Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Art Nouveau Inspiration

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The best polymer clay designs come from being inspired and influenced beyond a technique.  Techniques are the language, the words and sentence structure that we speak as polymer clay artists.  True poetry comes from expressing something beyond a jumble of words. 

I encourage you to find something you love, whether it’s a painter, a movement in art history, a design period, something in nature or science and translate that passion in your life into polymer clay.  Don’t merely copy a technique this weekend, but use a technique to create an object, a bead, a piece of jewelry, that tells the world a little something about yourself. 

Art is not magical, anyone can create something that is unqiuely theirs.  I believe in your artistic vision and I hope you spend some time exploring it this weekend.  You are an artist, everyone is an artist.

My current inspiration is Art Nouveau.  I love the linear, asymmetrical designs of flowers and plants.  I appreciate that the artists of the day were tired of industry and the mass production of the turn of the century.  They found beauty in nature rather than machine.  In today’s world I think designers and artists long for the same connection to the natural world.  This is why I’m currently influenced by this time period. 

(Click on the photo to see the images up close and for the photo credits.)

[tags]polymer clay, art, inspiration, expression, design, art nouveau, art history, artists[/tags]

Comments

  1. I have really been enjoying the last few days of postings. Very insightful, even for me who is not a clay artist. Color and design, and texture too is important in my beading projects. Keep up the great work!!

    Rosanne

Have you read?

DIY Doily Pinch Bowl Set with Matching Platter

There’s something so satisfying about creating a whole handmade set that feels like it belongs together. After experimenting with my grandmother’s doilies on flat slabs of clay, I wanted to see how they would look when pressed onto a curved form. That’s how this set of three doily pinch bowls was born—each one textured on the outside with lace, glazed in soft tones, and displayed together on a matching pink speckled doily platter.

It’s a beautiful way to combine sentimental textiles with modern pottery design. The finished set makes a charming serving arrangement for nibbles, dips, or trinkets, and it doubles as a decorative centerpiece when not in use.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White pottery clay (stoneware or porcelain) 
  • Rolling pin 
  • Crochet doily (preferably a smaller one for consistent texture) 
  • Sponge and water 
  • Small bowls or your hands (to form the pinch bowls) 
  • Knife or clay cutter 
  • Plastic wrap 
  • Kiln access (or community pottery studio) 
  • White glaze 
  • Pink speckled glaze (or white glaze with pink oxide) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Cut your clay into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball about the size of a small orange.

Step 2: Form the Pinch Bowls

Using your thumbs, gently press into the center of each clay ball and pinch outward, rotating as you go, until you form small bowl shapes. Keep the walls fairly even, but don’t worry about perfection—pinch bowls are meant to have a rustic, organic charm.

Step 3: Press the Doily Texture

Drape a crochet doily around the outside of each bowl. Gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a rolling pin. Carefully peel it back to reveal the lace impression. Each bowl will carry the delicate detail of the doily, almost like a frozen textile pattern.

Step 4: Refine the Shape

Smooth the rims with a damp sponge, rounding off any sharp edges. Leave the outside textured, but clean up the insides of the bowls so they’re smooth for glazing.

Step 5: Dry and Fire

Let the bowls dry slowly until bone dry. Bisque fire them with the platter if you’re making the full set together.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

For a cohesive look, glaze the pinch bowls in soft white or cream, allowing the doily texture to stand out. Place them on the matching pink speckled doily platter (created using the earlier technique) for a complete serving set.

Styling Ideas

  • Serving Set: Use the three bowls for nuts, olives, and dips when entertaining. 
  • Jewelry Dishes: Perfect for holding rings, bracelets, and earrings on your dresser. 
  • Decorative Accent: Place them on the platter as a centerpiece with seasonal décor inside (dried flowers, crystals, or potpourri). 
  • Gift Idea: Wrap the full set as a handmade, one-of-a-kind present for weddings or housewarmings. 

Why I Love This Project

These bowls carry a story. The lace impressions remind me of my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies, yet the final design feels fresh and modern. Displayed together on the platter, they become more than functional—they’re a handmade heirloom set that blends memory with everyday beauty.