Member Benefits 039-4: Health Wellness

Several years ago I fell and fractured my shoulder which meant a lot of therapy. Working with polymer clay has helped to strengthen my muscles and puts me in a zone where I’m concentrating and everything and all cares are moot. ~June-F >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay as Creative Art Therapy

Hi Cindy, Just wanted to tell you that I just finished watching the Johnny Jump Up Cane video and you are right by saying that it would make me smile! I am going through a series of difficult life / health issues with my family and self lately and your videos are very much bright spots to me during this time! I look forward to each new one to come out! You are so much more than just a Polymer Clay Tutor – you are a ray of sunshine to those who are under dark rain clouds too! Thank you so much for being the person who you are and for ALL that you do for others! xoxoxoxoxoxo. ~Lori-F >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tutorials

Knowing we are loved makes all the difference – and you will find, as I have, that ‘Cindy’s Group’ is loving above all. I thank God daily for bringing her [and her great teaching talent] into my life. It has helped me overcome so much. And, smushing that clay even seems to help the arthritis and fibromyalgia. Hang in there, Lynn. ~Carolyn-F >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Friends and Support

I’m from Russia but live in Belgium now. I have a painful skin disease called Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. When I’m working with polymer clay I can forget for a while about the pain and itching. I live in Antwerp but I was born in Uzbekistan in Tashkent city. I’ve learned a lot from your videos. Thank you so much for that. I appreciate what you doing!! You give people the chance to learn and be creative with polymer clay! I can read a book, but it is not the same. Your videos are very instructive and inspired for me. I’ve made a few roses from Volume 013. And I love them. ~Alexa-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Art Therapy

Hi Cindy, thank you for the welcome… I have been to this site before but just now started my clay addiction… fought it as long as I could… I really want to take your paid course as soon as I get extra money but at the moment am caregiver for 99 year old gent and am paid a pittance… have many job offers for lots more money, just don’t have the heart to break his… took care of his wife also the 3 months prior to her passing near a year ago… in the meantime I’ll try to learn as much as I can for free. I’m very involved with caregiver support and also Alzheimer’s care and victims. I keep thinking that there is something here with working with clay that would be very therapeutic for Alzheimer’s victims AND the elderly. I’m working with trying to put together some classes for very simple items that folks might be able to do… I can see many benefits of this… the working of the clay for stiff hands… the mind activity… the feeling of accomplishment when they have made a simple ornament say for a gift or a clay flower, even beads or simple clay figures… I’m sure you see where I am going with this as my mind races… any suggestions or direction would be very appreciated… maybe someone is already doing this but it’s definitely not around here. Sorry to be so long winded… looking for ideas… oh, along with the fact that I can’t sit down without making beautiful beads… so fun and rewarding!! ~Darbi-R >> This comment was originally posted here: Sculpey III Polymer Clay

Phaedra was the name of my first Persian female. I was thinking of breeding cats, and had not discovered the pleasures of jewelry making yet. I had never heard of polymer clay! My baby kittykat is long gone now, as are days when my back doesn’t hurt. But I do love me some clay! I can only “play” for awhile, but find it to be very (mentally) therapeutic. The great thing about PC is that I can stop at any point and go lay down. When I feel good enough I can get right back to it. Such a fun and forgiving medium! Sorry, I tend to be long-winded. Thanks again for such a great place to visit! I think I’m going to like it here :) ~Phaedrakat >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Therapy

Hi Cindy, On May 17th I have to have surgery on the top of my spine. I should have had the surgery in March but it was postponed and it seems I will be out of action for about 4 to six months I just hope I can still clay I am not one for being inactive I still have four weeks to do things… like this week’s tutorial… it looks good and I will have a go over the next couple of days. Your site has kept me sane over the last few months while coping with my health issues. I feel like I have a family of friends who care. Thank you and Doug for all you have done. ~Ritzs >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Health Therapy

I am new at jewelry making. I just retired from teaching with a disability that makes it hard for me to do crafts like knitting and crocheting because they take long and etc. Anyway, a friend suggested making earrings. I am enjoying this immensely. My son helps if anxiety sets in. I am thinking of either selling on line or going to a craft fair or show. This list has a lot of great reminders that I wouldn’t thought of. I will continue reading for more ideas. For sure I will go to some shows as a visitor and see what they are like. Thanks for the input! ~Connie-N >> This comment was originally posted here: Selling Your Handmade Jewelry

LOVE YOUR SITE – I’m just starting my jewelry business and decided after much processing in different directions that I needed more creativity than just stringing pretty beads on wire. I needed creation, ART! It’s so relaxing to do clay and there’s an immediate (12 hours non-stop) gratification about it. Gotta love that. Thanks for making all those mistakes so that I can get to making finished pieces that don’t look like blobs of cooked clay. ~Emily-G >> This comment was originally posted here: Creating Your Own Polymer Clay Beads

LOVE YA, AND WHAT YOU BRING TO ME! YOU’RE AN AMAZING ARTIST!!!! Thanks for sharing your talents with all of us!! You are unique, and just so relaxed. For me, you help to reopen that creativity! As we get older (sometimes), things are somewhat intimidating. Your mannerism helps me to be “ME”, and that’s really something!!!! So, I’m as crazy as eva!!! Crazy as a Bedbug!!! Something to share – the beauty of being allowed the freedom to make something is such a Blessing. To reiterate something I might have mentioned – sometimes since I’m older I need a nudge to get me going. I want everything to be perfect (right at the get-go)! However, I’m realizing that some of my best work comes from making mistakes. Ahem!!! Mistakes can sometimes lead to newer horizons! We can’t be too hard on ourselves – the fact that you are trying something new (that is what’s important). My days are never dull, because my brain is always moving on (to bigger and better things). ~Diana-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tutor

Dear Jackie, Your beloved friend, Vance, was so right in being proud of you. Your work is beyond lovely. His encouragement then is so important now and I’m certain he is as close to you now as your shadow. When it is quiet he may speak to you in some unusual way. An inspiration that you cannot believe may come from him. He is not far away and ready to continue helping you in a different way. It is a new day and time for you with the hardest challenge I can imagine but I also believe there are blessings also for you to accept to help you on this part of your journey. Claying is next to nature and nature is the best healer. Continued success in your beautiful pieces. Love, hugs and blessings. Thanks so much, Cindy for letting us share. ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Healing

Knowing you and Doug just can’t get any better. You both are THE BEST. It was such a great day when I found this web site and as a bonus, met two great people, CINDY AND DOUG. I was having the worst time in my life and like magic, you both were so kind and helpful to me. This sounds like I’m making it all up, but I’m not. I have a message book with all the help you both gave me. Plus the avatar, facebook, e-mailing pictures. I could go on and on, and on, but it’s 4:00 in the morning and I’m exhausted and hurting. I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. Will continue tomorrow. Good Night, Cindy and Doug. Love you both and Thank You, Again. ~Helen-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Mica Shift Polymer Clay Beads

For years Friday was the favorite day of the week because it was the last day of my work week. Then I got ill and had to quit working so half the time I didn’t know what day of the week it was. Thanks to Cindy, I am even more excited now about Fridays, than when I was working. Luv the heart beads and will need to make sure I have a few canes ready for Friday. Bonnie B said it… this site is better than chocolate. Any chance you might show us how to make some chocolate candy someday. If it wouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes I would love how to make a box of polymer chocolates. See you Friday Cindy. Love and Uuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggs. ~Peggy-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Heart Shaped Valentines Beads

I too suffer from back troubles. I have a birth defect and the doc thinks I may have fibromyalgia too. I’m thankful for having the clay to take my mind off it. I Hope we all can be pain free someday *fingers and toes crossed* In the mean time, we have our wonderful, supportive clay community and our clay to help. Who’s making Kaleidoscope canes today? Meeeeeeeeeeeeee! Clay On. ~Lisa-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway Contest

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I’m in the chronic pain camp too. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and non-24-hour circadian rhythm sleep disorder. I love how so many people with chronic illnesses can create something beautiful without too much physical effort and really feel they’ve achieved something. ~Silverleaf >> This comment was originally posted here: Jellyroll Canes

Love your sliced cane swirl beads, and the wire wrapping is fantastic. I am hoping to learn how to wire wrap soon. I took one class in that but forgot how to go about it. The spliced cane is one of my favorites… it is the easy cane and the colors are just amazing! Yours are beautiful! And yes, I agree, it is therapeutic. I am a caregiver for my father-in-law and I am pretty much home… so working on polymer clay is a way for me to escape and not think about anything but that! ~Lupe-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Relaxation Therapy

Looks like a great month of tuts and I’m super excited because 2 weeks next month I will be off work recovering from surgery and will be able to spend lots of time sitting and playing with clay! ~Melinda-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Leopard and Zebra Canes

Best of luck to all who suffer pain daily, it affects every aspect of your being. But like I said to Cindy, the benefit of this site is that “Life sucks, but the peeps here CREATE to cope.” It beats all. ~Jocelyn-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Video Library

Cindy, I would like to tell you a story and let you know how much you have touched my life and the lives of 4 “special needs” children: a 1st grader with autism, a 3rd grader with downs, and a 4th grader and 5th grader with learning disabilities. After 18 years working at a major communications company here in the states, I got laid off 6 years ago. Four years ago I was fortunate to find a job at an elementary school. It is the best job I have ever had – absolutely no stress! I’m a mom to 35 teachers and a grandma to 600+ kids. Last year I was able to show the “special needs” class how to make lentil beads and cut them into different shapes. We made pendants and earrings for their moms for Mother’s Day. They chose 3 colors, we made snakes and then twisted the snakes together. We made balls and then swirled the ball into lentils.  After pressing the lentils down, the kids then used cutters to make shapes if they wanted to. This year we made photo frames for their dads for Father’s Day. The kids did almost everything. They conditioned the clay. We made jellyroll canes and bulls eye canes and cut out basic shapes. They even tried to turn the extruder and made snakes. They decorated the frames and I took them home and baked them. Then, with baby wipes and waxed paper in hand, we put Future Floor Wax on the frames. When the frames dried the kids were so excited. My eyes fill with tears at their beauty and my heart was filled with pride at their accomplishments. The process took over a week at about an hour a day. It was worth every minute. Thank you again for all you (and your whole family) do.  You have given your heart and soul to all of us. You are so loved and so blessed. ~Linda-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Heartwarming Story about Special Needs Children

Hi Cindy: Wow, very cool. Thanks for your words of encouragement. You are much more than a “polymer clay tutor” and are a source of strength and encouragement to me in my own personal journey through life. Always best wishes to you and your family. Take care. ~Samone >> This comment was originally posted here: Seeds-of-Change Polymer Clay Art

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Rippled Glass ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Redwood > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Making A Wish Dandelion Ghost Cane Project