Polimera -The Spirit of Creative Inspiration and Protector of Artwork By Ann Stallings
Editor’s Note: "Polimera" is owned by Trina Williams of the Orange County, California Polymer Clay Guild, and was obtained by a fierce struggle with the sprites at a recent Guild party. She is now the official mascot of the Evolution of Polymer Clay Conference to be held in San Diego, CA this coming August.

According to legend, the workshop of Polimera was renown throughout the land. People admired the beautiful jewelry, amazing dolls, playful sculptures, and other wondrous items that were created by Polimera. One day while Polimera was away on an errand, mischievous sprite spirits sneaked into the workshop. Jealous of Polimera’s talent, they began to wreak havoc. They cast spells on her clay canes transforming the intricate designs into ugly, squished blobs of color. Turning the temperature up in the ovens, the envious sprites burned and  melted the baking art pieces. They gleefully tarnished and dulled the gold and silver gilding that adorned many of Polimera’s works. Maliciously, the sprites chipped and cracked many of the beautiful dolls and sculptured creatures. As the sprite spirits were celebrating their destruction they heard the rattling of Polimera’s beaded skirts, announcing her return. Extreme cowards, they scurried away before they would be forced to face Polimera’s anger. .

Polymer artists today still believe shaking Polimera’s beaded skirts helps keep unfriendly sprite spirits away.