Floss Box Clay Storage Solution

Posted on March 1, 2023March 1, 2023 by Katie Oskin — 15 Comments

Polymer Clay Storage Solutions by KatersAcres

Clay storage is a challenge for anyone who works with polymer clay, especially when 80% of clayers are working in a space the size of a closet. One of the hardest things about having a small studio is having adequate space to store things in, especially blocks, more blocks, and pounds of clay. This is especially hard for me, who may need multiple brands of clay, custom blends, inclusions, etc. Today I’m going to share with you how I store my opened packs of polymer clay, the clay that is constantly being used.

Polymer Clay Mokume-Gane Tutorial

Posted on February 21, 2023March 1, 2023 by Katie Oskin — 34 Comments

Skill Level: Basic Knowledge of Polymer Clay
Minimum Supplies Needed: Basic Supplies & 1 Cup of Coffee
Time to make 1 Mokume Gane Loaf: Approximately 45 minutes

This is a great polymer clay tutorial that has many uses. Mokume-gane can be used in beads, projects, jewelry, covering, and even as a background for textured and embossed pieces. Mokume-gane is versatile and offers hundreds of color combinations, color palettes, and unique design patterns, that you can not simply plan.

Edited & Rewritten: 2/21/23

Prepare for 2023

Posted on December 26, 2022December 26, 2022 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

Over on Kater’s Acres Whimsical Clay Sculpting group on Facebook I try to write something that is motivational and inspirational to your clay journey on Mondays. Seeing how we are about to turn over a new leaf, saying goodbye to 2022 and saying hello to 2023, it’s appropriate to put a bit of thought into our preparations. Just as we do for the season of Advent, preparing our hearts and homes for the arrival of the baby Jesus, we do the same for the New Year. Many of us do that by coming up with resolutions, choosing a ‘word’ or a ‘phrase’ for the new year, or even by setting goals. So let’s stop for a minute and think about how you might want to prepare for the new year and what’s coming up for you in 2023.

10 Polymer Clay Tips & Tricks

Posted on October 12, 2022November 12, 2022 by Katie Oskin — 14 Comments

As with all things in life, we pick some things up and get good at them…and yet with other things we need help. I am a 100% self-taught polymer clay artist. I have purchased several polymer clay books and use several very religiously. Here are 10 hints, tips, & tricks for working with polymer clay that you may not already know or thought of that will help you in your own polymer clay jouney.

Polymer Clay Studio Tip: Reusable Cloths

Posted on September 27, 2022October 6, 2022 by Katie Oskin — 5 Comments

Polymer Clay Studio Tip - Using Reusable Cloths to Keep Your Studio Clean by KatersAcres

Today’s studio tip is a rare one as it has almost nothing to do with polymer clay … but it does have to do with your studio, your brushes, and helping to keep your studio clean and lint-free!

How to Use Blending Chalks on Polymer Clay

Posted on August 16, 2022October 6, 2022 by Katie Oskin — 28 Comments

What Are Blending Chalks?

Blending chalks are just that, chalks that are blendable. Blending chalks can also be called chalk pastels or soft pastel chalks. Chalks can be used on a variety of surfaces, including polymer clay. Their color can be easily applied with a brush, sponge-tip applicator, and a variety of other applications.

Leah Radlett, Polymer Clay Artist

Posted on May 13, 2022May 13, 2022 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

Today I would like to introduce you to Leah Radlett, one of our Moderators in our Whimsical Sculpting Facebook Group. I am pleased to share her work with you today and share her story and let you get to know her better. I haven’t known Leah long, but I am so happy to have her here and to share her work with you.

Summer BIRD & Mini-Supply Swap

Posted on May 10, 2022May 10, 2022 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

Polymer Clay Birds & Mini Supply Swap with KatersAcres

It’s about time … that I host another polymer clay swap. If you’ve never been a part of an art swap before, they are a way to create, trade, give, and receive art from fellow polymer clay enthusiasts and makers. This summer we are going to be creating BIRDS to make and swap with other artists along with a mini-supply swap (value $10). This swap is not an either/or it is both. So every artist will be making some kind of bird item and sending approximately $10 worth of supplies to their assigned artist. The deadline to sign up is June 30th.

My Studio Storage Pieces

Posted on April 14, 2022April 14, 2022 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

Parker & Lolly daily mug rug made by Mom

So much of me revolves around my family, its heritage, and pieces of timeless treasures that it’s hard for me to let go of that part of who I am. I am a neat freak. Therefore, studio storage is important to me. My Mom is quite the artisan. Her stained glass, her sewing, and her quilts fill my home. Even my morning cup of coffee sits on a little Parker & Lolly mug rug that Mom made me. It’s big enough that I have taken it to clay classes and shared it with a claymate so both our coffee cups can sit on it. So when designing and building my studio, from my original studio at the old house to my new studio here in Ohio, my studio storage always came first and was a priority in designing and filling my space.

When Creativity Wanes

Posted on March 16, 2022August 4, 2022 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

A Dialogue of Creativity for Polymer Clayers

One of the questions that I receive a lot is ‘what do I do when I feel uninspired?’ Or ‘what do I do when I’m just not feeling creative anymore?’ It’s a fresh new reality for many of us. Many polymer clay enthusiasts have left polymer clay (even briefly) to pursue other art interests for a variety of reasons during the pandemic. Let me be the first one to tell you (in case no one else has) – it’s okay, you’re allowed to do that and NO you’re not ‘cheating’ on polymer! Today we’re going to tackle this issue for just a moment.

Michele Hinchey, MacTiere Luna – Polymer Clay Sculptor

Posted on February 11, 2022February 11, 2022 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

Today I would like to introduce you to Michele Hinchey, the new leader of the Polymer Clay Challenge. I am pleased to share her work with you today and share her story and let you get to know her better. Thank you Michele for joining us today.

Understanding Our Mica Powder

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by Katie Oskin — 2 Comments

So you’ve found our mica powder! I know you’re going to love them as much as I do. But you might be wondering why a whimsical sculptor would develop and have her own line of mica? That’s a great question. Let me tell you.

Product Demo Team of 2022

Posted on January 10, 2022February 5, 2022 by Katie Oskin — 5 Comments

There are all kinds of new things going on here at the Acres for 2022. One of those things is the new Product Demo Team. The Product Demo Team is a group of 4 artists that have been specially selected to receive, try, demo, and show you some of our products from the shop. This Team is comprised of some extremely prolific sculptors who represent a wide range of talent and abilities. So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to this year’s team.

2022 Polymer Clay Challenge

Posted on January 3, 2022January 4, 2022 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

2022 is bring a lot of new, fun, exciting, and wonderful things to Kater’s Acres. It also means that there are a lot of changes too. One of those changes is the Polymer Clay Challenge that I have headed up for the Polymer Clay Community for over 6 years now. As of this year, I am no longer heading up the challenge. I have handed off the Challenge to the talented, friendly, and inspired clay artist Michele Hinchey.

Live Videos for 2022

Posted on December 17, 2021December 17, 2021 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

All throughout the 2021 year, I have been doing Live Videos on Facebook in my sculpting group on the 2nd Monday of the month. Every month they are different. Sometimes I will introduce you to new products, talk about new clays, tell you what I’m up to in the studio, or do a make-along with you. These Lives have been a lot of fun for me and for my viewers too. You earn prizes, learn something, and get to drink tea along with me. [Did you know that when you place an order in my shop I send you tea so you will have it to drink with me during our time together?]

Summer’s Picks – Favorite Tutorials & Supplies

Posted on December 1, 2021December 4, 2021 by Katie Oskin — Leave a comment

This month, Club Members had a guest artist come and join in on the sculpting fun. Summer Ross from The Whispy Realm, shared her fun and whimsical Gnome Santa design with us. Summer has been here at Kater’s Acres before, sharing her love of polymer clay, whimsy, and her unique view of the world.

Category: Polymer Clay