Blind Polymer Artist Sees Through Her Disability

Cindy Peterson & Misha At Hammond OregonVideo #305: Roadtrip #1-10: “Just because you have low vision or can’t see, you can still do polymer.” ~Cindy Peterson

My favorite thing about these PcT roadtrips, is that we get to learn first hand how everyone has different reasons why they love polymer clay as a medium for expressing their own creativity… even when there are obstacles and challenges.

For example, in spite of the fact that Cindy Peterson only has 10% of her vision remaining, she is still able to create beautiful polymer clay jewelry… along with some enthusiastic help from her passionate young friend, Elizabeth.

Cindy, Elizabeth and I spent the afternoon looking through boxes and boxes of their beads, jewelry and sculpted flowers. We shared lots of stories and I gave them as many tips as possible in the time available, for helping with their polymer clay projects.

Doug caught some of our visit on camera…

Bet you weren’t expecting to see a singing dog in this clip! We wanted to throw that in for your viewing pleasure :-)

I hope you enjoyed this PcT Roadtrip video. Cindy and Elizabeth have embraced the creative journey of polymer clay and flourished no matter the challenge. Please let their stories inspire you to let go of anything that might be holding you back from making what you love… and loving what you make!

You can show your love for these two great gals (and Misha the singing dog of course), by leaving a comment and clicking on the Thumbs Up Like button over at the YouTube Video Page… Polymer Clay Artist Sees Through Her Disability

Also, by subscribing to our YouTube Channel directly, it will allow you to to be notified as soon as new videos are uploaded. You can do that by clicking here… Polymer Clay Tutor YouTube. The Subscribe Button is right at the very top of that YouTube page.

Oh and make sure to leave a comment. We love hearing from you!

Cindy Lietz SignaturePolymer Clay Tutor

  1. Cindy Peterson, 12 November, 2012

    Cindy that turned really good. Thanks Doug for making me look so young. HEHE
    Elizabeth was covering pen blanks today with me and she has done a great job. Thanks again Cindy for all your tips, we are using them today. Great video!

  2. tantesherry, 12 November, 2012

    Hi Cindy P

    You dear lady are amazing !!! Such strength of heart and mind :)

    Plus your beads are Super COOL – My favorite: your curb chain!!!!

    I wish there was time for Doug to film ALL of your beads and jewelry

    well back to the laundry… thank you guys for sharing your stories with all of us:)

  3. pattw35, 12 November, 2012

    What a heart warming story. Two friends x 2!. Just loved it!!!!

  4. Catalina, 12 November, 2012

    Wow! Wow! Wow! How inspiring!! You have an amazing ability to see with your hands!! Beautiful work!
    I have always tried to be aware of my sight. I never try to take it for granted. As an artist, color is my “drug-of-choice” so to speak. But, I always knew that clay is such a tool that eye sight is not extremely necessary.
    Keep up the great work. Your flowers look wonderful and your helper and partner is very talented, too! What teamwork!

  5. Patricia Rasmuson, 12 November, 2012

    That is so awesome that she has Elizabeth to help her out. Thanks for sharing that Cindy.

  6. Michelle Adams, 12 November, 2012

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this visit – Hi Cindy, Elizabeth and Misha. Your pod bead with the light green leaves was one of my favorites and your collaboration piece with Elizabeth was stunning. I can’t wait to check out your web site. BTW, Misha is TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!!!! If she ever wants to go into show biz we can all go on tour. I can see it now Misha and Michelle singing sensations a howling good time! Yes, I give her top billing animals always steal the show. :o)

  7. Elaine Faulks, 12 November, 2012

    Another fantastic visit with Cindy P, Elizabeth and not forgetting Misha. Loved your steam-punk and the pod bead, Cindy, you are amazing.
    The delicate rose that Elizabeth fashioned from “scupley” was really beautiful. So lovely to see two friends sharing a passion together despite the age gap………….cheers xx…………………………………

    PS.Message from Jessica (my doggie) to Misha:
    Wooo woo wufff woo woo wuff wuff woooooooooooooooooooo.

  8. Dixie Ann, 13 November, 2012

    I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I was watching this video. Cindy P. you are an amazing woman and your helper is an amazing girl. The two of you together just shows the kindness, friendship and love you share working together in your clay creations. You have given me such hope after learning that I have beginning cataracts in both eyes and I really needed to see this video which tells me that one can really do what they love if they put their mind to it and the Good Lord will provide a way. (((hugs))) and blessings to you both, loved your adorable singing dog and thank you Leitz family for another wonderful visit to some of our clay family!

  9. Michelle Adams, 13 November, 2012

    I too know what it’s like to have eye problems. I was diagnosed with MS about 20 years ago and was blind for three months. I’m partially blind in my left eye and have a teeny tiny blind spot in my right eye. Not enough to stop me from doing anything, just enough to be annoying sometimes cause I don’t have any depth perception. I know that my faith got me through that time and most of the songs I sing now I wrote during that time. I never thought in a million years that I would be singing the songs I wrote during one of the darkest (literally) times of my life nearly two decades later in a band ministering to people.

  10. Jocelyn, 13 November, 2012

    If there is ever a moral to the health affliction story it’s “buddy up.” Never has that played as with this interview. Despite Michelle’s difficulties, she is quick to explore new options, and involve children and animals.

    Michelle your work is wonderful and right up there with those metallic finishes. Hopefully it will provide you with a future steady income stream.

    For visual aides, I highly recommend you explore state of the art surgical implements. Some of them provide mirrors and excellent light support as you need them, and these items could make all the difference for you. Team up with topnotch visual specialists at your local college or university, K?

  11. Michelle Adams, 14 November, 2012

    Hi Jocelyn, did you mean Cindy and Elizabeth from this video?

  12. Jocelyn, 14 November, 2012

    Sure, but, everyone else too. We have folks here that struggle with a lot, yet they continue to create beautiful art, and learn new techniques. But, “buddies” make it more fun, lol.

    We used to have a group who assembled once a month on Fri nite to tackle craft project of choice. Perhaps I should mention we had more than one blender on the counter.

    We had the best time, laughed like fools, amazed each other with different ideas, and treasured our time together.

  13. Patty J, 15 November, 2012

    I sure enjoy these visits thanks Cindy and Cindy

  14. Andrea Paradiso, 15 November, 2012

    Cindy P. and Elizabeth, you two are just great. Sometimes, when I’m “arting”, I’ve thought what will I do comes the day I can’t see well or my fingers are arthritic or…? Well, I just got my answer.Cindy, you have a definite palette whether you can see it or not. And Elizabeth, it is obvious you are really learning fast. Your bracelet is very beautiful and gay. Congratulations to you both and much luck with your business venture. Go, go, go!

  15. Dorothy Hjermstad, 16 November, 2012

    I really enjoyed seeing this video of Cindy and her friend, Elizabeth. I have just found out that I MAY have the beginning of glaucoma. I hope not, but if I do have it, I am encouraged that I will still be able to do polymer clay. Thank you for the encouragement. Cindy has some very beautiful jewelry as well as Elizabeth, also. What a wonderful video. Will Misha be on a TV commercial?

  16. Monique U., 27 November, 2012

    I was so thrilled to finally view this, Cindy… and not only because of Cindy P. and Elizabeth’s amazing collab. About three months ago, I added some contacts to my Flickr account. One of them was a duo whose work was quite lovely and who shared a bit about their story. I even commented on one particular memory wire bracelet they displayed. As I watched the video yesterday, the story of Cindy P’s challenges, and the name of their design team, “jewelrybytwofriends”, was sounding strangely familiar :) It was just when I got to the 3:30 mark, and saw the brightly coloured bracelet, that I recognized them as the pair whose work I had admired last August. As everyone here knows, I love that kind of serendipity! Here is the link for Cindy and Elizabeth’s Flickr photostream for anyone who’d like to admire some great photos of their beautiful work.

  17. Dixie Ann, 27 November, 2012

    Monique, thank you so much for sending us Cindy P.s Flicker page. I was feeling so low being sick all week and after viewing her jewelrybytwofriends pages it really perked me up.
    their designs just blew me away. That was so wonderful of you to share.

  18. Monique U., 28 November, 2012

    I bet being inspired by their creations was better than any medicine, Dixie! Hope you will be on the mend soon.

  19. Cindy Peterson, 20 January, 2013

    Hi all, OH My Gosh, Elizabeth and I had no idea that comments were left about our video with Cindy. Thank you all for your kind words, love and support. I didn’t even think to look.
    I bought a polymer oven, clay and pasta machine for Elizabeth for Christmas , so she can continue her love of polymer at her house. She no longer lives next door so our time together is short but she is still willing to help and loves to learn.

    I have updates a few things on web page and flickr. I am working on my Etsy store. I am for the first time traveling blind alone to Atlanta GA for the IPCA Synergy in March. A Little scary as I will know no one but I need to do this.

    Again Thank you from the bottom of my Heart and I wish all of you a Happy New Year in 2013. Keep on claying! Cindy

  20. Cindy Lietz, 21 January, 2013

    Cindy P. it is wonderful to hear from you! You lucky duck getting to go to Synergy! I’d love to go. Do come back and let us know how it all went, what you learned and who you met. If only the event was during the summer when we can travel, it would make it easier to get to. Have fun and say Hi to Elizabeth!

  21. Cindy Peterson, 21 January, 2013

    Thanks and I added this video to my website. I will let you know how it goes. Also cindy my beads that i just finished felt just like yours. then I added a thin varnish, now I have to sand again. But I am improving and relying more with the touch they felt like soft butter as my mother would say. I am practicing a lot and I feel like I am not in the experimenting mode like i was, more fine tuning what I know.

    Say to Doug and the kids, back to sanding he he

  22. Karronkay, 21 January, 2013

    Cindy P,

    Oh my goodness what a talented pair you are! I loved looking at your flicker pages.

    I was sorry to hear that Elizabeth is no longer your neighbor , you will miss her but the times that
    you share now will be priceless.

    All the best wishes for your trip.

    Karonkay

  23. Cindy Peterson, 24 April, 2013

    Hello again

    You know I was struggling with do I tell people I am blind or not. I went with I am a artist who happens to be blind. I want and still want to encourage others to follow their passions.

    Well, at the B’Sue creative Group on FB, they have another new member who because of this video is now picking up her jewelry tools and is going to give jewelry a start to a new craft. Not sure about the polymer thing. I have msg. her and told her my story and how fun polymer is. So I will see when she ans. her story.

    she was given this information about the video by a friend and after watching decided to give jewelry a try. She does like crafts.

    I feel so good that I can inspire and with Cindy’s help the video is being seen and passed on. Good for Cindy as well as maybe she to will see new customers.

    Thanks all

    PS Hi Kym from Synergy3

  24. Cindy Lietz, 26 April, 2013

    That is a fantastic story Cindy P!! I am so pleased to hear that your story has inspired others. My heart warms for you.

  25. Polymer Clay Tutor Doug Lietz, 14 May, 2013

    Just wanted to add a quick reference link here. It will take you to another conversation thread where several other blind polymer clay artists have been discussing various issues and inspirations. Have a look…

    “I’m blind and one of a kind!” Seeing through disabilities with polymer clay
    .

  26. Pamela Stansbury, 30 September, 2014

    Thanks for this Cindy! I have a niece that is legally blind… And I had wondered about introducing her to the polymer clay hobby.. Now, I know it is not beyond her at all… I too have always worried about my own arthritis and vision getting worse… This makes us appreciate what we have and not worry so much about the future…Just keep Claying n Playing and never give up.

  27. Cindy Peterson, 30 September, 2014

    Thank you, I will keep on claying and I have improved so much with practice. I use magnifiers for the small stuff. My last teacher in class noticed I make things big even though my vision is narrow. Tell her to give it a try and no what she loves.. here is my Facebook page.

  28. Pamela Stansbury, 02 October, 2014

    Thanks for inspiring!.. Will do!

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