Kathy Hepburn

Location

Carlsbad, California

United States

About the Artist

I was raised by “makers”. My mother was a professional seamstress, and my father a passionate woodworker – both fearless in their approach to taking on creative challenges.  I have always had art and craft in my life from hand-made paper, to stained glass, beading, wire work, and wood turning.  I have been working with polymer clay for more than 12 years.  I enjoy the creative process and make jewelry, bowls, decorative items, and enhanced home goods.  Since childhood, I have a long habit of discovering and collecting natural objects like interesting shells, rocks, leaves, and lost bird feathers.  I have continued this fascination into adulthood.  In these bowls, I have integrated my passion for polymer the natural environment.  I also learned a new skill – collecting blown down pine needles from my neighborhood; sorting, cleaning and dying some of them in my “slow cooker”; and teaching myself to weave them for these bowl rims.

2021 Exhibition Images

Imperial Beach Cache

Imperial Beach Cache

16.75” circumference, 6.5" long x 4 ”wide x 5” high

Polymer clay, image transfer (photo by syndee holt, used with permission), pine needles, shell

Oval vessel of polymer clay rimmed with pine needles collected, prepared, and woven by the artist and adorned with shell from the artists personal collection.

Containers

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Black oval vessel with a black and white image of shells on the side, pine needles stitched to the rim, and a shell hannging from the rim

Central Coast Luminosity

Central Coast Luminosity

17” circumference, 7 long”x 3.75” wide x 5” high

Polymer clay, image transfer (photo by unknown, found multiple locations), pine needles

Oval vessel of polymer clay rimmed with pine needles collected, prepared, and woven by the artist.

Containers Gallery

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Black, oval vessel with a black and with image of shells on the side and pine needles stitched to the rim

Moonstones / Beach at Cambria

Moonstones / Beach at Cambria

3.75” long x 4.5 “ wide x 5” high

Polymer clay, image transfer (photo by The Painted Hinge, used with permission), pine needles

Rectangular vessel of polymer clay rimmed with pine needles collected, prepared, dyed, and woven by the artist

Containers Gallery

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Brown, square vessel having color images of stones on one side and of a beach on the other side with pine needles stitched to the rim

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Bettina Welker

Location

Heusweiler, Saarland

Germany

About the Artist

I am a graduated graphic designer and I work as a jewelry designer and polymer clay artist since 2003. I am a co-founder of the German polymer clay guild. Since 2007, I taught private classes in my home studio, all over Europe and in the US. I self published my first book “Edle Schmuck-Unikate & Accessoires aus Polymer Clay” in 2009 and my second book “Polymer Clay Bracelets” in summer 2012. 

As a trained graphic designer, I am equipped with a lot of knowledge about shape, spaces, color, and composition. In my work, I always try to feature the unique properties of polymer clay as an art material. It is important to me that all my work is well designed and finished as flawlessly as possible.

I always walk through the world curiously with eyes wide open looking for inspiration. If I see a shape, a color or a pattern, my creative mojo just starts going. This can be everything – architecture, nature, paintings or just a walk through the hardware store. I even get new ideas just by cleaning up my studio. Teaching is very important to me – the interaction with creative people is very inspiring – I never walk out of a class that I taught without having learned something as well.

Websites

http://www.bettinawelker.de

2021 Exhibition Images

Spherical Container

Spherical Container

3.5 x 5.5"

Polymer clay, oil paint

Related Gallery

Containers

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Spherical box having a white background with multi-colored circle and wave designs

Neckpiece

Neckpiece

Focal Design: 3.5 x 3"

Polymer clay, magnets

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art

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Assymetrical necklace with 3 elements: a red dome, a black and white striped tube, and a black and faux wood curved shape; all on a rubber cord

Multiple Hinge Bracelet

Multiple Hinge Bracelet

Open; 7.5 x 2.25"

Polymer clay, magnets

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art

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Hinged cuff bracelet having alternating black and blue to white gradient panels, the latter with black linear design

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Announcing the Winners!!

What an amazing display of talent and artistry in this year's exhibition!! Thanks to all who participated!

Read more: Announcing the Winners!!

About the 2023 Global Exhibit

IPCA members are invited to submit up to three items/images of their work to our 2023 Global Exhibit of Members' Work.

Read more: About the 2023 Global Exhibit

Second Annual IPCA Global Exhibition Members' Choice Award Winners

AdobeStock 193444597 globe

The Global Exhibition Committee is pleased to announce the Members' Choice Awards for the Second Annual Global Exhibition

Read more: Second Annual IPCA Global Exhibition Members' Choice Award Winners

IPCA2016 Horiz

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