Polymer Clay Combining Canes #4

This time I combined canes in shades of orange and brown.. when I arranged the canes I didn't care for the yellow/green/orange striped canes so I didn't use them in this grouping.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

I like the look the checkerboard cane adds to the new canes and tiles.

This is a photo of the tiles I made before baking
and this is after baking. They did darken a bit, but not to bad, sanding and buffing always helps bring out the color and gives a finished look.

TIP: I have trouble getting a clean even cut when I slice diagonally. When I was reducing the cane with my acrylic rods it occurred to me that I could use them as a guide...I gave it a try and it worked. Just make sure the clay is firmed adhered to both rods.

Inchie Tiles Are Here!!

I took part in a polymer clay "Inchie" swap and my Inchies arrived today. They are so cool, each one a miniature work of art. So much fun to open the package and examine each little tile.... and here they are!! I sent in 25 so I got 25 back.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Close up of row One. The artist are: Kathy, Jeanann, Jackie in the center, Tonja and another by Jeanann

Close up of row two: The artist are: Ilese, Chris., Anita in the center, Deb and Melissa

Close up of row three: The artist are: Kimba, MsPete, another by Kimba in the center, Elly, and Jackie Mellow

Close up of row four. The artists are: Mardi, another by Mardi (this one is reversible, just as nice on the back) the delightful little snack tray in the center is by Helga, then Pat, and Barb
Close up of Row Five. The artists are: The center tile is by Sandie and the four corners are all from our talented and very dependable host Barbara.
Thank you Barbara for doing such a terrific job. I loved making the Inchies and I loved even more getting the Inchies. Three cheers for Barbara... Rah, Rah, Rah!! I hope you do another swap soon!!

Polymer Clay on Colored Wire "Thing A Day" Day 23

Well I didn't use either of the pendants from yesterday... I ended up making a layered leaf/pod shaped pendant that I feel goes better with the chain and the teardrop MOP beads. I put matching yellow seed beads in the center space.

Click on the photos for a closer look.
Here are more of the tiles and beads that I made from the same group of canes. These have not been sanded yet so they look a little rough.

The top tile is a mirror image from the cane ends and the the other tiles are from the left over canes. They will be a bracelet one of these days.

Polymer Clay Recycling "Thing A Day" Day 12

I recycled a couple more canes... not crazy about these but maybe someone will like them. I used one of the black, white and red canes for the first group, I may be able to use them for earrings or they may end up in the scrap bin.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

I made a tan and white striped background for these. Heather says the first one looks deformed and the 2nd is to busy.... I have to agree, it is a little busy... but I like the funky growth on the first one :)

I'll do better tomorrow.

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 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.

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.

Polymer Clay Odds and Ends + A Couple Necklaces

Sunday is my night to watch tv starting with 60 Minutes followed by Amazing Race, Dexter and Mad Men. I settle down with a snack, a drink and my sanding supplies and I sand to my hearts content. I can't watch television without keeping my hands busy. I use to crochet or knit now I sand or assemble jewelry. Here's part of the batch I sanded last night. Click on the photos for a closer look.

And the second batch, mostly mirror images with a couple others.And I finished a couple necklaces. This one is strung on waxed cord tied with Chinese button knots.

And this one is a wrap around pendant complimented with colorful dyed cultured pearls strung on beading wire.

Procrastination

I have a limited attention span. I'm always in a hurry to finish what I'm working on so I can move on to the next project. So much to learn and so little time. As a result I have boxes of unfinished pieces. Most of these are almost finished, all I have to do is glue on a pinback or a bail and add a chain or cord. And this is just a drop in the bucket, I have lots more. You should see the boxes of stuff that needs to be sanded, pretty pathetic huh?

Now tell the truth, I'm not the only procrastinator am I? It's a mental disease, like hoarding... come to think of it I'm a bit of a hoarder too.... although I prefer to think of myself as frugal and environmentally aware. You can imagine my delight when I took up polymer clay and actually found a use for all those mesh vegetable bags and quilted trays from candy boxes.

But I digress, my latest interest is beading cabochons. I bought gobs of beads, thread, backing, a book and various misc. supplies so then I needed more cabs to bead. I hauled out all my boxes of unfinished things.... as you can see... and I found quite a few goodies that need beading. Once they are beaded I can toss them into a box and move on to something new.

Click on the photos for a closer look.