Date: Fri 24-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

clay-polymer-VanBuskirk

Full Text:

At The Library-- Play Time Becomes Clay Time

(with cuts)

BY MICHELE HOGAN

Monday morning, a group of seven children and three adults met at the Booth

Library to discover what they could make from polymer clay.

With the expert advice and inspiration of Tracy VanBuskirk, local resident and

member of the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild, everyone came away with

something wonderful. They made beads, pen covers or switch-plate covers, and

they left brimming with ideas for new creations.

Karla Spencer, who made a great-looking pen cover, said "I think it's really

easy. I thought it would be really hard."

One adult who had blended translucent clays with opaque to create a sense of

depth for her pen cover looked around the table and said "the best part is

that the kids can do something that looks as good as anybody's. Look at

those!"

The woman was pointing to Lindsey and Ryan Greene at the other table. Lindsey

had made a switch-plate cover which looked like a wild-eyed face. She

demonstrated how her person's tongue would be the actual switch. She said,

"I'll paint it red. I'll use nail polish for the tongue. Mom's got a lot of

nail polish. She doesn't have to use all of it!"

Ryan, her brother, said he did a guy that has been caught inside the switch

plate, and is trying to get out. He has his arms and legs and head reaching

out from the plate. He said that he is looking forward to putting it up in his

room.

Polymer clay can be used to make miniatures, sculptures and jewelry as well.

There are several brands available at most arts and crafts stores, including

Sculpey, which this group was using, and FIMO.

The basic steps are to make whatever you want, then put it in the oven

(usually set to 275 degrees) for 20 minutes or less. And viola!

Mrs VanBuskirk leafed through several books she had brought and pointed out

some works of art.

With inspiration and practice, there is no limit to what kids and adults can

create.

As the two-hour lesson came to a close, the kids were asking "Do you have more

than one day?" and "Will you be doing this again?"

Mrs VanBuskirk said that she did not have another morning scheduled at the

library, but that they could ask at the library.

Mrs VanBuskirk also gives private and group lessons. For more information, she

can be reached at 426-3014.