I thought about this a while before I decided to write this #MyCraftStyle because I had no idea what my style is. I have only been working with polymer Clay for less than 2 months so I didn't think I had experimented enough to find a style.
The more I thought about it though, the more I realized I sorta did have my own style. First, I really prefer to make realistic creations. I find as many reference pictures as I can from all angles before starting on whatever I am working on. I also study different poses to see how bends and twists might affect the areas surrounding it. A leg bent forward creates different angles than a leg bent backwards or to the side. Two of my most realistic creations are below: a turtle for my mom and a dove and raven earrings based off the Genesis flood for me.
Even if my creations are not realistic (as in real life things) I still want to creations to look as close to realistic as possible. Nothing I have created so far defies logic or imagination. I created Wario and Mario and little Nintendo earrings all from reference pictures as well. I didn't take any creative license with them because I wanted them to be as recognizable as possible. It's probably why I struggle so much to like what I create, because I want perfection
The one time I added a bit of my own creativity was with my very first creation. I made avocado necklaces for my friend and her daughter. My friend requested that the avocados have faces. I grimaced because then it's not real but I actually love how cute it made them. It's still not my preferred style but it did show me that trying something outside my comfort zone can end up being something I enjoy.
My advice to anyone searching for their style is to think about what you enjoy doing the most. Try a bunch of different things: go big or go small, go realistic or not, try patterns or go simple. Then figure out which one you would want to do again and you've come closer to finding your style. I realized I really enjoyed making realistic miniatures after making the little dove and raven. I know I don't enjoy food but for some reasons animals call to me. So go out and experiment and it may take a while but eventually you might find something that sings to your soul and makes you say, "I could do this forever"
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