Autumn Fire Cabochons

With the end of a very busy and routine summer, the fiery colours of the Autumn foliage and freshly fallen leaves have renewed my creative energy. These pictures are free wallpaper downloads and pretty much the colours that are showing up here now.

I had posted on Facebook a few of my Fire cabs and asked what colours were favourites right now. Fiery Orange, deep burnt orange, gold, red, chocolate were resounding answers and added to this mix was a gold, purple and turquoise. I used some of these colour combos for some polymer clay cabochons which I covered with resin and will be using for bead embroidery, but I did finish one…and another is almost finished.
Here are some of the cabochons. I’m contemplating listing some of these on Etsy and ArtFire for others who’d like to use them as additions for their own creative use.

I used Japanese Mijuki beads for the embroidery and added smoky quartz and turquoise. The pendant has a couple of watch gears stitched on the bail for an extra interest. This set is spoken for and already in the mail…

Orinendo Shawl Pins

A few have asked me when I would be doing a Shawl Pin tutorial. What better way to get me to do it when the weatherman is correct in predicting nothing but rain for the week which means I am spending more time indoors again.

Perhaps you are wondering (or maybe not, lol) about the strange name I gave them.
“Orinendo”.  Maybe it’s their shape of the clasp or maybe the Geisha-like pins, but the techniques themselves are actually influenced by Asian Artisan methods, Origami and Mokume Gane. Many polymer clayers are familiar with Mokume-Gane which means ‘wood grained – metal’. Some prefer to call the technique Mokume Nendo when applied to polymer clay, as Nendo means clay. Ori-gami means ‘Folding-paper’. So how does this relate to the pins and tutorial? Well, the pins are made with using my color-gradient blend which I named ‘Origami Blend’ and with the extra steps added it resembles Mokume Nendo, so it seemed natural to combine the names.
Perhaps more of interest will be the revelation how to painlessly make your clay resemble Mokume Gane or Mokume Nendo without the normally required skill of using a thin tissue blade to reveal the various layers of colour. I'll show you how apply coppery patterns and coloured crackle details. The hexagon pin is the one I’m doing in the tutorial, but you can create any shape you like.

Your finished project will be an elegant compliment to any shawl or sweater, especially with the colder season heading upon us…
Look for this collage banner on my ArtFire.

Turtle Jewel Pendants

It’s been a busy summer, but I’ve been itching to write another tutorial and must say this one has been a long one in the making. Between computers and lost photos (even though I have an external hard drive), too complicated, but I finally got it done. These can be interpreted any way you like, into a tribal kind of pendant or more classy. The facial features like eyes and beak can be left off for a more serious look or you can add comical Muppet-like eyes for fun.

This tutorial consists of 61 steps, 23 pages and 58 photographs.

This lesson is a detailed step by step how to create a turtle with a textured back with an inlaid polymer clay bezeled or rimmed stone. Slowly but surely (turtle pun) you will learn how to build the head, body, legs and tail, then assemble, sculpt, texture the front and back and turn the turtle into a adorable wearable pendant. You can also choose to create a larger version as a decorative ornament. Give your turtle land or sea legs or a metallic or faux bone body.

I’ve listed this in both my Etsy and ArtFire shops.

My newest addition

There once was a day when a brayer and my hands were all I had to condition my polymer clay, but I think I can speak for most of us when I say that I very much appreciate my pasta machine and don’t think I could ever do without one now (and I even have a motor on the way thanks to my clay friends)
And speaking of one of my friends, Barb Alexander, she has some very cool jewellery just for us clay enthusiasts.  I just couldn’t resist and had to buy one of these adorable pendants. They are really solid or thick sterling silver. Enough talk… here are some photos from Barb and a video I shot, so you can see for yourself!

1-866-658-2612 or barb@batikbutik.com

Above is the toll free number if you want one of these or you can email Barb. I think there are limited numbers available. Earrings are $45 and consist of a pasta machine and a block of clay. Pendants are $35. They come in a beautiful  gift box. Shipping to the US is $6, but more in Canada.

Tofino Mini Retreat Treat…

Yes, what a treat that was. Since it is rare for me to be able to get away, 9 fun people decided to come and spend some time with me. There were some new faces whom I only knew from online, and a few others whom I had the pleasure of meeting again. There was laughter (my cheeks got good exercise), fabulous food (diet gone to the dogs), drink and more nibbles and of course we were claying for a whole weekend plus…where do I begin?
4 Vancouver Island Clayers came up from Victoria (about 5 hours) and Nanaimo (3 hours) and 5 others from Vancouver and area which besides the 3 hour drive involved a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride. But the drive to Tofino is very scenic, and especially nice without snow, lol. On a couple of turns the road is very narrow, for those that are familiar with the Road to Hana on Maui, haha.
A few stayed at the beautiful Botanical Gardens Ecolodge and others rented the Botanical House where all the gourmet meals were cooked and I was invited to (soooo nice not having to cook, haha). The Gardens are just amazing and have it 'All’. The Ecolodge isn’t just economical to stay in, but was built with Ecomaterials. It isn’t the way we imagine a Hostel at all as this one is not only clean, but super modern with all comforts and well, go visit the site. Students and people from all walks of life come to work  here as WWoofers . When I first heard the word I thought of a speaker stereo sub woofer, but here is meant ‘World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms’…Wwoof! lol
For us clayers, the Lodge provided breakfast and the Workroom was just perfect! There is Darwin’s Cafe with delicious Latte of course, the Gardens…Sometime if there are enough people, we can rent the whole lodge for 32 that would allow us access to all amenities plus 5 people could stay in the house.
(special thanks to Barb Alexander and Lawrence Smith for providing these photos and of course Thank you! to the owner George Patterson, to Chenoa, Sabrina and all the staff at the Botanical Gardens).

On Friday night I handed out ‘Challenge Bags’ (which not everyone was pleased about at first) and a Champagne glass to all the Attendees since I was going to be busy at our local Market on Saturday. The challenge bags contained a small glass bottle, a test tube, a glass bauble, some glass bits, a cork coaster, a round piece of needlework canvas and a CD to cover. Throughout the retreat, the laughter never stopped. And the Challenge bags were well received. Challenges can be intimidating at first, but let the Muse do the talking…
Here are some of the Islanders cooking dinner for us all on the first night and the rest of us chillin’. (that frying pan looks dangerous! lol)

Both ‘teams’ served up delicious meals both nights. Omg…Paula! That Kahlua Chocolate Mousse…
(from left: Lawrence, Janet, Paula, Tina, Eileen, Irene, Ruth, Nancy and Deb. Photo taken by Barb)


Nancy sorting some of the Twinchies for your swap.
So….what is a Twinchie??
A Twinchie is a larger version of an Inchie. But what is an Inchie you ask? I didn’t always know either, lol. The Twinchie is a 2 x 2 inch tile made from various media. In our case it was made from Polymer clay and the theme was ‘ocean’.


Here are all the Twinchies which I mounted on Canvas. Some of us graciously donated an extra one so it would ‘fit’ better.
(top left row: Barb, Lawrence, Janet, Tina. 2nd row from left: Eileen, Paula, Deb, Irene. Bottom from left: Tina, Nancy, Ruth, Janet) Some close ups….
Love the fish and mokume gane! by Janet Bouey.Barb’s shooting stars and moon rise. Lawrence’s Underwater Gardens and Ocean Colours by Ruth.

(I think you can click on the pics to make them bigger)
The challenge turned out quite well also. Most got something finished, like these goblets. Aren’t they great? ok…hard to see…closer versions….
From left: Ruth, Janet, Irene, Lawrence) Am missing the other enlarged photo, I believe it is Nancy’s)
Bottle of Hope by Janet. I also demoed various things regarding surface treatments and techniques, such as Resin, Pearlex, Paints, Silkscreens, Liquid clay and Varnishes and my Landscape Jasper technique. Sounds like a lot and it was.  The beads below are examples the Group made (3 left are landscape beads) and the textured piece of clay is one of my demo pieces.


Lawrence  and Janet studiously at work…

Some worked at on the Challenge or spent time on their own project which this Retreat was also about, it was supposed to be at a relaxed pace after all. These are Barbs nifty Bobbin beads…

And then while we were chillaxing in the evening on soft cushions in the comfy setting, sipping on Lawrence’s fabulously tasty and yummy Sangria, the Group surprised and presented me with a card. It immediately brought tears to my eyes as it was completely unexpected. I was not only presented with plenty of happy anniversary and birthday wishes, but with a Pasta Machine Motor!! OMG! (I must have been complaining about a sore shoulder at some point, lol). In more than 20 years of claying, I guess it is time for one! Thanks so much Gang!!
On Monday mid morning it was time to pack up…the sad part. But, let’s do a Repeat!! It was so much fun to have spent this time with you my friends! Thank you!
About Pasta Machines…stay tuned for a Fun Fun Fun blog…

Orange Love Affair

I’ve been so busy, but thought I should make time for a small update.
I’ve never been much of an orange fan, orange the colour that is…until it just struck me! It’s such a happy and sunny colour. Our summer has been extremely lacking in sunshine and we haven’t had a day over 19 degrees. All of August so far has been cast over and cool and this is perhaps why I’m suddenly drawn to orange, along with yellow and red (I miss those summer sunsets!)
Here are a few of my latest creations…all orange…orange u glad? (sorry, couldn’t help that one)



Ok…I snuck a green flower in there, but was too lazy to crop.

The Racoon ate my Homework…

…or maybe he stole it, not sure which. Do Racoons like shiny things??
I know racoons look cute and here is an adorable photo. Looks like he either is saying “I do, I do” to the question of “Who wants a piece of sausage” or… he’s just waving at you. Little Rascal.

Racoons are curious creatures. Last week I was sitting in my studio, close to the door which I had open about two feet to allow in more light. I’ve been having this reoccurring dream of a black bear sauntering slowly past and this certainly is a worry out here as we’ve had our share of run-ins with them. If I really had to I’d climb up into the loft and throw things at him…ok…ok…I digress.
Racoons are more daring, so much so that they aren’t really afraid to explore the insides of our living spaces. So, I was sitting near the door when a racoon sauntered by in what looked like slow motion and just as he was by the door where I was sitting very still and motionless, I  thought I’d surprise him as he still didn’t see me, even as he peeked inside the door. I guess their eyesight isn’t too good. Then I piped up “Hey You!” and he gave me the funniest, obvious look of “Oh crap! I’ve been caught!” and hightailed it which isn’t very fast…toward the bushes beside my shop.
Well…he got back at me yesterday. While I went in the house to get myself a cup of tea, my husband heard noises out back and asked if I was watching a show or something. “no…?'” Didn’t take long to discover that a couple of minutes did the damage. Rascal paw prints on my desk…the waste basket stuff strewn all over the place. A broken work tile, nibbled packages of polymer clay, jewellery bins tossed open (I guess they are very adept at opening lids!). So I put everything back together and get back to work and realize I have some stuff missing!! I can’t find my Rhinestone spacers and I had them right ‘there’.
Anyway…this is a collar I’m working on since the last one (photo below) sold to someone in the US. The Gallery asked me for 2 more, but of course they take weeks to make and this being the busy season, I won’t be able to ‘pop’ those out, lol. Now I have to think about what to use instead of the rhinestones…but I’m so glad he didn’t decide to eat my necklace or take the whole thing!