Day 2 & Day 3 Thing A Day Polymer Clay Hearts

We had internet problems last evening so I couldn't post my Day 2 until today.


I had lots of scraps on my work table so I made hearts.

Close up of heart 1

Close up of heart 2

Close up of #3 with three scrap hearts. I need to put a back on this one.

And here in the heart pendant I made for Day 3 Of TAD

It's a black and white branch & antique gold leaves on a multicolor background.

I am not even going to tell you how long it took me to add the photos to the page..... there has to be an easier way!!   I know, practice makes perfect. Maybe by the end of this month I will know what im doing.  (yeah right!!)

That,s it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Day 1 of 2016 Thing A Day on Polymer Clay Central

I got a new computer for Christmas..... went from a Mac to a PC .....,  I am so confused! This old dog is not enjoying learning new tricks.

 I 'm pretty sure I have photos floating around all over the place. ... first of all it took me forever to figure out how to download from my camera to the computer even with written step by step instructions from my son, I can't tell you how happy I was to find a few of them on my desk top and then somehow managed to transfer  them into a "picture" folder. And to think I have to attempt doing it again tomorrow..... maybe rum & coke will help.... or just  rum.

This is the first day of the annual "Thing a Day" on Polymer Clay Central, I look forward to TAD every year and  would love to have you join us. It's a fun way to chase away the winter blues and get the creative juices flowing. Hope you will at least stop by and see what everyone is working on and leave a comment or two.

Okay I did mange to find a couple photos and stick them in a folder...

I've had this pendant for a while and finally got around to stringing it, I tried it with different chains and cords but didn't care for the look..  First I was going to braid the faux suede cord , nope, didn't like it, tried weaving it with wire and yip that looked pretty good.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

I like the back .... guess it could be worn either way.

Now all I have to do is add a clasp.

That is it for today, but I shall return..... if the computer gods are kind!!

Thanks for stopping by. See you tomorrow!!

More Cane Work Beads & Jewelry

How was your Thanksgiving? I hope wonderful with lots of yummy food and fun with relatives and friends. Ours was great but I have to admit all that cooking and baking wore me out..... next year I'm getting a smaller turkey and maybe buy the pies at SAMS, they have a very tasty pumpkin pie.

We were going to have the whole family here for Christmas but it took us several days to recover from Thanksgiving so I called daughter Patty and ask if we could have the family dinner at her house.  She of course said "yes". It means we will have to drive to Illinois..... have I ever told you I  hate to travel? .... but easier than having them all come here.  It's a 6 hour drive, not bad I guess.  My hubby tells me to sleep but someone has to keep an eye on the road.... he's busy gawking at all the sights and wanders off the road into that patch that makes that terrible rumbling, screeching sound.... like I could sleep through that!!

There has been a lot going on here so I haven't had time to do much claying. Last weekend was the Christmas parade and the annual Tour of Homes.  I love the Tour of Homes. Most of the homes here are over 100 years old, wonderful Victorian beauties ranging from small cottages to stately mansions. Each year 7 to 9 home owners graciously allow the public in to see their charming homes. Plus they treat us to home baked cookies and apple cider. So much better than driving around after dark trying to see in windows.....  yes, I do that, along with my husband and cousins Neal & Carol. We are frustrated window peepers. I never get tired of driving around in this little town, I see something new every time.

I have to hurry up and finish this, we are putting up Christmas lights today. I know, I know, its a little late but we just took down the Halloween/Thanksgiving lights yesterday. I was seriously considering doing a orange and purple Christmas.... but decided that might be tacky.

So here are a few things I've been working on:

Cane work beads, the white in the cane is translucent, using it over brown gave the beads a tan background.

 Red and white cane work beads.

I tried several chains and cords with this pendant before deciding on the woven silk . 

Finally finished this one with a chain made of matching beads. I love making beads and pendants, not so much the assembling and stringing. Wish Santa would loan me an elf. 

I like this set, I used cane work beads and end pieces along with metal frames and beads. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. 

And of course I couldn't resist making a scrap pendant.  A little weird but I like it. 

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

If I don't post again before Christmas I wish you all a Merry Peaceful Christmas filled with love and goodwill (and lots of presents and good food!!)

Polymer Clay Cane Work Beads

I meant to post this last night and forgot so I will quickly do it now while my laundry is drying. Our daughter & SIL is coming for al long weekend, will arrive tomorrow and stay until Sunday... maybe monday.

Halloween is a big deal in Eureka Springs even the adults dress up for trick or treating. .... most of their treats are in liquid form. Then the next night is the Zombie Parade with floats and dancing. Folks come from all over the take part in the festivities.

Okay back to claying

I was playing around with folded clay and made these

Here's a closer look at the green one

and here's the other one

I had fun playing with these folds and plan to make more, may even attempt a tutorial.

Mostly I made cane work beads. Beads sell pretty well in the gallery, so I thought I better make more.


Purple beads made using the pictured cane.

I used the pictured cane to made these oval beads. I also made a couple round beads that I plan to swirl. Swirl beads always sell, we know they are easy to make but the public doesn't.

I used the colorful flower cane to made coin beads and a couple swirls with some scraps.

The cane was made from one of my border canes, I used it to make the beads,

Here is my work table with more canes to make more beads.....

While I was playing with clay my cat, Corney was trying to fit herself into a small box under my work table......

She rolled herself into a ball and took a nap. Does that look comfortable to you?

Gotta go, that's it for today.

Thanks for stopping by.

Autumn Wall Art & Beads

I've had a busy week. We went to Mountain View Arkansas for a few days with my cousins Neal and Carol. It is a delightful little town with a variety of shops and wonderful folk and blue grass music. We stay at the Wild Flower Bed & Breakfast, it's under new management and the new owner is a terrific cook, her breakfasts are to die for. It's perfectly located within walking distance of the downtown shops and the park.  In the afternoons and evening you will find local and visiting musicians playing together in the park so take your lawn chairs and enjoy.

Yesterdays and today I made a few beads but first I made this wall art piece and added one of my wire and polymer clay owls and pumpkin. It's a little dark but I like it.

And I made beads.

I used an old cane that I've had for many years to make swirl beads. Swirl beads and jewelry made with swirl beads always sell well.... I like these, they have a wonderful organic look.

First I made round beads

And gave them a swirl...

I also made some Swirly coin beads with end of day scraps. After I cured the beads I painted the edges gold to give them a little bling.

I also made another mirror image...... trying to decide if I should use it this side up...

or this side up.  What do you think?

Time for a quick lunch and then I may go outside for while.

Thanks for stopping by.

Scrap Beads & Pendants

It is raining today, a perfect day to stay inside and play with clay.

I sat down at my work table fully intending to make cane work beads. First I needed to clear the scraps off my work area, as I was putting them away I spotted my scrap bins and decided to play with scraps instead.  I have a hard time resisting scraps.

I took out several bags of cane scraps

Selected a hand full from the bag of cobblestone cane scraps and added a few from the black and white scraps.....I am running low on black and white scraps, guess I better make more black and white canes.

This isn't a very good photo, the lighting is poor in here. I take most of my photos on the porch but like I said it is raining and breezy out there.

I squished them into a ball, rolled them into a long log, folded the log in half, twisted it and rolled  it into a log again, flattened it with my brayer and cut it in half lengthwise.... next time I will take photos of each step.

This mirror image piece is the result. Lots of cool images in this one, it is fairly large, 2" x 4 1/2".  I will add wire and use it on a journal cover or wall art.

Here are more pieces made from scraps.  Most will be used as pendants and beads.

More scrap pieces. Not sure what I will do with these, I'll think of something.

Now I really am going to get out my canes and make cane work beads..... or I might make canes. What ever I do I will post photos.

That's it for today.

Thanks for stopping by.

Clunky Bangle Bracelet & Mixed Media Pendant

I don't wear bracelets, as a result I rarely make them.  This is my second attempt at a bangle.

I also made a complimentary pendant with scrap clay, wire and beads. I don't think I could live without scraps!!

In order in reinforce the bracelet I started with 3 rings of 18 gauge wire.

Then I condition scrap clay and wrapped it around the wire. I wasn't trying to be neat as I wanted the bracelet clunky.  I did make sure the wire was covered and there was no air pockets.

Next I made a red Skinner blend cane and used slices to completely cover the clay.

After smoothing the cane slices with an acrylic rod I used a cherry tomato mesh bag to texture the clay.

I save all the mesh bags veggies come in, they create interesting designs.  I think this one looks like reptile skin. I blogged about using mesh bags a few years ago, here is the link Mesh Bags Textures

Here's how it looks after curing.

I had the end scraps from the Skinner blend cane and some odds and ends from another project so I made a couple beads.

I added wire and beads to the one on the left and made a pendant to wear with the bracelet.

Here is the back side.

I will add wire and beads to the other scrap bead this evening and will post photos next time.

Thats it for today. If you have questions or comments, I will do my best to answer.

Thanks for stopping by.