Go Head Over Heels

Today's featured artist is Laura Timmins of GoHeadOverHeels. She makes beautifully detailed polymer clay jewelry and the blend work she does is simply amazing. Also, like me, she likes to get her hands in the "other clay" making pottery.

What got you involved in Polymer Clay?

I come from a family full of artists and musicians and visual art has always been a part of my life. After my third daughter was born I was feeling stir crazy one day. I realized it was because I hadn't done anything artistic in a long, long time. I needed to do something but I didn't want bite off more than I could chew with three preschoolers underfoot. I found a community class offering about some sort of clay on three Saturday mornings – perfect! But I was so intrigued by the description of the class that I couldn't wait until it started. I found Nan Roche's book in the bookstore and had tried everything in it before my first class.

What is your favorite thing to make?

I really had to think about this question. This week my favorite thing to make is the new style of earrings I've been developing. Last week I was completely absorbed in a bracelet. This past summer I took a wheel thrown pottery class and went crazy making goblets and teapots. I can honestly say my favorite thing to make is whatever I'm making right now.


What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?

I love how quickly you can “sketch” an idea in polymer clay. I love that it can be both three dimensional and colored. I love the incredible detail you can get both with shape and pattern. I love that you can reuse it if your idea didn't work out. I love that there is hardly any clean up and you can leave everything out and it won't hurt it. So for me, it's not really about the products, but about how well it fits my personality.

What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?

Like any art material, it takes practice to learn a skill. Try to focus on one skill at a time while you are learning. There are so many beautiful and enticing techniques available it is tempting to try to sample everything and as a result, not master anything.



What links would you like added to this article?

www.LauraTimmins.com
http://www.etsy.com/GoHeadOverHeels
http://twitter.com/GoHeadOverHeels