Meet Tammi Williams | Polymer Clay artist and instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tammi Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tammi, what makes you happy? Why?
Being retired makes me very happy. I used to dread going to work, even when I worked from home. Now I look forward to getting up in the morning as I almost always have something interesting to do.
Many days I will work on a project in my studio, (there are usually 3 or 4 going at a time), or attend a workshop at the library, or go for a bicycle ride. I am so thankful to have time to enjoy things now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have done many creative things over the years, but my path as an artist began when I discovered polymer clay in 2008.

I remember the exact moment…I was surfing the web, looking for unusual beads to fuel my, then current, obsession for making jewelry, when I saw a bead of a cat figure, and read that it was made with polymer clay, a medium that could mimic precious stones, metal, leather, sea glass and more…wow! I immediately purchased a few blocks of the oven bake clay to play with. Further playing with this new medium led me to join a guild, attend various workshops, and eventually convert a bedroom into my studio.

As I learned, and came into my own style, I moved away from traditional jewelry, and into mostly creating small, whimsical animal sculptures. I also began repurposing items like soup cans, jars, vases from the thrift store, etc., by covering them with polymer clay. I recently did a mixed media piece titled “A Little Fun, A Little Fright”, which used a children’s stamp container as a base for spooky curio display, filling it with little found tidbits, as well as polymer clay creations. I enjoy adding little hidden things to my art too, like tiny pawprints on a cats feet, or the skull face in my plague doctor hat, or the “brains” under the lid on Franken-moose”. I love the idea that when someone eventually spots these things, it will make them smile.

When Covid hit, my “home” time was spent bringing new ideas to fruition and developing a system, that allows folks who have never done polymer clay to come to one of my workshops, and complete a project in 2-3 hours. I now teach regularly at the local active adult center and nearby libraries.

Retiring in 2023has allowed me time to become, (a small), but official business, “FeatsOfClayColorado” and participate in several art shows and craft fairs, last holiday season. The extra time has also let me relax into a more intuitive sense of creating. So much so, I recently braved entering my 1st juried show and was thrilled to receive an honorable mention for my “Moon Moth” cradle board.

I look forward to being even more creative and active, and sharing more of the fascinating medium of polymer clay with others.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a shoutout to artist Christi Friesen (who currently resides in Hawaii). I attended a workshop she gave years back, and her inspiration was truly the 1st stepping stone on the path to becoming the artist I am.

I also have to give a shoutout to Jamie Zerr-Lockwood, who runs CCAL (www.corridorcreativeartsleague.org) out of the Bennett, CO area. Jamie is a very talented artist, and has inspired me through her enthusiasm, creativity and support. She loves art in all forms and does a lot to encourage and enable fellow artists.