Category Archives: Polymer Clay

We’re All Ears Design Challenge: Seed Pods

Seed pod-shaped beads

Polymer clay seed pod beads.

The theme for the November We’re All Ears earring design challenge was seed pods. Our hostess, Erin Prais-Hintz, shared botanical prints as inspiration.

The prints were mainly in black and white, which Erin hoped would lead us to be inspired by the form of the pods and use our imagination for the rest. My imagination got a little carried away. Not so much in a “whoa, what the heck is that” way. But in a “I ended up with a bumper crop of seed pod-inspired earrings” kind of way. Continue reading →

Fall Leaf Pendants in Polymer Clay

Pile of fall leaf pendantsI spent part of a rainy weekend making fall leaf pendants from polymer clay and a “secret” ingredient.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year for many reasons, not the least of which is it means the end of my least favorite season – summer.

It’s also a great time of year for color inspiration if you’re as big a fan of earth tones as I am. What’s not to love about the blends of green, amber, orange, and red in tree leaves in the fall? Continue reading →

Recovering a Polymer Clay Mishap with Swellegant

Stamped copper cuff with patinaEarlier this year I experimented with two new-to-me polymer clay techniques: the Sutton slice and Swellegant metal paints.

Sometimes I make things that don’t turn out as planned. Sometimes, the results of an accident or a change in plans are better than what I first set out to create. And sometimes, well, they’re just bugly. Continue reading →

We’re All Ears Challenge: Antelope Canyon

Polymer clay bead dangle earringsThe inspiration images for this month’s We’re All Ears design challenge are from my home state, Arizona. Specifically, they are photographs of Antelope Canyon – a famously picturesque slot canyon in the northern part of the state.

This is the second time I’ve participated in a jewelry design challenge where images of Antelope Canyon were the inspiration. Last year I designed a necklace and bracelet for a Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design monthly challenge. I think the universe is telling me I need to make a trip to see this place in person. Continue reading →

Making Lucky Black Cat Beads

Black cat beadI’ve been planning a blog hop for this fall and wanted to make some beads to give away for it. The theme is “Superstition” and the blog hop reveal will be on Friday, November 13th. So, what better image to put on my beads than a black cat?

I considered quite a few different ways of making the beads, all involving polymer clay. The variation was in how to make the black cat, what shape to make the beads, and what color. The color and shape were the easiest to resolve. Making the cat part was a bit more challenging. Continue reading →

Jewelry Design Challenge: Polymer Clay

purple pink blue butterfly bib necklaceThe media for the Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design July challenge were metal clay and polymer clay. I went with polymer clay.  And kept going and going.

I got started creating with polymer clay as a substitute for metal clay. As in, I didn’t have the appropriate space for the tools used in metal clay, so I settled for polymer clay.

Over time, I’ve learned to love polymer clay for its ability to mimic the appearance of practically any substance, and it doesn’t feel like I’ve settled for a lesser medium. At all. Continue reading →

Firefly Art Jewelry Design Challenge

Firefly Swarm necklaceThe designers at Art Jewelry Elements chose “fireflies” as the theme for the summer art jewelry design challenge.  The challenge was to create jewelry, or jewelry components, inspired by fireflies.

I remember watching fireflies, or lightning bugs as some call them, flash at night in the summer. While the cicadas sang. They’ve been symbols of summer to me for as long as I can remember. Continue reading →

Using Iced Enamels with Polymer Clay

Polymer clay and Iced Enamels

Supplies for my experiment: Premo polymer clay and Iced Enamels liquid medium and powders.

What happens when you mix Iced Enamels Relique Powders with polymer clay? I was curious so I did a little experiment.

Last month I needed to make some “resin and enamel” jewelry for a design challenge. I don’t own a torch, so I sort of cheated on the enamel part and used Iced Enamels. Iced Enamels are powders that you combine with a proprietary medium and cure with a heat gun. Then you seal them under a layer of resin (Ice Resin, by the same manufacturer, of course). Continue reading →

Secret Garden Design Challenge: Octopus Garden

Octopus Garden focalLate last year I joined a couple of Facebook groups run by Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B’sue Boutiques. One of them, the Bohemian Vibe group, has monthly design challenges involving polymer clay. And brass stampings or other visible components from B’sue Boutiques. And any other mixed-media components or techniques of our choosing.

This month,  Christi Friesen challenged us to design a “secret garden” piece. She shared an awesome example and tutorial, but also said we were free to interpret the theme as we will. So, you just know I had to go waaaay into left field for my idea. Continue reading →

Copper Patina Effect with Polymer Clay

Copper sealife boxI’ve been experimenting with some mixed media recipes to create a faux copper patina effect on polymer clay. I love copper. And I especially love copper with a patina. Those splotches of cool turquoise blues and greens on the warm reddish metal. Yum.

Shiny copper, like the color of a new penny, is pretty. But some things just get better with age, and copper is one of them. I love rustic crusty grungy looking things. Things that look lived in, weathered, old. Continue reading →