Not just polymer clay...

Facebook would ask "What's on your mind" and my answer is "not just polymer clay". I work in a few different media and more often than not will combine those with polymer clay, but this past week I decided to use some of my many strands of semiprecious stones. For the past year I've made these with recycled glass beads, but my colour stash on those has diminished greatly.
Here are a few things I've been working on...My Picasso Pendants...this one here measures more than 5 inches tall (Sold)
Knit Copper with Amethyst and Hematite...



and of course much more...I'll take more photos when it's lighter out. Our summer here has been unusually cool and dark.

Polymer Clay Flowers - a project and technique

I've published my newest polymer clay tutorial. Actually there are two versions, one with the Batik and Shimmer technique, the other with just the project. You can choose one or the other. All of these are available in my ArtFire shop and will be soon in Etsy also. Those familiar with my tutorials know they are comprehensive and easy to follow. I put my heart and soul into the photography and instruction. I hope you will be pleased with these.

The tutorial is for the technique and  project for Batik and Shimmer, Flowers, Pendants, Pins and Bails (long title which is reflected in 28 pages of instructions with 84 photographs). It is available for $12.


The project alone is Flowers, Pendants, Pins and Bails and consists of 20 pages of instruction). It's available for $5


And if you wish to purchase only the technique for "Batik and Shimmer" it is $7 and 11 pages of instruction and includes tips and tricks just like my other tutorials.


Happy Claying!

Leaf Shapes and thoughts of Fall

I can't help but think of Fall.  Not only because of these leaf shapes from polymer clay, but also because of our temperatures here on the West Coast have been anything but summer-like. While temps may be warm in Vancouver, here on the Coast temps have felt quite Arctic, hovering around 11 Degrees Celsius or 53 Fahrenheit, well below the 20 Degree average (71 Fahrenheit). I actually lit the stove today as did several other neighbors. The sun is peaking out now and it's a bit warmer and temps are supposed to reach 18...but I just don't feel it. Most mornings and afternoons are foggy, also very early, as August is known as Fogust in these parts.

This weather has inspired me to create leaves and here are a few. I'm calling them..."Solar Leaf Pendants" because I cure them with UV rays, either lamp or sun. The background is a modified technique on my Batik and Shimmer.

Batik Flower Pendants and Pins

Today was a great day to cure the UV resin outside...bright sun and not much wind. I made polymer clay flower pendants and pins with Swarovski crystal centers. If you like my Batik and Shimmer, you can purchase my technique in my ArtFire or Etsy (look in the left sidebar).
I'll be making many more colours and sizes. Also planned are earring posts and bracelet tiles. Stay tuned...

Feature Smoosher - EmilyClaire

This week fellow Polymer Clay Smoosher Valerie of EmilyclaireCreations is celebrating Christmas in July. Valerie creates very earthy jewelry from polymer clay such as these items.




Be sure to visit Emily Claire Creations shop or blog and take advantage of her sale...

New Polymer Clay Tutorial - Steampunk Tile Bracelet

My latest tutorial is available. If you enjoyed my Polymer Clay Steampunk Gears, cogs and washers Tutorial, then you will like the Steampunk Tile Bracelet even more. I've listed them in both my Artfire and Etsy shops.

Bracelets again

Haven't gotten to post in a while and just a quick breath up...to post a few quick pics of more of my Batik and Shimmer bracelets before diving back into work...

Teeny Polymer Clay Sea Urchin Molds and Beads

I've been spending some time this week creating smaller sizes of sea urchin beads from polymer clay. I'm also offering the molds as well so that anyone can craft realistic pieces for their summer or other craft.
For the sea urchins the sizes measure from a scant 18mm (shown) to 35mm. Sizes are approximate since one can slightly distort the beads smaller or larger from the mold. The small one here is a little smaller than a penny.(CDN and US pennies are the same size)
Different starfish molds are also available. Sizes are 30mm to 65mm. I've listed these in my ArtFire.

Baubles and Polymer Clay - revisiting past times

I was digging through my photo archives I found these cats pins from 2000. They were probably the most 'cutesy' thing I've done, lol.

Or how about some Lizards, Fish, Starfish from 2001. The top two have images behind the bauble, the bottom two have texture.

Some of these turtles have images, drawings and others have canes.

And then there are Angels, and Mythical...I used to sell those in little leather bags, but I incorporated them as vessel tops also...

These bauble pendants gave rise to my 'Aquarium pendants', photographic images behind glass and movable objects between the glass and photo, to give the piece 'movement'. Of course they weren't made with glass baubles as I needed something a bit larger. I had tried the larger glass baubles, but they often have flaws and the backs of them aren't perfectly smooth.

I should re-visit the good olde days more often, lol.

Feature Smoosher - Coltpixy

Each week I'd like to introduce you to a fellow ArtFire Smoosher. This week the Spotlight is on Angelina Star Edwards aka Coltpixy. Known as Star in our Guild, Star is also our Guild Master of the Polymer Clay Smooshers. Star has done an amazing job promoting us.

I love what she does with faux techniques, especially hearts that are made using her own special technique. These ones are found in her ArtFire Studio.





The other faux techniques that are inspiring are her fabulous turquoise cabochons. Who'd know they aren't real! You can find these in her ArtFire Studio also.



...or her Faux Jade Bamboo Pendant



Or some of her exceptional ghost images of mica shift...



Browse Coltpixy's blog or have a look in her Flickr Album where she has some fabulous MOSAICS ...