Bette Westman
Born and raised in Minneapolis, I showed my first interest and talent in crafting before I turned 10. I moved to Seattle at 20 and did a lot of paper crafts and got much inspiration from the water and mountains. Returning to Minneapolis, I discovered Polymer Clay in the mid-90’s and it’s been a love affair ever since.
My first projects were covering the handles of my clay tools. This gave me a more comfortable tool to use and identifies my X-acto knife from all the rest at clay gatherings and classes. I even used some of the scraps from one project to make a pin…. and then there was jewelry. I get a kick out of comparing those early pieces with the work that I do today, what a difference.
I discovered the Polymer Clay Guild of MN in the early part of the century [I love being able to say that] and joined the Guild in 2003. When I saw the work that these other folks were doing, I really stretched my limits. Having tried a Mokume Gane cane early in 2003 and feeling like it was a disaster, I was inspired to try again. Glad I did, ‘cause I love the results that I am getting now.
I started teaching at Michaels in the HUB Shopping Center back in the fall of 2003. I met a good group of ladies that were so excited about learning all they could about polymer clay. During this time I was doing tests on different mediums for coloring clay and even presented a “15-minutes of Fame” to the PCGMN on my fun range of colors and colorants. I also got caught up in mold making, using different mold making materials.
Buttons by Bette was born in 2005, selling at a neighborhood coffee house and doing commission work for friends. Soon I was getting calls and e-mails asking if I could do something special for folks that I didn’t even know, but that knew someone that knew my work. My buttons are now available at Clay Squared to Infinity and soon will be available on their website.
I can’t stress enough how much working with this grand group of people has enriched my life. If you want to just come out and check us out, please do, your first visit is always “free”!
