Sculptors Lair

In the sculptor’s lair with Marie Young: polymer clay sculptures and mixed media projects. Sculpting tutorials, tips and tricks for your own projects. See original work created. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted in the MarieYoung Creative studio and sold online and in select galleries. No mass produced work here!

  • Think Spring

    Even though we’ve had a windchill of -10 the past few days, I’ve been thinking spring. This week I finished up a little yellow bird ornament. Maybe he will do a better job than that groundhog in ushering in spring. And yes, I saw our forecast for tomorrow. Not looking good. It may take him […]

  • Masks Challenge

    Masks are a popular theme for artists because the creative options are so wide open. That made it a perfect theme for my guild, the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy, to do for of our February Challenge. Vote in the Masks Challenge: Voting is open Feb. 1 through Feb. 7 and everyone who votes […]

  • Opening of the Mouth Ceremony

    Many years ago, in what seems like another lifetime, I was a young undergrad at Penn State taking one of my first art history classes. My favorite professor, Dr. Elizabeth Walters, had the gift of making the rituals of ancient people seem relevant to this Pennsylvania girl who came of age during the The Breakfast […]

  • New Year, New Challenges

    Looks like the new year is starting off with new challenges. The good kind, of course! The Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy is kicking off the new year with our first challenge of 2015: Illuminated. VOTE HERE: Voting is open today through Jan. 7 and everyone who votes is entered in a prize drawing […]

  • Red Riding Hood Votive

    Something Blue As I scooped the last bits of moisturizing cream out of the small blue glass jar, I heard a little voice in my head say “save me”. Yes, blue glass talks to me, it always has.  I gently placed a fingernail under the label, just wrapped around, not glued or or imprinted. Score! […]

  • Bird Lovers Gift Guide

    A few one-of-a-kind gift ideas for the bird lovers on your list. 1. Handcrafted Necklace – Faux Ivory and Copper Bird Transfer No. 155 11BOLDstreet on Etsy In the beautifully rich piece, a transfer of Susan’s original photo was inlaid and sealed with a shiny liquid polymer layer. The bail was constructed from copper metal […]

  • Red-Bellied Woodpecker Ornament

    This red-bellied woodpecker ornament was a special request. While it has already found a home, you may contact me if you would like one of own. The ornament is an eggshell covered with polymer clay which makes it lightweight, yet durable. I loved the challenge of figuring out how to create the wings without painting. […]

  • Christmas Egg Ornaments in Progress

    Woodland Cuties: Christmas Egg Ornaments Below is a behind the scenes look at my Christmas egg ornaments during the early stages of creation. I like to use both white and brown eggs. I build up the polymer clay layers in multiple baking steps and eventually they look like these finished ones. The polymer adds durability […]

  • Decisions in the Garden of Good & Evil

    Inner Struggles Cats are great subject matter for me, especially my baby tuxedo Lucy (A.K.A. Lucifer). Baby Lu, as my husband affectionately refers to her, struggles with whether to listen to her inner angel or her inner devil. She’s earned the nickname “Lucifer” from me because too often, her inner devil wins. About “Decisions in […]