How I Grew My YouTube Channel After 60 as a Polymer Clay Artist

If you're a maker or artist over 50 who's thinking about starting a YouTube channel, this post is for you. I'm over 60, and I'm here to tell you—it's not too late to grow on YouTube.
 
In fact, you might be surprised how much your unique voice, life experience, and creative eye are exactly what YouTube is missing right now.
 
Why I Started My Channel in My 60s
 
I began uploading videos simply to share the things I was making—mostly polymer clay earrings. I didn’t have a strategy or fancy gear. I just wanted to document what I loved.
 
Like many of you, I wondered:
 
"Am I too old to start on YouTube?"
"Will anyone care about what I create?"
"Can I really learn all this tech?"
 
The answer to all of that? Yes—you can do it.
 
What I've Learned After Uploading 300+ Videos
 
Here are a few numbers I never thought I’d be able to say:
 
* 314 videos uploaded
* 1,130+ subscribers
* 479,000+ total views
* 2,312 hours of watch time
 
The growth wasn’t overnight. In fact, it’s been slow and steady—but incredibly rewarding.
 
Here’s what I’ve learned that might help you too:
 
1. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Start
 
I look back at my earliest videos and see shadows, shaky lighting, and rough edits—but they were real. And they were the beginning of something special.
 
Start messy. Start anyway.
 
2. Polymer Clay Is More Than a Trend—It’s a Community
 
Some of my best-performing videos have been tutorials for simple, elegant polymer clay earrings:
 
* Watercolor rose dangles
* Dusty rose hoop earrings
* Double knot studs
 
I didn’t expect these to reach tens of thousands of viewers. But they connected with people who wanted to make something calming, creative, and beautiful.
 
If you're a beginner, start by making what you love. You'll find your people.
 
3. YouTube Isn’t Just for the Young—It’s for the Willing
 
Most of my viewers are women, and many are over 50—just like me.
 
YouTube is craving creators with a different voice. If you're a small creator or retired maker wondering if anyone would care, the answer is: yes, they will.
 
Consistency and authenticity are your superpowers.
 
4. It’s Okay to Grow Slowly
 
In the last month, I gained 65 subscribers and increased my average view time. These might not sound like big numbers, but over time, they add up.
 
The key is to keep going—even when views are low or motivation dips.
 
5. Your Voice Matters
 
I’m still learning. I’m still growing. But I’ve built a channel that reflects who I am—and that’s worth more than any viral moment.
 
If you’re dreaming about creating on YouTube (or even just making polymer clay art as a hobby), I want you to know:
 
➡️ It’s not too late.
 
💌 Sign Up for My Monthly Newsletter
 
Each month, I share helpful tips for polymer clay beginners, updates from my YouTube channel, and behind-the-scenes from my studio.
 
It's a great way to stay inspired and not miss new blog posts or tutorials.
 
👉  https://wendyvarnerdesigns.com/pages/20-off-page
 
✅ In Summary
 
Starting a YouTube channel after 60 felt like a leap—but it’s turned into one of the most rewarding creative projects of my life.
 
If you’re a maker, artist, or small creator over 50, know this:
 
* You don’t have to grow fast
* You do have something to say
* And it’s absolutely worth starting
 
Thanks for being here with me.