When did you first start your craft?
I started sculpting and casting jewelry a little over a year ago (2013). I've been sculpting since I was a kid but it wasn't until a few years ago that I found out about Polymer clay and realized I could pursue sculpting seriously.
How did you discover your talent?
Well first I'd say that my talent lies in the fact that I'm a ridiculously tenacious and stubborn when I want to be. I've always played around with sculpting; from making small monster figurines out of Play-Doh when I was a kid, to taking pottery and sculpting classes in school.
How did your Etsy shop come about?
Well originally I opened my Etsy to sell my wire and beaded jewelry. Although I thought they were great, I wasn't getting any exposure. I scrapped that idea and decided to go a more unique route. It also helped that it was a fun and creative outlet for all the media I enjoy. I figured it'd give me the drive to create more, learn more, and connect with people who also enjoy similar things
The name is pretty cool, what made you decide on this?
Thanks, I'll try to sum it up. Tsurera is basically my online moniker. I use it mostly everywhere. Tsurera is also an OC (original character) that I created a long time ago. She represents nature and creativity. So I put those two together for my shop name. It just felt right to me.
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| Pickachu Pokemon Earrings |
What drives you to create?
My imagination drives me to create, it's always so active. I like to test myself, to see if I can make something I didn't think I could before. Sometimes it's simply someone asking if I can create something for them. That's always a good feeling.
How do you get inspired?
My imagination is always running wild. I have a list a mile long of things I want to make. Of course there are some times when I just can't think of a thing to make, so then I check my inspirations folder. When I see something I like- photo, clothes, people place, whatever, I'll save it in my inspirations folder to look at later. That always helps.
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| Wings of Freedom Necklace
How would you describe your style?
I really have no idea how to describe my style. I'd like to say it's versatile and always evolving.
What is your favorite part of your creative process?
I love envisioning what my finished pieces will look like. I love the messy beginning part of just roughing out the piece. It's fun and free.
What are some of your most prized creations?
"Some of my most prized creations? I would have to include non-Etsy sculptures in this list too. For jewelry I'd say I'm most proud of my Wings of Freedom necklace I made. Just sitting and figuring out how to build and piece it together was such a process. Individually sanding and cleaning those tiny wings and then gluing them on one by one was very, very tedious.
For Sculptures there are two- The first is my Lucca from Chrono Trigger. I put a lot of effort into making her, and I'm still very proud of my work. She's also only 3inches tall.
The other is my Super Mario World Diorama. It's one of my older pieces but I really am proud of it. It makes me happy looking at it. Sadly I knocked it over a few years back so it's pretty beat up."
What environment do you like to work in?
I like to work in a quite, clean environment. Preferably with my computer near me so I can put on a show for background or listen to some music.
What do you listen to?
My playlist right now includes:
OSTs from Smash Brothers Brawl, Super Mario World, Sunshine + 64, Chrono Trigger and Cross, Lunar: SSS, Final Fantasy 6,7 + 9, Phantasy Star IV, Xenogears, someLuca Turilli, and pop music.
Who are some of your biggest influences, artistically or personally?
Honestly I'm more influence by the things and media I enjoy right now (hence all the fanart.) There are a bunch of artists and sculptors I really enjoy but they don't exactly influence me artistically. I do tend to study how certain people make things; the processes and steps that go into something. I guess I can be very technical.
Personally, my family helps me out. They keep me positive and cheer me on, even when I think I'm terrible at this.
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What are you currently working on?
I'm working on an Evangelion NERV necklace, Legend of Zelda necklace, some Game of Thrones inspired necklaces, a sculpture commission, and a project for an up and coming Kickstarter project- Magical Land of Zeld.
I'm always open for more ideas!
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
A sculptor that I like said something along the lines that very few of us are ever going to make it in an art related career. It was rude and brash, but the type advice I needed to hear, because it gave me the fire to want to prove him and everyone else wrong.
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| Adventure Time Jake Earrings |
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
A cat. He'd eat, sleep and make a mess. Actually I'd want Kat Dennings to play me. I can relate to her character's personality (Darcy) in Thor very well.
Describe your work in three words.
Tiny. Clean. Unique.
What an interesting interview, Tamara's work looks great!
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