About four years ago, Olga Zaytseva was addicted to cross-stitching. One day she decided to make a needle minder for one of her stitching projects herself. She bought a package of polymer clay and made her first flower – a pink rose.
“I was at once fascinated with this material,” recalls the artist, “and wanted to make more and more clay flowers for needle minders and jewelry pieces. I had to put my embroidery aside because I only spent my free time on clay. Flowers and butterflies became my favorite themes.”
Olga studied biology and making realistic scientific illustrations was an essential part of the study. As a student, she enjoyed drawing various insects for entomology class and plants for botanical class. Now she is delighted to make realistic-looking butterflies and flowers using polymer clay.
“Polymer clay is my big passion,” says Olga, “however I have various hobbies, including cross stitching, bead weaving, crocheting, and knitting. This is why over the years I collected quite a rich stash of different materials. This allows me to find good combinations for my polymer clay creations. I use glass beads, natural stones, different wires, even ribbons, and lace.” Olga loves experimenting. Sometimes it is difficult and laborious, and sometimes it brings lots of mistakes, but there is a beauty in it – the experience.
Since she likes to make realistic flowers, Olga gets ideas for new jewelry pieces while looking at real plants in her garden. When she chooses a flower that she wants to design, she collects a few pictures of it online. The next step is to mix different shades of colors that will be used to create the flower. “I bake the samples to be sure I have the correct color after baking,” she describes. “The same with butterflies. I do not make sketches but I look at real butterfly photos in books and online. Usually, I design a piece in one day. If I take a break or put a project aside, there is very little chance that I will finish it because I will be fascinated by something new.”
“I am truly convinced that everyone can learn to sculpt!” says the artist. “All it needs is a great willingness to create and just a few tools! And I know that there are no limitations and a person is capable of everything.”
