NK Designs - Member Interview
Who inspires you?
Donna Kato inspires me with her beautiful, delicate pendants and Asian influence jewelry. Everything I see she has created is absolute perfection. I admire that and strive to make my pendants just as beautiful. Lynne Ann Schwarzenberg (River Poet) also is a big influence on my work. I love her exquisite tiny flowers and subtle gold touches. When I first saw some of her work I was so amazed by their beauty. I really think it helped me to push myself to get better and better with my canes with more intricacy and realism. I am self-taught and have learned so much from the very generous polymer clay artists who selflessly give their expertise and encouragement.
What inspires you? 
Like most polymer clay artists, we look to nature for inspiration - a pink to yellow rose, a tiger’s coat, the autumn leaves in all their beauty - everything on this earth. Since most of my pendants include flowers and leaves, I might cut out magazine pictures of colors or patterns, search the internet for different flowers I can duplicate, or just visit the nursery for a fresh view on some flowers in season.
Where do you create?
I have a studio in my basement. I totally love my work space. I was working in my dining room, but hated having to clean up and put everything away. Now, if I want to leave it for the next day, it’s fine. My husband bought me a nice rug, a little TV and several lights. I work on an old kitchen table with a tile top which works out great. On one side I have the clay and work in progress and on the other I have my finishing equipment, beads, and storage.
How long have you been working with polymer clay? 
About five or six years ago I got a call from a friend on a rainy Saturday. She said she was working with clay and wanted me to join her. I said, “Nah,” but she talked me into going to see what she was doing and the rest is history. I have clayed almost every day since then. Five years ago I retired from Stony Brook Hospital and have devoted my free time to “one of my passions in life.” I teach classes in polymer clay in the fall and spring at Adult Ed in Smithtown, NY and this has become one of my favorite things to do. It’s great to sprinkle a little of my excitement and enthusiasm of polymer clay to the rest of the world. 