Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Street.
Hi Toni, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It all began when I became too big to sit behind the potters’ wheel and make pottery. I needed something to do with my hands, and I found Polymer Clay in a craft store in 1991. You can work with it with your hands and create just about anything you would like to. You can put it down and come back to it without it drying up like stoneware does. I was in love and needed as much information as I could find-books, magazines and any TV shows there were. I practiced daily making Millefiori canes and I was obsessed with Jewelry. They were very primitive in the beginning as the years went by, I did improve and started selling my Jewelry at various venues, friends and family.
By 2000 I got bored with Jewelry and began experimenting with covering eggs. I did that for a few years. Then I discovered pens in 2006. I didn’t know then that nearly 20 years later I would still be doing it and be considered an Award-Winning Polymer Clay Artist and Acknowledged Pen Maker.
Numerous publications have showcased my pens to be seen across the world. I am originally from the Hudson Valley in New York State. I now reside in the beautiful state of Alabama. My passion for polymer clay Millefiori canes comes from its versatility and the vast color palette polymer clay has to offer. Polymer Clay has been the perfect medium for my creativity and skills to shine.
The Ancient Art of Millefiori, meaning “one thousand flowers” in Italian provides the original inspiration for my process. I use meticulously crafted canes of Polymer Clay, sliced into thin pieces and arranged them in stunning mosaics to recreate this idea I have in my head with my favorite material. I use this technique on pen blanks to create detailed and colorful pens. Once cured in the oven they are placed on the Lathe for its final finish to make them shine like glass and give it a protective coating by myself. I have demonstrated my technique at professional venues across the US. The natural world around me provides inspiration for my intricate pieces and I share this passion of mine with others.
My teaching focuses on introducing students to Polymer Clay. Crafting Millefiori canes and applying them to pen blanks. My pens can also be purchased and are Guaranteed to be the highlight of any one’s collection. My pens are available as Ballpoint, Rollerball or Fountain Pens. You can also find on my website other deisgns that are not Millefiori. I still have fun after 20 years of making pens.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been remarkably smooth, though not without its challenges. Pen Makers early on were primarily males, so i had to overcome that and prove I was as good as them. That came when I became a member of The Pen Makers Guild.
Over the past 20 years , I’ve worked steadily to reach this point of recognition as the best in one’s field doesn’t happen overnight-it’s the result of time, dedication and perseverance.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an accomplished pen maker specializing in the art of Polymer Clay. My designs have gained recognition worldwide, celebrated for their originality and craftmanship. As a one-of-a-kind pen artist, I take great pride in the demand for my work and in my acceptance into The Pen Makers Guild in 2011-a milestone that affirmed my dedication to the craft.
Each pen I Create is meticulously adorned with Polymer Clay Millefiori cane slices, placed individually on to the barrel with precision and care. This process requires patience, vision and a deep commitment to detail. Once the design is complete, I refine each pen blank on the Lathe, a skill honed over many years of practice. The result is a functional work of art that embodies both technical mastery and creative expression.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Take as many classes as possible and use quality tools. Do NOT use Sculpey III clay for pens it is a brittle polymer clay that will crack and shatter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.exclusivedesignz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pc_penartist
Image Credits
Perfessional Photo of myself: Sammie Saxon
Pen Photos: Ed Street
