Charlene (“Cat”) Therien has been working with polymer clay since 2001. She is interested in a variety of handicrafts, and enjoys incorporating polymer clay designs into wearable art, home decor, and gifts.
She owns and operates C. A. Therien Polymer Clay Arts, an art company with three divisions. The first division is Memorial-Beads.com, where she makes handcrafted keepsakes from funeral and wedding flowers. The second division is FimoNailArtCanes.com, where she makes beautiful images in polymer clay that are sliced into paper-thin pieces and used to decorate womens’ nails. She has both retail and wholesale websites for the fimo nail art division. The third division is CatTherien.etsy.com and her eBay Store, where she provides handmade polymer clay canes and fimo nail art, tutorials for using polymer clay, and a small selection of her favorite tools.
She teaches classes, gives demonstrations, and writes articles for internet and print magazines, such as Bead Unique and PolymerCAFE. Her polymer clay “fabric” was included in the gallery in the book,”Adapting Quilt Patterns to Polymer Clay” by Sarajane Helm and Judith Skinner.
Charlene is on the board of directors for the International Polymer Clay Association (IPCA), and was the founding president of the Central Illinois Polymer Clay Guild (CIPCG).
She lives with her husband of 26 years in Peoria, Illinois. They have 6 grown children, 3 children-in-law, 2 cats, a grumpy iguana, and a tank full of freshwater fish.
- Visit Charlene’s Blog
- Contact Charlene by email
- Visit Charlene on Facebook
- View a gallery of Charlene’s work on Flickr.com
- Visit Charlene’s Fimo nail art shop
- Visit Charlene’s Memorial Bead Website
- Follow Charlene on Twitter
Bibliography: Magazine and Website Articles written by C. A. Therien
- “Faux Rose Quartz” (revised) 2002-2004, Polymer Clay Central website
- “Tiger Lily Barrette”, spring 2003 issue, PolymerCAFE’ Magazine (reprinted on Polka Dot Creations website)
- “Carved Clay Pendant”, fall 2003 issue, PolymerCAFE’ Magazine
- “All In The Polymer Clay Family”, spring 2004 issue, PolymerCAFE’ Magazine
- “Snowflake Necklace”, fall 2005 issue, PolymerCAFE’ Magazine
- “How To Make Beads”, fall 2005, self-published on this website
- “How To Make Pattern Sheets (polymer clay fabric)“, fall 2005, self-published on this website.
- “Polymer Clay Hair Barrettes“, fall 2005 issue, PC Polyzine
- “Iris Cane”, spring 2006 issue, PolymerCAFE’ Magazine
- “Peony Cane“, spring 2006, self-published on this website.
- “Butterfly Necklace”, spring 2007 issue, Bead Unique Magazine
- “Faux Opal Cabochons“, summer 2007 issue, self-published on this website.
- “Pastucha Earrings”, winter 2008 issue, Bead Unique Magazine
- “How To Slice Canes”, spring 2008, self-published on this website.
- “How To Make A Tiger Cane”, spring 2008, self-published on this website.
- “How To Make A Cane Slicing Jig“, winter 2008, self-published on this website.
Awards Received
- First Place Ribbon, Jewelry design, Red River Valley Fair, Fargo ND, June 2002
- First Place Ribbon, Miniatures, Red River Valley Fair, Fargo ND, June 2002
- Best Use of Product, Amaco Bitty Book Designer’s Challenge, July 2006
- Most Original Design, Amaco 3D Memory Trends Designer’s Challenge, July 2007
