

Russia’s Natalya Volkova relies on the shimmer of graphite clay to create these statement earrings which she says, “Visually stretch the neck, especially when worn with a shirt or dress with a deep triangular neckline.” Nice concept, right?

Natalya’s Instagram tantalizes us with her experiments and exercises but she doesn’t reveal much more online.

She looks all dressed up for the office on a Monday. Remember those days?