There are many types of clay. I focus primarily on polymer clay with my favorite brand being Fimo (versus Sculpey). The reason I like Fimo over the more popular Sculpey brand is that it bakes harder;   isn't too soft to handle, leaving less fingerprints in the clay. Believe me, when you spend hours on a project, you do not want fingerprints showing up.

My "tools of the trade" are my hands. I do not use molds when I create any piece, which I will probably pay for in about 10-15 years with damaged hands. I do use cutters and extruders for shapes and a number of clay carving tools, but I don't put a blob of clay in a mold, press, release, bake and paint. This is where handcrafted and the "made in China" products part ways. My studio is not a factory, churning out thousands of the same thing hour by hour. On a very good day, I have been able to do four nativity sets in 6 hours. Another differentiator, handcrafted should last a lifetime if handled properly. I don't think you can say that about stuff made in China.

To understand what goes into creating a clay figurine so you understand the value you are receiving, here is my process. The hardest part when I create a new design is figuring out the order to build it. You don't want to do the body, put on the head and then…how do I stick the arms on now? Therefore, when I am creating a new design, it takes me 2-3 times longer so I can figure out the order in which to do it. The other side notes you want to remember, some colors (RED in particular) bleed everywhere. Therefore, when I am creating items that have a lot of red clay in them, I proceed with caution. I have thrown out quite a bit of white clay that brush up against the red clay and ruined the piece.  Lastly, as I build, sometimes the design needs a little hidden "bones". We call these armatures. Some designs just need them because either they are very large, dense or many parts attached to it that it could possibly break without this support. I use wire and aluminum foil. Don't ask, but works wonderfully. So when you see a handcrafted clay figurine (my figurines are about $28 each or $50 for wedding cake toppers), you are receiving a one-of-a-kind creation.

I hope you have learned how you can easily collect fine custom art pieces that will last for years for not a lot of cash. Let me know your thoughts or questions about this or any craft topic.

One thing I look for in a painted item (the design portion, not background), I want to feel the paint caused by brush strokes on the surface. No matter how hard I try, when I am hand painting a design on any medium, it leaves a little bit of the brush stroke behind. When I was exhibiting in a show this past spring, a person approached my booth and ran his hand over my painted items. He smiled and said to me…you painted this by hand didn't you. He said he could tell because of the brush strokes. He said he was also a painter and gave me his card. I saw his work and was very impressed. Here was yet another "decorative" painter who also looked at hand painted items the way I do. If you pick up a painted craft and it is too smooth to the touch, it probably was manufactured in some far off land like China (I don't believe they know what is Folk Art or Primitive style painting).

 Another thing to look for…picking up two pieces that is the same design. You should be able to tell that they look similar (same design), but one tree may be fatter than the other; the smile and eyes on one face is just a little different… you get the idea. I realize it can be a bit more expensive for an original painted item, but hey, it is an original! Even if the artist/crafter paints 100 of the same design, it is still an original, because they painted each one individually. This is a great way to afford art. So keep that in mind when contemplating purchasing a "hand painted item".  Stop by next week for my next segment.

Then if that was not enough to prepare for, we are introducing our Open Studio/Arts and Craft Show. This provides visitors the opportunity to meet the faces behind the business, purchase items that will not be available at shows and sign some limited quantity pieces. So now, I am up to my elbows in clay for this September 25th show. Hope you all can join us. Get on our mailing list so you can receive a 10% coupon.

I am spending much of my free time to make these items (granted I don't grow the trees, I buy the lumber) and then paint it or spend hours doing a clay figurine or ornament. But this appears not to be the desired items. Am I all wet? I appreciate jewelry, but we do have stores that cater just for that line of art....maybe I should put my paintings in Springers or Days....they must be hurting for business, since everyone is peddling their wares at these shows. What do you think???

If we take your suggestion, you will receive a free sample of the product as soon as it is released!

Gabrielle Lovi

I know we are facing hard economic times, but we need to support the American made crafts movement. Why are so many people satisfied with buying low quality products from China or elsewhere? The quality isn't good, sometimes even dangerous, nor does the item last long. I can't think of anything that would be purchase that is made in China that would make it to the "antique" state. Am I wrong in thinking this way? Have we become so disposable in our thinking? What do you think?

Gabrielle Lovi