Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Interview with Mel's Clay

What an amazing group of artisans on Etsy! What talent on Etsy Team Columbus! I'm so proud to be a member. I've got another fantastic interview today with Melanie of Mel's Clay. Stop by her shop and check out all the goodies! Stay tuned...giveaway at the end!
Tell Us About Yourself: I am a single mom of a teen aged boy. I am an accountant by day, but have many interests by night. When I am not working or doing community activism, I love to read a good fiction book, to take me away. I have lived in Ohio my entire life, so sometimes I need help to get away.
What Kind Of Items Do You Sell In Your Etsy Shop: I make many different things with polymer clay. I love to recycle items by covering them with clay. I also love to use clay to imitate other things, like jade, turquoise, amber, etc. I make my own beads, but I also make household items, like bathroom sets and knobs. One of my most popular items are my covered ink pens and altoid tins. I do everything by hand, from mixing each custom color to making the canes, which most people think are painted on. I use no paints, no molds, just good old fashioned elbow grease!

What Brought You To Etsy: I have worked in clay for years, given it as gifts, but stopped there. A good friend bugged me and bugged me to join Etsy and ETC. I am so glad she did. Thanks Karla (adornmentsbykarla)!

How Do You Promote Your Shop: I post in Etsy forums, Facebook, many other online forums, but mostly word of mouth.

What is Your Favorite Item In Your Shop Right Now: I love my jade and amber tins!

What Is Your Biggest Shop Goal In The Next Six Months: I would love to get to the point that I have a steady income coming in, no matter the size, just something to count on. I would like to have a faster turn around time for listing things on Etsy. Sometimes, I get in creative mode and stuff piles up without being listed.

Favorites: Food, Music, Movies, Books, whatever you love: I love classic rock, Shawshank Redemption, politics, reality TV, cats, well, the list could go on and on! I love things deeply and find that I have strong feelings on a lot of things, so I have to stop somewhere!

The Giveaway: Your choice of pen from Mel's Clay.
About the pens: The pens are covered in handmade polymer clay canes. Once rolled and sanded, they are given a high gloss finish. When the ink runs out just replace with a new disposable pen.
How to enter: Leave a comment here before Friday (August 14th) at noon Eastern time. Winner will be announced on Friday.







46 comments:

Bitwise XOR said...

I love Mel's Clay. And I want a pen.

I love it when people stop and look at Mel's boxes and ask, "what is this made of?". And Mel says, "polymer clay". And then they pick up another item and say, "But what is THIS made of?" And Mel says, "polymer clay". And so it goes... people find it hard to believe that it's clay.

amys painted house and more said...

Very nice! I love Mel's work. I have requested a few custom projects from her. They have turned out just perfectly!!

tscrapper said...

Those tins and pens are fabulous! I honestly wouldn't have known that they were polymer clay either, and I'd love to win a pen. Great interview and shop!

Margy said...

Great interview, love to look at Mel's creations! I would love to win a pin, they're awesome looking!!

Margy

ThomasMerrinus said...

She's so talented isn't she?! I have one of her pens and I love it. You have to buy one if you don't win it!

denise perez schultz said...

The items you make are unique and individualized. I would love to win a pen hand made by Mel.....

Molly said...

I love Mel's work! Her craftsmanship is amazing. :)

Sindorella said...

Your stuff is beautiful Mel! I am in love with it all!

Tiffany said...

The pens are amazing. I would never have guessed they were made of clay. I hope I get lucky and win!
=)

Tiffany

shana w said...

i love your work!

Lisa V said...

Truly beautiful items! I love how you are able to imitate jade, amber, and turquoise. You're very talented!

Anonymous said...

such beautiful work!

Here's hoping I win :)

Unknown said...

I had no idea you made this stuff! It's all gorgeous! You're very talented! :D

Nina

Karla Ross said...

Ha! I knew she was tres talented and she is starting to build a following. Couldn't happen to a nicer person either. Gonna buy that butterfly pen b4 anyone can win it. LOL. KUDOS to Melinda for this feature and Melanie for the wonderful work.

Michelle said...

I love (My) Melanie's claywork!! super talented!!! you do awesome stuff sweets!!

Arteest said...

I'm a bog fan of Mel's clay. I have the bathroom set on my bathroom counter and love it! I want a pen!!

eelo said...

These are some beautiful things, and I want to be the one who wins a pen. I'd use it every day, I promise!

Unknown said...

I love the pens! I've never seen anything like them before. :)

michaelsmom said...

Your stuff is awesome! I may have to order something from you at some point.

Ann said...

I absolutely love all of your work! I've never seen clay look so good before! Here's hoping I win that gorgeous pen!!

Crystal said...

Everything is very cool. Love the bathroom stuff!! Congrats on where its taking you and finding something to do you love so much.

Kelly Daria said...

Beautiful work...very unique and one of a kind. :)

Kelly D

Amberly said...

I love your stuff :) Off to go look for a gift for my mom. Her birthday is coming up!

AshleeMattMaxJack said...

Ok- that beetle is amazing!

Mel you rock!

The butterfly pen is BEE-U-TI-FUL !

Sarah Berman said...

Gorgeous pen! I love it! Mel you are great!

Unknown said...

The Pink Retro Bic Pen is awesome! Thanks for the chance.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

so, so cool. I want to learn, but it requires too much patience.

gemini5757 at hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Go Mel! Great interview. I love the variety of what you do with polymer clay!

TZel said...

This is a very intriguing pen- I have never seen anything like it before! Thanks for the chance to own one!

Cabootique said...

Awesome pens!

carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com

JuliaA said...

she does such pretty stuff! i love the retro pens in her shop.

thanks for the giveaway!

j_bdules at hotmail

Julie said...

I have never seen items made out of polymer clay. She is pretty clever :) I like the hearts polymer
clay pen

aunteegem@yahoo.com

TiLT said...

what great creations! thanks for the chance at a win!
It's nice to see I am not the only one who keeps getting into creative overload without listing it all :P

-Theresa
contact: tiltcreations.etsy.com

Ladytink_534 said...

I have a thing about finding the perfect pen. Drives hubby nuts whenever I go to buy new ones and stand there debating for at least 10 minutes lol. I'd love a chance tow in one of these pens!
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

JaMean said...

I LOVE these pens. And what about the toothbrush/soap dispenser set?! I love pretty pens, but when they run out, it's sad. I like this idea! :)

Christina said...

Mel's stuff is great! That pen would make me the envy of my office.

bison61 said...

I like that when the ink runs out just replace with a new disposable pen!

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Very cute pens. She's got a lot of great items in her shop. =]

soypea@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

It is nice to see a different item like this for giveaways!
I love these pens-beautiful work.

http://Whatshername.Etsy.com
http://GaylesGifts.ArtFire.com

free indeed said...

So smart to make these lovely pens reusable! I hate spending money on a good pen only to have to throw it out because I can't find the right refill cartridge. This would be the envy of my Bible study group! What a classy way to take notes and prayer requests!

CathyH said...

Lot her polymer clay art, something I've always wished I learned

Aleda said...

I love polymer clay art in general, and hers are delightful-looking!

Raine Hicks Wheeler said...

I could just see myself doing my grades with this pen and being the envy of my teacher friends. (I'm a music teacher!)
Hope I win!
Raine
lorrainehickswheeler at gmail dot com

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

Neato! I'd love to see this pen in person!

Sally said...

Great to meet you last night at the Etsy Team Columbus meeting, and great to see your work featured here!

sarahbrit5 said...

These pens are so cute, I want one!