Charms, beads and textiles from her world travels are in little drawers everywhere. Retro icons adorn the walls. Even her poodle has panache. One gets the sense of not just a studio, but a creative laboratory, with new ideas bubbling up everywhere. Since polymer clay is such a new medium, there aren't a lot of manuals from which to learn.
Many lessons come through experimentation and word of mouth.
The polymer clay community possesses a self-conscious attitude of sharing ideas, techniques and information, problem solving together and making sure that those who need help get it. Aside from The New Clay, a book by Nan Roche, there is no manual, and although it is a great book with which to get started, it is hard for any book to stay current given the rapid changes in polymer clay techniques. The newest techniques are taught by a nationwide network of workshops, offered by each state or area polymer clay guild. Most discoveries in polymer clay come from applying methods borrowed from other media. The layers are deformed and then the surface is sanded away, revealing an exotic blend of colors and textures.