Tammy Garner

My love for art began at a very young age. My childhood memories are of coloring books, crayons, paper, pencils, chalks and paints. Not to mention a large box of discontinued, colored telephone wire that I fashioned into my own jewelry.

And although that was a long time and many art mediums ago, design, color and texture still captivates me. I enjoy exploring the contrast between textured and smooth, metal and non-metal surfaces. Working in polymer clay and metal clay allows me to play with these concepts. Adding mixed media elements has opened up further avenues of exploration. My work tends to be mostly eclectic with an occasional art nouveau, art deco, or whimsical flair.

I began working in polymer clay in 1994, and Precious Metal Clay (fine silver) in 2004 receiving my certification in 2007. I recently began working in sterling silver, copper, glass, fibers and resin. My main focus is on jewelry and most of my work is one of a kind or limited edition pieces.

Although I've had little to no formal art training, I've been able to hone my skills by researching techniques, attending workshops and experimenting. When I am not designing jewelry I'm with my family or I am teaching beginner and intermediate PMC or polymer clay jewelry classes. I'm hoping that unleashing creativity through the arts is as liberating for others as it has been for me.