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Polymer Art Therapy – Changing Lives | 5th Friday Video

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Video #236: As I create for others, I think about the joy of knowing them. With that there is absolutely no room for thoughts about pain, illness, fears… ~Michele Effing


[page_section pattern=’https://staging.polymerclaytutor.com/wp-content/themes/pressive/images/patterns/fabric_plaid.png’ textstyle=’dark’ position=’default’]IN THIS VIDEO: — 5th Friday — art therapy — (For topics marked with an asterick* see Comments Section below).
[blank_space height=’1em’]This Post [lastupdated] (Originally Published 2011-12-29).[/page_section]

[thrive_toggles_group”][thrive_toggles title=”Video Summary” no=”1/2″]If you’re new around here and don’t know what the heck a Fifth Friday is… not to worry. Just watch the video at this Studio Tour link, and all will become crystal clear.

Now to set the stage for today’s Fifth Friday “Book Launch” video, please read the following excerpt from a dear member of the community. Her kind and insightful words are a wonderful intro for what I discuss in the video posted further down on this page.

Hi Cindy, my addiction to clay started about a year ago after I was diagnosed with MS and went from a career girl to staying at home going nuts trying to find something to do.
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Hi Cindy, my addiction to clay started about a year ago after I was diagnosed with MS and went from a career girl to staying at home going nuts trying to find something to do.
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It is funny, but my goal was to network more online and actually talk to the people who share my new passion. Discovering my creative side has had a huge impact on how I deal with my health issues.
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Formerly, I was a nurse, so I know all the positive medical aspects of having a “hobby”. But, without sounding corny here, it is more than a hobby to me now.
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When I am creating my mind turns to the beauty in life; and as I create for others, I think about the joy of knowing them. With that there is absolutely no room for thoughts about pain, illness, fears of the future.
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I tell you, I suggest to everyone to find an art medium now – of course I talk about polymer clay!
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I spent much time researching, reading, investing in books, etc. and your lessons by far have been the best tutorials – everything is broken down and made simplistic. And you even incorporate wire work – it is a great, inspiring site! If only I had signed up with you FIRST, the 20lb bag of scrap clay I have would be much, much smaller!
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Sorry, this is a long response but I must tell you quickly – I love flower canes! Followed instructions to “T” from books published by other well known polymer clay artists – and they would always look horrible!
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So, I recently purchased a back issue of yours, the flower petal cane, turned out perfect – especially your tip on the packing!
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This sounds silly, but it is a little exciting – you are famous in my house, I call you my Art Professor! Keep it up! Thanks.
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~Michele Effing

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  • I just finished reading all of the letters in this thread. What a wonderful, supportive group we have here. I found polymer clay about 2002 when I took a drawing class at a local high school. in the evening. I never did manage to draw worth a darn but I met a gal there who told me about polymer clay and asked if I wanted to come to her place sometime and learn. Oh boy! What fun I had! I went to her house once a week for a few months and then I went on vacation and when I got back she had decided to go to nursing school and we lost touch. I spent the next couple of years trying to sell at craft fairs but hardly sold anything and quit. Quit going to craft fairs and quit polymer clay. I realize now that my pieces were awful and completely unprofessional. Don’t think I sanded at all. I look at the few things I have left and can sure see the improvement since finding Cindy. Now I sand and sand until it is like butter. Haven’t mastered buffing yet, but my Renaissance wax is on the way.

    Dixie Ann, I am so glad you are still here. Your encouragement is very helpful

    Reply
    • Dixie Ann says:

      Yep, I plan to be around a long, long time. I started out just like you Peg. 3 yrs later I’m selling my stuff at the local Art Museum all thanks to Cindy who gave me the encouragement and wisdom to pursue my passion for clay!

      Reply
  • Dixie Ann says:

    Peg C. welcome to our little corner of the world. I was so sorry to read about all of the physical problems you have had to overcome and I must say you are a walking miracle! We have a lot of those around here (me included) so you are not alone. It is so encouraging to read how others found their path to clay and Cindys Tutorials. There is nothing more euphoric than selling your first piece of jewelry! Something you made with your own hands that proved to be worthwhile. I know you will be selling more pieces and each one will help to build your esteem and prove you as a worthy Polymer Clay Artist!

    Reply

    • Thanks, Dixie Ann. I am thankful for all the members who share themselves and it is very encouraging to find someone else has done something I did or didn’t do and to find out that it all worked out fine. I always look forward to reading about what everyone else is doing. Sometimes I read more than play but I’ll catch up soon.

      Reply

  • Just a note to introduce myself to you Cindy, and to let you know how you have helped me be me again. I waited this long because I tend to be a flutterbug and not stick with something very long, although I worked with polymer clay for a few years at the beginning of this century. (That sentence makes me feel really old. LOL).

    Anyway, a year ago on Christmas Eve I slipped on the ice and shattered my left elbow. Had surgery and just thought I would take some unplanned time off to heal. Well, In hitting the ground as hard as I did, scar tissue from a previous stomach surgery dislodged and a piece of it wrapped around the blood vessel carrying blood to my bowel and my bowel was dying. In fact, there was gangrene in my bowel.

    One week after I fell, I was rushed to the hospital and had to have surgery again. My kidneys both quit and I was on dialysis. I was in ICU for 2 weeks and I wasn’t recovering. The Dr. told my daughter that I probably wasn’t going to make it and even if I did improve physically I would never be the same mentally.

    My dear girl came home and called all of my friends and went on Facebook and asked everyone to pray and I woke up the next day and began to improve. All in all I spent the first 2 weeks in ICU, the next 2 weeks in the hospital and the next 2 months in a care facility (think nursing home).

    I’m not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me. I just wanted to give you some background.

    So, the end of March I go home and physically, I was improving, but there was a constant fog in my head. I’ve always been crafty and I tried a number of crafts to try and get some of my mojo back, but it wasn’t happening.

    And then, I found polymer clay again, and best of all I found you, Cindy. I am sure I would not have been able to stick with it had I not found you and Doug and your videos that are a Godsend to me.

    By watching you and with your encouragement, I have done things I never could have imagined. I have beautiful pieces I have made and even sold my first piece! My brain fog has almost completely subsided. I can concentrate again. And the clay is also good physical therapy for the arthritis in my hands.

    I’m sure you realize some of what you mean to the people who watch you, but I want you to know there are more ways you help. I’m sure without finding you I would still be flitting from 1 craft to another. And my head would not be right yet.

    So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    Peg

    Reply

    • Peg, thank you so much for sharing your touching and personal story with us. It sounds like you have been through a lot and that you are finding positive ways to become healthy again. It pleases me to hear that polymer clay and our community has been such a help to you. You are truly an inspiration!

      Reply

  • Because Of a Chronic illness I couldn’t work for the last 4 yrs I love art and love making jewelery. After using gems and crystals I though about learning how to make lamp work beads. Then out of the clear blue I discovered polymer clay and CINDY LIETZ. I love doing this and think it is my calling now. I love the way nothing is written in stone. I can explore any colors any technique. I will be here for a long time.

    Reply

    • Thank you Mickey for your comment! I am sorry I somehow missed replying to your comment earlier. It makes me happy that you have found your calling in polymer clay! It really is a fabulous medium with so many exciting possibilities. You never need to feel restricted in what you can do with it and where your creativity will take you when working with it. I believe that is why there is such diversity in the type of people who work with it. I look forward to getting to know you better, especially since you will be here for a long time. :)

      Reply

  • Playing with polymer is part of my physical therapy for Parkinsonism. Since discovering the endless possibilities of this medium, I have found a “medicine” that finally works!

    Reply

  • Sue… thank you so much for speaking out. Your words have touched me deeply and I wish you all the best as you work through the challenges in front of you. I’m so happy to hear that polymer clay is helping in such significant way. Take care.

    Reply
  • Suzanne O says:

    Thank you for helping me Cindy. I first thought I was going to have my son Danny do these tutorials for his jewelry etsy shop… but, I have been doing them. My little secret. To be honest with you, since my brothers death… and Danny’s last grand mal seizure which resulted in him losing all of his skills that we had worked on for 15 yrs [Danny is Autistic]… me having the chemo with breast cancer… and my mom who is elderly and totally different since my brothers death… I have been extremely sad and depressed. I cry a lot. I think your tutorials have helped me climb a little out of this hole. Nothing else has…. so I keep looking forward to Fridays and playing around because I love the feel of polymer clay. It relaxes me. I can work with it all night when my spine is hurting and raw with pain. It helps. If it weren’t for the kindness of your voice in the videos mixed with your talent and detailed instructions, I would not even be writing. So, for what this is worth… thank you. You truly are saving me one day at a time. Sincerely, Sue

    Reply

  • Thank you Mayda for the very kind words. It’s so good to hear that you are a survivor and I look forward to seeing you in the library when the timing is right for you. Blessings to you too.

    Reply

  • HI CINDY. IAM START LEARNING WITH CLAY AND I LOVE IT IAM A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR AND IS HELP ME A LOT WORK WITH CLAY GOT MY MIND BUSY AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BE A MEMBER SOON CAUSE MY TREATMENT IS A LITTLE EXPENSIVE BUT AS SOON I CAN AM GONE DO IT.I LOVE ALL UR WORK UR AMAZING THANK FOR ALL UR WORK GOD BLESS YOU AND REMEMBER SOON AM GONE BE UR NEXT MEMBER.GOOD LUCK AND KEEP DOING AMAZING WORK..HUGS

    Reply

  • Hi Cindy, You are an inspiration to me in more ways, then just the clay. I know every Friday, my tutor is there to knudge me into using my brain and hands , when my body doesn’t want too! Thanks for all you and your family do, to help us clay freaks!

    Btw, just purchased a die cut machine, now to purchase some dies. Looking forward to having fun with those! And I just finished making 3 more clover beads, luv that technique.

    Reply

  • How has Polymer Clay changed my life. Wow, in so many many ways. In 2005 i was in a near fatal car accident, I have been through 14 major surgeries to date over 20 if you count minor ones. Nothing helped the pain, No surgeries not medications therapy. Nothing. Last summer in 2011. I decided to maybe start a hobby. I always loved jewelry so I started buying beads to make jewelry with. I came across an artists selling Polymer clay beads IkandiClay. I was amazed, Once I held it in my hand I had to know more about it, I contacted her, she was amazing. Told me how to start and what to get. So I purchased a great set for beginners including the better quality pasta machine because im handicapped. And bought some clay. Some books, Some online tutorials and went to town. I would sit for hours (mind you I had not been able to sit more than a half hour in over 5 years. I was pretty much bedridden. I realized after a few days I was feeling better, mind and body. I still had some bad days. But more good than bad. My pain is still there, but through my love of the art I found a way to channel the pain into what I create. And needless to say Im in love and hooked. There are very few days that I dont create something. I have over 400 items made and slowly listing them on my sites. I had no clue that it was sellable at first, just thought I found something I loved and was giving it away. Im so happy I found clay. And I am happy I found your site, I have purchased several tutorials and love them. Clay brings me joy and my children, they have learned to love clay days. Such a fun thing for everyone. Im hoping to start having clay bead birthday partys for little girls soon. Im getting ideas together. I have already been asked to teach at a local art store to make beads for women. Im nervous about training adults since I am still new. So I figured I would try children first. See how that goes. I figure If I can create with children I can handle adults. lol Anyways, that is my story. Clay therapy is a life saver and I count my blessings everyday.

    Reply
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