"I prefer 1/12, but have been gravitating toward one quarter lately."

Her preferred choice of clay for sculpting is either Fimo or Sculpey. So what are her tools of choice to transform a blob of clay into a mini marvel?

"The main tools I use in sculpting clay are toothpicks and my fingers. On my work table are trays of clay, clay sculpting tools, boxes of round toothpicks, acrylic paints, powdered chalks, glues and whatever projects I am working on at any given moment, along with the cup of coffee which is never far from hand. My most outlandish tool is a dental pick which I use when I sculpt, but toothpicks are critical to me when sculpting clay."

Also critical to Debbe is the ability to condition her clay and make it ready to shape. Thanks to the support of her family, she still gets this task accomplished when she is unable to do it herself.

"I have severe rheumatoid arthritis in both hands and arms, but conditioning the clay actually seems to help keep my hands more flexible. On days when I am unable to use my hands to condition the clay, I have a lovely daughter who does it for me, making it pliable and ready for me to sculpt."

Continue the article