Banu Paranth Member since August 2005 Yahoo ID: sanclayart Location: Personal website: Banu Paranth's lil clay attic Contact email: sanclayart@yahoo.com Hi Friends, I’m Banu, married and mother of a two year old daughter. I had been in the Biotechnology field for the past 12 years. I started claying when I felt stressed-out! When I was in my hometown, I was using a type of clay that is analogous to polymer clay. It is a putty which is used to seal cracks, had its own limitations like once it becomes hard that’s it! So I had to plan each and every detail before I start. As it dries, I had to paint with a white base-coat (since the clay comes in grey color), then with desired colors. It was a tiresome job but I dint have a choice. My sister who is an art student was my sole inspiration. My parents encouraged me as a child and even now, although they are thousands of miles away! My first project was a Baby angel fast asleep in a cradle hanging between tree trunks. I made her when I was pregnant, after a few months we were blessed with a real angel who buoys up our life. My later projects comprised of babies, angels, elves and miniatures, basically as gifts to my friends, to charity and some for sale. When I was looking for polymer clay sites, I learnt about this, got obsessed with this miracle stuff. It’s really mind-boggling to get into this, feel the joy of making something out of it. I always had a passion for fairies and dragonflies, the fantasy creatures from my childhood, so they are my favorites; obviously they are representatives in my Clay and painting projects. I try not to imitate other artists to make mine some what unique. I touch my clay whenever my daughter is asleep or when she is engrossed with some cartoons. Even she is an art lover! Likes to make Birthday cakes out of cooking dough! My husband, a Post doctoral fellow, is my sole support. He bears with my claying, appreciates whatever I make, and is a good critique as well! He waits patiently whenever I spend hours together at Michaels! I accidentally bumped into this group when I was looking for some web rings. God! I love this group and I would like to be a part of this as long as I can, even if I get a job for which I’m waiting, because you people give me strength and felicity when I feel so lonely and depressed. Apart from polymer clay craft, I do Oil paintings, Glass paintings, Dimensional embroidery and Stuffed toys.