Daily Blogs : polymer clay

6 Expert Tips for Creating Marbled Polymer Clay Beads

Michelle M. — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:43:00 GMT

If you’re like me, you’d rather not talk about how much you’ve spent on beads in your lifetime or how many of those beads have yet to be used in a piece of jewelry. Oh, the guilt! Making your own beads out of polymer clay enables you to make them for a tiny fraction of the cost you’d pay for most beads. More important, you can make them exactly the size, shape and color you want. ...(read more)

Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Michelle M. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:03:00 GMT

A couple months ago Beading Daily’s Michelle Mach sent me a book she wanted me to check out—she was very excited about it. But it never arrived--I think my crafty neighbor must have swiped it (Eileeeen!!). I’ll have to admit, I was secretly relieved because Michelle told me the book was about polymer clay....(read more)

Simple Necklace with Polymer Heart Pendant

Editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Problem with "Just Make Something"

My friend Jeanne walked into a local bead shop for a beginning beading class. She was instructed to pick out some beads from the store and "make something" with help from the staff. To me, this seemed much more exciting than being handed a kit of beads, but my friend does not consider herself a creative person. She panicked at the idea of coming up with beads that would look good together. She ended up finding a sample finished necklace in the store and copied it exactly. She was pleased with her finished necklace--she wore it when we had lunch together--but her experience left me thinking how being told that you can make "anything" can be freeing for some people, but paralyzing for others, particularly those who are trying something for the first time.

Following a Recipe

Just like when learning to cook, it is safer to copy a bead "recipe" exactly when you are starting out. You don't waste money buying unnecessary ingredients and you know what the finished product will look like. But at some point, you might want to add your own special touches to a design. With this in mind, I asked Debbie Blair, editorial assistant for Beadwork and Stringing, if she would create a simple necklace project exclusively for Beading Daily. I asked her to use basic techniques (stringing and crimping), beads that were widely available, and a simple design that would be easy for a beginner to follow exactly and easy for someone with a little experience to customize.

Lilac Love uses two colors of beads (purple and green) and two shapes (round and oval). Most people--no matter how much they think of themselves as uncreative--can usually come up with two colors that they like together. (And there's always classic black and white, which is very popular right now.) This necklace also groups beads in odd numbers and uses metal spacers, two of Debbie's design tricks. Debbie also recommends using a bead board to lay out your design so that you can easily make changes.

FREE Project:Lilac Love

Creating Variations

I created a variation of Debbie's design using gemstones instead of glass--mahogany obsidian rounds and dyed bright blue howlite ovals. I kept the sizes and shapes of the beads the same as in the original design, except for the silver spacers. Using larger spacers meant that I needed fewer beads for a necklace the same length as the original.

It's amazing to me how such minor changes really change the whole feel of the necklace. Debbie's original necklace has a fun, lighthearted feel that is perfect for a party, while my version is considerably more serious--something that confidently says "Don't worry, Bank Manager, I won't dribble away this low-interest loan buying Strawberry Shortcake and Knight Rider lunchboxes on eBay!"

Adding a Pendant

For those of you with a little more experience--or those who want to try a new technique--Debbie added an optional step--a handmade polymer clay pendant. This is easier than it looks--you don't need a lot of special equipment for this simple project. You can buy a pendant instead or you can skip the pendant entirely--it's up to you!

What's you favorite clasp? Ends February 8, 2008. I'll share the results--plus a free design using everyone's favorite clasp--in a future newsletter.

Have you told us about your problem bead yet? Tell us and get some expert advice. Ends February 9, 2008.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She's never been bothered by the instructions "just make something"--and she really thought that everyone else in the world felt the same way!

Silver Metal Clay Pendant

Editor — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Silver Metal Clay Pendant

This beautiful Silver Sea Stone pendant by Linda Kaye Moses is an advanced Precious Metal Clay (PMC) project from Step by Step Beads magazine. It uses a real stone for its shape. A textured sheet of metal clay is draped on each side of the stone, then the domed forms are joined to create a hollow bead. Download the full instructions.

Polymer Clay Rubber Stamped Beads by Beading Daily Readers

About a month ago, I asked for photos by readers of the polymer clay beads project that was featured on Beading Daily. I love how everyone took this basic technique and put her own unique spin on it. Here are some variations to inspire you:

	Beadwork and Stringing editorial assistant Debbie Blair created a small box full of beads. She used colored ink for stamping, rather than black. On some of her beads, she also added color outside of the stamped images, giving them a free-spirited look. These beads are also unglazed, so you can see the "just baked" matte finish.
	Beading Daily reader Timaree used black Fimo, rather than the ivory clay used in the original. She colored the entire bead with Jacquard powders, giving the beads a strikingly modern look. She also varnished them, giving them a nice shine.
	Beading Daily reader Jackie created striking, angular beads stamped with colored ink and strung them together in a reversible bracelet. I love the idea of reversible jewelry!

Of course, I couldn't resist trying this project either. I loved the way the black ink stood out against the ivory clay, so I made a simple stamped pendant without adding any colored powders. I'd love to tell you that I did some magical technique to get that subtle pink-orange coloring at the top, but the truth is, it started to burn! Yikes! I must have rolled the clay a bit too thin, since the round beads I created were fine. The pendant frame is an easy-to-open, square, 1 1/2" metal frame from the scrapbooking section of the craft store. On the back of the pedant, I added a piece of scrapbooking paper to give it a finished look.

Project Tips

If you're thinking of trying this project yourself, here are some tips from the project author, Carol Blackburn.

Q: Do you have to use Fimo Puppen, or can you use another type of clay?

A: You can use any clay, but Fimo Puppen clay gave a porcelain look which didn't need any finishing like sanding (and it was cheaper than regular polymer clay!)

Q: Do you have any special tips for controlling the iridescent powder? It seems to want to fly everywhere!

A: Just use a very little of the powder at a time and a small brush on the raw clay butterfly impression on the bead. After baking, I coat the powdered areas with acrylic floor finish and, when dry, I applied another coat of the same finish to the whole bead.

Q: Do you use a certain type of ink for stamping on clay?

A: I use a water based Ranger Adirondack ink pad, but I think any ink pad will do.

An Interview with Carol Blackburn

I'm always interested in learning how people got into beading. Carol Blackburn, author of Making Polymer Clay Beads, actually began her art career in the fiber world before discovering polymer clay. Learn what prompted that transition, plus read her advice on getting started with polymer clay. Read the full interview.

At left: Rorschach Twist by Carol Blackburn

Coming Next Week: Amy Clarke Moore offers instructions on how to make an ornament using bead embroidery.

Story Update: I just heard from reader Cathi Tessier who you may remember from the story "The Amazing Power of Beads." Today she is hoping to finally "return to her normal life," which if you've read her story, is probably one of the best gifts ever!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She hopes that next year she'll find more time to experiment with metal clay.

An Interview with Carol Blackburn

Michelle M. — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:48:00 GMT

Carol Blackburn is the author of Making Polymer Clay Beads. (A technique from this book, rubber stamping polymer clay beads, is available on Beading Daily.) Carol is an active member of the British and American Polymer Clay Guilds and studied textiles at Manchester College of Art. She lives in London....(read more)

Rubber Stamping Polymer Clay Beads

Editor — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:00:00 GMT

Make Your Own Beads with Polymer Clay and Rubber Stamps

Isn't it funny how you sometimes start out in one craft and end up going back to it years later? I used to be into rubber stamping--on paper--so this Rubber Stamping Polymer Clay Beads project from Making Polymer Clay Beads by Carol Blackburn was definitely one that caught my eye. It had been so long since I used my rubber stamps that I had to run out and buy a new ink pad!

While I have used polymer clay before (see my huge butterfly project), I had never used Puppen Fimo, the kind of clay that Carol Blackburn recommends for this project. Puppen is used by doll makers and is very smooth, not sticky, with a nice finish. The only drawback is that it seems to only come in large quantities (my package was a little over a pound) and isn't quite as easy to find as regular Fimo. (I ended up ordering mine from a shop that specialized in polymer clay. Art supply stores or those that carry dollmaking supplies might also carry it.)

I'm going to work on this project in the next couple of weeks. I'd love to know if anyone else decides to try it too. It would be fun to share our photos on Beading Daily.

Where Do You Get Your Inspiration?

"Where do you get your inspiration?" is one of those questions that artists, designers, and other creative types get asked a lot. I'm sure it's a question that Lori Peterson, the lampwork artist who created the floral beads in this week's featured project (Afternoon Tea by Sandi Wiseheart), has been asked before. After viewing Lori's website (loribeads.com), I felt confident I could easily answer the "inspiration" question for at least some of her work! (That's Lori's dog, "The Puppy," in the second photo.)

Three Wireworking Tips from Easy Wire

"Use two pairs of flat-nose or chain-nose pliers (or a combo of the two) to open jump rings. Round-nose pliers work, but will mar the metal."
"For fast, easy coils, use a Coiling Gizmo, a tool with which you make coils on a coiling rod by turning a hand crank."
"When cutting memory wire, make sure to use shears made for this purpose. Otherwise, you risk permanently damaging your good wire cutters."

Are you working on your challenge project yet? November 2 might seem far away, but it will be here sooner than you think!

Coming on next week: More projects from Easy Wire and Step by Step Wire Jewelry, photos of work by Beading Daily readers, bead embellishment tips, a new poll, and more!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. This morning she woke up with an idea on how to finish her pearl necklace that she's been working on for a few weeks. Oh happy day!

Would You Like Some Orange Juice with Those Beads?

Editor — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Back in April, I took a fun polymer clay butterfly class with Janet Farris at Bead Expo. Rather than scale down my butterfly into something that could be worn, I added the beaded wire body and magnets to the back and put it on my refrigerator near my magnetic poetry kit. It's my own daily reminder of beading.

Polymer Clay Taught Me Patience: An Interview with Syndee Holt

Editor — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:00:00 GMT

When I was new to polymer clay, one of the first books I bought was Polymer Clay for the First Time by Syndee Holt. No one I knew had ever heard of polymer clay, let alone used it, so I relied on Syndee's book to unlock the secrets of Skinner's blend and millefiori cane. It was a special thrill for me to ask Syndee a few questions about her work.

Michelle: Why polymer clay? Why not knitting? Or skydiving?

Syndee: I have always liked beading—after all, I am a child of the 60s. I liked the tribal work that was being done in millefiori at the time I got involved. When I first started, I would make a set of beads, bake them, and string them while they were hot so I could wear it the next day. Ultimately, I wanted to do more and more complex designs that needed more time to create, so polymer clay literally taught me patience.

Michelle: You're a very busy person—kids, full-time job, plus designing for magazines and TV. What advice do you have for others who are trying to carve out time in their schedules for creativity?

Syndee: At one point, I was working full-time, designing for three different companies, writing for magazines, doing television twice a year, taking care of two small boys (and all their friends), and taking care of my eldery father. Scares me to think of it. I wrote my book with six boys playing Nintendo in the same room with me. My advice? It only takes five minutes a day to create.

It also helps to plan your meals carefully for your "play days." For instance, a French Dip dinner for Saturday evening, that cooks all day in the crock pot, with no supervision (since you are already at the clay table, you don't want to get up if you don't have to!). Add onions to the the leftover broth, cook all night again, and you have French onion soup for Sunday evening. That can free up at least three hours from kitchen duty!

Keep your family involved. My kids were part of my design team, my photography team. They also loved to see something they had worked on in the magazine or on TV.

Michelle: What's your studio like?

Syndee Holt's garage studio Syndee: My garage door is designed like a big Double Dutch door, so I can open up the top panels and let the Southern California sunshine in. This workbench is over 50 years old and belong to my father. I live in the house I grew up in. In fact, our bicycle license numbers are still written on the wall. The sign you see on the wall was my dad's. It says, "Live long enough to be a problem to your children." The other signs, boxes, and posters all have my work on them.

Not only do I store some of my holiday decorations in my studio, but since most editorial calendars are nine months ahead, I often pull out the decorations to help me "get in the mood."

Michelle: How did you come up with the idea for the faux beach glass bracelet featured on the Step by Step Wire website?

Syndee: I live at the beach and I have a good friend who collects beach glass. I had seen some beads with silver bezels around real beach glass, so I thought why not make faux glass out of polymer clay? That way I can create the wire bezel and press it into the unbaked clay to create the bead. MUCH easier than trying to fit metal around glass!

Michelle: What's next? What are you currently working on?

Syndee: I'm working on trying to retire to only ONE job! I'm trying to slow down! It's not an easy road, that's for sure. When I walk into social gatherings, all my friends say, "Do we know you?"