Introducing BLeeKreations

BLeeKreations

What got you interested in polymer clay as a medium?
I taught glass engraving for 6 years and wanted to incorporate clay with my glass. Now I do clay and haven't touched glass in a long, long time.

What inspires you to create?
Everything. I belong to the Arizona Polymer Clay Guild and they are very inspirational. I have really close friends who do clay and they inspire me. We get together once a week and do clay.


Do you have a favorite technique?
The first thing I teach is Mokume Gane and tell my students it's magic. I like making Natasha beads because it's always a surprise.

Of everything you have created which is your favorite?
I did a class with Tory Hughes and made this pendant.



What do you prefer to make out of polymer clay and why?
I like making beads and I love making frames. I make a lot of golf stroke counters also. These are good sellers. Some people like to use them for counting laps while walking also.

How do you decide what to make?
We have swaps at our guild so that makes the decision for me most of the time. I also make a lot of gifts and things to put in my shops.

Is there something you wish you could make in clay that you have not yet?
I'm a terrible sculptor and would like to learn how to do that. I'm taking 4 classes from Christi Friesen at the Gem show in Tucson next weekend so I'm hoping that will inspire me and I'll learn some sculpting from her. She is great.

What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?
I've done every craft there is. I knit and crochet and I've done ceramics and painting but I like the clay because I can do it at home and I don't need a kiln. However, if you look at my latest blog http://bleekreations.blogspot.com/ you will see the story about how my polymer clay oven started on fire last Monday. It was pretty scary and very stinky.

What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?
Buy every polymer clay book you can find and get inspired. Try everything until you find a technique you like and can make your own version. AND, constantly check your clay oven. Take classes when you can and join a clay guild. Go on YouTube and spend a lot of time searching the web for polymer clay related items.


Visit BLeeKreations.artfire.com