Polymer Clay Mixed Media & Long Beads

Boy I tell ya all that cooking for turkey day took a lot out of me... all I want to do is sleep. I've tried to pass the chef duties to my daughters but the grandkids have a fit. I told hubby I will continue doing it until I reach 70 then I'm retiring. We'll see if I can last that long.

Today is the last day of the Holiday Challenge on Polymer Clay Central. I had fun and I hope all the folks who took part had a good time too. I was hoping for a big finish but this is the best I could do.

Experimenting with long tube beads.... and some chunky beads to match. Hopefully they will make a pretty necklace, if I can decide on how I want to put them together.

Click on Photos for a closer look.
I've been dying to do some wire work so I added wire dodads and beads to these. For the next few days I'm gonna just do wire work.... I can do it sitting in my recliner and watching t.v.

Polymer Clay Heart Cabochons

I didn't have much time for claying today. After the made a mess on my clay table yesterday I thought I 'd better do some cleaning and rearranging. I did manage to make and sand three heart shaped cabs. They measure one inch. I think I will use them all on a necklace.

Polymer Clay Two Part Pins

My cats and I are not having a good day.

Earlier this afternoon I was putting things away in the kitchen, Fritz was underfoot hoping I would drop something tasty when I accidentally stepped on his tail. I must have stepped pretty hard cause he is still giving me dirty looks and runs away if I go near him. I did feel bad about it but I'm a little tired of his holding a grudge.

Corny, on the other hand , has made it to the top of my "who I would like to strangle" list. I had a bunch of items laying on tiles ready for the oven when something startled her , she jumped in the middle and knocked everything on the floor. The carpet in that area is old and yucky so the things that weren't mushed or dented are covered in cat hair and carpet fibers.... and dirt.

So about the only thing I got accomplished today is putting pinbacks on a couple of the pins I needed to finish. Here they are.

Polymer Clay Colorful Cabochons

I forgot to post yesterday, so I'm a day late wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all had a wonderful day.

The day after Thanksgiving is a day of rest for me, I don't have to cook cause there are lots of left overs... I love turkey day left overs, don't you? Our grandson, Brandon, and one of his friends (also named Brandon) stopped by for a snack.... snack my foot, amazing how much teenagers can eat, they put a sizable dent in my leftovers.

I did a little experimenting with long tube beads this morning but I'm not ready to show them yet. I also sanded some cabochons for beading.... and here they are.

Click on the photo for a closer look.

Two tone Mica Shift

I made these early this morning and thought I would have time to sand and buff before I took photos but the baking and the cooking got in the way.... so here they are. I mixed Kato brown and Fimo Classic chocolate to get the base color. Then for the light color I mixed a small amount of the brown with Kato pearl. I like the colors together. Will have to wait until after Thanksgiving to see how the look sanded and purdied up.

Polymer Clay Beaded Seahorse Pendant

This is birthday week in our family, several of which are milestones. My brother turned 65 on the 21st, our son 40 on the the 23rd and today is our youngest grandson's all important 16th birthday. His granddad took him to the DMV for his drives license but they neglected to take the necessary documentation so they will be making a return visit tomorrow....maybe... now Brandon can't find his Social Security card. Needless to say DH was a little cranky when they got home.

We have two more birthdays to go, Eric will be 41 on Thanksgiving day and Heather will be 45 on the 27th. I'm about birthdayed out!!

I did my shopping for Thanksgiving dinner today so I didn't have time to do any claying. I did finish beading the seahorse pendant but still need to bead the bail and put it on a cord. I used light amber crystal beads and blue seed beads for the beading.

Click on the photo for a closer look.

Polymer Clay Gertie Pentant

Today is my sons 40th birthday. Wow, that is such a surprise..... it just seems like yesterday that I turned 40 myself. He is our youngest. He grew up to be a kind gentle man that has made us proud. Happy Birthday Brad.

I have a cute stamp with three figures on it, I used one of the ladies to make this pendant. I gussied her up with PearlEx powder, used green Swarovski rhinestones for her eyes and curled her red clay hair. She's no raving beauty but she has lots of personality. Her name is Gertie.

Polymer Clay Textured Layers

I made a couple more pendants using the top slices from a sheet of mica shift.

Polymer Clay Colorful Mica Shift

Today I had a good time playing with texture stamps and mica shift. I have lots and lots of rubber stamps and texture sheets so decided I'd better use them more.

For the first one I tinted Kato Pearl with Fimo Classic Bordeau Red. I ran it though the pasta machine to the thinnest setting. I then went through my tub of mixed colors and found a small amount of lime green that I decided to use for the bottom sheet.... which I rolled out #1 on the PM.

I made the lime green by mixing Kato yellow with a small amount of black and then added white. I know I should write down proportions but I never do. I kinda mix colors like I cook, a pinch of this and a pinch of that until I get the color I want.

I put the thin sheet of pink over the green and ran it through the PM on the #1 setting. I then pressed the texture sheet into the clay. I always let my clay rest for at least an hour before I start shaving off the top. I know other can get a clean cut without waiting but I can't, it always mushes when I shave too soon.

I made the tube bead with the left over clay and added eyelets on each end. The hole is large enough for satin or waxed cord. I plan to attach the pendant to the tube with wire.

I know the colors are a little strange but I like em, hope you do to.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

For the last two I used the same sheet of stripes that I used to make one of the earlier pictured ink pens. I tinted Kato gold with a little bordeau red for the top sheet, gives it more of a bronze look. After I shaved off the tops I cut out the shapes with an exacto knife and set them aside to prepare the background sheets for each one.

The one on the left has a textured background, I laid the mica shift design on top and cut out a shape I liked and it was ready for the oven.

For the one on the right I made a striped background. I then positioned the two paisley pieces where I wanted them and cut out the shape. The all gold one is the piece I sliced off the top, I usually don't get that clean a cut but I've been trying every since I saw it done by friend Kathi of Dragonsglass.com . I then removed the two pieces and cured the background piece so I could sand and buff, much easier than trying to sand around the two top pieces. Once that was done I placed the two pieces back in place, baked, dropped them into a ice bath, waited 20 mintues and then sanded. There is glitter that doesn't show up well it the photo... you can see it better if you click on the photo for a closer look.

Polymer Clay Mostly Red

I placed a clay order with Monro Crafts wednesday and much to my surprise it arrived today. I ordered a couple Lisa Pavelka texture sheets. I've wanted her "Curly Q" pattern for a long time.. every time and every place I order it it's always sold out ...but today I got lucky. I used it to make the round pendant... pretty cool, right?

Polymer Clay Mokume Gane & Mica Shift

I had some scraps from the Mokume Gane that I did yesterday so I combine them with mica shift and came up with a tile and a pendant. The black has lots of glitter but it doesn't show up well in the photos.

Click on the photo for a closer look.

Polymer Clay Mokume Gane Tiles

I was doing a little cleaning today and while organizing my stamps and texture sheets I decided to make some Mokume Gane tiles to use with beading and wire.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

This has always been one of my favorite stamps, I think he is so regal.
This trio of bugs should make an interesting necklace don't you think?
I am going to bead around the Koi Fish and the Seahorse. The one in the center is slices from the seahorse, I just thought it was neat.

Hawaiian Print #2

I'm still beading around the first Hawaiian Print pendant. I added colored wire to this one so it doesn't need beading.....just a matching chain. This is one of my fall flower canes. I don't do many flower canes, mine are pretty sad compared to the gorgeous flowers that cane artists make but I'm pleased with the way this one looks.

Click on the photo for a closer look.

Polymer Clay Red Leaf & Swirlies

It has been raining here for the last couple days and it is making my indoor/outdoor cat, Corny, crazy.... me too. Plus it's playing hell with my arthritis.

Corny doesn't like rain but she does like to go outside so ever hour or so we have to check out all three doors to see if the rain has stopped.. just because it is raining in the back yard doesn't mean it raining in the front yard... and hey what about the side yard surly it isn't raining there.

Aaaah don't give me that look... I bet your cat bosses you around too. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Not much claying today. I did make a few leaf pendants. You know when you make skinner blend sheet and you cut off the sides to even it up, well I put the two sides together in a leaf shape. The red one is the only one I sanded so far and made some matching swirly lentils.

Click on the photo for a closer look.

Several unfinished sets

I started several projects today but didn't get any of them finished. I still have to sand and buff and then assemble them into pendants and earrings. The pattern of gold leaf on the orange is from the clear stamps I purchased from Tonja from Tonja's Polyclay Corner.

Tonja also has a article on her blog regarding the theft of a large inventory of beads from a fellow polymer clay artist. I hope all will read it and report any sightings of the stolen property.

For a closer look click on the photo.

Bottle Stopper & Key Chain

More kits from Boston Clay Works. These are going to make such cool stocking stuffers. Bottle stopper, flower pendant and a key chain with a secret compartment. The end with the ring unscrews to reveal the secret compartment.

Polymer Clay Ball Point Pens & Matching Pendants

Today is Day 13 of our Holiday Challenge on Polymer Clay Central. We are having a good time sharing our creations, hope you will stop by and take a look.

I finished a couple pens today and made matching pendants/pins from the scraps. I'm not sure I'm done with this pendant, I may add some little flowers or beads.

Click on the photos for a closer look.
This one is my favorite, I like the colors and I like the stripes and I'm happy with the pendant too.
And good news, my daughter, Heather, stopped by and was able to insert the wick into the perfume pen I made yesterday. She somehow managed to scrunch it up and twist it into the barrel.... so now the pen will work.

Polymer Clay Perfume Pen & Focal Beads

Today was not one of my better days. A word to the wise, if you use any of the Boston Clay Works kits be sure to read the instructions all the way through before you assemble... cause once you get those caps hammered in there is no going back. I didn't insert the wick before I hammered the caps in place so my perfume pen does not have a wick....it has an applicator tip, just no wick inside...looks good though.

Click on the photos for a closer look.
Perfume with the cap off and a couple swirlie focal beads with curls added. I seem to be doing a lot of pastels lately, not sure why as I'm not a big fan of pastels.

Polymer Clay Bottle Stopper & Pendants from scraps

Today I used scraps from the sheet I used to make the penlight keyring. I tinted some translucent clay with the raspberry red & added glitter then combined it with scrap clay to make a swirled lentel which I flattened and used on the bottle stopper. I used more of the scraps to make two pendants. The one on the right looks a bit like bloomers. I like these colors together. Now I need to add bails.

Polymer Clay Letter Opener & Key Chain

Today was errand day so I didn't do much with clay. I finished this letter opener yesterdayand made this Penlight keychain today. I have lots of kits from Boston Clay Works so in the next few days I plan to make lots of pens, pencils, keychain, perfumes, bottle stoppers and whatever else in the box of goodies I ordered.

Polymer Clay Brooch Autumn Blues

Sunday night is my tv night. I fix myself a snack, fill a bowl with soapy water, get my sanding supplies... sandpaper, sanding pads, dremel and buffing cloth... put it all on a tray and settle in for a night of tv... and sanding. I started out sanding the domed tiles I made yesterday but got side tracked with this piece. After it was sanded I was anxious to see how it was going to look with the wire and beads so I put off any further sanding and started wrapping. I think it will look pretty on a scarf I knitted for Heather.

Polymer Clay Canes & Tiles

Well I'm up early again... dang cat. We seem to be establishing a pattern. I made sure her food dish was full before I went to bed. Once again she woke me up and insisted I follow her to the kitchen. Yip. plenty of food in the dish, she just wanted company while she ate. I'm a late night person, I've only had a couple hours sleep, this is not my idea of fun.

Okay so here is what I made yesterday and last night.

I was very pleased with the last necklace I made and thought it would be fun to make a couple more in different colors. I constructed these canes and then used them to make round tiles. I also made mirror image pieces and some cabochons with the end pieces from the canes.

This is the first cane before reduction. First I made two skinner blends mixing Kato and Fimo Classic clay wrapped with Kato Pearl, Gold and Black. I like the colors that are achieved by mixing the two brands of clays.

The center cane and the one on the right is from the cane above. Similar cane only it doesn't contain gold clay.
I found the inspiration for the colors in the canes on the cover of this vintage Home Arts magazine. I made lots of tiles, some are shown here. I'll take photos of the others when I get them sanded.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Polymer Clay Domed Necklace

I'm up bright and early this morning. I have this bossy cat that wanted food and she wouldn't leave me alone. I tried covering my head and ignoring her but nooo.... she wasn't having that. She can be a real PITA. We seem to be having a power struggle... I may be loosing, ya think?

Another set of tiles that have been patiently sitting in my "to do" box. They needed backs to cover the wire ends and holes drilled to add the "o" rings. I'm thrilled with the way it turned out, it looks great on. I'm keeping this one, I really really like it.

Click on the photos for a closer look.
Back of the tiles. Duh!

Marbled Deco Style Necklace

I'm a little cranky this morning... I dozed off last evening while watching Project Runway and woke up with a crink in my neck. I was hoping it would go away after a good nights sleep but no such luck... still sore. This reminded me of my granddad, it always amazed me how he could nod off in a sitting position when I couldn't fall asleep in a nice comfy bed, now I'm the one doing the nodding off.

So here is my latest creation. I made the tiles some months ago but couldn't decide how to join them together. Every now and then I would get them out, play with them for awhile and put them back in the "to do" box. I thought about putting loops on the backs and stringing them on waxed cord with knots in between but was concerned they wouldn't hang right. I played with the idea of loops on the back and then string on black rubber cord with "O" rings in between, again not sure they would hang right. I finally decided this would work and it does. I like the silver rubber cord better than black, don't you?

Click on the photos for a closer look.

When I see photos of jewelry I always want to flip it over to see the back side, so here is the backside.

Triangle Necklace

I finished the triangle necklace.... I think my muse is right , the wire curls on each side were needed. I am pleased with the way it turned out.

Click on the photo for a closer look.
I've did research of jewelry trends ... big and chunky is in.... sounds like fun!!

Polymer Clay Bracelet Tiles

Click on the photos for a closer look.

I used one of my fall flower canes to make the tiles for a bracelet. The back ground and the backs are from a different cane. The photos aren't very good, they are prettier in person. My poor camera is on it last legs. Guess I better be a good girl so Santa will bring me a new one.

Polymer Clay & Colored Wire

We are having a Holiday Challenge on Polymer Clay Central forum, the goal is to post a photo/comment each day in November of something you are working on for the holidays... gifts, decorations, items to sell etc. We would love to have you join us or just stop by and see all the cool stuff folks are working on.

This is my offering for Day 3. I dug the triangles out of my "to do" box sanded and buffed them and got out my wire and beads. I know most wire artists prefer silver or gold filled wire... I have some of that too... but my favorite wire is the colored wire, so many luscious colors to choose from and of course it's less expensive so if I mess something up I can toss it without feeling guilty. This is the front

And this is the back. I almost like the back better than the front. Now all I have to do is decide how I want to finish it. I'm thinking either satin or rubber cord. Another thing for my muse to decide.

Polymer Clay Winter Kite

I like kites so I made one with a winter theme. The craft ribbon is what I used for the design. The background is crackled gold leaf. I tinted the berry with PearlEx powder and sealed with Kato sauce.

I made a pretty heart one too... I put it down somewhere when I was getting ready to go to the grocery store and now I can't find it... It's probably with my knitting needles. I asked hubby if he's seen it and he said "Maybe one of the cats took it" Yeah, right.

Click on the photo for a closer look.

Polymer Clay Hawaiian Print

I seem to be into "BIG" lately. This is a big tile that I plan to bead around so it will be even bigger when finished. I'm pretty sure it will be a pendant.... I sometimes have to wait until I finish a piece before I decide how to use it. The flowers on this one reminds me of the prints used on Hawaiian shirts.... hence the name.