Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Meet CDowdle Designs

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1. So, introduce yourself to us!

So here I am!

My name is Cindy Dowdle-Schoen. My company name is CDowdle Designs and my blog name is Purple Froggie Clay Stuff.
I have been doing polymer clay for a year now. I have an Artfire shop and a Flickr Page. I also have a Facebook page. (links listed below)

2. Why do you work with polymer clay? & 3. Do you have a favourite technique to use?

I really like sculpting with clay, the ability to mold and shape and manipulate the clay into the shape that I want. It’s very relaxing to me. I can spend hours working on something and never get tired of it.

There really isn’t much of a theme that appears over and over, other than I really think that secretly I like green, because I got to looking at all my work the other day, there is quite a bit of green. HA! And here I thought my favorite color was purple.

CDowdle Designs on ArtFire
On Facebook
On Flickr
Cindy’s blog

Sorry for the lack of posties this week! I’ve been enjoying a few days off at my mom’s place which is way out of town. I thought I had scheduled entries for the whole duration but it turns out… no, I hadn’t. I’m back and posting! Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and is looking forward to a new and clayful year.

Comments

  1. Hi, My name is Missy, and I am becoming a Suzie Homemaker-aholic! I have turned into something/someone else when it comes to crafts and homemade items. Several people and events have influenced me recently in different positive ways. I have joined Operation Write Home to make cards for our deployed troops to send home to loved ones. My most recent endeavors involve bath salts and sugar scrubs as gifts. I am also currently making scarves. Rosaries and jewelry are also in my repertoire. For the recent holidays, my family has enjoyed homemade bread, homemade pecan pie (hubby and I picked the pecans for it), and other homemade goodies. Sigh…in a few days I go back to work, so will have to wait for Mardi Gras holidays to evolve back into S.H. I really HAVE to give her (Suzie Homemaker) a Cajun name.

Have you read?

Etsy Feature – Raven Pottery Slab-Building Template

Ravens have always carried a sense of mystery and symbolism—wisdom, transformation, and even a touch of magic. So when I saw this Raven Clay Template for slab building, I knew it was one of those tools that could bring incredible personality to pottery projects. Whether you’re into rustic farmhouse vibes or something a little more mystical, this template opens the door to endless creative possibilities.

This listing provides a printable pottery template designed to help you create a striking raven form out of clay slabs. With its bold silhouette and curved detailing, the template makes it simple to cut, shape, and assemble a piece that feels sculptural, even if you’re relatively new to clay work.

Why It’s Special

  • Symbolic Subject: Ravens bring depth and meaning, making your piece more than just decorative.

  • Beginner-Friendly: Templates save you from freehand drawing and ensure consistent proportions.

  • Statement Piece: The finished raven works beautifully as wall art, a garden feature, or a standalone sculpture.

  • Flexible Use: Perfect for ceramics, air-dry clay, or even paper craft if you want to experiment.

Ideas for Makers

  • Glaze in deep blacks and metallics for a dramatic, gothic-style raven.

  • Use matte, natural tones for a more organic, rustic effect.

  • Add surface texture—like feathers, symbols, or carved details—for extra personality.

  • Create a series of ravens in different sizes for a striking wall display.

Why Makers Will Love It

Templates like this are a fantastic way to stretch your creativity without feeling overwhelmed. You get the framework of a powerful, symbolic shape, but how you finish it is entirely up to you. Whether your style leans toward folklore, fantasy, or farmhouse, this raven will find a place in your clay story.

You can grab it here: Raven Pottery Slab-Building Template on Etsy.

This post is part of my Etsy Feature series, where I spotlight creative clay tools and templates that make hand-building both approachable and inspiring. And this raven template? It’s one that’s sure to take center stage in any collection.