Combining Polymer Clay Techniques to Make Jewelry Unique to You

Spotlight: "Polymer Clay is a non stop journey of experimentation and discoveries." ~Kriss-J

Today's Spotlight feature is all about Kriss Johnson. She has sent in photos of a few of her pieces based on video tutorials posted over at the Polymer Clay Members Library. I especially like how she combined several different techniques into one necklace. Way to go Kriss!

Her story is much like a lot of you who also end up becoming members. First discovering polymer clay in a book, magazine or on the net; Buying a few supplies; And then getting hooked! Kriss sent me a great little write up, posted below, that I think you will enjoy.

Related links for this spotlight feature article include: (1) Crackled Gold Leaf and Alcohol Ink Technique; (2) Pillow Beads; (3) Mod Cane; and (4) Mobius Beads.

Here is What Kriss Wrote…

I started using Polymer Clay about three years ago when I saw a magazine in Hobby Lobby.  I was so intrigued that I bought some clay; a few supplies and went to work.  When I did a search online I found a clay club that I just knew would help me to learn this unique craft.  I was right.  I joined the club and the rest is history.

As I progressed with learning I felt like a sponge.  I couldn't get enough of the wonderful things you can do with Polymer Clay.  My mouth was constantly dropping at all the gorgeous things I saw and I wanted to learn and do it all.

Challenges I have faced have been with my own imagination and ability to get my own niche.  To this day I am not sure which direction to go.  I have done jewelry, figures, sculpting and whatever I can, to come up with my own style and niche.  Someday it will happen.  I am being free and open at this point.

I want to be open in everything I do.  I experiment with colors and inclusions to see what works best with what.  Sometimes it fails and other times it is something unique that only a mother can love.  LOL  Bottom line is the Polymer Clay is a non stop journey of experimentation and discoveries.  I have never found a medium like this in my life and hope to never stop learning.

Photo-1 + Photo-2 DESCRIPTION FROM KRISS'S WEB SITE: 2009-05-30: I made these sets today. What fun mixing clay with gold leaf, with inks. These sets were fun. I may have to do some more as they are all unique. I don't make many sets so these were fun. The concept came from a video by Cindy Lietz.

Photo-3 DESCRIPTION FROM KRISS'S WEB SITE: 2009-05-31: This was a fun project today. It is a combination of mobius and pillow beads. I saw the technique on Cindy Lietz's site this weekend and it gave me ammo to work on something new.
I like how this came out. Nothing like several techniques tucked into one to come up with a new necklace. :-)

~Kriss Johnson (Snellville, GA)

Please join me in thanking Kriss for taking the time share her photos and story here at the blog. These Spotlight features are a great way for everyone to get to know one another just a bit better.

** If you have been inspired by my teachings and would like to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight Article, then please do write up something creative and email it to me along with a selection of your project pics. Make sure to send me high resolution photos that I'll be able to zoom in on to show the details of your work. If you don't already have my email address, simply leave a comment below and I will get it to you right away.