Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Clayers Who Blog

by

Here’s a little mix up of what I often put out on Sundays about the clay-verse. This Sunday, instead, I’ll give a shout out to some of the clay related blogs I enjoy:

  • PolymerClayDaily goes without saying. Visit Cynthia Tinapple each day for some of the best in polymer clay art
  • Carol Simmons blogs about many clay related items but her grasp of colour is amazing!
  • Maggie Maggio is another colour expert and not to be missed.
  • Lindly Haunani rounds out the list
  • Lisa Pavelka is currently doing a “365 Days of Lip Service” project on her blog so each day is a neat, clay related treat
  • CraftyGoat is the work of Angela Mabray and is chock full of good projects, reviews and absolute tons of hints and tips
  • Alice Stroppel is one of those wonderfully creative and genuinely nice people who also blogs regularly! Magic, I tell you
  • Lisa Clarke is a fellow clayer but she also indulges in her share of photography, geekery and fibre arts

Some of the friends I’ve met during my adventures learning about my art business, clay related artwork and the insanity that goes with it:

  • Tonja Lederman makes beautiful art, sells sweet supplies and writes tutorials
  • Iris Mishly is an Israeli artist who seems almost impossibly prolific to me! Scads of tutorials, beautiful work and blogs all the time
  • Cindy Lietz is a fellow Canadian clayer who runs a commercial, educational blog for clayers. There are tons of tidbits available for gleaning even if you’re not ready to hop all the way in
  • Cat Therien makes fabulous… well, pretty much everything. Canes and nail art are the main focus but I haven’t really seen her go wrong!

Comments

  2. Thank you Elaine for considering me one of your friends, I feel the same way. 🙂 I have very much enjoyed all that you have contributed to the claying community over all these years. Cheers to many more wonderful years in this crazy clay business!

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.