Polymer Clay Overview

After shouting out for polymer clay guidance yesterday, I was thrilled to get so much info in return, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I wanted to put together a quick overview of what I have learned as a result:

• Learn the basics first such as conditioning your clay and baking, etc. before you get started
• YouTube videos offer many tutorials
• http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/ for tutorials and message board format
• Books, books, books!
• Take a "basics" class
• Trial and error is great way to discover your own style
• Cindy Lietz Blog with a new video every Friday
• Join a local clay guild
• Purchase step by step tutorials on Etsy
• claylessons.com
• Buy a polymer clay oven (use your 40% off Joann's coupon)
• Try different clays before buying a bunch to determine which you like best
• Sand baked pieces with wet sand paper from the hardware store and rub w/denim
• Sanding/buffing and use of transluscent clay

There was so much more offered in yesterday's comments, so if you are interested in getting started like I am, make sure to read through all the additional tips and websites provided.

The most surprising was the POLYMER CLAY OVEN!! Seriously, where have I been? This was news to me or if I knew about this before, I blotted it out of my memory. Very interesting! Who doesn't love a new appliance?

Yay, THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

Where to Begin with Clay?

I'm hoping to get some input from everyone on the best way to get started learning about polymer clay.

Should I take a 6 week class (one evening a week), watch videos, read books or all of the above?


I would love to hear your thoughts. What worked for you, what didn't? What would you do differently in hindsight?

I am hoping to learn from your trials, errors and successes if you wouldn't mind taking a minute to share.

This seems to be something I am feeling strongly about learning and since I enjoy crafting and
making jewelry, it makes sense. What do you think? THANKS SO MUCH!

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!

I hope everyone has been enjoying a nice holiday weekend!

It's time to visit some of our fellow bead-bloggers to see what they've been up to. Here we go...

Art Bead Scene Let's Rewind and ask ourselves, do your customers see your work as you do?

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Even though he didn't physically go to the BeadFest show, Andrew still managed to score some amazing finds! Check out his loot from the show.

Beading Arts Cyndi is helping her readers show off the best thing they made this summer!

Carmi's Art/Life World A stationary set found in storage results in a new necklace for Carmi.

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva It's the end of the summer and Cindy's taking it easy this week. Her "Meandering" earrings express that end of summer relaxed attitude.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie shows off some new sparkly supplies from her friends at Auntie's Beads

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! It is so hard for Jean to believe it is September! She is cheered and honored by being Artbeads' "Spotlight Designer" on Facebook! Read about it on her blog!

About.com Jewelry Making Take a quick poll and comment about your crafting and weekend plans.

Polymer Clay Upclose & Personal

I had a great Saturday and it's just getting better! We are heading for the drive-in so I'm thinking I better make this quick!

Earlier today I met a wonderful artist and author, Debbie Jackson. She is a fellow North Light Books author and lives right here in my city. Her book is entitled, Polymer Clay Jewelry. (I am now a proud owner of a copy too and can't wait to begin learning!)

I had no idea until yesterday when I did a search in order to find a local polymer clay class. Her name came up and I sent her an email. We met today at the "Studios on High" gallery where she shows/sells her fabulous work and book.

Again, I have to say, what a great day!

She is such a nice person and fun to talk to! Her energy is contagious! Her work is so beautiful and makes me want to learn!

Here is her book cover and her blog, Debbie's Adornments, if you are interested in dropping by to meet her too.

Have a great evening!

Featured Designer: Nicole Campanella

Yay, Friday!

This week's featured designer is probably someone you already know or have visited at one time or another.

Nicole's blog is entitled, "Beadwright" and she describes herself as "owner, designer, author, artist".

If you get a chance to pop over to her etsy site, she has beads, beading kits and her instructional books available!

I happened to drop by her blog earlier in the week and loved her August 30th post.

She made this necklace with chain hanging from a woven piece in white and she described it as "elegant punk", I not only love the necklace, but love that description and completely agree!

Nicole mentioned that she couldn't get up from where she was sitting after making the necklace so she decided to make the bracelet above too.

Now, to me, this is not something you just sit there and throw together in a few minutes... Gorgeous!

I'm so glad Nicole agreed to allow me to post her photos and links here, THANKS NICOLE! It's great to be able to share the work of others that I admire.

I hope you all get a chance to get crafty this weekend. By the way, here are all the links to Nicole's various sites.

http://www.nicolecampanella.com/

http://www.beadwright.etsy.com/

http://www.beadwright.artfire.com/

http://www.beadwright.blogspot.com/

Possible Peyote Project

I so enjoy looking at the tubes of 6/0 e-beads at the craft store. It always makes me want to get out the needle and thread and start on a simple peyote cuff....

Maybe that is what I will make this weekend, it has been a while, but is always very fulfilling when done.

I'm thinking this tube of metallic gold e-beads will make a great cuff that you can wear every day.

I might be able to get 5 rows out of this tube and think the metallic gold will be so eye-catching! I'll keep you posted!

I'm so excited to have a 4 day weekend, I just have to be careful not to think I'm going to accomplish so many things that I get overwhelmed.

There will definitely be a trip to the library involved AND some beading! I hope you are all so fortunate to get a few days off too!

And now on to another exciting subject......I just learned today from Happy Mango Beads they are sponsoring a fun new contest to enter....the prize? $100 in beads!

It's a TRASH TO TREASURE challenge...how cool! Click HERE for details.

Rings Galore

I am so excited to start gluing things to these ring forms!

I have lots of great buttons and miscellaneous cool objects that would be PERFECT as rings!

I've tried different glues before, but have never been 100% satisfied with them.

I would love to hear from anyone out there who has successfully glued things to ring forms like this.

I found this package on my Joann etc. trip, but am not sure why Plaid calls it "Holiday Glitz". I do, however, LOVE the name "Holiday Glitz"!

I can't wait to glitz these up and bling them up and sparkle and maybe even weird them up! :)

Hope you are having a great week!

Tomorrow is my Friday since I've decided to make it a 4 day holiday weekend, YAY!!

I can't wait, I'm going to spend some time BEADING!!!