Have you seen the adorable dragons of the Crazy Dragon Lady? Alex makes adorable clay dragons and continues to change and refine her dragons to make them even better (if possible)! Read on for her story and some tips for new sculptors as well as discovering her amazing dragons.

Clay Dragons with The Crazy Dragon Lady

By Michele of VAMICreations and Alex of The Crazy Dragon Lady

What gave you the idea/inspiration to start The Crazy Dragon Lady?

After several years of experimenting and developing my style, I made the decision about 4 years ago to start up an Etsy and an Instagram page. It took almost all of that time just to get my name out into the world and I hardly ever made a sale during that period other than when I went to craft shows. It was very discouraging, but I never gave up. I knew that one day sales would start to go up and that my page would turn into a legitimate small business, so I never gave up. Earlier this year, about January or February, I completed a collaboration with another artist on Instagram, a pen maker. This is when my most popular dragons were born, the pen dragons (these particular dragons are special because they guard it's owner's pens in their tails and claws). Ever since then, commissions for my pen dragons have been through the roof, so much so that I have to put my customers on a rotation system(apparently there's a cult following for pens and pen holders and when you add dragons to the mix, people tend to go a little bit crazy) Now that I've been getting more attention from the pen lovers, it's started a chain reaction of sales, so even my smaller, more cute dragons have been selling more than usual lately.

How did you get started in sculpting?

A book, actually, inspired me to start sculpting! I was around 10 or 11 years old when I started reading this book series called The Last Dragon Chronicles and as I was reading, I discovered that one of the main characters sculpted dragons that came to life when baked in the sun. I decided that I needed to try and make some myself. So, I went to my local craft store and bought some cheap air dry clay. Ever since that first lumpy, misshapen dragon, I was hooked and knew this is what I wanted to do with my art. Eventually I switched to polymer clay which is what I use now and is much more durable and longer lasting.

What’s your favorite type of commissioned sculpture to do?

My favorite type of commissioned sculpture is, of course, any kind of dragon, but I especially love it when a customer orders a dragon that doesn't need to hold a pen. Don't get me wrong, I love making my pen dragons, but because of the structure (armature) underneath the clay, it can be a little challenging to get the tails as detailed as I like. So, it's very refreshing to get a dragon with a tail that can be bent, twisted, or narrowed at the tip. I just love posing them in as many creative poses as I can think of!

What’s your favorite type of sculpture when you just want to create something?

 While my thing is usually dragons, I do so love sculpting a horse or a unicorn every once in a while. I've always been horse crazy ever since I was little, but now that I've taught myself how to sculpt one, I get a sense of fulfillment without actually owning or being around a real one.

How do you choose the colors and types of clay you work with?

After working with clay for about 9 years, you tend to figure out which colors work together and which ones don't. For example, you NEVER want to put all three primary colors together. Those three colors create the most ghastly color combination because they clash terribly. It is better to pick colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel such as blue and orange because they will compliment each other. Colors such as these are very pleasing to the eye and less harsh to look at, though this isn't always the case because there are some exceptions. You must also pay attention to light and dark because if you stick two dark colors together, it will be very difficult to make out the details in your sculpture.. Pairing a darker color with a lighter color is also just more pleasing. For this, I would suggest a light pink against dark brown or any light color against black. Be sure to never pair brown and grey together though unless you are sculpting an animal with fur of such colors. Experimentation is also required and is the key for pairing nice color combinations. To this day, I'm still learning how to pair the best colors together. After all, you never stop learning!

How do you choose the sculptures you create – ie is there something that you take inspiration from when you start to sculpt?

Sometimes the customer will give me a theme or even just a word to work off of and I'll take it and run with it until that dragon turns into what I've envisioned. However, a lot of the time, (this is the way I like it by the way😉) they will give me free reign to do whatever I like so they can be surprised! When this happens, I look to nature for inspiration. I am a huge nature lover, so I enjoy being outside (granted it's not too hot) in the fresh air and I often go hiking in the woods with friends and family. There is an array of colors and endless possibilities in the great outdoors if only a person will look for it. My favorite things about nature that inspire me the most when I sculpt are the leaves of a fall maple tree and the pink and blue of a cotton candy-colored evening sky. I have still yet to capture either of these beautiful elements in my work. God is the Grand Designer, so it's no wonder my sculptures can't compare to His incredible Creation!

What would you tell a new sculptor for encouragement?

I would tell a new sculptor to not give up no matter how tough it gets because the second you do, that is when you have truly failed. I, myself, almost gave up before I had really even started my business because no matter how I tried, I just couldn't get my dragons to look, well, like a dragon. So I started looking at other artists' work and seeing how they made theirs and used tips and techniques until I finally developed my own style. Any new sculptor who is passionate about what they do needs to fight for their work and small business. Don't let any of the naysayers tell you that you can't do it; only you can decide what you can and can't do. If you are trying to start a small business like mine, just remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. You must have patience and faith in God, yourself, and your business. My business and trade took almost 9 years to perfect and when it was finally time to start it up, it took 4 years to get it off the ground. Most importantly, you need to pray about your business and art. Pray as hard as you can and listen for God's plan for your life. If it is God's plan for you to start a business like mine, then there is nothing that will ever get in your way. Every single decision regarding my art and business has been prayed about to God. Whether that answer was  yes, no, or not yet, I knew and still know that I can trust Him to lead me in the right direction. Just look at me now! I have my own legitimate business now and all at 19! God has blessed me with so much, that I don't even have to get a job to get me through college because this my full time job! I have already achieved so much and it has all been because I trusted God to get me there I can't tell you how many opportunities I have been given just because God closed the door and then opened a window for me. He has blessed me beyond measure and I hope the same happens for you.

What is something you are passionate about and why?

I'm sure you don't get this answer very often, but I tend to be a little bold when others shy away. I am very passionate about my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my Rock. He is my World. He is my everything and my reason for living. I would have never made it without His help and guidance. I screwed up many times with my business, like all first time business owners, and because of it, I was afraid to continue to grow. I had become stagnant with my dragons and my art to the point of almost giving up. Then, something prompted me to try something new; a new style, a new shape. That something was Jesus and I just feel that everyone needs to know what He has done for me. God has blessed me beyond compare, and while it most certainly hasn't been easy, the rewards have been well worth the trouble.

What is the most common question you get asked about your work?

I think the most common question I get asked about my work is what kind of clay I use. I use polymer clay and many people don't know what that is exactly. They always think that it can go into a kiln like earth clays, but it is actually mostly plastic. 😊 If it went into a kiln, I think it would either melt into a fiery puddle or turn into a pile of ashes.

What is one thing that you wish people knew about being a sculptor?

I wish people knew how much time and money sculptors put into each of their pieces. Clay is expensive, so when a sculptor has to create a piece that's bigger, like my dragons, it can be pretty pricey. This is why we have to charge what we do. Sculptors don't get to keep all of what the customer pays for their creations and this is why. Say I have a large dragon that is being sold for $100. Right off the bat, about $8 is subtracted for the clay and materials. After I spend a few days sculpting the dragon, it's time to get it to the customer. Shipping labels average out to about $15 and then there's the price of the insurance which is about $2. Finally, the transaction fees and taxes add up to about $7. Were you keeping track? Now I am only left with $68 profit which means if I wanted to make $100 profit like I was supposed to, I would have had to charge the customer $132, not $100. Now do you understand why artists must charge so much for their work? High prices for art are not just there  to ensure that the artist makes a profit, it's to cover all of the expenses they just lost making the sculpture.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

If I had to tell another woman entrepreneur something that they needed to hear, I would tell them to be bold, be confident, and be brave. People in the business world, especially women, can't afford to show weakness, otherwise their business will fail to thrive. Woman tend to be seen as weak just because we show emotion and a lot of the times, have a smaller muscle build when compared to men. Therefore, woman need to show everyone else that they can be just as unmoving when the going gets tough. Professionalism is a must; customers, male or female, will not take you seriously and see you as unworthy of their business if you aren't professional in your work. Fortunately, that comes with time and experience!

How has COVID changed or impacted your vision/strategy?

Covid has actually benefited me greatly because people have transitioned to shopping online more and more and have, therefore, discovered my shop! I have a lot of new customers coming a going, so business has been very, well, busy!

What is something that has helped you get through, during this global pandemic?  Something that is encouraging or a positive thing for you?

This is a tough one, but I would have to say Jesus, friends, and lots and lots of "arting" as I like to call my work haha!

Fun question – if you could meet one person in history or present, who would it be and why?

I would hands down have to say Alexander Hamilton! For one reason or another, I've learned about early US history at least 6 times throughout my education, and when I finally had to take a college class covering that era, I've been in love ever since. Hamilton is just one of the most remarkable men I think I've ever heard of in history. He was just so driven and bold in everything he did, and I really admire him for that. I think I would be truly honored if I was ever given the chance to meet him.

What is your dream for The Crazy Dragon Lady to be (where do you see The Crazy Dragon Lady in 5+ years)?

My dream for The Crazy Dragon Lady business would be to make this business a second income in addition to my art education degree once I graduate. My business has just reached a point where I am busy all the time, but the flow of income isn't always there. I would really like for my brand to be known by all so I can always have an income while working to get my degree. After that, it will be a wonderful source of extra income once I'm graduated!

Is there anything (message or topic) you would like to talk about that we did not ask about?

I would like to take this opportunity to say that any polymer clay sculptor needs to learn how to balance his or her art so it doesn't become a chore. ☺️ I struggle with feeling guilty about not getting my dragons done fast enough, even though I really shouldn't. Great art takes time, and most of the time people understand this, so make sure you don't get too wrapped up in trying to do more than you can handle. Doing your best is enough, even if it's not necessarily a lot! Progress is still progress.

Collaboration with Mark of Ravenwood Inspired:

Mark and I had been following each other for a while before we decided to do this collaboration. I don't know why I hadn't thought of the idea to make a dragon pen holder sooner, but I guess everything just happens in its own time. One day, I approached Mark and asked if he would be interested in collaborating with me and he said that he would love to. We talked about color and design for a while until he decided on a pen that was black with gold and silver glitter and embellishments. I, of course, had some clay that looked exactly like the acrylic Mark used for his pen, so this is where things took off. Most of my pen dragons now have tails that are twisted around a bake safe mock-up pen which is later removed, but since this was my first pen dragon, he had to send me the pen for me to use as an example for my mock-up. Once the pen came in, it was beautiful by the way, I got straight to work on my half. At the time, this was my largest dragon so far and still has the largest wings I've ever made to this day. They were about 8 inches long from wing too to wing tip. This was my first time doing muscles on a realistic dragon so I tried my best to get them as perfect as possible, but now that I look at him today, I realize his pecs were just a touch too high lol. Oh well, he was a learning curve! I sculpted for days until he was the perfect shape for a pen holder and then, this is the scary part for any polymer clay artist, I slipped him into the oven to bake. Anything could go wrong at this stage, a wing could snap, something could say, or crack. Fortunately, he was perfect when I took him out. Once the dragon cooled, I got straight to work painting his beautiful eyes and glazing his shiny body. He was finally finished; I messaged Mark and we listed, now named Platinum, on both of our Etsy pages. I kid you not, he sold just a few days later and we both got our cut. Since I was the one who had both pieces, I was tasked with packaging both the dragon and the pen and sending them off to their new owner. This part is equally scary for artists because you're literally putting something that took days or even weeks into the hands of a stranger who has no idea that what's inside the package is so precious to the maker and the recipient. Thank the LORD he made it safe and sound with no mishaps. I was so happy because this was, not only my first collaboration, but it was also my first ever pen dragon sale! After the rest of the pen community heard about what I had made and that I could make more, I got plenty more pen dragon commissions and several reoccurring customers.  

Thank you for joining us for this amazing interview with Alex of The Crazy Dragon Lady, what clay dragon sculptures do you have of hers? I’d love to see them! And to know who you recommend for us to interview next! :). Thank you to Alex for collaborating with us on this interview and wishing you all health and wellness my friend!