Dori of SassyClayCreations
August 20, 2009 | By
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; Third, by experience, which is bitterest. ~ Confucious
Meet Dori of SassyClayCreations whose favorite quote is the above Confucious saying. Dori uses polymer clay as arthritis therapy. One might say she has taken lemons and made lemonade. Here is more from this spunky lady:
Name: Dori
Shop Name: SassyClayCreations
Location: Vancouver, Washington in the USA
How did you come up with the name of your shop? I wanted something different. I tried to come up with something using the name Seren which is a welsh word meaning 'star', but couldn't quite make it work. I started brainstorming and writing words on the paper and then crossing off the ones that didn't fit. It just came together.
Tell us a bit about your craft/medium and why you chose it? I have worked with beads and did some sewing and crochet. I developed arthritis and found that therapy clay helps keep the fingers limber. Eventually I tried working with polymer clay instead of therapy clay. Bingo! All the colors and designs you can make. It is amazing. Might as well be productive while working out right? You are only limited by your imagination.
Did someone teach you? I am a tactile/kinetic type person, I learn by seeing and just doing it. I guess you could say all the wonderful artists on the web sites I checked taught me.
What is the most difficult part of your craft? Waiting for a piece to bake. I am not very patient. Then to take the time to sand and polish an item. I just keep thinking how pretty it will be when it is done.
Do you create in more than 1 medium? I will use different items with my clay. I have used mirrors, beads, wire, whatever looks like it might work. I try different items all the time. Some work and some don't.
Have you made anything that you just can't bear to part with? Each item I make is mine for a while. That is usually enough for now.
Where can we find your work?
I have a site on Artfire - sassyclaycreations.artfire.com
and my blog - sassyclaycreations.blogspot.com
Tell us about your workspace; has it evolved since you started your craft? Oh my, yes! I started with one shoe box to hold my supplies. I now have a small desk set up in a corner of my bedroom with shoe boxes on the bookshelf. There isn't much space so I have to keep things cleared away pretty regularly. Then there is my oven under the microwave and my rolling drawers in the dining room.
What kind of music do you listen to (if any) when you create? I prefer celtic, folk and relaxing music. I find it easier to work when I am more relaxed.
What are your most productive times? From about 6pm to about 2am.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? The coast of either Washington or Oregon. And why? The smells, sights and sounds of the ocean are calming for me. The weather would suit me quite well.
How about some of your favorites?
food? Dungeness crab of course!
movie? Wall-E
TV show? Eureka
Holiday? Halloween
Where do you get inspiration from? Nature, my life partner, my friends, web sites. It is all around us.
What do you do when you get a creative block? Go up into the mountains and sit by the river for a while to clear my head. Or if possible, drive to the ocean and just enjoy it
What is the best thing and the worst thing about being your own boss? The best thing would be that I can work as long as I want and not get yelled at for overtime. The worst thing would be time management. I need help there
Who is your hero - artistic or otherwise? My friend Diana D.
And why? She has suffered through prejudice, disease and the death of her soul mate, yet managed to continue being a happy person full of love, laughter and giving.
Photos courtesy of Dori Thompson
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