Shaun the Sheep: A Creation in Polymer Clay by Handmade by Lindsay

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Look what visited me in the studio – the perfect subjects to test out my new photography setup. It’s Shaun, Timmy & a fat mama sheep from the claymation cartoon “Shaun the Sheep”. I commissioned my friend Lindsay McGrath from Handmade by Lindsay: Ploymer Clay Creations in Ottawa, Ontario to make them for my growing sheep collection.

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I’ve known Lindsay for several years, about as long as I have been dating my now husband, and they were friends in University. This is a relatively new form of artistic expression for her, & I asked her to do a quick interview as this is the  type of inspiration we all need to get started finding our own creative outlet (and artist within us all!)…

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How long have you been creating with clay?

I picked up polymer clay for the very first time in the fall of 2011. I’d never used anything like it since childhood, playing with playdoh.

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What made you start creating with clay?

I started because my children were asking for toys of characters from a video game called Katamari Damacy, and none existed. My brother-in-law has been making things out of polymer clay for years and I had some magnets that he’d made for us; I thought that it might work for making the characters. So I picked some up and gave it a try, and was very surprised that it seemed to come naturally to me. I’d never considered myself an artist, and certainly not a sculptor, but I find polymer clay very easy to work with, and there is a ton of info and tutorials on the internet, which has been very helpful.

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What inspires your designs?

Most of what I’ve been making lately have been custom orders, but when I get the chance to make whatever I want I tend to gravitate to geeky-type things. I love everything about geek culture (being a huge geek myself), and the creative possibilities with it are endless! I’m finding that lately I am especially gravitating to Doctor Who themed things. I have some projects in the works that I am very excited about!

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What are your favorite pieces to make/creations you have made?

I recently made a gift for my children’s teacher, an owl sitting on top of a stack of books. It was a lot of fun to make, and I think it turned out pretty cute. I’ve also made some Christmas ornaments that I’m really proud of, especially my Christmas Borg, Shark, and Tardis.

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Where do you sell your work?

I do most of my selling on-line, whether it’s to people who stumbled upon my blog and Etsy shop, or to my friends across the country who put in their requests through Facebook. Last fall, however, I did my first craft show, the Ottawa Geek Market. I shared a table with another talented artist, and it was a lot of fun. I will be selling at the Geek Market this year too, and I’ll have a whole table instead of a half.

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Do you accept custom work?

I do accept custom work! It is my primary source of business. While I do love geeky things, I also do non-geek work, and I’m open to trying just about anything!

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Be sure to check out Lindsay’s blog, Handmade by Lindsay to see more of her kick-ass polymer clay work! 🙂

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Are you an artist inspired? I’m looking to share your story here and in my monthly newsletter. Inspire me; inspire others! E-mail me or leave a comment to be considered. All you need is an online presence (blog, website, Etsy shop, etc.) so that the international audience the internet attracts can get to know you & your product better. This is my contribution to the handmade/artist community, & I am honored to do so! Look forward to hearing from you…