Susan Averello of FantasyClay
September 24, 2009 | By
Name: Susan Averello
Location: Bayonne NJ
Shop Name: FantasyClay.artfire.com
How did you come up with the name of your shop?
I had used time4coffee(favorite username) for other stores but quickly realized this gave no clue as to what I sell. Honestly I'm not very clever with words, so when I started a new store, I just decided to go in the other direction. I sell dragons, pixies and mermaids made of polymer clay, so FantasyClay is basically just a description of what I sell.
Tell us a bit about your craft/medium:
I work in polymer clay. Polymer clay is highly colored clay that cures at approximately 260-275 F. It comes in a spectrum of colors which are easily blendable to create any custom colors you need. There are metallics and pearls, glitter, special flesh clays and rock-like clays depending on the brand.
Why you chose it?
I've done other crafts such as knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and have painted and drawn along the years. I've always been drawn by color. Once I discovered polymer clay from a Klutz book, I was hooked. I started with the simple projects in there and moved forward and found sites on the web for ideas. I loved the feel of clay and using my hands.
Did someone teach you?
Mostly I learned using books and tutorials from the web. My favorite "teacher" is Dinko Tilov. His first book taught me so much. I went from just making cute to making expressive figures. I still keep learning by the techniques I find in tutorials or in others work.
Do you have a favorite item that you have made?
I have trouble saying which is my favorite. Right now I would my favorite piece is the Griffin I made recently. It pushed my skills and took a long time to make but I love all the detail I added to it.
Where can we find your work?
I have an Artfire store, FantasyClay.artfire.com,
an Etsy shop, time4coffee.etsy.com,
and you can also see more of my work on my Flickr page
Where do you get inspiration from?
I do alot of reworking old designs, so I get inspired by different colors or seasons. New techniques to use to make the familiar new. I also get inspired by a challenge. Recently my husband and son have convinced me to make some anime characters, for sale and promotion. This is a whole new direction for me. I'm still working on them, but it definitely has some exciting possibilities.
Do you belong to any clubs, groups or guilds?
On ArtFire, I am very active in the Polymer Clay Smoosher Guild, I participate in a Yahoo group, Polywannaclay for polymer clay swaps..
If there is any other tidbits you wanted us to know, please share... I am starting working in the niche market of making anime figurines to sell at anime,boardgaming, and comic book conventions. It seems to be an untapped market for polymer clay.
What has been your most successful marketing technique?
I don't know if I've found a successful marketing technique, I do pass out business cards and tweet about it, but I still don't sell as much as I would like. The best thing for selling my niche(anime and boardgame pieces) items items has been google and having my son post pics on his forums.
How about some of your favorites?
Color? I love red but when it comes to sculpting I tend to prefer greens, they are so blendable and flexible,you can't seem to mix a bad green.
Food? I love all foods, sweets especially. My body unfortunately reflects this
Holiday? I love Halloween for dressing up and the great decoration, but I don't get to dress up anymore. I always loved that, I am great at doing make up, so even if I dress as a witch like I used to for my son's cub scout parties, the effect was amazing and a simple black skirt and cheap hat spectacular. I really love Christmas because of my family and the good feelings.
Who is your hero - artistic or otherwise? and why? Artistly speaking, I would say Dinko Tilov, as well as his brother. They have developed a style that is unique and have been willing to share their techniques willing without strings. They are from Bulgaria, so they are a little off the beaten track. They really endorse the idea that you should have fun with this medium and always push yourself. They are funny and have been quite nice to me, offering techniques and help.
Do you have a favorite handmade item that you like to buy for yourself?
Well I have been looking for a beaded dress bag forever, I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for anywhere. too many in the stores are flimsy sequined bags. I finally found a beautiful bag at UniqueBagsnPurse.artfire.com. Her bags and bead work is outstanding. Very classy, not gaudy.
What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I have way too much clay. I get drawn to the specialty clays, like metallics, pearls, stone like one. I have let myself get drawn in by the enticing colors of the Studio brand, but that clay is really not good for sculpting. I get carried away with beads for embellishment, I blame Christi Friesen's books for that. She really loves using them for embellishment. I bought so many, getting pulled in by the shiny colors. I found I tend not to use them much, mostly just for eyes.
What is the best thing and the worst thing about being your own boss?
The best part is, I can make whatever I want, The bad part is, I sometimes need someone to tell me to get to work.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? And why?
I never thought of this one before. I've spent all of my life in New Jersey and much of it in this same town. To be honest, I think this is where I would stay. Most people make fun of New Jersey, but I like the scrappy attitude. My family is here, I live very close to Manhattan, the public transportation is right near my house to mid town. Nothing is too far away, the beach is an hour, there's a cruise port right in town now(going on a cruise this fall), the mix of restaurants and foods is wonderful. The diversity here is amazing. It's not real pretty but I am close to everything and there is lots of action. I really am a city girl at heart. I just wish my house was a little bigger so I could have a craft room :-)
Photos courtesy of FantasyClay.
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