By Michele Thymmons and Shannon of My Sunkissed Studio.

Clay Dragon Sculptures with My Sunkissed Studio

I have always loved art! I can remember coming home from school and turning on Bob Ross, getting my painting supplies out and trying to paint what Bob was painting. He always made such pretty mountains, trees and scenery. Around this same time, I had a babysitter who made ceramic figurines. My sister and I enjoyed making them with her and painting them when they were finished baking in the kiln. Art class was always a blast for me too! I still have a few pieces from my Art classes and my babysitters! Let’s color everything! Color my walls, color my hair, everything needs color!! Back in the 9th grade, I dipped my long hair into a pot of hot koolaid. It stained my hair a bright raspberry color and stayed there the whole year.

Fast forward to now! I still color my long hair, but professionally these days. My favorite was watermelon colors underneath! I still enjoy painting and do so when I can find the time! The start of my polymer clay journey was when I received some polymer clay one year for Christmas. At first it was just a hobby. As I learned to work with it, I realized the possibilities were endless. I worked as a nurse at the time, and sculpted when I could. I made ornaments and little figurines in the beginning. Last year, my sister recommended I join Instagram. Just a few months after joining, I got my first order! It’s been an amazing journey so far, and I now sculpt full time! Working from home and taking care of my two boys keeps me busy, happy and I love it. I’m grateful for the opportunity and grateful for Instagram! Grateful to the many talented artists I now call friends and extended family. Exciting things are happening! Just last month, I was accepted into an Art Gallery!! I was so nervous, but excited for a new opportunity. It is going great and I look forward to what the future has in store for me and my sweet creatures!

● Youtube- basic polymer clay tips

Baking, sculpting, blending, conditioning, temperatures, jewelry making, armatures

● Michaels-supplies clay, glitter, packaging

● Hobby Lobby-supplies. Clay, glitter, packaging

● Etsy-supplies and buying and selling handmade!

Jewelry findings, crystals, pigments, embellishments, buying handmade art from artists I admire. Currently selling on this platform.

● Instagram!!!! Besides the constant algorithm changes on IG, I am successful because of this platform. I have a customer base and have met some truly amazing people there!

● Some of my favorite polymer clay artists whom I admire a ton and YOU have to see their work on Instagram! GO!

Whisper Fillies - Erin

Clay Works by Jen - Jen

Regnum Draconis - Dolores

Whimsy Calling- Dayna

Willow Works Studio- Hollye

Mijbil Creatures- Mijbil

Littlestpetpots- Liz

Osoplushie- Miyah

Many others I wish I had more room!

My good luck charm is Littlegloops -Melissa ♡

In May of 2017, she sent me a private message which I still have to this day. (Btw, I did not know her at the time) In the message she told me to prepare, that the dragons I was making were going to “take off.” She said “mark my words.” It has been non-stop ever since!!!!! We have become friends and to this day, I often ask her for her advice or opinions.

Note - This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase.

Everyone creates, designs, and learns things differently. With this in mind, I’ve tried to include a variety of articles/resources below about clay dragon sculptures and will continue to add more even after the article is published. Most of these resources are free but others include classes or resources that are paid. For this post, I’d like to explore the history of polymer clay and jewelry and give you a good number of beginner tutorials!

The History of Polymer Clay traces the history or polymer clay. Surprisingly it is a relatively new medium!! Crazy!! It’s only been around since the 1930s and was actually designed by Fifi Rehbinder, a doll maker, who could not find what she needed due to the events of the time. So, she did what any entrepreneurial woman does - she made what she needed herself and polymer clay was born!!! This article also describes when it came to the U.S.A. and how it has changed now from then.

Clay Teacher Finishing Tips is a tutorial on how to paint non-fired clay projects using techniques that also work for fired clay projects as well. Video tutorials and pictures are very helpful here and also are part of being able to download a PDF for you to peruse and study again and again.

Using Acrylic Paints on Polymer Clay is a tutorial about how to use acrylic paints on polymer clay. 5 specific ways that you can use it to include painting it on, using it as a highlight, and others.

BlueBottleTree is one of the best websites for all types of tips and tutorials about clay sculpting. For example did you know that hand sanitizer cleans clay residue off of your hands? and using a pasta machine helps make clay without bubbles? Check out tons of other tips and other tutorials on the website!

Understanding Polymer Clay Glaze is an article all about various glazes, sealers, and varnishes and what works best for polymer clay. She’s even tested 41 different glazes, sealers, and varnishes on five different brands of clay and describes the results for you to make your own determination!!!

Sculpting with Polymer Clay all about how to sculpt with clay - beginners style :) with the various steps - tools of the trade, firming the clay, basic shapes, smoothing the clay surface and much more! Great step-by-step tutorial with pictures and literally teaches you how to make a couple of miniature clay sculptures from start to finish.

The Beginner’s Guide to Polymer Clay is a massive tutorial guide on polymer clay. Literally, this guide is a discussion on what polymer class it, what the different types are, tools that are needed, what is conditioning and how you can cure polymer clay and what you can make.

Skillshare for Polymer Clay Classes is a list of polymer clay classes that can be taken through SkillShare. These range from the basics of clay sculpting to several intecrite classes on anything from making miniature frog sculptures, mushroom sculptures, flowers, succulent necklaces and much more.

Thank you for joining us for this interview with Shannon of My Sunkissed Studio all about her clay dragon sculptures (and more!)! Check out Shannon’s Instagram for tons of amazing pictures and updates on when she stocks her shop - be prepared to get them fast though as her pieces are ones that literally fly off the shelves!!! I literally tried to buy one the other day and it was gone before I could complete the buying process - crazy!!! But well worth it! :)

You can also read more about her and other dragon makers in the article
45 of the Most Talented Dragon Makers on Instagram .

For additional articles on dragons and dinosaurs - clay sculpting, woodcarving, build your own pattern, build your own blog, and yarn dyeing check out the Start Here Directory of VAMICreations. I’d also love to hear from you about what types of resources you want more information on as well as Creatives you would like to nominate for an interview! Please email me or leave a comment on this article! Looking forward to hearing from you and have a great day!