What is Polymer Clay?
Polymer clay is a pliable, easy-to-blend polymer compound for artists and crafters. It's not truly clay, but rather fine particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended in plasticizer that’s extremely versatile.

One of the nice things about working with polymer clay is that it doesn’t dry out so we can sculpt and form it without worrying about time. Firing it in an oven fuses the particles into a solid, and then it can be finished in a variety of ways.

How do you paint the really small items?
Actually, we don’t. Polymer clay comes in dozens of colors, and we can blend clays together like paints to make our own colors. Since the color is inherent in the particles, we can also work two or more colors together without blending them for special effects such as cane working and marbling. Nearly 90% of the colors that we use are custom mixed, which means that every time we create a design it looks a bit different than the last one.

How long does it take to create a single design?
Each design is different and so is the time that it takes to bring it to life. The complexity of the design, as well as how many colors are in it can effect how long it will take us. Some designs can be made into a cane in just 2 to 3 days, while others like the School House can take up to 3 weeks.

Do you offer jewelry with 14 karat gold posts or clasps?
The Quilted in Clay jewelry collection is available in 14 karat gold, but you must special order these items. To do so, please call us by phone at 218-965-4621 to place your order and allow up to 3 weeks for delivery.

What is gold filled ?
"Gold Filled" (also called "Gold Overlay" or "Rolled Gold") is a process whereby high heat and pressure are used to bond a thick layer of gold to a base metal (Sterling Silver or Jeweler's Brass).

Our Gold findings, clasps, etc. are made of "14/20 Gold Fill" - meaning 14K Gold is bonded to the base metal such that 1/20th of the resulting piece (5%), by weight, consists of real Gold.

Why use gold filled?
First, Gold Fill is less expensive than pure Gold - making our jewelry more affordable. Second, of the alternatives (Gold Plate or Gold Vermeil), Gold Fill will not tarnish, turn green, or wear off and can be worn as "every-day" jewelry.

What is a Mobius bead?
Mobius beads are made using slices of the designs and bending them into a shape that reminds us of a Mobius strip*. Taught to me by another artist who named them mobius beads because they have the same inside-out quality. Beads are approximately ¾” tall.

*A Mobius strip is a surface with only one side, usually made by connecting the two ends of a rectangular strip of paper after putting a half-twist (180 degrees relative to the opposite side) in the strip.

Is the Jewelry Collection on your web site everything you have to offer?
Not at all! To view our entire collection, visit us at one of the upcoming shows listed on the web site Calendar. If you have a specific quilt block design in mind, you may also contact us by phone at 218-965-4621 or via email at info@quiltedinclay.com to check availability.