TCS: When did you first start working with Polymer Clay?
Consuelo: I started working with polymer clay about 5 years ago after seeing Donna Kato on the Carol Duvall show.

TCS: Why Polymer Clay?
Consuelo: Why polymer clay? Because I just love it!! Almost anything can be done with polymer clay. I think we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with this medium.

TCS: Any formal artistic training?
Consuelo: If 1 /2 years of studying Commercial Art are considered ‘formal training’, then yes. However, as far as polymer clay is concerned I am entirely self-taught.

TCS: What is it about Polymer Clay that you enjoy the most?
Consuelo: It’s definitely the versatility of polymer clay that is most enjoyable to me. It can be used for sculpture, jewelry, illustration, painting, caning – the list is endless. I also love the colors & enjoy mixing clay colors a lot more than I ever enjoyed mixing paint colors.

TCS: How many hours a week do you spend on your work?
Consuelo: Depending on what I’m creating, I spend between 30 – 50 hours a week working..

TCS: How long do you typically work on a piece?
Consuelo: Again, the amount of time I work on a piece depends on what it is. Smaller projects, like jewelry or decorative boxes can take a couple of hours; a sculpture or detailed illustration can take anywhere from 40 – 80 hours to finish.

TCS: Is this a full time activity for you?
Consuelo: Yes, polymer clay is pretty much all I do!

TCS: Are there any particular techniques you favor?
Consuelo: One of my favorite techniques is the Skinner Blend, even though it took me a couple of years to figure out how to do it right.

TCS: Do you enjoy experimenting with materials and techniques?
Consuelo: Absolutely! Experimenting with materials & techniques is one of my favorite things to do – I love to just play. I’ve learned that some of the worse mistakes I’ve made have taught me the most.

TCS: Are there any particular pieces you have created that you would consider your favorite?
Consuelo: My very favorite piece was a bird house I created for a local opera companys’ fund raiser. I’ve always wished I could have kept that piece for myself, but it was donated to a good cause by raising funds for education in the arts.

TCS: Who or what provides the inspiration for your work?
Consuelo: I literally get inspiration everywhere!

TCS: What type of environment (indoors, outdoors, music, quiet …) do you find most comfortable to create in?
Consuelo: When I have a ‘looming deadline’ I lock myself up in my studio with music – usually rock – on.. Otherwise my main creating environment is on the couch in the family room with the TV on.

TCS: Are you able to find time to instruct? If so, is it at a local level or have you been fortunate enough to instruct in other parts of your state or elsewhere in the country?
Consuelo: I have, upon occasion, found time to instruct on a local level & enjoy it quite a bit. As far as traveling to teach, if the opportunity presented itself I would love to do it.

TCS: Is your work for sale? Any advice for artists just beginning to sell their work?
Consuelo: At the moment I don’t have any work for sale. However, I will have a website up in late October – early November where my work will be available for purchase. The best advice I can give artists just beginning to sell their work is to not give up! Keep learning about your craft, & definitely keep working to improve it – after all, you don’t get worse over time!

TCS: Where can we find your work? Websites, publications, galleries?
Consuelo: As far as websites go, as I mentioned you will be able to find work on my site, www.ConsueloOkdie.comwhen it’s up & running this fall. Also, very soon, www.sculpey.com will be displaying ornaments done by designers for the last CHA show & I’ll have a piece there. Right now you can find my work on-line on the HGTV site, & the DIY site.

Publications where my work has been featured include PolymerCAFE magazine. Back issues include an article I wrote, plus I’ve had several pieces featured in the Gallery sections. There will be an article coming out in a future issue of PolymerCAFE explaining how to do a new faux cloisonné technique I developed. In addition, an ad for Polyform Products will prominently feature artwork done using the new technique & is slated for publication this coming December.

I am a member of the Florida Craftsmen Gallery in St. Petersburg, FL & will have work on display & sale in the Members’ Holiday exhibit that runs from mid-November through the holiday season.

On television I was fortunate enough to be chosen to tape an episode of the DIY (Do It Yourself) Networks’ new fall show ‘Craft Lab’ airing on Monday, September 25th at 1:30p.m. EST. On the Friday, September 29th show I will be demonstrating how to create an underwater scene out of polymer clay. You can also see me and/or my work on re-runs of HGTV’s’ ‘That’s Clever’ (aka ‘Crafters Coast to Coast’) as well as a 2005 episode of the ‘Carol Duvall Holiday Workshop’.