About me..

syndee holt 2005

God, I love Photoshop! I'm so lazy, I don't even put makeup on for photos anymore - that's what Photoshop is for!  A direct contradiction to my "get it in the camera" rule!

I came to polymer clay as a means to maintain my sanity as a full time working mother. My Fine Art degree is from Brooks Institute of Photography and photography is still a passion as well as part of my working life.

I am an independent designer for Polyform Products (the Sculpey people), Jacquard Products and Savage Universal, creating exclusive designs for kits, web projects, brochures, etc.

I am a founding member and former President of the infamous San Diego Polymer Clay Guild.

I also write regularly for many of the national and international arts/crafts magazines, including Arts and Crafts, CRAFTS, Michaels, Jewelry Crafts, Pac of Fun, Looney Tunes Kids and Better Homes and Gardens. My Clay Table column is a regular feature in Expression magazine, where I'm also an editorial advisor.

Annnnd.. I still have my full-time job at UCSD, working in the PR department for the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Medical Centers.

The left side of my face appears regularly on the television home shows such as Home Matters on Discovery Channel, Carol Duval and Our Place on HGTV and a couple of DIY shows. (I don’t know – my Dad always complained that they only showed me from the left side? He also thought a chain saw would make my segment “more interesting.”)

I host a 2-hour chat monthly on Polymer Clay Central. My first book, “Polymer Clay For the First Time”, is available everywhere, including your local library (it’s even in mine!) And it's coming soon in paperback!!  Amazon is taking orders now..

In addition to my clay adventures, I also teach, write and play in Photography and Photoshop. I do almost all my own photography for my articles, as well as digital art photography. I am a member of the Professional Photographers of California and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

That's Koji, cooking  on TV in our kitchen with Rod Luck, local TV personality. He wants to be a chef!

My “in-house focus group”/and design team consists of my two sons, Tahichi and Kojiro, whose invaluable assistance as “camera dogs” and creative advisors has saved me more than once! The family is also very active in the San Diego Kendo-bu and the high school band program. I am a proud Band Mom and Dojo Mom! Here are some Kendo pics of the boys.

I still may not be sane, but I’m happy.  And yes, that is my beach above in the header - it's been my beach all my life.

Tahichi at Kendo practice	My very own Marching Mariners	Koji, Tahichi and Magnum (my bonus son).