If Lauren Van Hemert’s talent doesn’t
get you, you can be sure her delightfully infectious, giggling laugh will.
I first “met” Lauren when I thought I might put together a polymer clay
guild in the eastern part of North Carolina. I posted the information on
the National Polymer Clay Guild (NPCG) website and also in PolymerCAFÉ
magazine. The way I remember it, and that doesn’t mean it’s accurate, Lauren
sent me an email expressing interest in forming a guild, and told me that
she had been working on a guild, too. From what I remember, Lauren
had done a lot more work on “her” guild than I had on mine, and it seemed
logical to combine forces. So I quickly threw in the towel and pledged
all my support to Lauren. That was sometime last fall (2003).
 Fast
forward to today. As you read this article about this remarkable polymer
clay Goddess, she is probably busy creating myriad samples of polymer clay
pieces for one of the many classes and workshops she teaches throughout
the greater Raleigh, North Carolina area (and beyond). If she’s not doing
that, then maybe she’s preparing for the Creative Palette Convention where
she’ll be teaching classes and conducting demos in less than two weeks.
Wait, I know, maybe she’s putting the finishing touches on a Mokume Gané
pendant for her next article in PolymerCAFÉ. Nah, she’s still signing
autographed copies of the Winter 2003 issue where her work was not only
featured in an article, but also graced the magazine’s cover. |
| OK, I know, right this minute she’s really
diligently performing her duties as Founder of the Capital Area Polymer
Clay Guild that meets the last Sunday of each month at a Raleigh bead shop. |
Hmmmm. Could she be finalizing entry forms
and consulting with guild members who plan to exhibit at the NC Craft Guilds
Easter Craft Show, or is she on the telephone with a representative from
a polymer clay-related manufacturer or book publisher, performing her duties
as Industry Liaison on the Editorial Advisory Board of pcPolyzine?
Whew!
|
| Hopefully, Lauren Van Hemert is engaged
in her most important life’s work, as the mother of two darling little
children and the wife of one very supportive husband. No matter what Lauren’s
doing while you are reading this, you can be sure she’s doing it with an
energy, enthusiasm, and dedication that anyone would envy, if she weren’t
just so darned nice! |
|
 If
you’d like to get to know Lauren better, take a look at the stunning pieces
she creates for publication (The Rubber Stamper, June 2003 and Stamp
and Scrap Arts, scheduled for publication April 2004), or see the work
she does as a freelance instructor/designer for Polyform Products (http://www.sculpey.com)
– Lauren has written and designed projects for the Sculpey web site (Altered
Books 101 and Scrapbooking 101).
You can visit her online at www.geocities.com/stampin_nc
or on The Capital Area Polymer Clay Guild discussion board at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/carolinaclayers. |
| Oh, and one other thing about Lauren?
On February 22, 2004, she will celebrate her birthday and the anniversary
of getting involved with polymer clay. I can’t tell you how many birthday
years she’s had, but I can tell you that she’s been a clayer for
only ONE year. Double whew!
Personal Note: I love you Lauren. |
|
Staff
Interview
