For decades I have collected beads from the Americas, Europe and Asia. I have old beads aged from four thousand years ago to 60 or 70 years old in my collection. After handling them and creating new jewelry with them, I wanted to make my own beads.

That is how my Polly Ceramica brand began. I had used polymer clay to make impressions of my old beads in order to have the light gray clay impression show the images clearer than a dark stone carving on the page of a book. Many of our old beads and amulets have been published, so I have made a lot of impressions.

From there, I began to make impressions from the old beads and amulets for my own polymer clay bracelet plaques, pendants and even on some of my clay beads.

I like to make some of my beads to imitate buried treasure that has been dug up. Since I have many old beads from unofficial excavations, I know what such ornaments look like. I also enjoy making beads that are modeled on the 17th to 20th century glass and clay bead art.

I like to make pendants that imitate pottery shards from early history to the Majolica folk art plates and pots of Europe and America.

I use jeweler's quality polymer clay, often custom mix the colors I use, and bake and cure the clay very thoroughly. I test the durability of my clay pieces by dropping from 2 or 3 feet onto a tile or concrete surface. For the finish on the jewelry pieces, I use jeweler's wax or a polymer clay compatible gloss in three layers that will withstand another short baking session. For the beads and pendants modeled on glass or glazed ceramics of any kind, I use the glossy baked finish of course.

Enjoy your shopping!