Jewelry Artist Podcast: Christi Friesen Invites You to Play

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It’s a universe full of amazing things, and jewelry artist Christi Friesen revels in all of it. From the vastness of the night sky to underwater scenes to silly little creatures, her polymer clay pieces are bursting with life, enthusiasm, and a love of play. Often brilliantly colored and highly detailed, they draw the eye in and beckon you to join the fun.

ABOVE: Christi Friesen’s Night Sky: View from Mars (detail), part of her Mission to Mars online creative adventure; all photos courtesy of the artist.

Hear Christi on the Jewelry Artist Podcast

Listen to Jewelry Artist podcast host Katie Hacker’s conversation with polymer clay artist Christi Friesen here. See what it’s all about and discover more of what’s she up to in the Q&A below. I started out by asking this teacher and maker of beads, jewelry, and more about some of the more extreme pieces she’s made: the most this, that, and the other.

Q&A With Christi

MERLE: What was the most fun piece to make?

CHRISTI FRIESEN: I have always created these little glow-in-the-dark ghoulies — just weird little lumps of polymer, but they are such fun to make! Every one has a unique personality, and often they have little accents of beads or stones. I’ve actually made these types of things since I was eight, when I first started with earthen clay and called them “blobs.” They’re always pure fun to create!

MERLE: What’s the most complex thing you’ve made?

CHRISTI: I created a lidded container using epoxy clay and polymer that was then coated with Swellegant Bronze metal coating and I added patinas. I also created polymer clay tiles and added mosaic with those tiles as a part of the design. Lots of different materials and techniques in that one! And super fun to create.

MERLE: What’s the largest piece you’ve made so far, and what are you working on or thinking of that would be even larger?

CHRISTI: The largest piece I’ve made was about 18 inches tall — the max height that would fit in the oven! It was a sculptural piece built around a large glass vase. But now I work with epoxy clay, which is an air-drying material, so I can make larger pieces more easily. 

Exploring Creativity

MERLE: If you had three extra days a month, what would you do with them?

CHRISTI: Find buried treasure so I could build the most amazing studio with all the tools and equipment. Since three days a month is a delightful fantasy, treasure seems reasonable, too. Oh, and flying. I’d learn how to fly — not with a plane, with the power of my mind. 

But seriously-ish . . . I’d devote them entirely to creating for my own amusement. I get to create a lot of course, and I love it all, but much of it is for deadlines: tutorials, my subscription online Creative Circle, etc., so I never get enough time to just make “me” projects. And napping. There would be more napping.

MERLE: If you could study any medium or technique with anyone, past or present, what and who would that be? What pulls you to that?

CHRISTI: I’d hang with Lalique. He was a powerhouse of design and I love his jewelry compositions. I’d love to see his pâte de verre glass technique and his enameling tricks. Those would be amazing things to do. Of course I’d need a glass and enamel studio . . . I’m ok with that.

MERLE: What’s the best reaction you’ve had to a piece of your art?

CHRISTI: Once, early in my career, I was in Tucson during the bead shows, and I was wearing one of my extravagant necklaces (I used to do those a lot), and someone stopped me and pointed to it and asked, “Is that a Christi Friesen?” I said it was, and so was I! It was the first time my work was recognized like that and it was thrilling!

MERLE: What advice would you give to makers about figuring out when a design is finished? 

CHRISTI: When you are creating, there is usually a moment when the momentum slows and you start questioning what else it needs. Often that is a great time to stop, take a break, and get away from your piece for a while. Then you can come back with fresh eyes. And of course any time you are feeling frustrated, stop! Creativity can involve effort, but try to avoid frustration. 

A finished design can be simple or complex, but I think it should always be balanced. If it looks good, stop. If it doesn’t, think about it, but don’t rush to “finish” — it will come to you.

MERLE: What would you tell people about knowing when they’ve found their own voice?

CHRISTI: Almost everyone starts by imitating or at least being influenced by other artists and artwork styles. That’s part of the process and it’s a good thing. As you create, anytime you feel particularly like experimenting and venturing away from the pattern/tutorial/class/reference work — follow that impulse! That is your voice. Don’t worry if it’s weird or you think no one else will like it, follow it wherever it leads you. When you get to the place where your fingers create almost independently from your brain, you’re there.

Merle White is Editor-in-Chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist.

Catch up on all the Jewelry Artist Podcast episodes!