Cornstarch your Polymer Clay

The photo really doesn't express how many pebbles there are. Ok, it isn't exactly a beach full, but I can tell you I spent hours on these polymer clay beach stones. I don't make entire batches of the 'same' rocks, but just like in nature will add cracks, crevices, veins and form each one individually.

Here's a tip for you...if you don't like fingerprints on your polymer clay creations or perhaps you do to make sure people know they are handmade :) smooth beads by dusting your hands and fingers with cornstarch! I'm quite finicky with my beads and personally don't like sanding or tumbling, so cornstarch does the trick for me. Also, it washes off. The pebbles with Quartz inclusions, I like tossing in a bucket of ice cold water to enhance the translucency of the Quartz.

mmm....that bottom pebble has a vein that reminds me of a whaletail...I've made a few of these recently...

Polymer Clay and Resin play

I've tinkered with various types of resins for my polymer clay jewelry and until now have not found the right product for me. I've tried Envirotex and some other 2 part resin that my husband likes to use and while he is very good at mixing 2 part resins, I am not. I think my equal measuring with specific cups is not working out too well, but apparently temperature is a factor also. I've ended up with sticky pieces that ended up in the garbage bin and was not too pleased because I didn't do it on a 'test' piece, ahem. No wonder I didn't do so well in High School Chemistry, lol. I've tried Judikins Diamond Glaze and DG3 Art gel and Glossy Accents which are dimensional glosses. Since they are water-based however they do not stand up to a lot of wear. I've tried UTEE and I do like it for 'round' objects, but for tougher wear I need something stronger.

Most of you know about the 1 part resin, Magic Glos, by Lisa Pavelka. I like it a lot, but it is a bit pricey. I'm glad it is available in larger bottles now which does bring cost down. It cures wonderfully under my 9 Watt UV lamp, but I find I have to do two steps and sometimes two layers to get it right. You can see my post about it here
About lamps...I just ordered a larger lamp, a 36 Watt one like this one. I'll be able to cure more pendants at a time (instead of 2 or 3) and with a quicker cure time.

Anyway...last year I had some UV resin sent to me by a manufacturer in the US. I'll have to dig out the flyer and info they sent me and tell you more about who, where and what, but I finally used it and WOW! am I happy I did. If you saw my last post you saw one of the pieces I did with this.
Here are a few more pics

 

This stuff, which is an Epoxy, cures relatively fast, about the same time as Magic Glos. What I do is a thin layer at first, cure and do another layer. What I found so far is that:

• it does not recede from the edge
• after curing it can be baked (if you need to add to your piece)
• it can be sanded (and I've got to do a bit of that)

Ancient World meets Future - Myriad Polymer Clay Pendants

While working on these polymer clay somethings, including some spirals (not shown), the first thought that came to mind was Archimedes. I was looking for a name for these pendants to be and had to ponder why that word would jump out like that.

Archimedes was a Greek astronomer, inventor, engineer, physicist, and mathematician.

The watch gears hint of steampunk, and yet the pendants don't look anywhere near Victorian which is a major criteria for something to fit into the Steampunk genre. I know that a lot of people stick some gears and bolts in some clay and call it Steampunk, however, true Steampunk does not contain an iota of plastics, only metal, glass, leather or the kinds of things that were around in the Victorian Era. And frankly, polymer clay or PVC was not invented until 1933 in Germany by Semon B.F. Goodrich. Check out this interesting time-line of polymers.

So what do I call my pieces that are more inspired by 'Ancient World meets Future' along with gears, nuts and bolts, resin, inks of the now...I was trying to guess how many pendants I have created since I started claying, beading etc and a wild guess would be in the thousands. 10,000 is a Myriad in Greek...A Myriad of Polymer Clay Pendants, or just a few.
Stay tuned...I'll be blogging about a wonderful new component resin.

Tofino Beach Drift - Polymer Clay Pebbles and Rocks

Been hiding in my studio to work on some new polymer clay jewelry, namely my beach pebbles. Filled with new inspiration I'm giving my 2010 line a lift, by including some driftwood pieces. The recycled glass looks like beach glass which of course goes well with stones and driftwood.

Among the beach pebble jewelry are a few Inuksuits (plural of Inukshuk) which were re-requested by a local gallery. The Inukshuk also forms the basis of the logo of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. You may want to google some interesting facts about this symbol. I'm having another idea on how to incorporate this into some work.

These pieces will be among others that I'll be taking to an upcoming Wholesale Show near Victoria. Stay tuned for more Tofino Beach Drift...

 

Polymer Clay Tutorial - Celtic Gold Cookie Cutter Box

A new year, a fresh start. I've been working non stop since the 1st of the month on this Polymer Clay Tutorial. This polymer clay box has been on my mind for some time. I've been itching to do a lesson on vessels and boxes. Here it is!

In this detailed and multi technique lesson you will learn to make a box by using a cookie cutter that will act as a mold or form. The finished box resembles old leather with metal appliqué. The turquoise crackle lid and stamped embellishments add to the overall aesthetics and richness of the vessel. Don't like to sand? No problem, as this project is not recommended for the sanding enthusiast! I'll show you tricks to avoid this chore and how to accomplish invisible seams.

Don't let the look of the box intimidate you, it can be altered to a simpler version by leaving out some of the steps. If you don't have Celtic knot-work stamps, use Asian, Floral or other stamps, however, I've include an On-line Supplier list of both Canadian and US Retailers/wholesalers that ship worldwide, including where to purchase Celtic rubber stamps, Cookie cutters, Paint, Texture plates etc.

Also included with the tutorial is a printable cutting guide.

This detailed 78 step lesson has 80 clear photographs and 29 pages to guide you through 7 parts:

Crackle Technique
Cookie Cutter box form
Bottom
Stamping, Texturing and Embellishment
Molded Lid and Handle
Box Feet
Finishing

With the crackle technique alone you'll be inspired to make beads and pendants :) if not more boxes!
(Box sold separately, please inquire)
The Tutorial is available on my ArtFire.

 

 

Customer Appreciation Photos

I'm glad some people share what they make with other peoples polymer clay tutorials. I just noticed in my Etsy that there is a place in Feedback for Customers to leave Appreciation photos. Here are a couple, one by Freshwater Designs who sent me a photo of a necklace she made using my Toggle Tutorial. The other one is by Katherine Jewelry who used my Christmas Star Tutorial.
Good job! and thank you for sharing what you made with it. I would like to see more what people do with my tutorials. Please share more...

Polymer Clay Pins and Brooches

I finally finished some of the Polymer Clay Mokume Gane pieces from the Julie Picarello workshop last month. There seems to be some fog in the photo toward the back. When I looked at the lens it was all steamed up...it was cold outside. Next time I need to acclimatize the camera first, lol.
Yes, I sanded, but didn't buff them too much, just a few quick rubs on my jeans.

2 Days with Julie Picarello

I finally get to write about the fabulous 2 day Polymer Clay Workshop that I spent in Vancouver amongst old and new friends and the fabulous Ms. Julie Picarello. You'll probably recognize her style...

I love Julie's style, not only her wonderful mokume gane work and jewelry, but also her style of teaching. I absorbed as much as I could. I actually got into trouble with Julie when 'someone told on me'! that I'm a sanding rebel! She had to have a word with me about that and I promised sheepishly that I would sand. Well, it really didn't help that most of my usual work is of such nature that it doesn't require sanding. Pebbles, anyone? lol Ok...seriously...I don't really need any convincing that the mokume gane would benefit from some sanding. It really makes it 'finished' and of course do I want my pieces to look finished (when they get finished, haha). What I loved about this workshop, there was a lot of laughter! (we all got to wear our comfy slippers and Julie had chocolates on her table that we got to munch on!...mmm...)

Julie taught us her particular style of mokume gane with imprint and incorporating interesting bits of funky metals, drilling, sanding, copper tube bails and intriguingly patterned lizard tails...Thank you for a great weekend, Julie. (Sorry about the pic...I should have aimed a little different...no folks, Julie is not wearing a hair barrette...oops)

Julie instructing and intent listeners...

Well, those are some of my 'colors' and then I made this...

 I think it was a nice surprise. Ok, ok...not finished yet. I'll show you later, I still have to sand! lol

Julie's fabulous jewelry.

and interesting 'lizard' tails...I see a lot of potential!

Group Photo...we all fit in!!

That shot took some maneuvering on a ladder, lol. A very Big Thanks to Linda ( third up from bottom left with her hand on my shoulder). Linda was our wonderful Hostess for this Retreat. Those of us that chose to stay with Linda got comfy beds, yummy goodies for breakfast and lunch and a great atmosphere in a wonderful home. Check out Linda's blog for any upcoming workshops or happenings in the Vancouver area...

I want to do this again...asap!!

Imitative Beach Pebble Tutorial - Series 3

I've finally finished part 3 of the Imitative Beach Pebble Tutorial. Use Polymer Clay to imitate Epidote , Lava and Pumice stones.

 $16 (IBP-3)

You can find it in my Artfire shop with the other tutorials or you can purchase from my blog here via secure Paypal checkout and immediate file download. You will first be directed to a page that offers some of my other tutorials on there, also for immediate download.

Shortly I will also list individual rocks, so that you can mix and match which tutorials you want. I will also put together a package for all 3 tutorials in the series for a 10% discount. If you have previously purchased both of my part 1 and 2, send me a message and I will send you a coupon for an equal discount. My apologies ahead of time, but I can only do this through my Artfire Shop as Etsy does not have the feature to apply gift certificates or coupons.
Individual Tutorials for single stones are also going up like these ones:

($6.00 Ryolite)

  
$6.00 (Basalt Rock)

Imitative or Faux techniques

Came across a wonderful list of various faux polymer clay techniques.  Ever wondered how to make Lapis Lazuli, Leather or Raku, then have a lookie in Craft Stew!
The site has a lot of other techniques also, such as sewing, crocheting, paper crafts and even woodworking. Don't know why I didn't know about this site until now, but am glad to have found it.

http://craftstew.com/polymer-clay/faux-polymer-clay-techniques

(above image is one of my faux bone cabs)