Your Company Name: Marcy's Claymates
Email Address/Web Page: kemabr@btc-bci.com
http://members.xoom.com/Claymates/
City & State: Grand Junction, MI
Type of Craft: Fimo jewelry, ornaments, mini's, figurines, wall decor, plant stakes...
Tell us in your own words, how you discovered polymer clay and how long have you been using it?
20 years ago, my sister-in-law, gave me a Fimo assortment. I tried it, but, at the time, I preferred making
my own dough (flour/salt). Then, 6 years later, I unpacked that same Fimo. I started conditioning it, and
BINGO!!!!!, my brain just EXPLODED with ideas!!!!! :-) 14 years later, I'm still working with Fimo, and
continue to love every minute.
Are there any special artists that you can attribute your interest to or that have inspired you?
When I started, people didn't know what Fimo was. I would always bring clay with me to shows, just so
that people could feel it, and see it, and know that I wasn't painting "that dough stuff". Mary Engelbreit has
been my favorite artist. I love the cuddly, cozy, comfy feeling she inspires in me. So, I try to convey the same
feeling in my work.
What is your specialty?
Pins/earrings, ornaments, miniatures, Santa Figures
Can you tell us why you find polymer clay the expressive medium for you?
It's the feel!!!! Just squeeze it, you'll know what I mean! I get my best ideas, just holding it, bending it, foldingg
it, poking it, rolling it, squeezing it. Try it, you'll see what I mean. I knew I had found my "thing".
Have you published any polymer clay books or do you have any in the works?
No, I haven't. But, boy do I have the ideas!!!
I know it is very difficult to express, but have you won any awards for your polymer clay work?
No TV, but lots of Craft Shows. I do about 15 shows, from June through December. Then Special Orders
all year long.
What are your expectations for the future? Where do you hope to be 5 years from now?
Since I just went on-line with my website in January, I expect to increase my online business. With all off
the new contacts that I've made, maybe someday I'll be able to cut down on a few shows. That's my hope..
Only time will tell. I have so many ideas, that who knows what I'll be making 5 years from now! :-)
Do you have any advice for the beginning polymer clay enthusiasts?
Keep working. You'll get better and better with each try. I often feel embarrassed by my first attempts..
But then I look at my current work, and go "WOW, You've come a LONG way baby!!!!"
Are you a member of any Polymer Clay group,or any other craft
organization?
No. I found a guild in Southwest Lower Michigan, on the internet, but my most recent visits to their site
found an error message. If you're out there, please find me. :-)
What brands of polymer clay do you prefer and why?
FIMO-FIMO-FIMO-FIMO Some people find Fimo difficult to work with because it's hard. But, I can'tt
get the detail I like with any other brand. I must admit that I haven't experimented with the new clays that
are out there. Why mess with perfection. I just love the stuff!
Last and most important can you tell us all about you? Your family, your
training?
Well, let's see. My high school sweetheart and I have been married for 20 something years. We couldn't
afford to buy a home in California, so back in 1985 we packed up, and moved to Michigan. (We pretended
that we were on an adventure. If we didn't like it in Michigan, we'd go somewhere else) We bought ann
old farmhouse (140 yrs. old), surrounded by woods, (my closest neighbor is about 1/2 mile away!) and evenn
have 50' of frontage on a small inland lake. Coming from San Jose, CA, THIS IS HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!!!
We have one son, who is also a little bit of heaven to us. We're so lucky. I could never have imagined being
this happy. :-)
I've had no formal art training, but was always futsing around with something artsy/craftsy. I felt that I hadd
something BIG inside of me. Now, I know it was CLAY!!!!!!!!!
