Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laura Krivonak. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Laura thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I always loved the arts. Growing up, in school, I felt like making art was always looked at as a hobby, but not something that could become your profession. Which is sort of comical, because I feel like everything revolves around the arts! But, I think a lot of us heard the whole “being an artist isn’t a viable career” thing. So, despite always doing various art related things, I never thought about turning them into my career…until I found polymer clay! I had only just begun working with it, but shyly started sharing my creations on social media among friends. Everyone was always so nice and supportive, giving me ideas to make more things, so I did! And eventually, people started asking to purchase the things I was making, and asking me to make certain things. I already knew i loved this art form and wanted to do it forever, but having that support is what made me realize that it could become my full time career!

Laura, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Laura, I am a polymer clay artist, also known as the hands behind ‘Clay Abominations’! Here’s a little backstory to explain how I got to today!

Getting into polymer clay was a very random thing for me. I’ve always loved being artistic, so getting into another hobby was not new for me. What drew me in initially, was wanting a fun craft to do with my son. I loved the idea of making anything we wanted, being able to put it in the oven to harden, and then get to keep it forever!

I was hooked immediately! I wanted to make anything and everything! And after each thing I made, it inspired me to make more things! I think when anyone starts a new craft, there is some time while you figure out what you like to make the most, especially with a craft like clay, where the options really are endless!

To this day i enjoy making lots of different things, but food animals are definitely my favorite! How i discovered that, was a friend had gotten a snake and named it Donut. One day that friend wasn’t having a great day, so I wanted to make her something to cheer her up. A snake that looked like a donut! That snake created a huge excitement to take on custom pet sculptures of animals that were named after foods! A cat named pancakes, a gecko named hotdog…and so, so, so many more! Once I had gotten started with that, the ideas I wanted to make just kept coming for any food-any animal. And I haven’t stopped sculpting them since!

Now a days, I do stick to primarily food animals, but I also make other things. I love to also sculpt woodland vibes, flowers, mushrooms, succulents, moss, pinecones, etc. Usually still mashing them with some sort of animal! As well as fun little shaker charms, and characters from shows and movies! It really just depends what I’m feeling in the moment, or what is being requested from me!

One of the things I am most proud of when it comes to the work I am doing, is the amount of joy my work appears to bring! I have been told so many times how someone will be going through a tough time, scrolling on social media, and come across one of my creations, and it make them smile for the first time that day. Another would be the inspiration. I’m told I’ve inspired many to try their hand at clay, or another art form, but something in my style. Art should make people feel something. And I feel pretty proud that mine has been such a postive message to people! I hope to continue to spread that message for many years to come!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the MOST rewarding, would be getting to see people’s reactions and responses to my creations. Just knowing my art has a postive effect on people fills my heart with so much joy! Next in line would be when I finishing working on something and it turned out exactly how I was envisioning. It’s like getting to physically see all your hard work right in front of you. And that’s such a rewarding feeling!

How did you build your audience on social media?

My journey with polymer clay started as a passion that I wanted to share with anyone that might love it as much as me! But by doing that, it’s what grew my following and allowed me to see that it could be my profession. So my biggest advice would be to find like minded people on social media. Depending what your craft is, you can join groups and share the things you’re working on. And don’t get discouraged! You might get a bunch of engagement the first time you share, or you may not. And I always like to mention this because it’s usually not anything you’re doing. It could just be the internet that day! But all it takes is a few people who love your art as much as you, to see your post and like and share it, and then more people with likeminds will see it, and more, and more! Just enjoy your art, have fun with it, and your people will find you! There are so many talented people in the world, and I like to believe that there is room for everyone!

Contact Info:

• Website: Clayabominations.indiemade.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/clayabominations
• Facebook: Facebook.com/clayabominations
• Other: Tiktok: Clay Abominations

Image Credits
Photos are by me(Laura Krivonak(Clay Abominations))