A passion for polymer clay and sculpting ....this time, a penguin with an egg!

Having a passion for something good......anything that fulfills you and is good for others, is much more important in life than making lots of money, buying expensive cars,etc. I have been so fortunate to have found my passion in sculpting.  Even though I fight a tremor from Parkinson's, I find joy in creating from clay.   I have had new cars and even new houses, only to find an empty feeling.  You know how you want to keep going into the garage and smelling that new car smell only to realize that it's not enough to fulfill you?  What I find fulfillment in is creating something new!  I find joy in knowing that my work is gracing the homes of people all over the world!  How lucky I am!

I guess I'm in a introspective state of mind this evening. 

I just sent one of my creations to Kentucky.  It was a penguin with an egg.  The egg was removable from the penguin....my own design and idea. At least, I have never seen another sculpt like that. For me, clay and art is what it's all about.  I'm going to be working on a vulture for my daughter-in-law and hope to show it to you soon!  Oh! I also have two goth dolls ready for fall and Halloween! I look forward to showing you soon!+

This is my most recent work, a baby orangutan named Martin. He was a commissioned piece for a collector in Nevada.  See his hands?   I sculpted them using my technique that you will find in my "hand tutorial" here on my blog.
Part 1:
http://toodlesocks.blogspot.com/2010/11/hand-tutorial-part-1.html

Part 2:
http://toodlesocks.blogspot.com/2010/11/hand-tutorial-part-2.html

No one ever taught me this technique. I came up with it myself. If I can make tiny hands and fingers while having Parkinson's disease, you can surely make them too!

Harold's Halloween ~ a Shabby Sweetie bear and his pumpkins!

Here is my first sculpt for the Fall 2013 season!  Harold is jointed with heavy duty thread.  He wears a hat made from a vintage dictionary page. The black ruffle is silk and he wears an orange bell around his neck. He comes with 3 sparkly pumpkins! Not only that, but he comes in a box that I altered just for him!

I sculpt with Parkinson's Disease.  I used to think about how lucky I was to have a passion for sculpting and how I would be doing it until my nineties.  Then, the tremor in my left hand started.  It began with a twitch in my thumb.  I thought it was just one of those twitches that everyone gets from time to time. But, it got worse. I was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.  I had to learn new ways to do my work.  Often, I have to lay my work on my desk, rather than hold it in my left hand. Paint must be applied quickly...in between shakes!  I started out with primitive pieces and have found some peace and happiness going back to them, although I might just try a realistic baby one of these days!

I don't know how much longer I can do this, but I will continue until it's no longer possible.  I hope that you won't let obstacles get in the way of your life, your loves.  Please don't let the elephant in the room make you quit!  Work around it.  Never give up!

Polymer clay sculptng tutorials and a tip.

Don't forget to check out my sculpting tutorials. I offer free instructions for sculpting baby hands and faces. I would do videos, but I doubt you would want to see my hand shake throughout!  Fortunately, the tremor is in my left hand, although the neurologist says it will ultimately go to the other side Meanwhile, I will sculpt! 

My tutorial for baby faces can be applied to older faces.  It all involves nudges of the clay, the amount of clay, and thinning out the face. 

Don't give up!  I have my down times, but, somehow, my determination wins.

A tip:
Don't be afraid to mimic someone else's work. Many of the masters learned by mimicking. Eventually, your own style will evolve.

"Poppy," a shabby sweet baby orangutan

Finally, after a few months, I have a new sculpture finished!  This baby orangutan's name is Poppy.  I haven't finished embellishing her box, yet, but as most of you know, my work always comes in a custom box. 

I work a lot slower than I used to because I have a tremor in my left hand caused by Parkinson's disease.  I'm too stubborn and determined to give up sculpting until my work all begins to look like little aliens.  I think it's still pretty good and pretty cute! I hope you do too!

Here is the link to Poppy's auction:

Poppy