What got me into clay art?

My move across the country sparked my interest in clay making. From Ohio to Texas to Oregon, and I kept collecting little trinkets from the cool places I’d visit. Once I settled down in Portland in December of 2024, I started researching ways to make my own.

Initially, I was looking at how to work with glass and then with kilns, but eventually landed on the easiest option… Polymer clay. Clay that you bake to set. I bought some clay and basic tools. The first figures I made were my two cats. I was practicing by looking at inspo on Pinterest. One day i decided not to use any inspiration and do whatever felt right, and the cat personalities came to me. The first four I made are still sittin gon the shelf above my bed. Sadly, I don’t know how to add a photo on here…

For the next year, I was making custom orders of people’s pets. I posted on Facebook Marketplace, but at a certain point, it ran its course. Everyone using FB marketplace had probably seen it if they were going to. I felt stuck for a couple of months. I had been trying many things, but nothing seemed to feel right. I wasn’t doing anything new with the clay anymore after improving my technique.

The Portland Saturday Market sparked my creativity again. The week before the first market I attended, I bought a bunch of shadow box frames and got to work. I am excited to see the new ideas that arise and the new possibilities I make for myself.