Tutorials

I wanted to link to this page of tutorial, because it is one of the most extensive list of polymer clay tutorials. I have visited this page before but today I was re-introduced to this page.
http://beadyeyedbrat.com/tutescanes.html

Contest - #1

This is the first internet contest, I have done. I have decided that I needed to step out of my comfort zone and learn to promote my shop. One way to promote is to reach out and become involved in the different activites going on - online.

This give away looks like a nice package of supplies to win. If I do not win, I ope that I will become a winner by getting more traffic to my blog.

Inspiration

On Wednesday evening I had the privilage to attend a demonstration by Lynne Ann Schwarzenberg. Wow she was fantastic. Her comments about creating a plug for spirals, was very enlightening. The way she manipulate a single leaf to make other designs was interesting. I hope to have an opportunity to try her techinques soon.

Evolution

Polymer clay has changed over the years. I think that with the evolution of different brands and strengthen the potential design limitations have changed. I now need to rethink my use of the clay. In the past I have designed some pieces that broke because of the clay’s weakness.

थे नीद तो blog

I am having a problem blogging. My title changes to different characters.

Time in a Bottle

Creating this shaker was a nice experience. I was attempting to create a mosaic design with a lead glass look. In ways I think I accomplished my goal. I then proceeded to cover a glass bottle with this cane. I was successful and it looked good. That was some ten or more years ago. I moved and the bottles stayed wrapped up in paper packed away in my garage. When I rediscovered my shaker it had fine hair line cracks. Glass does expand and shrink in the elements. Now the question is how do I combat that problem when covering home decor items that might experience element changes. I have recieved some suggestions, but I think my helpers need to see the item to understand the problem. So here it is.

Future by Another Name

Future has changed its name. I was lead to a link which stated that the makers of Future changed the name of the product to "Pledge with Future Shine." Now I can rest! No, I have started to test a new product - Minwax Polycrylic. About a month ago I used some of this product on a piece of polymer clay. It is still shiny and non tacky. That is good. I used my fingernail to do a scratch test. The finish held up to the test.

Summer

Had a wonderful year experiencing and learning a new job. With the new job I found it difficult to work with polymer clay. As a result I have not been able to create. Well the summer is here and school is out. I am playing with clay again. Yeah!

Shortly after I started playing with the clay, I discovered that I did not have much Future Acrylic to create a shiny finish coat to my beads. In my search for this old familar product, I was disappointed to find out that I could not find it. Now I am trying to find a new product. It is a tricky process. The polymer clay does not always react well with different products. So now I have to experiment to see if I can find a new product to use with my beads. Buffing large quanities of small beads, are not my cup of tea. I perfer to dip my beads in a solution that will create a durable shiny finish.

Now my quest begins.

MG Pendant w/ Cass' Swirl Hinge

MG Pendant w/ Cass' Swirl Hinge
Originally uploaded by claycass

I have been away. Some time licking my wounds and other times trying to create. I created this pendant with a hole for a jump ring. The pendant cried for more than just a jump ring.

I had just taken a wire jewelry class at the Wilmington Wire Show. So my creative juices dedicated doing something with the wire. Ahhh..... I learned to make nice swirls, cute swirls, round wire swirls. Okay I used the swirls to make this nice bail to hold my pendant to a chain. I like it. i like it.

Inspiration

I saw a cute domino pin. It used plactic buttons to decorate the dominoes. Well here is link to the domino.

Faux Chalk Turquoise

Faux Chalk Turquoise
Originally uploaded by claycass

I am try to push the envelope and do some different things. Sometimes what I think is cute and hot othters do not. I am looking to see and hear what others are thinking.

Cool Summer Set

Cool Summer Set
Originally uploaded by casswms

I was challenged to make a necklace for a class I teach. Well corporate likes to send projects that cost an arm and a leg, and then the materials are not available in the store. Well talented me came up with this combination of beads. I mixed a strand of blue and green beads, with a green cube bead as a spacer. To hold the combination together each bead was separated with a white e bead as a spacer.

Mixed Emotions

I have stumbled on bits and pieces about the Polyform decision to have Donna Dewberry create a certification process for polymer clay instructors. I am an instructor at a store and my class sizes are small. Will this new promotion help make my classes larger? The grapevine has said that the Clayfactor is no longer carrying Polyform products. They had close connection in the past. Only time will tell how this change will affect the industry. I know One Stroke certification cost $500, will the polymer clay classes be as expensive? Please post you feelings.

New Flickr Link

Summer Has Just Begone

Now summer has just begone. I am going to try to learn to use this medium more.

Inclusion

I tried inclusion with Premo clay and stationary glitter. I like the results. I have admired some tiny beads at the craft store that had an inclusion appearance.

As a stand alone,this inclusions outcome is nice. I would like to try it as a component to a larger compostion, in the future.

Still New to Forum

I am still new to this forum.
Here is a set I made. I was experimenting with the a transparent grid cane. I did not get the results I wanted. I am looking for suggestions. I wanted the foil underneath to pop out more. Here's a peak.

Button Earrings

Here are a pair of plastic button earrings I made.

Polymer Clay Jewelry

I make jewelry out of polymer clay. I would like to start selling my items, but I need a place to share my jewelry for free. I am looking for input on my designs.

Here is a simple pin I made. The pin is about 2-3 inches tall. The clay is a faux jade.
Food for thought.