maureenthomasdesigns.com blog

My local polymer clay guild, Clayville California, issued a challenge to create something “stackable” from polymer clay for our May meeting. After several ideas failed to pan out I decided to make some pendants from polymer beads that ended up looking like a cross between stones and sea glass. I love playing with color and this provided the perfect opportunity to mix and match and come up with some unusual combinations. I had so much fun that it resulted in the Stakt Series.

I likely wouldn’t have made these pendants had it not been for the challenge (and the deadline). Lesson learned: if feeling creatively stuck, bored, or stifled try challenging yourself or your guild. The challenge can be very specific or as broad as a shape or color. Hopefully, you’ll strain your brain a bit and explore a technique you’ve been meaning to try or perhaps you’ll come up with something totally new!

Thanks, Clayville!!!

A few years back I watched a video by Gwen Gibson on making polymer clay bracelets. I was intrigued, but I got sidetracked. I finally got around to making a few of the tools she “invented” to streamline the process a bit and got to work. I am hooked! I am adding my own touches by using lots of texture and adding a vintage button clasp to each bracelet. I have the first set listed on my website and also on Flickr.