NWDC Member Artist Talk
Cynthia Toops: 40 years in 40 minutes

Presented on Zoom
Sunday, Oct 18, 2026 at 3PM

“It is amazing to me that I have now been working on jewelry for over 40 years. This talk will cover how I got into jewelry, the different types of work, and the media (not just polymer clay) I have used.  We will look at lots of pieces, including combination necklaces with my husband Dan Adams, micromosaics, multi-artist collaborations, and other new work.” – Cynthia Toops

Cynthia Toops has been a Northwest Designer Craftartists member since 2005. She grew up in Hong Kong and moved to the United States in 1975. After studying biology, she turned to art, earning a B.F.A. in printmaking from the University of Washington in 1983.

Working with polymer clay since 1986, Cynthia is best known for the intricate micromosaic technique she developed in 1992. Inspired by folk art, jewelry traditions, and nature, she frequently collaborates with her husband and fellow NWDC member, glass artist Dan Adams, combining her polymer work with his handmade glass beads.

Her jewelry is held in major museum collections, including the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery, Racine Art Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Reeds & Grasses
Bezel by Chuck Domitrovich
Polymer clay, silver, brass & copper rivets, magnets
2003
2.9 x 2.9 x 0.25"
Photo by Roger Schreiber

Octopus
Bezel by Dan Adams
Polymer clay, silver
2025
2.25 x 2.0 x 0.25"
Photo by Doug Yaple