Since I was a child, I have always been designing things. I started with egg cartons and paper towel tubes. In jr. high, I learned to sew and began making original garment patterns. My oldest sister said, "You are a designer. You can go to school for that." So, I did...and ultimately I earned a Ph.D. in Textiles and Clothing. During and after my graduate program, I taught undergraduate apparel design courses at a university.

My polymer clay interest began while I was in graduate school and when I left my academic career, I decided polymer would be my new career.  After 14 years with polymer, I expanded into the exciting medium of metal clay as well.  Metal clay is pure silver particles suspended in a waterbased clay body.  Beginning as clay allows many expanded possibilities for modeling and texturing metal that would be much more tool and equipment intensive in traditional silversmithing.  Once the clay is dried and fire, the clay suspension burns away and the piece becomes pure, fine silver.

My metal clay work continues my design themes of interest in nature, pattern, layering colors, etc.  Combining silver and polymer has become my new passion.

Teaching gives me great satisfaction. I’ve always enjoyed watching students learn and grow. I believe the most important aspect of teaching is to facilitate a student’s search for a personal voice with which to express their own creativity.

I have always lived in the Midwest and I feel deeply tied to the land and the seasons. I'm often inspired by nature, I love to watch the sun rise and set, and I love to grow vegetables to feed family and friends. I'm an aspiring gourmet cook and my husband might rather keep me busy in the kitchen than in the studio. Well, I haven't mixed up clay and bread in the oven yet...

Patricia Kimle