Crafting with Animal Crackers

Hi everyone. I've decided to try my hand at writing a blog. Go easy on me though because it's my first time. As you may know, I create cute creatures from polymer clay. I make mostly mice but dragons have started to take over. They can be very persuasive when they want to be.

Polymer clay is basically dough which hardens when you bake it. It's brilliant fun to use and great for children. You can make almost anything from it... Jewellery, vases, dolls house miniatures and the only thing that limits you is your imagination.

Even though I had used salt dough to model with before, I had never tried polymer clay. The first time for me was a disaster. I was trying to be too perfect and had forgotten it was about having fun.
The first creation I made was a mermaid and it was absolutley hideous. She looked like she needed to go on a very long and strict diet... Or on a blind date with Jabba the Hutt. I became very frustrated with it and soon wanted to pack it in. Luckily, I have a very supportive encouraging partner who urged me not to give up or as I like to call him the crafting nazi.

The crafting nazi would continue to bark things like, 'Look at  the state of that. Would you buy that? It looks like it was dropped at birth.' and other lovely things. However, it worked and I started to look at my work from every angle and realised he was right. My beloved creations were awful. The crafting nazi plied me with endless cups of coffee and pointed out to me where I was going wrong. I'm very head strong and stubborn and don't always listen but his advice was brilliant and I will always be grateful for that much needed kick up the back side. He tells me he loves my creations and always gives me the confidence to go on even when I want to give up.

It is the same for everyone to a point and I still have so much to learn but I'm loving every minute. I have stopped striving for perfection and instead I create for myself first and foremost. It really is a massive buzz to be told some one likes your work and an even bigger buzz that someone actually wants to own something you've created.

The creatures I make almost ask to be born. Mostly, I don't think 'I think I'll make a dragon.' I just play around with the dough and they sort of appear. As they are formed, they start to adopt little personalities of their own. They can be happy, angry, confused or sad and every one is different. No two are ever alike.

These little guys are Castaway Dragons. They were exiled from the dragon realm because of the shame of being born without wings.

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Recently I have joined the art and crafting community the people are so friendly and helpful. I have also taken on an Etsy shop which I advise anyone to give it a try. Even if you don't make a sale, it's an excellent way of meeting like minded people who appreciate what you do.

I had lovely feedback from a mum recently, who had bought my dragons for her little boy. She explained that he imitates the dragons and calls them his new friends. What could be nicer than that? Children, after all, make the best critics.

That's all I have time for today but I'll be back soon to blog on the world of Animal Crackers. I hope you enjoyed the first blog and I'll update as often as possible. Well... Inbetween creating more models and lectures from the crafting nazi.

Thank you,

Coral x