Polymer Clay Daily

Polymer Clay and Ephemera

I had to smile at the bevy of polymer clay beauties that arrived in Tuesday’s email…among them these vintage spice tin women and light bulb ladies.

Israel’s Naama Zamir builds sculptures over discarded lightbulbs and each character comes with her own story. Ohio’s Diana Cundall has a penchant for spice cans with personalities and she collages ephemera onto polymer clay pendants.

You may want to revisit some former PCD recycling favorites as well – Barbara Lang, Dayle Doroshow and Jean Comport come to mind. Keep those suggestions coming in. Thanks to Susan Lomuto for the spice can link.

Polymer Clay Recycles


With the big move toward eco-friendly products, polymer clay artists are once again apologizing for their plastic material. Let’s not be too quick to abandon our craft. Polymer clay is nothing if not adaptable…and we must be too.

We’re experts at recycling! We cover and reclaim tins and glassware. We combine polymer with fibers and found materials. We alter and reuse books.

I’ll be searching out artists who move with, rather than against, the tide of public sentiment and ecological sensitivities.

These recent assemblages from California’s Dotty McMillan illustrate the point. (I love the titles, "Too Much Time on Her Hands" and "Life Has You Nailed Down.") Here’s a recent interview with Dotty.

Wilfrid Wood Works

England’s Wilfrid Wood sculpts 4" to 12" polymer clay interpretations of people, animals and creatures from his own personal perspective. His pieces may make you laugh or squirm or blush. Part caricature, part fantasy, their unflinching honesty is sure to elicit a response and as Wood says, "…they’re straight from the heart." He talks about his work here.

Wood starts with a pencil drawing then makes a wire armature which he covers with polymer clay. He paints and varnishes the baked clay. Some characters are duplicated in vinyl editions.

Thanks to Susan Lomuto for getting us off to a thought-provoking start this week.

Zilliacus Tapestries

Maryland’s Carol Zilliacus has been a pioneer in polymer clay. Early on, she replicated tapestries, needlework and fabric in clay, cutting and reassembling sheets of clay in unusual ways. Then she began incorporating watercolor and painting techniques into her polymer works.

I still refer to Carol’s article “New Ways to Think About Polymer Clay” that appeared in the April 2001 issue of Bead and Button. She was one of the first artists to play around with Skinner blends, adding colors and shapes in surprising ways. And she continues to play.

Carol’s teaching a class November 18 at Artway and has a video available through the store. Have a playful weekend.

Chandler’s West Coast Muses

Canada’s Gera Scott Chandler is getting ready for her holiday shows with a bevy of new polymer clay beauties. You can follow along and pick up some great tips (check out her unusual vessel price tag design).

She’s about to unveil the redesign of her booth.

For a closer look at Gera’s work, visit her Flickr site. It’s filled with the west coast seaside muses that inspire her.

Polymer Clay in Baskets


Another move away from canes and colors. Here’s a polymer clay, waxed linen and acrylic paint basket by California’s Victoria James, her entry in the Great Basin Basketmakers show at the Nevada State Museum this month.

Pawing through Victoria’s site, I found the new website of the Clayville (yes, it’s a real place) guild and had fun looking at their members’ works and sites. A little Tuesday dalliance.

SonofaMother Masks for your car


These polymer clay FreakMagnets are meant to be displayed on the back of your car. They’re made by Etsy artist, SonofaMother.

He’s from Biloxi, MS and was inspired by traditional African masks. SonofaMother dips liberally into his toolbox for wires and screws to embellish his creations in unusual and clever ways.

The link was sent in by Cassy Muronaka (you’ll find her in these publications) and she purchased the mask/magnet shown here.

Dittmar’s Show

Enjoy these pictures from the reception for "The Evolution of Psychepolymereganics," Meredith Dittmar’s one-woman show at Compound Gallery in Portland, Oregon.

If you want to know a bit about how Meredith works, read this article from an earlier Portland show. You’ll find information about this prolific artist all over the web including previous posts ( here and here) on PCDaily.

In conjunction with her artwork she works as an independent character designer and maintains her company, Corporatepig, through which she continues to create handmade characters called "My Guys." These 3D polymer clay doodles are quirky and lovable and she’s created over 10,000 of them since 1994.

The show runs until October 31. Here’s the catalog of work in the show. Thanks to River Wolfe for the link.

Sony Bravia Claymation

Any project that requires 2.5 tons of clay merits a mention on this site. Forty animators made 182 bunnies and one giant 30-foot rabbit and more for Sony Bravia’s latest 60-second promotion. It’s plasticine, not polymer clay, but the spirit’s the same and we share a motto, “Color like no other.”

Go here for a behind-the-scenes look. The full 60-second commercial is here. The interface was a little slippery and confusing but persist and you’ll be rewarded.

I can’t pass up a chance to mention the synergy in a project like this….and of course, encourage you to sign up now for the polymer clay guild’s Synergy conference next February.