Thursday already? and September? Need a Body break...

I can't believe how time flies! I guess it's been a busy summer. 
Here is what I sometimes wake up to...I shot this about a week ago...a full moon at dawn.

If you're an Artist and spend a lot of time in the chair, I should make you aware that desk work can be hazardous to your health. I've paid too much attention to my art and work and not enough to my body. I know all too well since 3 bone spurs in my neck have let themselves be made felt. Numbness, pain and tingling, ear ringing, headaches, dizzyness and even hoarseness. Bone spurs...only prevention will keep those away. Once you have them, they can greatly interfere with your daily life. Stretch every 20 minutes if you are spending a lot of time stooped over your fascinating pieces or over the keyboard of your computer.

I've just purchased a couple of yoga dvd's...the better one is called "yoga for inflexible people", lol. Yep, that's me, inflexible. Well, my fingers are very flexible. After all they've been getting the most exercise. Conditioning clay, rolling clay, pinching clay...well, you get the point. After 20 + years of claying, I'm still using my arm to crank that pasta machine and the physiotherapist says I have shoulders built like an elephant! Gee, thanks!! lol. But my shoulder joint is feeling it. I'm thinking that if I get a motor, I'll be even lazier when it comes to exercise, but alas, the rest of the body needs it too and overworking the joints is totally possible with cranking the hard clay through those tight rollers. Relaxation is a must, not just stretching...
Here is one relaxing pose...

 I have this DVD plugged in my laptop. I can carry it out to the porch where my mat is set up...I just need to find another blanket...

Take care,

August is a busy month for Polymer clay and upcoming Giveaway!

Well, it is almost mid-month and between Anniversaries, Birthdays I haven't had much time to blog. I wanted to give you something, to celebrate my birthday. Hey, wait a minute, isn't it me that's supposed to get the presents? lol. Well, as an August Leo one of my traits is supposed to be generosity, so I better live up to it.

What to give away...Tutorials, beads and pendants, jewelry or maybe all three?
While I think about what the prize/s will be...I need your help...
send me your ideas on how to make the giveaway an interesting one that will help promote my blog...best idea gets 2 extra entries, all other ideas get 1 extra entry. Just leave a comment...

And while I think of it, the busy bee has been at it. I have a new tutorial that I just listed.
Honeycomb texture colour technique

Laser Printers at Staples - Polymer Clay Transfers

For the polymer clay transfer enthusiast there is great news, your very own toner based colour printer for only $169 and Staples has a $20 coupon on right now as well. If you're struggling to find places to make those copies for you, this is an affordable replacement for an inkjet as well.
The only drawback would be replacement cartridges, while not cheap, they last a long time.

Brother HL-3040CN Digital Colour Printer | STAPLES

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...