A Clay Conversation with Judy Belcher

Sarajane: hello Judy! So how do you like the published life? What's the title of your new book again, please?

Judy: I am enjoying everyone's response to the book. I love to hear everyone talk about the eye candy. That was one of the most important things I wanted to have happen with this book. To show a lot of artists' interpretations of what they thought pc could do. I wanted exceptional work, and boy did I get it. I tried really hard to get a sampling of older work and newer work Its called "Polymer Clay Creative Traditions" Techniques and projects inspired by the fine and decorative arts.

Sarajane: Quite a mouthful--but then, its quite a book-full too, and you really have covered where the inspirations are found.

Judy: Yeah-- the last part is a subtitle but it is descriptive of what's inside. That was why I got the book deal. Have I told you that story? Three years ago, in the booth at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Donna Kato's publisher and I struck up a conversation about how I got into pc and I told her that I found it fascinating that it replicated so many mediums...I think my actual words were that "we steal from everyone"!!!! Anyway she said that would make a great book; I thought it was a line, but I got an email about three weeks later asking for an outline. The rest, they say...

Sarajane: wow! That's great! I notice you are out and about a lot these days--the Clay Carnival events in Kentucky and also Florida and Las Vegas?

Judy: Kentucky was a blast. Leslie Blackford orchestrated the whole thing, all I did was show up and teach. Great students! Las Vegas is in conjunction with CHA and for Van Aken (manufacturers of Kato Polyclay). Florida is something Donna asked me to do last spring I will be there in February at the "February in Florida" retreat. . I am teaching in Kentucky at the American Craft Council/South East Region Conference in March. That will be fun, it's open to anyone (you don't have to be a member of ACC, and the classes are everything from fiber to metal to clay!!! It's a great place to get a taste of any craft medium. I am on the board as the rep from WV. I was honored that they asked me to instruct this time. I am teaching at Tamarack in WV (that's retail venue in WV that is just fabulous) it will be a one day "Woman's Outing" The All Woman's show will be in the gallery featuring 18 WV artists in a bunch of different media.

Sarajane: I'm curious, Judy---did you find that you have been spending more or less time with your hands on clay during your Book Phase?

Judy: During the writing and researching I did very little clay. During the photo shoot times I did very little production, but played a lot with techniques I hadn't very often.. During the gathering of images from people I spent all my time on the phone and Internet - I loved talking to people!!! Now that the book is out I have more time to work with the clay. Back to caning!!!! I actually found it very hard not to make every project a caning project since that is what I love most.
I did all the projects probably 50 times each to make sure they worked and that I had loads of "beauty shots", most of which are not in the book. It's interesting, the only projects that I have done again since the book came out are enameling, caning of course, and stamped mokume gane - I did show a group the batik beads, which I liked too. I loved the caning with metallics so much I sent these pieces off to be bezeled in sterling and have gemstones added!!!

Sarajane: You have lots of unused pics--they'll come in handy some other project!

Judy: I honestly don't think there will be another project, at least until the kids are gone

Sarajane: So, are you excited about going to Las Vegas for the Clay Carnival and CHA? That's a very full plate, all that!

Judy: Yes, I'm a little nervous about CHA, I hope the book is well received. I've only attended promoting others stuff, now my own....Yikes! The Clay Carnival will be a blast. We sold out yesterday so there will be 68 people having way to much fun. I love to teach so that part I'm really looking forward to. I really enjoy the visiting after class and conversations around meals. I'm doing a caning class - sort of start at the beginning and look how far we can take these simple canes in three hours!!! Along the way we discuss design elements to make wonderful things out of the canes. I think that is what I keep hearing most...now, I've made the cane...what do I do with it. So I've incorporated that into the class with simple things that relate to the cane itself. At CHA I will be demonstrating at the booths of Watson Guptil, Kato Polyclay, and Makin's Clay. I have work in the Ranger and Clearsnap booths. I have also made poker chips to hand out with my business card and the book title.... possibly going overboard???

Sarajane: nope, sounds just right. I love Ranger and Clearsnap inks. I've been playing with them again myself, recently.

Judy: Have you used the new Ranger metallics? They are like what was in the pens only in a bottle? Love them.

Sarajane: no.....sounds wonderful!

Judy: Don't know yet how durable on clay, but they sure are shiny

Sarajane: Well, that's the trouble with new products---everything has to be tested for the long-term durability. I have experimental chips all over the table in my studio

Judy: I have been working on using those to do the enamel technique and what happens when you use liquid clay and Varathane on it.

Sarajane: my goal for "By Fall" is to have more beads and dolls and puppets made and to finish the books I have coming along....are you working on a new one yet?

Judy: NEVER - I really don't think I want to. I would participate in a book by someone else an I've wanted to organize a beautiful coffee table book. Notice how I said NEVER and then proceeded to write about other books? Geesh!

Sarajane: yep, I noticed.

Judy: I would love to do a picture book about WV or maybe another polymer book with all the pictures that didn't fit in the first book.

Sarajane: Well, you've started collecting, that's the first step towards a book.

Judy: Yikes, did I say Never!!!! Oh, I must at least not talk about it or my husband will have my head.

Sarajane: well, we'll just whisper here....

Judy: ok

Sarajane: Tell me something you learned about PC or its historical leanings that you didn't know before you wrote your book.

Judy: I found the whole story about how Kathe Kruse found the material unsuitable for her dolls and yet, it really first took off with doll makers. I thought it was great that she shared the medium with her daughter who saw it's potential and ended up marketing it even if it was just to children...I like the mother/child to child thing. I also found it interesting that in different parts of the world the same basic material was developed. You read about those things, but to see it first hand was interesting. I liked that Marie Segal named her clay after the colors of Grumbacher paint!

Sarajane: Marie was always interested in getting good, consistent mixable colors. Well then, what do you see yourself doing instead of another book right away? What have you made with beads lately?

Judy: Let's see, what beads have I made. I LOVE a face cane series I've been working on. Did an interesting life like - not the cartoon-y stuff --but a massive cane which I tthen chopped up to make beads of face parts. You know, like half of a face, only the eyes, only the lips; but they are relational because they are from the same cane. It makes for a really funky bracelet. And here a set of faux lampwork beads--one of several for the book. I wore these while taping an episode of the Carol duval show.

Sarajane: oo! Sounds fun. Thanks for taking the time to have this conversation, and for sharing your work.

Judy: You are welcome!