Wendy Mosbacher
Steampunk Art “Borrows” Inspiration From
Childhood Book
I am a polymer clay artist, and known for my weird and whimsical style, with a touch of Steampunk. My favorite childhood book was “The Borrowers” by Mary Norton. The idea that a Victorian family of tiny people lived inside the walls and floors and “borrowed” things was incredible to me. So, years later when I first saw Steampunk art and how unconventional items were used to create the Steampunk world, it reminded me of my tiny friends in the walls.
Twelve years ago, my son started a community art market in our town called Second Saturday, and I helped him organize and set up the vendors and artists. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to people, and when he needed vendors for the children’s market, I made felt monsters, pet rocks and candy to sell. By the next year I was making polymer clay jewelry to sell, I had worked with polymer clay for years but not to sell. I found that I really needed this creative outlet.
The primary medium for my art is polymer clay, but I incorporate many other things in my work. I love going to flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales, where I find boxes, tins, and unique items that I incorporate into my art. Of course, I use watch parts, keys, rusty nails, zippers, and items I might find with an industrial feel like metal spokes that come off the street cleaners that I pick up on my walks, which give a steampunk feel to a lot of my creations.
I now create fairies & old lady mermaids, dragons, turtles, squids and more, and place them on boxes, driftwood, flat stones and barnwood. My fairies reside in teacups, sugar bowls, teapots, milk jars and little cages to keep them from creating mischief at night. I have little old ladies that love hanging out in mugs or sugar bowls, creamers and tea pots, and of course they all have names. I also like placing beautiful glass eyes entwined in clay designs on notebooks, Altoid tins and boxes.
I have done many Arts and Craft shows over the past 12 years, and I still love meeting and talking to people, but what I really love is seeing the look on their faces when they see my work, whether its shock, a smile, laughter, or confusion, it all makes me happy, but then isn’t that part of what arts about, getting a reaction, any reaction. I find if you love the art you make, others will love it too.
This is my 2nd year at Christmas in the Woods, and I’m very happy to be a part of this year’s Holiday Craft Festival. You can find me at booth #154 behind Brother Jon’s. I’m on Facebook at Designs in Polymer Clay and Etsy at local artisan shop.
