Marilyn Morrison is the artist behind the cutest steampunk sculptures we have ever seen! Her work with polymer clay is so whimsical and unique, each sculpture seems to have it's own personality. We think everyone has someone on their list who would love these adorable figurines!
Who are you and what do you do?
Hi, I’m Marilyn Morrison and I make sculptures, figurines and other art out of polymer clay and mixed media. I have been working with polymer clay for almost 20 years, although I’ve only become more focused on my art in the past few. I have published tutorials in Polymer Café magazine, and won a variety of awards, including a grand prize from Fire Mountain Gems & Beads.
What do your customers love most about your products?
I think it’s the uniqueness and the humor. My robots are really good at eliciting smiles.
Why did you start working in this particular craft?
I had never heard of Polymer clay until one day I came across a book by Maureen Carlson, and I was immediately hooked. You can make Polymer Clay emulate just about anything, from wood to porcelain to precious stone, and new techniques are being developed all the time. There is a huge and supportive artist community around this medium and I am constantly amazed at the versatility and beauty of their creations. The inspiration is endless!
What do you think sets your designs apart from others?
I’m not entirely sure how it happened, but I started out trying to create some of the incredible steampunk art of Christie Friesen (a well-known Polymer Clay Artist) and somewhere along that path, my muse took a left turn. What I wound up with was my very own style, which is not traditional steampunk, but it’s a pretty close cousin.
What do you love most about craft show vending?
I haven’t been participating in shows for very long, but so far my favorite part is when someone comes to a full stop at my table and says “I have never seen anything like this before!”
Will you be featuring any special holiday items?
Yes! Steampunk Snowmen!
What are some tips or suggestions you’d like to offer to fellow makers?
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to duplicate work by exactly following those step-by-step tutorials you find in books or online, and while that can be rewarding (even if mine never seem to turn out as well as theirs) at some point, you really just have to find your inspiration, whatever that may be, and let it take the wheel, so to speak.
Check out more of Marilyn's beautiful work online, and be sure to stop by her booth at the Minneapolis Gift & Art Expo, November 3-5, 2017 at the Minneapolis Convention Center!