Editor's Letter Kids and Clay Irish Red
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 Last month's issue, the kid's issue, opened my eyes to new possibilites for kids and clay. Not only are kids doing what we expect, they are expanding their worlds.

Instead of buying the newest over-priced gadget to go with their toys, they are making their own out of polymer clay. One girl, who doesn't like pink or flowery things, but loves dolls, made a set of blue dishes for her dolls. A little boy make rocks and hills out of brown and green scrap clay for his toy men to climb over and build forts with.

This month we are focused on buttons and included in The Great Polyzine Button Swap is a class with students ranging in age from 8 1/2 to 11 1/2 years old. Why couldn't they make the buttons for their own clothes? No reason that I can think of. A plain shirt becomes a on-of-a-kind favorite because ~they~ made the buttons. 

Not only does polymer clay teach fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and use of color, it encourages children to use their own hands to shape their environment. We may be encouraging future architects, builders and designers. Who knows if we will be wearing the clothing one of these kids designed? Or living in one of their buildings?

IR