Kellie D. Robinson: Warm Welcome from Alaskan Arts Community

Kellie Robinson started working in polymer clay about seven years ago, inspired by a demonstration she saw on TV. She moved from El Paso, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1999 and found a strong support system of Alaskan polymer clay artists online. Another polymer clay artist encouraged her to show her work professionally about two years ago. The two have forged a friendship and often participate in craft shows together

TCR: How did your work evolve from where it started to the work you create today?

Work from www.kelliesklay.com

KDR: I discovered polymer clay while watching the Carol Duvall show on television. I went out and purchased the clay the very same day. I started out making beads, and then for a number of years I got into making more functional items. But I am concentrating on my bead making, again. My passion is in the making of beads, and then the creation of unique jewelry.

TCR: How did you come to live in Alaska and launch your business there?

KDR: I actually followed my husband to Anchorage. I moved here in January 1999, and we married in October of that year. I had been working with polymer clay for three years, but I was really struggling. No one I knew had even heard of polymer clay. I had found one book on the subject, and kept buying clay and experimenting with it. I didn’t even own a pasta machine, which is considered a basic tool to most (polymer clay artists).

When I moved to Alaska I got online and searched for information on polymer clay. I found this huge, supportive online community, Polymer Clay Central, generously sharing knowledge with each other. My work changed over night. For me, the best tool I have is my computer and the Internet.

TCR: How has your career evolved?

KDR: I had no plans to pursue this way of life. I really didn’t want to sell my work, and resisted it for a long time. I was scared to even try. About two years ago, another polymer clay artist, Karen Ottenbreit, talked me into doing a show with her. We have continued to share a booth space together, although we are two different businesses with two distinct styles. I also started teaching over a year ago, and at this time offer five regularly scheduled classes, with more in the works.

TCR: Who is the market for your work? What is your strategy for reaching them?

KDR: I target the many tourists who pass through Alaska every year. We do more shows during the tourist season then any other time of the year. We are learning about which shows work for us and which shows don’t. Karen works hard to ensure that we get in the shows we want and is the creative genius behind our show displays. I feel I have come very far in the last two years, thanks to her.

TCR: Where are the bulk of your sales?

KDR: Most of my sales come from doing high-end retail shows and from direct sales to local beaders. A lot of my business also comes from teaching classes and recently, writing articles.

TCR: Have there been major turning points in your career as a polymer clay artist and jewelry maker?

KDR: The most recent turning point happened in October 2003. My partner and I were honored as featured artists at the annual Bead Society show. It was only our second year to do the show, so it was exciting to be chosen.

TCR: What are the business challenges specific to artists who work in polymer clay?

KDR: Some people hear "polymer clay" and immediately think of the clay their kids used in kindergarten. We overcome this through education. We talk about our product, and the techniques used to make the products. We bring props to help explain the techniques. We are putting together a little video loop to play on a laptop computer at shows, demonstrating how to build a cane with polymer clay. Polymer clay has come a long way in a very short period of time, so even people that have seen it in the past, are surprised to see what artists are doing with it today. It is an exciting time to be involved in polymer clay.

TCR: Are there any obstacles or benefits specific to artists working in Alaska?

KDR: We are fairly isolated up here. We can’t just jump in the minivan and drive to the next state to do a show. Supplies cost more up here. Even if I order the supplies online, my shipping costs are more than what my friends in the lower 48 pay.

I would love to travel, to teach and take more classes, but traveling is so expensive that it would take some creative scheduling to do it. Someday, hopefully, I can figure out a way to do this.

Living and working in Alaska changed my life. I have found that most artists up here are very sharing. I have slowly become more active in the Alaska Bead Society and I have learned so much from all those fine people.

TCR: What, in terms of business insight, have you learned to do or not to do over the years?

KDR: I have learned that the big, low-end retail shows aren’t meant for my work. I do much better at the specialized shows, like wearable arts shows and bead shows.

TCR: Has the Internet affected your business?

KDR: My Web site was not set up for sales. It is more of a teaching site. But I recently upgraded with my site provider so that I can add a shopping cart and some other features. Hopefully, I can take advantage of some of the traffic I am getting.

TCR: Where is your work currently available for sale and what is the next step for your business?

KDR: My beads can be purchased through Alaska Bead Company in Anchorage. And I will add a shopping cart to my Web site.
My next show will be Arti-Gras in March, then the Solstice Show in June and the Bead Society Bead Event in October. All of these shows are in Anchorage. I am submitting my work to more juried shows this year. I would like to travel to some shows in Alaska outside of Anchorage.

CONTACT INFO:
Kellie’s Klay
www.kelliesklay.com
kellie@kelliesklay.com
Karen Ottenbreit
www.fishlipsandbirdteethstudio.com

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