scratching-surface-polymer-clay-workshop.

A 90-minute recorded studio workshop exploring colourful surface design using polymer clay, paint, and wood blanks. Instant acess.

Enroll in the Workshop – $75
example of element from the workshop using polymer clay and scratched paint technique

You’ll mask areas and reveal bold surface designs

colourful elements with a scratching technique from the scratching the surface workshop being offered

Design companion pieces in any shape or size

examples of carved elements from the workshop using polymer clay and carved paint technique

Carve expressive marks for depth and character

What You’ll Learn
A 90-minute recorded workshop you can watch anytime.

In this workshop you’ll learn how to create simple black clay bases on wood and transform them into bold, abstract surfaces that look like miniature works of art.
For the first time, I’m sharing my favourite mark-making techniques — methods I’ve developed over decades of working with polymer clay.

You’ll also learn how to:
• build black clay bases on lightweight wood forms
• carve and scratch expressive surface designs
• mask off areas to paint and then reveal
• create companion pieces in different shapes and sizes that can be used if you create jewelry
These techniques can be used again and again to create unique pieces you can wear, gift, or even sell.

Tools & Materials

Beyond a basic polymer clay toolkit (tile, blades, baking setup, etc.), you’ll need:

• Wood blanks (central to this workshop format)
• Black polymer clay (Premo recommended)
• Liquid clay (to adhere clay to wood)
• Acrylic paint (PanPastels or other powders also work well)
• A lino cutter (strongly recommended)
• Simple scratching tools — needle tools, wire brushes, or similar
• A pasta machine (helpful for rolling clay)

A detailed Tools & Supplies PDF is included after purchase.

Enroll in the Workshop - $75

You’ll get instant access after purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I re-watch the workshop?
Yes. The workshop video is approximately 90 minutes long. You can pause anytime and watch it as often as you like.

Do I need experience with polymer clay?
Basic familiarity is recommended. This workshop focuses on surface design techniques, not clay fundamentals.

Is this a jewelry-making class?
The focus is surface development, but these techniques are perfect for creating polymer clay jewelry components.

Can I sell what I make?
Absolutely.

image of the artist working at a table

About the Artist

Hi, I’m Wendy Weaver Orlowski — a Canadian jewelry maker with over two decades of hands-on experience.

Over the years I’ve explored polymer clay in many forms — from art dolls to jewelry — while also developing my own line of CaBezel molds and texture stamps.

I’m also the owner of Shades of Clay, an on-line Canadian shop that supports polymer clay artists with carefully curated tools and materials.

The techniques in this workshop are ones I’ve returned to again and again in my own studio practice. I’m excited to share them with you — and I look forward to seeing where you take them.

Enroll in the Workshop — $75 CAD

You’ll get instant access after purchase.