A while ago I was spending some time over in my Etsy store. Feeling a little more verbose and deciding that a change was needed, I wrote a new autobiography. I'm pretty happy with this new, more personal and heartfelt description of my life and work and decided to share it with you here today:"Hi, I'm Karen Pasieka, designer and polymer clay artisan.
I started my business, Subtle Details, in 2007, when I was laid off from a position I held in an architecture firm for over 4 years. That had been my dream, my training, since I was only 13 years old.
I had always been a creative child, experimenting with various materials and craft. From crochet, to paper, to clay, I rotated from one to the next and back again, whatever suited my fancy on the day. But when first introduced to the concept of architecture (and being an architect), it seemed real to me, something concrete that I could say: "when I grow up, I want to be an Architect". I loved my education, and the goal of being an architect gave me focus, but the reality of the profession quickly tarnished the dream. It took me a long time to admit to myself that the dream that I had so long cherished was not the right fit for me, but once this fact had become clear, the answer was easy....craft!
The one medium that I always returned to was polymer clay. I experimented with and perfected my techniques year-after-year, creating Christmas tree ornaments for family and friends. Then as my friends got older, I was inspired to create the bride and groom ornaments (cake toppers) which I now affectionately call Li'l Newlyweds. This was a wonderfully intricate challenge that I was more than happy to take on. My jewelry line, Li'l Bouquet, was inspired by the delicately sculpted florals of the bridal bouquets from the cake toppers. Now my Li’l Bouquet designs are an ever evolving blend of soft feminine florals, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, and base metals. The latest of my products, Li'l Art framed sculpture, was developed as a project that I could use to teach my students, as I have started running polymer clay classes. I love making these little tile scenes because the potential for themes are endless!
Whew! There you have it, my crafting history in a nutshell!
I hope my designs bring you joy, as they do for me everyday!"
...I would only add to this that, being a significant and most dear part of my life, my son Evan came into this world on October 28th, 2010. He is both the most precious and most demanding piece of the pie that is my life! With him, work is challenging, without him, life would be meaningless.
He is also the reason why I beg for patience from you if I appear to be absent from my work at times. :-D
- Karen Pasieka
polymer clay artisan, entrepreneur, mom
