On a Wednesday morning in January, former Baltimore Clayworks Community Arts Director Janet Waters Bailey and I joined mentors from the Enterprise Foundation at George G. Kelson Middle School for a one day Polymer Clay Jewelry Workshop with middle school girls.

Throughout the workshop, the students and Enterprise Foundation mentors learned how to cut, roll, fire and make different patterns with the polymer clay. In the photograph, mentors and students watch as Janet demonstrates how to create various pieces of polymer clay jewelry. With eyes full of excitement, the students anticipate their own soon to come polymer clay adventures. The great thing about polymer clay is that you can actually see how your piece will look like before it is fired, which is far different than traditional water-based clays and glazes.

During the workshop, I acted as assistant instructor and photographer of the day’s events. The workshop was a success, leaving its participant in love with polymer clay jewelry making.

This workshop was significant because it provided inner city middle school girls a chance to create art with individual attention. The Enterprise Foundation mentors are a group of professional women who volunteer their time once a month to increase the esteem of middle school girls. The mentors helped each student to create a piece of art for herself and feel proud of her accomplishments. I especially enjoyed learning more about polymer clay, the Enterprise Foundation, and Janet’s teaching style. It was a great opportunity for all.