Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Janice H — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:16:07 GMT

I've been making Polymer Clay designs for a while and I just love it!! I find it very relaxing and very forgiving! Once you get your basics (the oven ... any toaster oven will do, and your pasta machine) you are ready to roll. For those of you who are afraid to try it, please give it a try, it's not as difficult as you think and it's very fun. My 13 year old daughter makes her own projects. I must warn you that it is addicting and it can get expesive as there are a lot of little gadgets out there that you will want to buy. My next project to tackel is Preciuos Metal Clay. Good Luck to everyone!!

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Sue — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:05:36 GMT

I Have got the clay(and a curious cat) and am still getting up the nerve to try it out. I'm a bit concerned about baking it and storing the left over clay, what sort of containers/baking sheets should I use?

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Janice Biddle — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:04:04 GMT

I will some day try poylmer clay beads to go with my wireing ..I think you can put a lot of your self in each peace ..Thank you......you are very good ..

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Ajewel — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 23:31:28 GMT

"As artists, we belong to an ancient and holy tribe. We are the carriers of the truth that spirit moves through us all. Art is an act of the soul. . We all start out the same way, rich in dreams and if we are lucky we find friends to believe in our dreams with us." You've discovered polymer clay. "You now belong to the sacred circle of artists."-Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way. Want to make some really beautiful polymer clay beads and objects? Check out your local polymer clay guild (practically every state has one) now that the polymer ball is rolling big and beautiful. They're the best places to be immersed in the clay experience with other like "addicts". And, they are great fun, too, learning and playing alongside people who are totally bonkers about polymer. You will make lifelong friendships, I promise. Been working in polymer for 18 plus years now and am still adding to my repertoire of techniques by attending workshops given by the masters: Gwen Gibson, Tory Hughes, Donna Kato, Elise Winters, Lindly Haunani, Maggie Maggio (look for their new book in August on COLOR. Lynne Anne Schwarzenberg for incredible flower canes, Jana Benzon for her Arabesque Canes, Dayle Doroshow for her figures.Just to name a few. Take lessons while these "greats" are still giving them. Purchase their books and videos. I tell my students at our Guild workshops for beginners to mix your own colors with clay. To be fearless! Check into www.glassattic.com for anything polymer. Get a lifetime subscription to Polymer Cafe AND Ornament Magazine. Go to www.polymerclaydaily for inspiration. Read Julia Cameron's, The Artist's Way (quoted above) and then go and revel in Tory Hughes blog on her site. Make polymer your own. Put your own twist on your work after you've taken a class or seen a video. Just ask yourself: "What if?" What if I did this? Or That to it? Dream it. Don't copy it, create for yourself. Tory also taught me (and us) to "stop waiting. Just start. And always, always to act on your intuition. Have fun! There are no mistakes! If you can't fix it feature it! It's ONLY clay! I hear their words even today. Cameron taught me that we are "meant to midwife dreams for one another." I've seen that happen in workshops in the most amazing ways. To bring forth our own creations with encouragement, respect and honesty. I feel that Polymer artists are a member of a "Sacred Circle" that is built on that kind of respect and trust. The techniques that these artists discoverd could easily have been "hidden" and not shared, but thanks to these artists who shared their work with us, we now stand on their shoulders and are "flying." Lucky for us. So, come be rich in your polymer dreams with us. Let's make some lovely things together. Laura in New York

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

LizzyT — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:32:05 GMT

You make that look so easy. I have seen other tutorials before and couldn't quite figure it out. I have always wanted to use PC and now I am definitely going to have a go. And I will look to see if this book is available in the UK!

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

create2free — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:52:20 GMT

I have been working with polymer clay for only a few months and am totally addicted to making my own unique beads. I am so busy making beads that I haven't had much time to do something with them, except for a cuff that I just finished.

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Wendy — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:03:18 GMT

I love polymer clay! I like to layer sheets of different colors and manipulate it, cut & stack, manipulate, etc. then slice- I end up with beautiful marbleized pieces that I like to coat with a clear high gloss. I often make entire sets (earrings & pendants) out of each color concoction People stop me and ask if they are glass!

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Winnebagel2000@aol.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:12:35 GMT

Hi, I've been a Polymer Clay person for many years now and I'm telling you it's a powerful way to release tension, be creative, and make something beautiful! If you think beads are great then you're just at the tip of the iceberg! ! First after you get a pasta roller/maker then you never use it for anything else in the way of food. Then you get an toaster oven and watch it carefully and again nothing but clay for this oven. If you use a regular over toxic chemicals build on the walls and it's not nice. You can find web stites with so much on coloring , stamping , shaping on polymer clay that it's truly a great thing to do. I've made every color of bead except the diamond and it's hard to tell a turquoise (clay) from the real turquoise from the earth. It's so fun - GO FOR IT. Winnebagel

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

cdycio — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:03:55 GMT

I just sold my first pair of polymer clay earrings, and have an order for two more pair. They are a specialty piece for a Convention. I followed the basic directions in "Making Polymer Clay Beads" for prep, glazing, using color and baking. I have had the book for over a year and was so glad I had it when the time came. I will admit clay scared me. I also have a pet hairy and dust filled house. But I cleared one small spot out and went to work, nothing quite as ambitious as a cane. I took a small daisy stamp and after my clay was ready I stamped it and cut the daisy out. I made a hole for a jump ring and earwire . After baking, I sanded and finished with a glaze. I used parchment paper to bake the pieces on, it is a lot easier to manuver in the Poly Oven I purchased (about the same time I got the book.). Now, after seeing what you have done I am going back into the book and see if I can make 'real' beads. Thanks!!!

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

bluelapis — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:29:38 GMT

To reply to Crafty Lady. Polymer clay is not toxic. It says so on every package of Sculpey III I own. Thats why it is such a favorite with teachers for school projects, and with others who work with kids. But it does release polymers when baking, which can coat the inside of your oven over time, depending on how often you use it. This can cause an unpleasant aroma when heating the oven. You can scrub your oven each time if you want to remove it. But covering your work simply contains that residue inside your baking container so it doesnt even reach the walls of your oven. I used to use 2 throw away aluminum pans held closed like a clam shell with clothes pins when baking, and it worked great. It also keeps thinner pieces from burning so quickly. But now I too use a dedicated counter top convection oven to bake my clay. Simply because it is less expensive to run it for small batches of beads, (my favorite to make) rather than heat my whole kitchen oven. Plus the hot air moving around the pieces seems to bake more evenly. And I use dedicated baking dishes to hold my clay which are never used for food. Because after all you are working with polymer clay. Which is plastic. Who wants to eat plastic? Yuck! Dont worry about working with this clay. I have been using it for a long time with no adverse effect. XO Jamie

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

bluelapis — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:04:31 GMT

Hi Jean, welcome to your next addiction! No kidding! I have been working with polymer clay for almost 20 years and Im still not bored with it. Just when I think I have done all that can be done with this versatile medium, I look around and there are a million new ideas! And it can be combined with so many other mediums like beading and stamping etc. What other hobby can you say that about? Oh and if you are going to do more with clay, please do check out Cindy Lietz site. She has wonderful tips and ideas there. It is a great place for beginners or experienced clayers to learn lots of little secrets about this fun stuff. As for the cat hair etc? I own 3 kitties and 2 dogs. And even if they dont come in my work area, their hair often does. If they get in my clay I just call them inclusions and tell my customers there is no extra charge for those! LOL! Just have fun with the clay and you cant go wrong. Isnt that the point of a hobby anyway? Happy claying. XOXO Jamie

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Crafty Lady — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:37:34 GMT

Jean: I own this book. I agree with you, it's inspires you to create. Like others who have responded, I am also a jewelry maker. My question to you. The book says not to use your primary oven to bake clay as the polymers are toxic. Other articles I've read have said you can use your oven but thoroughly cover your work. If clay cannot be baked in the primary oven of a home, why do the manufacturers not label the product as toxic. I have used Sculpey, Primo, and a variety of others and have never seen a warning. Had I not purchased the book in this topic, I would never have known of the toxicity of the clay. Fortunately, I do have another oven that I use. Thanks for doing a great job.

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Moushka — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:19:45 GMT

Rosie, I'm not sure what findings you're thinking of making with PC, but do a search for "mica shift" and i think you'll be thrilled with the gold (and many other colored) effects you can get. In addition, you can make some pretty incredible faux effects - opal, malachite, tortise shell, ivory, bone, etc. - with polymer clay that will enhance your jewellery making enormously. I'm really excited about the possibilities PC offers that you can't find elsewhere.

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Moushka — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:13:36 GMT

Jean - How serendipitous to find your review of "Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads" on Beading Daily this morning, as I just bought Carol's book and was totally inspired. I tried PC a few years ago and it didn't "stick;" my jewellery making went in a different direction. Now, I'm really longing to make my own beads (and components with silver clay) and will be trying out the book's very clear instructions. BD is my favourite newsletter. I enjoy every issue and was very excited when you joined Michelle as I love all your books. Thank you for contributing so much beading knowledge and enthusiasm to the craft world. Sue

re: Make Beautiful Polymer Clay Beads

Rosie — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:23:02 GMT

I've never tried the Polymer clay because a majority of my customers are in love with my gold (findings) and crystal designs. I saw that a silver effect was possible but is there a way to incorporate a 'gold' effect into Polymer clay designs?I'm always looking for ways to diversity my products. Thanks.