Judi Weers
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I have lived in many places all over the U.S., but Colorado will always be home. I currently live
in San Antonio, Texas.
The following is from the interview questions from Fire Mountain Gems:
Describe your artistic style.
I'm not sure I've found my "style" yet. I love to experiment and try things I've been told can't be
done.
What Inspires you as a designer-artist?
My inspiration comes from nature most of the time. I also love creating pieces with simple, sleek
lines that have a touch of pizzazz to make them a little more special.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
These days, I focus on using metal clays, glass and polymer clay with my creations. Metal clay
has gotten into my blood and I just can't get enough. Working with fused glass and polymer clay
is a great way to add color.
How do your pieces come together?
Since my drawing skills are so poor, I rarely attempt to draw a design. I design in my head, then
try to create a piece that looks like my vision. My projects have a mind of their own and rarely
come out exactly as planned, but they usually have a resemblance of what I originally wanted.
I've learned to let the design flow in the direction the clay wants to go. If I want to test out a
design, I make it with polymer clay first.
When and how did you begin making jewelry?
I began working with polymer clay in the mid to late 90's and helped form the San Antonio
Polymer Clay guild. I was introduced to silver clay during a demo at one of our meetings in
2000 and immediately fell in love. I had taken a silversmithing class in college and I really
wanted to pursue it, but was never able to. With the introduction of silver clay, I felt I had come
full circle.
Do you have an artistic background?
My father was a commercial artist, but was not around to teach me. Even now, my drawing
skills are less than pleasant, to say the least. I lived with my grandparents in South Carolina for
several years as a child. We had no TV and a very poor radio, so creating things was my
outlet. My grandfather got me started tinkering with things and I progressed to repairing sewing
machines, watches and more. My grandmother got me started with sewing and most types of
needlework, which was my main focus in the art world through college at Colorado State
University where I majored in Fashion Design. Over the years to follow, my life took a different
turn and I started working with other mediums. I think I've tried just about everything at least
once, but silver is my love. Bronze clay became available in 2008 and now we also have
copper. I love working with all 3 metals separately and combined.
I developed a new title the summer of 2009 when I was named Dr. Metal Clay™ for the new
magazine Metal Clay Artist Magazine from Canada. I've also been a Contributing Editor and
Subscriptions Manager of the magazine and have loved being able to be a part of this wonderful
publication.
What other hobbies do you have?
I volunteered with American Red Cross for 35 years as a swimming instructor and trainer, as
well as being an Instructor Trainer for First Aid and CPR. Most of my hobbies have been in the
world of arts and crafts, with sewing and needlework taking a backseat these days.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
I am a member of the following groups:
Art Clay Society San Antonio Polymer Clay Guild
PMC Guild San Antonio Bead and Ornament Society
Metal Clay Artists of San Antonio
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry-making has pretty much taken over my life and I'm loving every minute of it. It's always
exhilarating to manage to solve a problem or make an experiment work.
Due to various injuries, I can't do a lot of physical things, so jewelry is my way of being
productive. As much as I try to make this a full-time career, I'm still more of a part-time artist. I
also love writing magazine articles, learning to photograph my work and teaching others to "get
the bug". I'm a Sr. Instructor with Art Clay World as well as being certified with the PMC
Connection and Guild.
in San Antonio, Texas.
The following is from the interview questions from Fire Mountain Gems:
Describe your artistic style.
I'm not sure I've found my "style" yet. I love to experiment and try things I've been told can't be
done.
What Inspires you as a designer-artist?
My inspiration comes from nature most of the time. I also love creating pieces with simple, sleek
lines that have a touch of pizzazz to make them a little more special.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
These days, I focus on using metal clays, glass and polymer clay with my creations. Metal clay
has gotten into my blood and I just can't get enough. Working with fused glass and polymer clay
is a great way to add color.
How do your pieces come together?
Since my drawing skills are so poor, I rarely attempt to draw a design. I design in my head, then
try to create a piece that looks like my vision. My projects have a mind of their own and rarely
come out exactly as planned, but they usually have a resemblance of what I originally wanted.
I've learned to let the design flow in the direction the clay wants to go. If I want to test out a
design, I make it with polymer clay first.
When and how did you begin making jewelry?
I began working with polymer clay in the mid to late 90's and helped form the San Antonio
Polymer Clay guild. I was introduced to silver clay during a demo at one of our meetings in
2000 and immediately fell in love. I had taken a silversmithing class in college and I really
wanted to pursue it, but was never able to. With the introduction of silver clay, I felt I had come
full circle.
Do you have an artistic background?
My father was a commercial artist, but was not around to teach me. Even now, my drawing
skills are less than pleasant, to say the least. I lived with my grandparents in South Carolina for
several years as a child. We had no TV and a very poor radio, so creating things was my
outlet. My grandfather got me started tinkering with things and I progressed to repairing sewing
machines, watches and more. My grandmother got me started with sewing and most types of
needlework, which was my main focus in the art world through college at Colorado State
University where I majored in Fashion Design. Over the years to follow, my life took a different
turn and I started working with other mediums. I think I've tried just about everything at least
once, but silver is my love. Bronze clay became available in 2008 and now we also have
copper. I love working with all 3 metals separately and combined.
I developed a new title the summer of 2009 when I was named Dr. Metal Clay™ for the new
magazine Metal Clay Artist Magazine from Canada. I've also been a Contributing Editor and
Subscriptions Manager of the magazine and have loved being able to be a part of this wonderful
publication.
What other hobbies do you have?
I volunteered with American Red Cross for 35 years as a swimming instructor and trainer, as
well as being an Instructor Trainer for First Aid and CPR. Most of my hobbies have been in the
world of arts and crafts, with sewing and needlework taking a backseat these days.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
I am a member of the following groups:
Art Clay Society San Antonio Polymer Clay Guild
PMC Guild San Antonio Bead and Ornament Society
Metal Clay Artists of San Antonio
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry-making has pretty much taken over my life and I'm loving every minute of it. It's always
exhilarating to manage to solve a problem or make an experiment work.
Due to various injuries, I can't do a lot of physical things, so jewelry is my way of being
productive. As much as I try to make this a full-time career, I'm still more of a part-time artist. I
also love writing magazine articles, learning to photograph my work and teaching others to "get
the bug". I'm a Sr. Instructor with Art Clay World as well as being certified with the PMC
Connection and Guild.
A little bit about myself
Dr. Metal Clay™