{"id":5005,"date":"2009-08-01T03:12:21","date_gmt":"2009-08-01T10:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/?p=5005"},"modified":"2009-09-06T07:02:49","modified_gmt":"2009-09-06T14:02:49","slug":"polymer-clay-uk-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beadsandbeading.com\/blog\/polymer-clay-uk-europe\/5005\/","title":{"rendered":"Update on What’s Happening With Polymer Clay in the UK and Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Penny<\/p>\n

Executives of the British PC Guild Resign En Mass To Open Door for Positive Change:
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A few weeks ago I received an email from Penny Vingoe. She is planning to start up a polymer clay supply company in Britain. The name will be Clayaround…<\/span> a jolly good play on words as the Brits would say.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was great to hear about Penny’s business plans because there seems to be a real lack of support for polymer clay artists outside of North America. I wrote about this several months ago in a review of the British-based, Beads and Beyond Magazine<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although I thought the magazine was wonderful, I was also somewhat “…disappointed to see an obvious lack of focus on polymer clay beads. This was surprising since I know there is a very talented group of polymer clay artists in the UK.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Below, Penny provides an insightful update on where things are at with polymer clay in England. And at the end of the report, she presents some general questions for all of the European based readers here at the blog. It would be wonderful if you could provide her with some feedback.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s What Penny Had to Say…<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I have just come back from the Annual General Meeting of the British Polymer Clay Guild.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a very big meeting but those there were very enthusiastic about the Guild.\u00a0 The existing committee have been running the Guild for a very long time and they expressed the desire for ‘new blood’ – they even resigned en mass to precipitate new nominations.\u00a0 In the event many people offered to work on the committee (I landed myself with the job of webmaster and designer!). Two of the previous committee did remain.\u00a0 Alison Gallant remained as Treasurer (she is a jewellery maker and demonstrator and was one of the originators of the Guild along with Sue Heaser – well known clayer and author) and Philippa Todd, previously Secretary, agreed to become Chair (she is a miniaturist and demonstrator).<\/span><\/p>\n

I question constantly why Polymer Clay hasn’t taken off in the UK.\u00a0 There are barely 200 members on the books of the Polymer Clay Guild\u00a0\u00a0 Whenever I talk about Polymer Clay with people who are keen crafters, the invariable response is “Polymer Clay, what is that?”\u00a0\u00a0 Philippa summed it up very succinctly:\u00a0 “In America working with Polymer Clay is an Art, in Europe it is a craft, and in the UK it is fun for kiddies.”\u00a0\u00a0 This latter is because the clay distributor with the monopoly in Britain, Staedtler (the distributor of Fimo), have marketed this clay for decades here\u00a0 as children\u2019s play clay.\u00a0 Other clays, particularly polyform\u00a0 products, have limited exposure and even more limited distribution.\u00a0 Kato is almost non existent here – and in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Less than two months ago in Nottingham, I attended some very successful ‘playdays<\/a>‘ run by Helen Cox.\u00a0 There were almost 60 people there of which only one third were from the UK – the rest from most of the European countries.\u00a0 Donna Kato (who was one of the tutors)\u00a0 kindly donated Kato clay for us all to use on our projects over the three days, and as a result, predictably, most of us were converted to her clay.\u00a0 There are so few outlets for her clay in Britain that my idea was formed.\u00a0 I will import Kato and supply it.<\/span><\/p>\n

To that end I have been researching the market and developing a business plan.\u00a0 My research of suppliers has shown some of the main British craft suppliers are actually running down their already limited stocks of clay – suggesting there is very little demand.\u00a0\u00a0 However I know there are clayers out there – but where are they?\u00a0 Who are they (are they hobbyists or professional sellers) and where do they buy their clay?<\/span><\/p>\n

This is where you might be able to help Cindy, because you have such enthusiastic and loyal followers.\u00a0 Do your UK and European followers think that people would buy Kato clay were it more readily available in the UK? And were I to supply it, what is important to them:\u00a0 is it customer service, is it access to other consumables and tools associated with the craft? Or is price the criteria?\u00a0 What else is important?\u00a0 Any thoughts and comments would be so welcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

~Penny Vingoe<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks Penny for your insights. It’s great to hear what you have to say from across the pond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now… for all of the European based readers and members here at the blog, it would be wonderful if you could provide Penny with some feedback to her general research questions. Please use the comments section below to share your thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cindy\"Polymer<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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