Island Treasures: Barbara Hanson Polymer Clay Artwork and Jewelry
Barbara Hanson creates art and jewelry made from intricately layered colors of polymer clay rolled into a tube, where a slice reveals a picture. Barbara describes it as being “like a complicated sushi roll.”
Barbara came across Fimo® polymer clay in 1985, when she attempted to paint beads with it, to add to her other beadwork. Although it was a failed attempt, her previous study of Venetian glass beads helped her discover that it was possible to re-create the glass process. At the time, there was no information on how to create polymer clay canes, which are rods of two or more colors. The colors inside the rod are constructed so that when the rod is cross-sectioned at any point, a two-dimensional pattern is revealed. Some canes take over 30 hours to complete. With much trial and error, Barbara created a new art form.
She begins with a base of 10 colors of Fimo® that she blends to make hundreds of shades. In creating her jewelry, she combines her original polymer beads with glass beads, shells, and semi-precious stones. This type of art is very durable—it can be washed with soapy water and the colors won’t fade away.
Barbara’s business began upon her arrival to Kona in 1991. She reminisces, “I was blessed with 18 years of showings and teaching this art form at the Kona Village Resort. I’ve also had demonstrations and art sales at all the other major resorts. My latest adventure is with Kira Kamamalu in A Work of Art gallery in the Inaba’s Kona (Pink) Hotel in Hōlualoa. It’s my favorite location to date. Not only is it the most comprehensive body of my work, it’s a place where everyone can enjoy the process, interact with the material, take a class, create a family project, and see me working on my current project.”
In addition to her Hōlualoa gallery, her art is also in various other galleries on the island. Her Facebook page keeps you up-to-date with her latest projects. It’s fun to follow her because you see all the steps involved in creating her artwork.
She creates artwork for everyone, including contemporary jewelry for children to adults. She also has a full line of kitchen utensils and barware, which have a stainless steel base. Her collection includes clocks, sculpture; plus lots of marine animals, such as honu (turtle), fish and even mermaids.
If you have never seen this process or met Barbara Hanson you are in for a colorful experience. There are only a handful of people in the world that take polymer clay to this level. ❖
Barbara Hanson Polymer Clay Artwork and Jewelry
76-5908 Mamalahoa Hwy., Hōlualoa, HI 96725
808.937.2543
Decskimama@icloud.com
Facebook.com/BarbaraHansonPolymerClayArtworkandJewelry
