Teresa Pandora Salgado

Pandora Salgado is a mixed media artist from Los Angeles, California. She began crafting in early childhood using sticks, rocks, and glue. In 2010 she discovered polymer clay and fell in love. In addition to her six years as a Sculpey Design Squad member, Pandora is a YouTube instructor with over 3 million views, hosts a weekly live workshop, and runs three Facebook groups with over 50,000 followers, all devoted to polymer clay. In 2016 Pandora created a family business, Tiny Pandora Crafting Boutique, which she runs with her daughter Elaina and granddaughter Jolene. Making art, teaching, and interacting with others are Pandora’s passions and she hopes to continue crafting for many years to come.

Clay Inlay: A New Technique for Your Toolbox

I’ll never learn everything there is to know about working with polymer clay. That’s what I love about it! One of the things I’m still exploring is clay texture. Premo is generally firm, Souffle is dry to the touch and less firm; but maintains shape well, Sculpey III and Bakeshop are soft. All four have… Continue reading Clay Inlay: A New Technique for Your Toolbox

The Joy of Odd Bits and Extra Pieces

Most crafters are savers; and, if you’re like me, you feel a little guilty about all the pretty little leftovers lying about. For one thing, even though they’re still perfectly good, they’re odd and small and they take up way too much valuable crafting space. That’s why I’ve stared a new plan. One day a… Continue reading The Joy of Odd Bits and Extra Pieces

Exploring the Humble Cane

Polymer clay didn’t enter my world until I was 55 years old; but, when it DID, it hit me like a tidal wave. I first saw a millefiori cane on the cover of a craft book. (I’d love to know which book that was; but I’ve never seen it since.) I was at a friend’s… Continue reading Exploring the Humble Cane

Why I Teach Caning with Souffle and One Color – Sculpey®

I believe we’ve established the fact that I’m obsessed with cane making. That’s why I’ve paid close attention to the properties of Sculpey III, Premo and Souffle. I choose Souffle for caning for these reasons: I love the dryish, velvety texture. The clay does not stick to the work surface and it resists sticking to… Continue reading Why I Teach Caning with Souffle and One Color – Sculpey®

9 small images of polymer clay millefiori

The Agony & Ecstasy of Millefiori in Polymer Clay

Wayyyy back in 1961, Irving Stone wrote a book about Michelangelo’s struggles as an artist. I was always obsessed with art, and a voracious reader; but I didn’t read the book. My excuse? I was seven. I DID see the movie in 1965 though; and it made a big impression on me. People suffer for… Continue reading The Agony & Ecstasy of Millefiori in Polymer Clay

The 20 Minute Effect

I first heard the term “flow state” in 1986 from Dr. Ruth; (and she was not talking about clay). It was Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who coined the term in 1975. According to Wikipedia: “… a flow state, also known colloquially as being in the zone, is the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a… Continue reading The 20 Minute Effect

Creating Like a 3 Year Old

I have studied at the feet of the masters. I’ve read, literally, every single clay book and I’ve watched nearly every clay video; but it took a three-year-old to teach me how to freely create. My granddaughter, Jolene, will be three in August. She’s been claying since she could sit up. She crafts about six… Continue reading Creating Like a 3 Year Old