Gallery & Hand Crafted Gifts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judy Dunn of Acton, MA is an award winning polymer clay artists whose work has been featured in several national publications, including Bead & Button magazine, Belle Armoire Jewelry, and Somerset Studio.  She is known for her vessels shaped like pears and apples and her polymer clay cranes.  In addition, she has a distinctive line of jewelry created from polymer clay.  People often respond to Dunn's use of color in her work.  
 
Bio:
 
Art and craft have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. But, I was good at math and science and chose to study chemistry instead of art.  After some time in the work world, an MBA followed. But the less time I spent creating, the less joy there was in my life.  

After the birth of my daughters my priorities shifted. Success in my life took on a different meaning, and I finally acknowledged I had not been following a path that was true to who I was. I knew I had to do work that was more satisfying to me, and made a shift in priorities. It took nearly a decade of exploration, but eventually I found my form of experession, or it found me. In the spring of 2003 I was asked to help run an informal workshop at church,...specifically to run the polymer clay area.  After a deep gulp, I took the challenge, and bought a box of clay, determined to come up with a few projects.  I had barely used polymer clay prior to this, but I wanted to support a friend's efforts.  By the time my kids came home from school that day I was hooked.  I continue to be excited by the possibilities that this media (and silver clay) offers.   It is as if I have won the lottery in life.  I get to do what I love everyday, and I have a family that supports my pursuit of my dreams.  What more could I ask for?
 
Artist Statement:
 
Each time I sit down with a plain white vessel I have formed, or an element to piece of jewelry in it's beginning stages, it is a new journey.

My inspirations for a piece may be a pattern or design that sticks in my mind, or something blooming in my garden, or the symbolism of a crane or koi. As the piece unfolds, there is an element of surprise for me, and many choices to make along the way....from pallette, to backing for a piece of jewelry, to what will layer over my drawings. I find that the piece guides me.

Care and attention to each step is important to me, and the outcome of a piece. This extends to the finishing of each piece, and to how the back of a pendant or pin will look.  I often will look beyond polymer clay to add details or finishing bits and pieces to an article.  Years of exploring many craft media and techniques has given me a wide repetoire of materials and inspiration to draw upon.

  Gifts crafted by hand are treasured forever.....