Polymer Clay Message Board - Polymer Clay Forum - The Clay Store

ClayBacon · Clay Commander Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 43

Hello everyone, as you might be able to tell from my other posts on the forum I am somewhat new to polymer clay. Very Happy

However, I did recently finish my third project using polymer clay (a very basic fairy) which if I can get enough courage I will post on the forum.

I was wondering where a good place to get inspiration is? I want to start on my next project but I'm having bit of a creative dry spell. Where do all you clayers go when you need some fresh inspiration for project ideas?

Flobaby · Starting Member Joined: 08 May 2005 Posts: 2

Check out PolymerCafe magazine. They have fantastic project ideas plus the detail in their photos are great. I'm alway inspired by the creations I find there.

P.S. Go ahead and post your fairy! We want to see it!!

Very Happy

Flobaby

Keenan's Kreations · Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 5:34 pm Post subject: Ideas

I agree that the magazine is great!

One thing I do is go to any large book store and look at all the clay books.
This always leads to a must have book Smile

.
I have found that when I first started doing clay having and looking at the books helped get my creativity going.

I also look at the polymer clay webrings and look at other artists gallery pictures.

Recently I have been paying more attention to colors, in nature, fashion, etc...

poeterri · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 10:50 am Post subject: New Ideas

I picked up my first copy of PolymerCafe and am so glad I did. It's a great magazine. I wont miss another issue!

The internet is has a wealth of ideas for polymer clay artists. I find searches such as "polymer clay" "polymer clay artists" "polymer clay jewellery" "polymer clay sculpture" etc. derive endless possibilities. I'm inspired by the many different ways people use the clay whether it's for jewellery, sculpture, even postcards!

But don't stop at just other polymer clay sites. Consider other mediums when looking for ideas - dolls, sculpture, jewellery, beadwork, etc. Then ask "What if?" or "How can I?" and apply the idea to polymer clay!

ClayBacon · Clay Commander Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 43

Hi Poeterri,

I picked up a copy of PolymerCafe also. Theres some great stuff in there.

I've been browsing around Ebay lately looking at other people's fairies and jewelry. There is some impressive stuff there as well.

By the way, love your site! Very cute work! So you made your website yourself? Where did you learn how to do that? I created a blog at Blogger.com but I don't really have much control over the design. I would like to create my own website. Any tips on how to start?

poeterri · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 10:45 pm Post subject: Web Design

Thanks for visiting my site. Where's your blog? I'd like to check it out.

As for the website (just like with polymer clay) I'm self taught. I actually started experimenting with web design a few years ago with Yahoo and Angelfire. It's all been flying by the seat of my pants and learning from my mistakes. After I registered my domain name I created a site with Publisher - I wouldn't advise it. The links didn't all work and the site didn't look right on some browsers (I found that out when people sent me messages telling me about the problems - there were more than I thought).

Finally I purchased FrontPage and I've recreated the Poeterri site a few times, but it's really easy. There are a lot of templates or you can do what I did and create from scratch. It isn't that difficult. I had a blog for a while too and found it to restrictive. With FrontPage I can very easily make changes, add, take away, etc. It's great!

Now I'm learning about marketing (on a shoestring budget). It's a challenge but I'm enjoying it. Perhaps you might consider practicing on a free site. If I can be of any assistance just let me know. I'm always happy to help!

jnmurtha · Clay Commander Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 66

Hi Terri,

I just checked out your site, your creations are great! How do you come up with the ideas for the faces?
If you don't mind me asking, you mentioned that you are doing some marketing, how is that going? Are you selling your pins and if so, where?

I don't mean to be nosy, but I'm thinking of trying to sell some of my stuff and I don't know where to start. Do you get a lot of traffic on your website?

Again, your work is great, thanks for any suggestions you can give me!

JennRuth

poeterri · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:02 pm Post subject: Inspirations

Hello JenRuth,

Thank you so much for visiting my site. The inspirations for my pins come from all around me. I'm always intrigued by an interesting face - faces with character, personality. Not that we don't all have interesting faces, but some do stand out in a crowd. Those are the ones I often get caught staring at.

As for the marketing. I have been doing so on a shoestring budget. (No budget really.) It's been going well. I haven't been at it for too long. Through research I have learned that it takes time for people online to trust you enought to make a purchase and that it takes an average of 7 views before someone will make a purchase.

I am doing quite well in my hits, however, with quite a few repeat visitors daily. Although my site has been up for a number of months now, it's only since March this year that I started posting my polymer clay work. The response was very positive and so about a month and a half ago I changed my focus to only polymer clay work.

As for tips and hints. Promote, promote, promote. Let people know that you're there. It's a daunting task, but it has to be done if you want to market online. Make sure you get your site into the search engines. Forums such as this are great for getting the word out about your work. Online groups are another way. Trade links with as many people as possible, especially in similar circles. Web rings are also a great way to bring visitors to your site. I've tried all of these and my hits have been growing.

Most of all, be patient. It wont happen overnight. And don't forget that even though you're work is online, it's a good idea to promote offline. Post a business card, postcard, and/or flyer of your work in coffee shops, libraries, etc. Hand them out to people you know. Anything to get the word out.

Most importantly though, I have to stress, don't let the online work of getting the word out get in the way of being creative. I belong to a couple of forums and groups and try to keep up with the posts, but sometimes I get a little behind because I'm working on a new piece. There has to be a balance and you certainly don't want your art to suffer.

I hope this helps and that you find much success!

Thank you again!

Terri

jnmurtha · Clay Commander Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 66

Terri,

Thank you so much for your suggestions! Everything you say makes sense, I think my biggest problem is the "be patient" part!
But you're right, it won't happen overnight. I feel motiviated now, thanks again!

JennRuth

poeterri · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Great Ideas!

You're very welcome. I'm happy to help!

Mousefingers · Starting Member Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 4

I hope I'm not too late to help you out with a little bit of inspiration. I think that you might find Katherine Dewey of some help. She has an incredible website complete with galleries, guides, tips and techniques.

This is the address directly to her tip page: http://www.elvenwork.com/tips.html

I hope this helps you out!

Happy Claying Laughing

Now I'm off to harass some clay of my own! Wink

Mouse

~~~( 3:> Surprised

ClayBacon · Clay Commander Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 43

There is some GREAT stuff there Mouse

Thanks for all the responses!!!

catlady13 · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject:

One other idea...I get all sorts of catalogues in the mail or see them online....this is no good for things you may market but is great inspiration for ideas to make for your home and friends....I saw a picture of a bird feeder and tried it in polymer...it was fun and mine came out very different anyhow....chicos has great jewelry to copy too....clay on!

the placement of the perch was a bit unfortunate...back to the drawing board...also a chico item

Brookies Rae · Clay Commander Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 38

That's kool catlady. I just started using polymer too. I have been making jewelry right now. I just finished a couple peices. Will post pics tomorrow.

jnmurtha · Clay Commander Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 66

Ooooh.... I LOVE Chico's jewelry! Their stuff gives me great ideas for making things in clay. Also, Coldwater Creek has some cool jewelry for ideas in clay.

Jenn