Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Artist Spotlight: Michele Gabriel Studios

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gab1.jpgI have been of fan of Michele Gabriel’s beads and pendants since I first found etsy.  Michele’s work has a unique feel of mystery and story-telling conveyed in each little creation.  I love her mix of painterly and sculptural effects, making her pendants works of art.  She’s been featured many times on the Art Bead Scene blog and here too!Â

Visit Michele’s Etsy shop to view her gallery of creations: Michele Gabriel Studios
1. What was your first polymer clay project?
My first pc project was jewelry, of course! I was having difficulty finding beads
and pendants that I really liked, so I decided to make my own. It was a necklace
of square tiles that I embedded glass beads into, textured and wired together with copper wire. I was/am intrigued by the jewelry of ancient civilizations; I was trying to create my own antiquities. Hmmm….maybe I need to revisit that idea, 20 years later!

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2. Besides a pasta machine, what polymer clay tool can’t you live without?
I can’t live without my collection of sticks. I use chopsticks, knitting needles and skewers for everything from shaping and carving to holding the projects in the oven while they cure. I also wrap wire around them to make my own jewelry findings.

3. What inspires your polymer clay creations?
I have to say initially my inspiration comes from nature. I’d rather be outside most of the time, usually lying about in the grass. Our weather changes with the seasons, so there is endless inspiration just beyond my front door. My family is also full of opinions as to what my next project should be. If I feel the least bit uninspired, I just talk to my son and he puts me on course again. Clients’ requests offer inspiration, too. When striving to bring someone’s idea to fruition, I’m encouraged in new directions.

Would you share a color recipe with us?
I would gladly share a recipe if I had one. I tend to just start mixing colors for each project, I’ve never written anything down. I’m my own worst enemy that way, sometimes I want a color again and have to stumble around until I get it right.

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Read about Michele’s creative process and inspirations on her blog.

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.