Polymer clay figurine making is a small big pleasure

Posted byContent CatnipPosted inA Day in the Life, BlogTags:, , , , , , , , , , ,
Polymer clay figurine making is a small big pleasure - tiny plants

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

As a long-time fan of the UK TV show, The Great Pottery Throwdown I have developed a fascination for hand-building and handcrafting things using clay.

Some amazing person uploaded the whole 7th season here, so get in there before it’s taken down!

https://youtu.be/9MZ7H4v6v7c?si=DGrAh-LX-7UO-73-

So I tentatively decided to give clay building a go myself. I’ve never hand-built or sculpted anything before, however it has always appealed to me. It’s a mindful and peaceful activity that involves a lot of hand-eye coordination, immense focus, creativity and problem-solving, in the most delightful way. If I like it, I’ll progress to throwing clay on a wheel and making bigger things.

So I purchased my first kit of coloured polymer clay which comes with a lot of tools and moulds and hooks etc for putting the clay onto jewelry.

There is always room in anyone’s life for these kinds of simple pleasures that are away from looking at a screen. And who cares if it seems infantile, childish or the kind of thing only children should be doing.

Not one of my designs, off the internet. Not sure of maker.
Not one of my designs, off the internet. Via Pistolholer
Not one of my designs, off the internet. By Helena Amorim on Pinterest.

These cacti here look easy enough. I’m going to enjoy the process and try and not get upset if the result doesn’t match what’s in my head.

I believe that creative play is a rebellious act. When you choose to make things purely for your own pleasure and not for profit or recognition or praise…what you are rejecting is the need to be constantly busy, constantly improving yourself or creating something that others want you to. There are so many calls to perform in our world and it’s exhausting. So tell those calls to piss off and put your phone on silent, or better yet switch the bastard off for the day.

You are worth infinitely more than whatever productive value you give to the broken economic system of end-stage capitalism.

Doing things like this, doodling, making, rikki tikki taving, building, just waiting and seeing what happens is a pleasure anyone can do. And don’t beat yourself up over theย result.

What do you think? Do you like making or doing things just for the hell of it or because you want to step outside of the push for performative or striving in the real/working world?

Published by Content Catnip

Content Catnip is a quirky internet wunderkammer written by an Intergalactic Space Mฤori named Content Catnip. Join me as I meander through the quirky and curious aspects of history, indigenous spirituality, the natural world, animals, art, storytelling, books, philosophy, travel, Mฤori culture and loads more.

20 thoughts on “Polymer clay figurine making is a small big pleasure”

  3. This brings back memories! I used to do a lot o polymer clay crafting when I was young. I had this guidebook of animals, and still have some of my figurines at my parents house. What a fun hobby to take up. Go make so cute little figure, and enjoy the process!

    I also enjoy making things, though we’re currently in a housing situation that doesn’t allow much room for sewing project, collages, and my other messy crafts. They’re so much fun, though!

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