It’s funny how things you love when you are a child influence your work as an adult. For me it is patterned wood and stone, like figured maple, burls, diseased elm, crazy lace agate, rainforest jasper and poppy agate. As a metalsmith I wanted to find a way to incorporate these textures, patterns and shapes into my work. I earned my certification for PMC (Precious Metal Clay) and took classes in the traditional Mokume Gane technique. While I accomplished some of my need for textures and patterns, I missed color.
Images from Jeffery Dever and Grant Diffendaffer caught my eye, and that was it. I finally found a medium that is so malleable it could incorporate all my loves and I was hooked. Over time I went from templates and stamps to making my own texture plates and ceramic master molds for my 3-D forms and boxes. Polymer veneers are created and draped over the forms, cured, cut off, reassembled, sanded and finished.
I hope you’ll join me at the Polymer Art Summit and learn more about my inspiration and techniques.
Birdseye Maple 
Diseased Elm 
Texture Plates 
Texture Plate and Lid 
Polymer Mokume Gane 
Polymer Mokume Gane 
Polymer Mokume Gane 
Ceramic Form 
Polymer Burl Vessel 
Vessel Forms 
Blue Vessel 
Pendant 
Crazy Lace Jasper 
Rainforest Jasper
About the Presenter
Helen is a polymer clay artist. She designs sculptural, organic hollow formed boxes and vessels as well as jewelry. She taught Fine Arts for 34 years with a focus on Ceramics, Jewelry and Foundations.
Helen teaches on the National level and currently exhibits and sells her work at venues like Paradise City and Lyndhurst. Her work is recognized, published and awarded Nationally and Internationally.