Besteam Weekly Favorite - Lightkeeping

Lightkeeping has handmade jewelry inspired by all things beautiful. It is an expression of her fondness of color, clear form, simplicity and harmony. Each item is made with love and care and designed to bring you joy, lift your mood on dull days and complement your smile on bright ones. Knowing that this much care is put into each piece Lightkeeping's jewelry would be a nice addition to anyone's collection. Please check out these wonderful pieces at http://www.lightkeeping.etsy.com

New Clay Extruder

Thank you Walnut Hollow for my new clay extruder, but with a closer look I seem to know you. Well I had a Makin Clay extruder that I purchased from Michael’s Arts and Craft store. The clay extruder that I purchased came in a nice plastic box. After losing my extruder I looked to replace it, but I wanted a box with it. Michael’s had stopped stocking the extruder just about the time I decided to replace my extruder. I looked in stores from the Maryland Easter Shore to the New York Long Island – and I could not find the extruder with a nice neat plastic box to contain all the pieces. So after my store to store search turned up empty, I went to the internet. After searching for some time with no luck, I started to consider purchasing the extruder without the container. Without the container meant the price would need to be comparable.
Well there is a new Michael’s in town. So I trip over to the new Michael’s to see that it had new products, too. Among the new stuff was a new clay extruder by Walnut Hollow. Looking very nice I must say; in a plastic box, has a foldable handle, and lots of different shape discs. I had a nice coupon from the store so I decided to purchase the extruder. After purchasing the extruder, I rushed home to see if the extra discs, that I still had from the Makin Clay extruder, would fit the new one. Well, I dug out my old disk, and they FIT. Well, wait a minute the package for the new extruder say it was made by “Walnut Hollow”. So now Walnut Hollow is selling products at Michael’s under their original name.
The plunger still works with a cranking handle. The handle is designed to rotate continuously. With this extruder you don’t have to create a handle attachment for easy cranking. The handle folds in half for easy storage. The case stored 20 discs and three rubber o rings. If you have discs from a Makin’s Professional Ultimate Clay Extruder they will work with the Walnut Hollow Clay Extruder Set.

Creamsicles were the Best

Creamsicles were the best ice creams when I was a child. I loved them. I found this beautiful soap on etsy and I wondered would the soap give me the smells and experience as a soap, that I had as a child eating them. Please do check out this wonderful soap shop Lathery Confections.

Leo and Junie's Etsy Shop

I had the pleasure of joining the BESTeam last week, and this week I find myself sharing the shop of another BESTeam member. Leo and Junie design jewelry that is inspired by nature, flirty, and fun. They love using vintage beads, a mix of metals, and modern pieces in their jewelry designs. They are pretty excited about spring. They are sure to have bright colors and flowers in the shop. Please do take some time to visit their lovely shop.
http://www.LeoAndJunie.etsy.com

Sisterhood of Traveling Bead Giveaway

Humblebeads had this wonderful bead giveaway going on - right now! I love beads and a box of trinkets really excites me. When I was a little girl my church organist gave me a box of old jewelry and I have been mesmorized with jewelry over 50 years. So please do check out the give away on humblebeads.blogspot.com

NYC - Clayers

Polymer Clayers of the Greater Metropolitan NYC the New York Polymer Clay Guild is have a Clay Day. I decided to post the information so others would hear about it and come join us. The information is listed below. If you are interested email me at casswms@yahoo.com or our guild president Valerie Hall - Valerie.Hall@scafg.com

It’s time for Clay Day which is scheduled for this Saturday, March 20th, 2010 from 10am to 4pm at St. John’s University , 101 Murray Street , New York , NY . The fee is $10.00 for members; $15.00 for non-members (these fees cover the cost of the room).

As you know Clay Day is an open session where we learn techniques and just doing your own thing – a time to play!

What we planned for Clay Day is making rings and button earrings and other things ….and whatever you like!

The Guild will supply metal rings with flat surfaces for everyone to build their designs – samples will be shown on Saturday!

Thanks much!

Material List
Pasta machine
Blades
Board to work on
Plenty of clay – if you have any canes bring them and ALL your creative juices!!!!
Liquid polymer clay
Glue (Zap A Gap) or something comparable
Extruder
Cookie cutters
AND whatever else you’d like to bring!!!!

NYPCG Clay Date

 
This is my 'make n take' for today. Kudos to Valerie Hall, the president of the New York Polymer Clay Guild. We had a clay date today and I made this pendant.

I had fun today at our clay date. There were a number of members that ventured out today to make something from clay. I alway worked on a bangle bracelet. I was not so please with my bracelet - it is stell a work in process. My ban shrank so I have to figure out what I am going to do. Should I cut it or leave it un-wearable for me. That would mean that I should pass the bracelet to someone that could fit it. With cutting it, I would need to figure out how I would attach a clasp to the bracelet. I could use wire to fashion a one of a kind clasp for the bangle.

Happy New Year

I hope this New Year brings everyone a more pleasurable year than the year before. Mine is starting out pretty good. Say congratulations. I have been accepted as a teacher on the new polymer clay tutorial website - www.claylessons.com.

I have my first tutorial in the works. I have to figure out why my camera did not upload all the pictures to the computer. When that is squared away - I can add photos to my tutorial on claygun usage, and post it. I am so excited, and we know that many times we have to make our own excitement.

Once again to everyone - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sanding and Buffing

I tried using biodegradable styrofoam to create hollow beads. They turned out pretty good. I hand sanded these beads, and after sanding I decided to try something new. I strung the beads together and then used my buffing bench grinder to buff one of the beads. The buffing gave a nice shine and the string kept the bead from flying off while buffing. I suggest that if you decide to string beads together for buffing that you hold the string in your hand while buffing. If the bead gets caught in the buffing wheel the string will keep the bead from flying away.

In my quest for new techniques I acquired a vibratory tumbler. I had a set of color samples beads that were already strung together. I decided that I didn't want to restring them after tumbling - so I left them strung together, as I placed them in the tumbler. These beads were strung together using plain fishing line. The strand of beads tumbled through the tumbler without any problems. After I tumbled the beads in the vibratory I used the buffer to buff the beads. The last two oval teal beads were not buffed, but all the other beads on this strand were buffed. I think they turned out okay, but I still would like to see a little more shine. I think my next test will be to tumble the beads with fabric squares to see if I can achieve more of a shine.
Sorry, I did have one concern about tumbling. I added a little water to the tumbler, just enough to wet the beads and rocks. While tumbling I did notice that there were brown marks on the light colored beads. I thought this happened because I did not wash the rock. I stopped the process and washed the rinsed the rocks off with water. I resumed tumbling for a total of three hours. I beads were smooth to the touch. In the bottom and middle side of the small bowl was this nasty looking brown sludge. I needed a brillo pad to remove most of it, a stain remained. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this scenario.

In Search of High Gloss

I just purchased a vibratory tumbler. While ‘cruising the web’ I stumbled upon some comments about the tumblers. One source sent me to a gun shop. Well the gun shops in the big city were very scary even on the web. Well my search sent me to a store 200 miles away, but less than 10 miles from my sister's house. Wow, I could visit my sister and the sporting goods store. So on Monday that is exactly what I did. I was surprised at how large the tumbler was. I purchased a Lyman Turbo Tumbler. The label on the box says "gives factory brass finish; twice as other tumblers; heavy-duty, thermally protected motor; quiet running; wide stable base w/protective motor shield; includes 1200 pro plus 600 pop top bowl and lid. This is a turbo twin pack. It was the last one on the shelf and it had been opened, so there were no papers inside the box. So I am looking for all the advice I can find about using the tumbler with polymer clay. I purchased some plastic "beanie baby" pellets to try. I haven't returned home yet, so I haven't been able to try them. Last night while I was reading I read about two other methods 1. Pea gravel from Home Depot, 2. Bon Ami pot cleanser. Well I might have to experiment to see which is best. Wish me luck.

Spending to support the addiction....

The last couple of weeks I found myself spending money on unusual things while satisfying my addiction. POLYMER CLAY is my addiction.

Item number 1 - DAP Tex Plus - Window & Door Foam Sealant. I was looking for a foam that cured hard. I needed a strong compound to strengthen something. I was not thinking. I could have saved my 8 dollars and used what I already had in the cupboard. There was Polymer Clay in the cupboard and in the end that was what I used. I guess I will use this sealant around the house.

Item number 2 - Biodegradeable Packing chips. Now I know I have some in my garage, 5 hours away. Another 8 dollars, and I had to sneak it in the house so my finance didn't see it. I didn't need 8 gallons worth of this stuff. I have made two beads inspired by Ronna Weltman's new book Ancient Modern, but now what do I do with the rest?

Item number 3 - cork clay. I am not going to buy this stuff. I am going to use what I already have - POLYMER CLAY. Well, Sculpey Ultra-light to be exact. I purchased it about two years ago, another time when I was spending without thinking.

Ice Cream - Anyone?

Bunny Tracks ice cream from Blue Bunny is a great snack while working with polymer clay. I discovered these individual serving containers about a year ago, right next to the quart container. After eating a couple of these servings I decided that I should see if I could recycle the container. First I started storing small clay cutters in them. Then one night I set some clay in an empty container. I got busy and discovered a week later that the clay did not melt the container. Wow, I now have a new place to store raw clay. Ice cream, anyone?

I created this posting because an incredible polymer artist is featuring a giveaway on her website. That is Humblebeads. Take a peek at the great things happening on her website http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2009/07/studio-tour-storage.html

First attempt of Sandy's Flower

I toiled and toiled over making a flower cane. I have seen so many beautiful canes. And I wasn't sure I too could created such stunning work. I know everything takes practice and improves with time. Now I needed to convince myself to invest in the time. Well I have finally started the journey.

I looked for tutorials that I liked. I found one, Sandy created a tutorial that I liked. After some time I started the tutorial. Blah - my skinner blend did not come out so good. I did not get the time of blend from color to color that I wanted. So my flower set for weeks on the work table. I even ignored it while I worked on other things. Finally this weekend I had a clay day with the New York Polymer Clay Guild, but I didn't take my unfinished cane. I left it home. I had an excellent day, and I created two good looking skinner blends. That good fortune sent me to my work table as soon as I returned home.



All it needed was the final layer - translucent clay. Well, the cane was wrapped per the directions in the tutorial. The addition of little logs in the valleys after wrapping the cane, helped to reduce the effect of flatten flower petals at the edge. So I reduced the cane and while reducing it was a nice discovery to see that even the scrap ends looked good.



The final flower will work. Once it is reduce it still looks like a flower, therefore the original goal was met. Make a flower cane.



Now I need to make some leaves.

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Faux Malachite Beads

Faux Malachite Beads
Originally uploaded by claycass

I took a close look at these faux beads, and I notice that they are very nice beads. I have resized this picture so that you can see the detail of the beads.

quiltandscrollflorabeads

quiltandscrollflorabeads
Originally uploaded by rubarb04

I saw this necklace by Barb Fajardo, it is lovely. I adorn the shape and the composition of this piece.

Adinkra Jewelry - "Welcome"

The Adinkra symbols were originally designed by Ashante Craftsmen of Ghana, West Africa. The symbols are a non-verbal communication of aesthetic values, and the way of life for many West Africans. The symbols were painted through out the community. Most recently they were printed on fabric, and worn for celebrations. Each symbol has a name and a meaning.

These symbols have tickled at my creative muse for quit awhile. So, now I am designing a line of jewelry and accessory with adinkra symbols.

The current stamp design on these turquois and black polymer clay earrings is "Welcome". I think "Welcome" is an appropriate symbol for the beginning of this collection.

Japanese Flower

I have been on a quest to learn how to make a Japanese folded flower out of clay. It is a skill that I will have to work at and refine but this was my first attempt.
I saw a flower created by an etsy artist. This flower sparked a need to learn how to create the flower. So I have searched high and low for a tutorial to use. I have fold two that are linked to my page. Last night I tried one.
Process: I know that the design sheet should be clay. The sheet I used was painted, therefore sometimes it was hard getting it to fold the way I wanted it to. The next time I will creat a clay sheet.

Now that we have the data?

Now that we have the data about our Etsy shops, how are we using this data? I have discover the website http://www.craftcult.com. I love how this website reports data about an Etsy shop. I look at how many views and hearts that my shop gathers in a day. There is a montain of information available on this site. I am curious as to how other shop owners are using this site to drive their business. Help me out, leave a comment. In advance thanks for the info.

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