I have some favorite clay jewelry designs I’ve created over the years. Since polymer clay jewelry is coming back to The Magic Zoo soon, I’ve been wearing my own personal earrings and pins with much pride. And they really do get noticed!
Here are some of the things I love about clay jewelry:
- Beautiful, vibrant colors
- Lightweight yet super durable
- I can create pieces that look like specific pets and animals
If any of you remember my polymer clay jewelry of old, you know what I’m talking about. I have continued to make custom designs of my customer’s favorite animals and pets throughout the years, but have hesitated to actually advertise it other than word of mouth. Anyway, I m taking the plunge and going back to my roots, starting on September 28th. And if anyone has been aching to have their VERY special kitty, dog, guinea pig or any other pet created as a piece of wearable art, this would be a great time to do it!
All I need is:
1. A clear, fairly close up photograph of the critter in question
2. An email telling me what the eye color is, in case of “red eye” in the photo, for instance
It does take a little bit longer to make the custom designs, but not too long. Sometimes a week or so. But then you will have a pair of earrings, a necklace or a brooch which will be one of a kind!
Anyway, I’m really excited to get back to designing in colorful polymer clay, and judging from my customer’s emails, they are too! Of course I will always carry the sterling silver, gold, enamel and pewter designs. But opening things up just a little more will be fun. Honestly, there is nothing more rewarding than working full time as an artist.
Combining this career with a love of animals really has added a richness to my life. I have always been an animal lover, and once I realized I had a gift for creating their likenesses in clay, things started to really get interesting. Some of my first designs (and still SO much fun to do) are brightly colored exotic birds. Back in the early 1990s I had everything in my line from flamingos to hyacinth macaws. So I’m hoping that some bird lovers are interested in having their favorite species done in the polymer clay jewelry.
But of course I love making dogs, cats and other furry pets, too. One of the best parts is capturing the personality of people’s pets. Like the pin I made of Charli Brown, the cockapoo above. This is one of the cutest pooches I’ve ever seen, and it was a real joy working on this piece. But I have made hundreds of custom designs over my 25 year career, and every one of them is a favorite while I’m working on it.
Do you have somebody special who should be captured in a permanent Magic Zoo clay jewelry piece? I hope so! I’ll be watching for your photographs. Meanwhile, you can get onto my mailing list and get a couple free goodies while you’re waiting for the polymer clay jewelry to show up. Click here, which will take you to my home page. Then you can sign up under the cartoon puppy and kitty. You will get a free necklace when you enter the code with your first order, as well as my silly weekly cartoon!