About Kate


I am very fortunate to live in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with my loving husband Jack and miniature spoodle Scarlet. My husband and I moved from Canberra in 2014, after resigning from our intense corporate jobs (I was a performance auditor). I am now somewhat consumed by artistic endeavours. A complete life rewrite.  

 

For me, art is an elegant way of increasing awareness and generating connections. Jewellery can be an immensely powerful art form, which creates a special bond between the artist and the wearer. It is a personal expression to the world, about who we are and who we would like to be.  My jewellery also invites conversation through its strong emotions, colour, and point of difference. I am touched when my customers joyfully tell me about the strangers who stop to complement them in the street.   

 

I also create intricate vessels and small sculptural work. These pieces often complement my jewellery collections. I love working in 3D and invite people to experience my work through touch as well as sight, from its unexpected light weight, to its diverse textures, colours, and patterns. For me, these little details are especially important, they make the design.

 

My preference is for colourful playful pieces that express feminine beauty, transformation, and connections. I often begin with colour and draw inspiration from personal experiences and anything that makes me smile. Flowers feature strongly in my work, as they allow me to explore whimsical patterns and vibrant colour combinations.

 

Having previously worked as a performance auditor for 10 years, I am also drawn to the problem-solving aspects of creating, particularly in 3D art forms worn on the human body. It can be a challenging process of learning, experimenting and continually reinventing. Every so often you create something extraordinary.

 

Polymer clay is my medium of choice. It is strong, light, and flexible, with endless possibilities. With it I can create intricate patterns in vivid colours, interesting forms and wonderful textures. I use a large variety of traditional techniques from various disciplines, adapted, and applied in a modern and refreshing way. Being a relatively new material, it is largely unknown in the fine art world. However, with new brands entering the market, and as skilled artists seek more versatility, this is slowly changing.

 

I started working with polymer clay in 2015 and the more I experimented, the more I fell in love. In March 2017, I began selling my work. I have since been involved in several competitions and exhibitions, including the Ignition Awards for Ceramic Excellence on the Sunshine Coast, (where I received a Highly Commended), and Petite Pieces at Aspire Gallery. With a growing number of collectors, I now also sell my work directly.

 

I am mostly self-taught; however, I was extremely fortunate to complete a mokume gane masterclass with the late Tory Hughs. Tory was an internationally recognised pioneer in polymer clay, with over 30 years experience. She shared a wealth of knowledge and continues to influence my work. I have also completed polymer design workshops with Dan Cormier, Lucy Struncova, Fabiola Ajates and Debbie Crothers. All internationally recognised and outstanding polymer artists.

 

I hope my work brings joy to those who experience it.



About polymer clay

Polymer clay is a modelling material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and liquid plasticiser, rather than natural clay minerals. It can be sculpted, carved, stamped and textured, to create sculptures, mosaics, pictures, dolls, beautiful veneers and stunning jewellery. The possibilities continually amaze me.

 

Polymer clay is cured (permanently hardened) at temperatures between 110°C to 150°C. This temperature is significantly less than mineral clays, and allows me to use my home oven. My darling husband is frequently disappointed to discover that once again I’m pulling clay from the oven and not a cake.

 

The clay comes in a wide range of colours and special effects, such as metallic, stone, pearl, translucent and glow in the dark. I enjoy mixing my own colours and adding chalk pastels, mica powder  and gold leaf. Sometimes I finish with gloss, or hand sand and buff the piece to achieve a smooth semi gloss finish.