Lisa Clarke

@lisaclarke

Documentation writer. Into photography, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and polymer clay. Music lover. Coziness enthusiast. New Jersey, born and raised. Blue dot in a red town. Teal-haired human 💚🩵

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Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 13

Saw #toadthewetsprocket last night for the first time since 1997, and they were fantastic! So glad I started prioritizing live music with my favorite bands these last few years. It is such a joyful experience to be in a room full of people singing and dancing along to music you all love 🤗

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 8

My 50 most-listened-to artists of the last 30 days 🎧 Anybody else on @lastfm.bsky.social ? Feel free to connect with me: www.last.fm/user/polkado... I've been scrobbling since 2007 😮

Fountains of Wayne . The Innocence Mission . Toad The Wet Sprocket .
Crowded House · Guster . Travis . The Sundays . Real Estate . Kings of Convenience · Martin Courtney · Skinshape · Suzanne Vega · Matt Pond PA · Sinéad O'Connor . Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass . Nick Drake · Lord Huron . Enya . 0 & the Mo . The Shins . Father John Misty . Miley Cyrus · Kasabian · Fleetwood Mac · Gomez . Jason Collett . Katherine Priddy · Putumayo . Bruce Hornsby and the Range . Fruit Bats . Old Sea Brigade · Deep Sea Arcade . The Decemberists . Foo Fighters . Adam Melchor · Carbon Leaf · Kylie Dailey ·R.E.M. . Sea Wolf . The Mamas & the Papas . 10,000 Maniacs · Antonio Vivaldi / Georg Friedrich Händel / Henry Purcell / Johann Sebastian Bach / Heinrich Schütz . Coldplay. Dispatch . Joakim Karud . Clairo . David Byrne · George Frideric Handel · Great Lake Swimmers · Indigo Girls

Top 50 Artists / polkadotradio
(8 Jun 2026 - 8 Jul 2026)

last.fm

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Apr 21

New in the shop: I've made a bunch of pretty pens! Here's a tour 😁: www.lisaclarke.net/2026/04/20/f... #fountainpens #polkadotcottage 🧶

Ten mechanical pencils, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a variety of colors, arranged side-by-side like a rainbow

Ten fountain pens, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a variety of colors, arranged side-by-side like a rainbow

Ten Cross-style twist pens, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a variety of colors, arranged side-by-side like a rainbow

A fountain pen, Cross-style twist pen, mechanical pencil, and stick pen, all with handcrafted polymer clay barrels, in a kaleidoscopic design I call "Celadon Jubilee"

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Mar 20

69 MILLION married women can’t use their birth certificate alone under the SAVE Act because their name changed. This isn’t accidental. This is engineered. Call your senators! 202-224-3121. #SaveActTaxesVoting

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Feb 3

I just stumbled upon my old Weekend Favorites category on my blog and was reminded how wonderful Instagram used to be. So much beautiful imagery. No wonder it used to be my happy place. It has changed so much :-/ www.lisaclarke.net/category/wee...

Weekend Favorites... at Polka Dot Cottage: a 4x4 mosaic of brightly colored beautiful photos, many of which feature pink peonies, colorful crochet, and people relaxing with a mug of something hot.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jan 21

Oh, I hope so! Gotta say I am having my doubts with what I've seen so far, though, lol!

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Dec 18

I've got nine wool hats to block before Christmas, but I am hesitating because every time I block a hat, it grows. These are perfect as is. Any tips for keeping the stitches from stretching out? (P.S. the pom-poms snap on, and I will remove them before blocking.) #knitting 🧶

A stack of nine knit hats, from baby size on top to adult on the bottom. Three of the hats have faux fur pom-poms on top.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Nov 25

Here are some upcoming events where you can find me and my #polkadotcottage #polymerclay creations! There are more details on my website: www.lisaclarke.net/buy-my-work-...

Polka Dot Cottage
In person!

Holiday Market @ SCAHC
Nov 28 Two weeks through Dec 16th | Newton, NJ

Small Business Saturday @ Do Ewe Knit
Nov 29 Saturday | 10:00 AM -- 4:00 PM | Basking Ridge, NJ

Makers Market @ Urban Sewciely
Dec 6 Saturday | 10:00 AM — 4:00 PM | Westfield, NJ

Holiday Market @ SCAHC
Dec 18 Two weeks through Jan 1st | Newton, NJ

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Nov 18

Ok, one more post before I go back to my Day Job 😁 Last week was Polymer Claycation, and I made some things that I am really very happy with. These are those things. I'll be selling at some local shows over the next month, but what's left will go in the shop. #polymerclay #polkadotcottage 🧶

The focus is on five brass bangle bracelets with polymer clay millefiori designs in the channels. Also visible in the frame are a few stacks of brass rings that are made in the same fashion as the bracelets, some dangly earrings with round 3/4-inch millefiori tiles, a few crochet hooks, and half a pair of resin-topped stud earrings.

The focus is on seven stacks of brass rings with polymer clay millefiori designs in the channels. Also visible in the frame are three brass bracelets that are made in the same fashion as the rings, and some dangly earrings with round 3/4-inch millefiori tiles.

The focus is on fourteen crochet hooks with polymer clay millefiori handles. Also visible in the frame are a stack of brass bangle bracelets with polymer clay millefiori designs in the channels, several pairs of resin-topped stud earrings, and a snap hair clip with a millefiori design in the bezel.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Nov 18

And the finished sweater! I had to buy one hank of red to finish off the trim, but otherwise it was a total stash-buster. I can close the lid on my tub of Berroco Vintage once again, LOL. Not gonna lie, it's heavy. Like wearing a blanket. #crochet #grannysquares 🧶2/2

Me, in a hotel room, wearing my new sweater vest. The final connecting row, and all of the trim was made using four different shades of red.

Me, in a hotel room, wearing my new vest and making a silly face, but also wearing a name tag that says "Lisa Clarke she/her", and a headband with two pop-up "got clay?" signs. It was the first day of Polymer Claycation 2025, something I will post more about later :-)

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Nov 18

Here's another project in various stages of completion! A granny square sweater vest of my own design. #crochet #grannysquares 🧶 1/2

68 tiny granny square centers, made mostly in a variety of bright or dark reds, browns, and blues, arranged horizontally in a row, with the unwoven ends dangling down from each one.

68 two-round granny squares spread out so you can see the face of each one. Both rounds were made mostly in a variety of bright or dark reds, browns, and blues.

A close-up view of 68 three-round granny squares spread out so you can see the face of each one. All three rounds were made mostly in a variety of bright or dark reds, browns, and blues.

68 four-round granny squares spread out so you can see the face of each one. These are ready for their final joining round. Round four was mostly in shades of red and brown.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Nov 18

I posted about this #antlersweater in September and then never again! Here's the finished sweater, and the bigger one I made for baby's 7-year-old sister :-) #knitting 🧶

A small purple pullover sweater with cabled yoke

Close-up view of the cabled yoke in a small purple pullover sweater

A tiny gray-green pullover sweater with a cabled yoke, next to a basket with an in-progress purple sweater

A close-up of the cabled yoke on a gray-green sweater

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Sep 21

Sunday morning knitting 🧶 I've gotten as far as I can with an #antlersweater (#tincanknits) until yarn reinforcements arrive. Just hope the new ball of yarn arrives before the new nephew does!

A top down view of the bed. There's a granny stripe blanket (which I am sitting under) to the left. At the top of the frame is a tray with a nearly full coffee cup and an empty little coffee pot on it. Below that are three little sweater pieces: two sleeves and a body, all knit to the point where they will be joined together.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Sep 10

Got my @mikiesherrill.bsky.social lawn sign up today. Let's keep NJ blue! #newjersey #njpol #teammikie #voteblue

A campaign sign reading "Sherrill Caldwell for New Jersey" sits at the edge of a wooded driveway.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Sep 4

Newly knit sweater, new profile pic, potential new hair clip product, and new unapologetically political t-shirt, FTW! Sweater: #judahcardigan by #knitbyjules 🧶 Pic: It's time you saw the left side of my face 😜 Clip: Snap clip w/polymer doo-dad. Make more? Shirt: @resist.bot via @cottonbureau.com

Me, wearing my newly knit Judah Cardigan by Juliana Lustenader, and holding the bottom edge to better show the simple lace design.

Me, holding a bronze-colored snap hair clip with a bezel on the end, which I have filled with one of my polymer clay designs. I think they're fun with my newly short hair. What do you think? Should I make more of these? Are they good matte? Or should I put a blob of resin on top to make them domed and shiny?

Me, showing my new resistbot t-shirt. The shirt is light blue, with a cartoon of the Resistbot mascot wearing a Rosie the Riveter bandana. Under the bot is the text: "Text RESIST to 50409"

Resisbot is an easy way to tell your government representatives what you think.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Aug 8

Lately I like flipping through $2 bins looking for classical music to listen to while I work. I look mostly for baroque period composers, and strictly instrumentals without any choral or solo voice pieces. In the process I seem to have inadvertently started a vintage @nonesuch.com collection 😁

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Aug 3

Some more pictures from Friday with #guster and #themountaingoats, now that I've had some time to go through my photos 😁

Adam Gardner of Guster playing the trumpet

Brian Rosenwercel of Guster playing the drums with his hands

Ryan Miller and Luke Reynolds of Guster singing and playing guitar and bass

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Aug 2

I was in the front row with @clarkesworldmagazine.com for a great show tonight with @guster.bsky.social and @themountaingoats.bsky.social 🤩 Such a happy, joyful way to spend a Friday night. Can we do it again tomorrow? 😜

Me and my husband wearing Guster t shirts and standing in front of an empty stage before a concert

The Mountain Goats performing on an outdoor stage as the sun sets

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 23

We went to #asburyparknj last night, and hey, @guster.bsky.social and @themountaingoats.bsky.social , nine more days until #thestonepony! 😁🎵

A view of The Stone Pony from the Asbury Park boardwalk, looking at the sign that shows upcoming concerts, including Guster and The Mountain Goats on August 1.

A zoomed-in view of The Stone Pony from the Asbury Park boardwalk, looking at the sign that shows upcoming concerts, including Guster and The Mountain Goats on August 1.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 22

20 seconds of zen 🌊

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 17

Gotta say, this actually feels pretty spot-on for me, LOL

Answer Unclear
Oh, you. No-one can figure you out. Some people love you, some people hate you, some people just don't care. You're hot, but also ugly, but also bland. You're funny, but also serious, but also a kind of weird grey zone. Honestly, keep doing what you're doing. It's pretty cool, in my option. Though a lot of my friends would disagree.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 14

DM me if you'd like one of the two extra pairs. $30 each, and I'll pay shipping, to thank you for keeping me from having to photograph and list these on my website 😁 3/3 #polymerclay #polkadotcottage #pdcearrings 🧶

In the blurred background, all of the finished pieces mentioned in the previous photo, except for one pair of earrings. Those are being held on an earring card by me in the foreground. They are about .75-inch polymer clay circles hanging from brass ear wires. The design is a messy stripe with a variety of pastel colors, and even a bit of sparkle. They have been sanded to be exceptionally smooth, and buffed to a nice shine.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 14

Little barrettes, because they seem to be the only thing right now that is stopping me from shaving all of this annoying hair off of my head; a new drilling tool, because the three sizes I made 20 years ago weren't quite sufficient; and a pair of earrings which turned into three pairs 😁. 2/3

In the top row, four pairs of tiny barrettes, all with a "messy stripe" kind of pattern on them in different colors (pink, pastel multi, blue, and green). The next row has three pairs of earrings, with brass ear wires. The dangles are .75-inch circles in the pastel multi stripe design. In the bottom row is a drill bit with a polymer clay handle, in a rainbow-colored kaleidoscopic pattern.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 14

I haven't done much with clay lately, because my work space needed a clean. Finally did that yesterday morning, and then spent literally the rest of the day making a bunch of stuff for ME 😁 1/3

A messy desk, with unfinished polymer clay projects, finished cane designs, finished jewelry, jewelry-making supplies and tools, and other unrelated stuff scattered about.

A freshly-cleaned-up work area, with two square feet of empty workspace to the left, and a polymer clay millefiori cane slicer to the right. At the back of the desk are various tools I use for working.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 12

These are a couple of bizarre holidays worth combining: share a pecan pie with a lonely person today! 😁

A screen capture that says "Events
- Bizarre American Holidays: National Cheer Up The Lonely Day
- Bizarre American Holidays: National Pecan Pie Day" with the names of the holidays highlighted.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 10

Front yard visitor. He was beautiful and intriguing, but he had to go when it became clear he was after one of our friendly chipmunks. @clarkesworldmagazine.com chased him away, and chippy lived to nibble nuts another day. #newjersey #bobcat

An orange bobcat, sitting calmly on a brick path, probably eyeing a chipmunk just out of view of the camera

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 8

I was planning to post this anyway, but now that I see the #CrochetAway theme is blue, it's even more perfect 😁 This is an improvised stroller-size granny square blanket made almost entirely from stash. A gift for a nephew coming in October 💙 #crochet #crochetsky 🧶

A small granny-square blanket draped diagonally from the top of a four poster bed. The colors are all blues, teals, and grays.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jul 2

Spent some time in this lovely spot next to the Passaic River today. Then I stopped for blueberries on the way home. #newjersey

A roadside farm stand, advertising Fresh Sweet Corn on a hand painted sign. There are pots of flowers, and tables with fruits and vegetables for sale.

A wooded scene. There's a big tree to the right, and next to the tree is a long park bench. The bench faces a narrow river that winds through the scene.

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jun 27

Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. ("Hard mode" no Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel).

Lisa Clarke@lisaclarke· Jun 26

This was $1.99 well spent. Nothing like baroque strings to improve my productivity 🎻🤎