Celebrating Our 30th Year as a Guild 1993 – 2023!
Become a Member! Some of the Many Reasons to Join MDPAG
About MDPAG… History of the Guild
The Metropolitan Detroit Polymer Art Guild began in 1993 by a small group of polymer clay artists under the direction of Marie Johannes. Thirty years later, our group has grown to over 50, with members from not only the metro Detroit Area, but from all over Michigan, as well as several from out-of-state.
We are an enthusiastic group of clayers, ranging from the beginner to the seasoned veteran. Besides polymer clay, our members are diverse in their skills and interests, including doll making, jewelry, sculpting, book making, painting, stamping and mixed media. Together, all this talent creates a rich and exciting setting to cultivate and spark creativity!
Some of our membership have taught workshops all over the country, written articles for craft magazines, and many have their work featured in polymer and other craft books. And from the beginning, our annual retreat has attracted clayers from all parts of the country.
We would love to have you join us at our meetings and become an active member of our guild. We are always interested in meeting other clayers and making new friends. See you there!
MDPAG Calendar
All of MDPAG’s events are listed here! Check this calendar often, something is always going on.
Monthly Saturday Meetings
Members usually arrive around 10 am, meetings start at 11 am, with a Clay Day to follow.
- March 18
- April 22 (4th week of April, at retreat!)
- May 20
- June 24 (4th week of June)
- July 15
- August 19
- September 16
- October 21
- November 18
MDPAG 27th Annual Retreat
April 20-23, 2023
Guest Artist: Debbie Jackson
Playful Color: A Veneer Sampler
A Two-Day Color Centric Workshop with Lindly Haunani, June 17 – 18, 2023
Yearly Membership Dues
$35.00 Local/$20 Long Distance Member per year January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023
It’s very easy to join online, just click the button below.
Definition: Membership in good standing
Saturday Meetings! – MDPAG meets on the third Saturday of the month (there are occasionally some exceptions, always check the schedule) for a combined meeting and Clay Day. Meetings are held at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Livonia, MI. Meetings start at 10:00 am, but there’s time to mingle, see what your old friends have been up to and make a few new ones too. Plan on making a day of it, stick around for the Clay Day afterward!
Members are encouraged to bring in their clay projects to ‘show & tell’, as well as share information about techniques, new books, magazine articles, as well as products and tools! On occasion, our members do demonstrations, if time permits. Come in early and check out our extensive, and ever growing library of polymer clay books and videos.
We hope you stop by!
Our meetings and Clay Day location:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
39020 5 Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
Get Directions
Some of our past instructors and/or retreat guest artists include:
Kathleen Amt
Judy Belcher
Kathy Bingaman *
Carol Blackburn
Leslie Blackford
Kim Cavender
City Zen Cane (Steven Ford and David Forlano)
Jean Comport *
Grant Diffendaffer
Dayle Doroshow
Marla Frankenberg
Christi Friesen
Lynda Gilcher *
Linda Goff
Donna Greenberg
Dorothy Greynolds *
Deb Hart
Lindly Haunani
Victoria “Tory” Hughes
Doreen Kassel
Donna Kato
Karen Lewis (Klew)
Maggie Maggio
Claire Maunsell
Layl McDill
Barbara McGuire
Carissa Nichols
Julie Picarello
Kris Richards *
Nan Roche
Marie Segal
Sarah Shriver
Lynda Struble *
Pier Voulkos
Melanie West
Karen Williams *
* Indicates MDPAG member instructors
We usually bring in one or two nationally recognized polymer clay instructors each year. In addition, we offer ‘Members Only’ classes taught by our own talented members.
Another perk of being a member in good standing is the opportunity to take a class through our Trina’s Way Program. This program, established in 2007 is in memory of Trina Kern, a longtime guild member and past President of MDPAG. Read more about Trina’s Way here.
We are always seeking new and fresh approaches to polymer clay and welcome class proposals from polymer clay instructors.
To learn more, contact our Education Coordinator Susan Kaplan.
Every Spring, MDPAG holds a 4-day clay fest at the Columbiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. Here we gather for a long weekend of uninterrupted claying, away from our normal routine and other daily distractions. Meals are prepared and served cafeteria style, so no dishes to do either!
MDPAG Retreat is a wonderful chance to explore new ideas and gather inspiration as well as create lasting friendships with other clayers from near and far. There are demos with the featured Guest Artist, as well as our own skilled members, sharing their techniques and years of experience. Our Board puts together fabulous Goodie Bags for everyone, often with new products to try. If you love polymer clay art like we do, our Silent Auction is a great place to add to your collection. All in all, in it’s an experience like no other.
Although MDPAG members like to have fun and exchange claying information at our meetings, at clay days, and at Retreat, we also share a concern for our communities. Most of our meetings are conducted in the metro Detroit area, but our members come from far and wide – from Michigan and beyond. We are establishing a formal Outreach arm of the guild to help “spread the word” about polymer clay among the uninitiated. Spreading the word is even better when we can help others in the process.
In the past we have done such things as creating themed polymer decorations for holiday trees to be auctioned to benefit Children’s Hospital and making Bottles of Hope to help provide some emotional support to people who have cancer. Future outreach activities include displaying our art in public venues such as libraries, hospitals, and citizens’ clubs. And, if you have a location that could use a polymer clay exhibit, please contact Outreach Chair Kathie Harroun or any Board Member.
After every Saturday meeting we stay for a Clay Day. It’s a great opportunity for members to learn and share with other guild members. Clay Days after 1:00 pm are open to the public.
Clay Days are usually held at:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
39020 5 Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
MDPAG members enjoy the privilege of access to our extensive book and video library. Our Librarian makes sure our selections stay fresh and updated. This material offers a fun and affordable way to continually learn new techniques and be inspired by new and established artists in the polymer clay world.
For the past several years, many MDPAG members have participated in organized swaps of their artwork. Each year the group has selected a theme, established guidelines, and worked to produce swap items.
In addition to participating in the annual swaps, members may contribute whenever they want to an ever-growing strand of beads. Some members have several beads on the strand while others have not yet donated a bead. We even have some beads donated from visiting instructors. The beads provide members an opportunity to share their work in new areas of interest or in areas of their expertise while using relatively little clay.
MDPAG is on Facebook. You can also chat with other members on our Yahoo Members Only Group.
Check back here often to see fellow members work in the Gallery section (Our Work), the calendar of events, member benefits, and links to other polymer clay sites around the web. Don’t see one of your favorite websites here? Get the information to Webmaster Linda Vilas-Helton.
Lindly Haunani

Playful Color: A Veneer Sampler
A Two-Day Color Centric Workshop with Lindly Haunani, June 17 – 18, 2023
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner-Experienced Artist
Join Lindly Haunani for a playful and colorful weekend workshop. Using an upgraded version of her signature ombre stripe blend, she will walk you through creating three foundational canes. Be inspired by the possibilities of a dancing orchid floating cane, swirled tessellated cane and a starburst grid as several versions of each are demonstrated. Experience the magic of creating the illusion of glow in your veneers by making intentional color choices.
During this class you will –
- Increase your color mixing agility
- Explore strategies for designing successful canes
- Perfect your skills when combining colored patterns
- and have fun!
While you may know just what colors you like, and exactly how to mix them, using them in harmonious combinations can be challenging. Learn how to add impact to your polymer clay work with increased exuberance and confidence.

Resources
Meet the Board
Cristy Rice
President
Charmaine Lipa
Vice President, Historian, & Membership
Dorothy Greynolds
Secretary
Kathy Weinberg
Treasurer & Retreat Coordinator
Susan Kaplan
Education
Lori Kozlowski
Librarian
Kathie Harroun
Outreach
Linda Vilas-Helton
Past President
& Webmaster
A listing of our members’ favorite polymer clay related websites
MEMBER SITES
Kathy Bingaman
Georgeann Galante
Lynda Gilcher
Dorothy Greynolds
Donna Kato
Susan Kaplan
Debbie Jackson
Helen Pope
Mona Sullivan
Linda Vilas-Helton
Kathy Weinberg
POLYMER CLAY GUILDS AND EVENTS
The International Polymer Clay Association
Polymer Clay Fests: Cabin Fever Creative Arts Fest, Master Class Camp, and Creative Fiber/Mixed Media Arts Fest (October) events.
POLYMER ARTISTS WEBSITES & BLOGS
Blue Bottle Tree – Ginger Davis Allman
Kim Arden
Judy Belcher
Jana Roberts Benzon
Linda Bernstein
Carol Blackburn
Leslie Blackford
Mags Bonham
Helen Breil
Maureen Carlson
Maureen Carlson’s Weefolk
Gera Scott Chandler
Dan Cormier
Louise Fischer Cozzi
Debbie Crothers
Christine Damm
Robert Dancik
Grant Diffendaffer
Kathleen Dustin
Julie Eakes
Barb Fajardo
Tejae Floyde
Ford and Forlano
Ronit Golan
Donna Greenberg
Deb Hart
Lindly Haunani
Betty Jo Hendershott
Tina Holden
Jana Honnerova
Tory Hughes
Doreen Kassel
POLYMER ARTISTS WEBSITES & BLOGS
Loretta Lam
Lucy Clay Blog
Karen Lewis (KLEW)
Maggie Maggio’s Smashing Color
Claire Maunsell
Desiree McCrorey
Layl McDill (Clay Squared)
Jan Edward Montarsi – String Theory Facebook group
Jan Edward Montarsi – Blendangles Facebook page
Jan Edward Montarsi – YouTube
Melanie Muir
Heather Powers (Humble Beads)
Teresa Pandora Salgado
Ronna Sarvas Weltman
Marie Segal
Sarah Shriver
Ponsawan Sila
Carol Simmons
Alice Stroppel
Laura Timmins
Rebecca Watkins
Bettina Welker
Melanie West
Elise Winters
CLAY FRIENDLY WEBSITES
Polyform
Sculpey University
Fimo
Kato Polyclay
Polymer Art Archive
Polymer Clay Daily
Daily Art Muse
Craftcast
Polymer Clay Web
Polymer Clay Central
Iris Mishley’s Polypedia
PC Polyzine
Sky Grazer
Voila
PUBLICATIONS
Tenth Muse Arts — Polymer Studio, The Polymer Arts
Lucy Clay – Polymer Week Magazine
Handmade Business (was Craft Report)
Facet Jewelry Making
Step by Step Wire
Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist
Bead & Button
American Craft Magazine
Cloth Paper Scissors
SHOPPING…Look for tutorials on some of these sites too!
Christi Friesen
Lisa Pavelka
Polyform
AMACO
Lucy Clay Store
Clay Factory – Marie Segal
Lee Valley Tools
Polymer Clay Express
Prairie Craft – Donna Kato
Tonjas Treasures
American Science & Surplus
Rings & Things
Fire Mountain Gems & Beads
Pan Pastels
Poly Clay Play
Penn State Industries
ComposiMold
Clearsnap
Golden Artist Colors