About
Paula’s artistic journey began with metal clay, later expanding to traditional metalsmithing techniques, which enriched the diversity and flexibility of her designs. Drawn to the vibrant color palette of enamels, she now specializes in cloisonné and champlevé techniques, working with fine silver metal clay.
Paula finds joy in shaping intricate cloisonné designs with wire and enhancing her work with vivid colors, bringing her artistic vision to life. Paula is a respected instructor with over 20 years of experience, seamlessly blending expertise and creativity in her craft. Certified by Rio Grande (a leading jewelry supply company) and Aida (a prominent metal clay manufacturer), she has taught at respected institutions, including Brookhaven College in Dallas for five years and Collin College in Plano, Texas, for more than a decade. Since 2021, she has been an instructor at the Craft Guild of Dallas in Carrollton, Texas, where she shares her deep passion for enamel on metal clay.
Paula finds joy in shaping intricate cloisonné designs with wire and enhancing her work with vivid colors, bringing her artistic vision to life. Paula is a respected instructor with over 20 years of experience, seamlessly blending expertise and creativity in her craft. Certified by Rio Grande (a leading jewelry supply company) and Aida (a prominent metal clay manufacturer), she has taught at respected institutions, including Brookhaven College in Dallas for five years and Collin College in Plano, Texas, for more than a decade. Since 2021, she has been an instructor at the Craft Guild of Dallas in Carrollton, Texas, where she shares her deep passion for enamel on metal clay.
Here is some information you may not know about my teaching style: What do you like most about teaching? My students. They are so talented. I enjoy helping them develop their skills. The excitement about their projects is contagious and energizing to the other students. My students freely share their ideas, and talents, and sometimes even their failures with other students. The result is a dynamic learning environment for all of us.
What info would you like people to know about yourself?I have been an instructor in metal clay for more than 16 years. I hold teaching certifications from Aida in Japan and Rio Grande. Building on that experience, I also incorporated traditional metalsmith design which gives metal clay added diversity and flexibility. After many years focusing on metal clay and adding metals, I added color into my designs. Today, I pour all my talents and energy into cloisanne' and champleve'
Who, what, where, or how do you find your inspiration? Being from New England I was surrounded by mountains, the ever-changing seasons, and the Atlantic Ocean. Most of my inspiration comes from the breathtaking New England scenery and ocean life.
Share a fact that you think most members don’t know.I am a bit of a perfectionist. I take comfort and satisfaction in the minute detail required of my work, such as wire bending for cloisonné, then adding and blending color by wet packing different enamels. I started as an artist, but now consider myself a creator and a maker.
II have earned Art Clay Worlds Senior Level teaching certifications for both Art Clay Silver and Mokume Gane techniques, as well as a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) Certification. I also authored and published several articles in Metal Clay Artist Magazine and Metal Clay Today. I continue my education to become the best teacher I can be by taking workshops around the world with award winning metal clay artists.