Featured Etsy Shop: Block Party Press

Today's featured shop is Blockpartypress, great pendants, etc!

You say in your profile that you are self taught, how did you get into making clay pendants?

I found polymer clay about 12 years ago while I was in college. I made a bunch of jewelry and figures, but never really did anything with it. When I became a stay at home mom about 4 years ago, I began to create with polymer clay again. It seemed since my brain was freed up from work things, it began to overflow with creative ideas. I came across making pendants really because I wanted to wear something unique and I couldn't find just what I wanted. I had used stamps from the store, and I just wanted something different, so I made my own. I love the pendants because they are small wearable art and they don't take up too much room in my small townhouse.

What is the first thing you remember making?

I don't know the first thing I made (way too long ago), but I do remember making lots of drawings of houses, flowers and trees. I still haven't gotten sick of that subject matter.

What other jobs have you had?

I have 2 degrees in Social work, so I have worked as a hospital social worker, and an employee assistance social worker. In college I worked a lot of retail including a long stint at an Estee Lauder counter and at Victoria Secret. I have also been an office manager, and the last 5 years before I became a stay at home mom, I was a Human Resources Coordinator and Manager for 2 large corporations.

What inspires you?

It seems like everything inspires me. I love shapes and texture and contrast, so I have kind of trained my eye to see everyday things through those elements. I am very inspired by mother nature, leaves, plants, trees and flowers.

Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

I am secretly in love with the Outlander series of books by Diana Gabaldon. I am a pretty avid reader, and I rarely read things twice, but I have read each book at least 3 times (there are 6 books in the series and each book is well over 1000 pages). I guess the first step is admitting your addiction!

Thank you Tamara for participating in my featured shop interview! To all my artist cyber buddies out there, let me know if you would like me to feature you on my blog. All I ask is that you link, feature, blog or do something similar for me in return. AND you don't have to have an etsy shop, I can link to your website, ebay, blog, whatever you like.