Artist, educator, Debbie Jackson, is a graduate of Miami University (Ohio), where she majored in Art, receiving a B.S. degree in Education. She is retired from the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department where she taught art classes for 30 years at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center, Community, and Senior Centers. Currently, she teaches a variety of polymer clay classes and workshops at conferences, for Guilds, and other art-related venues. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio. While Debbie is multi-talented, her interests lie in creating polymer clay jewelry, dolls and home decor. Her work has appeared in numerous galleries and exhibitions. She is presently selling her jewelry at Studios on High, an artists' co-operative in the Short North gallery district in Columbus.
Published works:
"Polymer Clay: Creating Functional and Decorative Objects" by Jacqueline Gikow, "Polymer: The Chameleon Clay" by Victoria Hughes, "400 Polymer Clay Designs" and "500 Earrings" from Lark Books, "Polymer Clay-Creative Traditions" by Judy Belcher, "The Art of Polymer Clay, Creative Surface Effects" by Donna Kato, The Crafts Report magazine, July 2008 edition, and several editions of Polymer Café.
With over 20 years of experience in working with polymer clay, Debbie decided to write her own book, “Polymer Clay Jewelry” with North Light Publishing, which was released in 2004. She is currently working on her second book about making artful beads.
Debbie manages a business, "Debbie's Adornments" as an avenue to sell her original, hand-crafted jewelry and artful creations. During art venues, she sells Stewart Gill metallic paints, tools, rubber stamps and other unique products for polymer clay. Debbie served as president of the Columbus Polymer Clay Guild for several years and maintains membership with her local and national guild. She is also a member of the Ohio Designer Craftsmen and participates in their annual Winterfair craft show. She served for several years on the advisory board for the Polymer CAFE' magazine. Debbie has appeared on the 'Carol Duvall Show' on HGTV, where she demonstrated a project from her book.
Artist Statement
My High School Art teacher told me that I was very "versatile". With my love of African and Asian patterns, textiles, rich colors, textures, love of leaf shapes, surface design, and mixing the media confirms that my Art teacher was right! My 'busy brain' continues to think up new creations on a daily basis, so there's rarely a dull moment!
I pay attention to detail, and strive to create pieces that are multi-functional, reversible, or have moving parts that 'dance' when worn. For me,"size matters", so I often design my pieces on a larger scale to make wearable art for the woman who is secure with her style.º