Lemony Fresh Etsy Seller: Clay by Kim

Hi lemonheads! Have I got a fabulous Lemony Fresh Etsy Seller for y’all…Her name is Kim and she has the Etsy shop, ClaybyKim. She makes the most wonderfully intricate pieces from polymer clay. They are amazing! She was also kind enough to not only do an interview, but to offer a giveaway for all of you! Fun! Details about the giveaway are below, so keep reading…

Queen of Hearts Pendant | ClaybyKim

Kelly: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started creating your intricate clay pieces?

Kim: I am married, for almost 23 years, and I have three fabulous daughters. I have lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, my whole life until just 4 months ago. We moved to New Mexico. Small city, big change!

I have always done some type of artwork. I started out drawing, painting and doing odd art jobs here and there. Painting scenery, murals, faux finishing in homes etc…. I discovered polymer clay about eight years ago just after I had my third child, and started goofing around with it. I thought it was pretty neat, and I loved the versatility of polymer clay. It comes in artist paint colors so it was a good match with my painting background. I especially liked that it took very little overhead and space, so I could work at home and be with my kids.

Flower Art Nouveau Pendant | ClaybyKim

Kelly: How would you describe your design style? Why you are drawn to it?

Kim: I don’t know if I really have a design style; I never thought about it that way. I do know that I get bored easily, so I try one thing until I get bored and then onto the next. I learned techniques from reading and experimenting. You learn a lot from just doing. Some things work and some things don’t, and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. I do have a gigantic box of “scrap” clay.

Strawberry LOVE earrings | ClaybyKim

Kelly: What are your favorite things about creating your pieces?

Kim: I love the possibilities with polymer clay. It is a very unique medium, and I am drawn to the bright colors. I am inspired by growing things and textures. A lot of my ideas are results of experiments gone wrong that turn into something completely usable. I am trying to come up with functional pieces. Things that can be used or that make someone happy. I have had the most fun creating fairy doors. Some of the sweet stories that people send me after they get one of my doors are just so heartwarming.

Queen of Hearts Pot | Claybykim

Kelly: What made you want to turn your art into a business?

Kim: I have always been fortunate to have my hobbies turn into business. I have painted, designed cd covers, taught dance, sold bead work, and now clay work. I think it is because I don’t know what else to do. I have always leaned toward anything that is art-related. My husband has been very supportive too. He always says,”you don’t know if you don’t try”. So I try and try and try. Sometimes it works!
I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love.

Wasn’t that a wonderful interview? I love her honesty; so refreshing. Aren’t her pieces beautiful? So very unique.

So now for the fun part…the giveaway! Kim has been gracious enough to give one of my lucky lemonheads a chance to win one of her beautiful fairy door pieces.

Fairy Door | Claybykim

Just leave a little love note about which piece you like the best from Kim’s shop, Claybykim. If you want an extra entry or two or three, tweet, blog or post on Facebook about the giveaway or about one of Kim’s pieces. Just make sure to come back here and leave a comment so I will know to add an entry for you. The winner will be randomly picked by random.org. The contest will end Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 5pm CST. Good luck!