Polymer Clay Beads: Possibilities of Openwork Technique

I like many things about polymer clay.  One of them is how easy it is to get matching jewelry for any outfit.  I do not remember when was the last time I bought a piece of jewelry - I just make mine from polymer clay.

Here is a necklace and earrings set made to go with my new knitted cardigan.  This set is made using one of the techniques described in my tutorial Openwork Bracelets.

Quote of the Week

"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet".
Aristotel

Free Tutorials for Beginners

Finished updating my tutorials for beginners.

It took me longer than I expected, mostly because I wanted to verify and double-check everything  I wrote there.

I did not touch some of these pages for a few years.  Found a few surprises.  Apparently, Studio clay by Sculpey was discontinued back in 2010.  Too bad, I've heard that many people actually liked that clay.  I usually do not work with the Sculpey line, so I honestly had no idea that this clay does not exist any more.  I still have one package of it from the first Synergy conference... 

Polymer Clay Chameleon: Miniature

Miniature polymer clay food by an Israeli artist Shay Aaron.  My son found these pictures and sent me the link.  Amazing works, aren't they?  It is difficult to believe that this food is not real and that it is made on 1:12 scale...

Please refer to my old blog, Polymer Clay Chameleon, to see many more exciting works in polymer clay.

Updating My Polymer Clay Tutorials for Beginners

I am updating my tutorials for novice clayers.  Just finished the two most important ones: Baking Polymer Clay and Polymer Clay Safety.

Quote of the Week

"We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are."
Anais Nin

Polymer Clay Chameleon: Ethnic

Every so often I return the idea of featuring the works of other polymer clay artists in my blog, just like I used to do in my blog PolymerClayChameleon.blogspot.com.

When I came across the polymer clay art jewelry pieces by a young Ukrainian artist aleksanta (too bad, I do not know her real name), I just had to share them.  She works in different styles, and there are many original and interesting works in her blog, but my favorite are these three:

Please refer to my old blog, Polymer Clay Chameleon, to see many more exciting works in polymer clay.

Craft Supplies

I moved all my craft supplies for sale to my Etsy shop to keep a better track of them.  All supplies offered in my shop can be used to make projects described in at least one of my polymer clay tutorials.

In the nearest future, I am planning to start listing lots of extra craft supplies accumulated over the years.  Need to make more space in my studio.



Quote of the Week

"There is a light at the end of every tunnel.  Some tunnels just happen to be longer than others."
Ada Adams

New Tutorial Openwork Bracelets

This new polymer clay tutorial is on sale for one day only! 

The bracelets are the result of my experiments with hollow techniques and openwork designs. They are lightweight and airy, but very durable and sturdy at the same time. I've been wearing them for more than a couple of months to make sure that they hold to wear and tear – and they do. I've also received lots of compliments on them.

The beauty of this technique is that you are not limited by the six designs explained in my tutorial, nor do you have to stick to only bracelets. The same approach can be used to make unique and original beads for necklaces, earrings, and brooches.

 

This tutorial has more than 30 pages of instructions with over 90 pictures. Out of curiosity, I counted all of the pictures I took in preparation for this tutorial. It turned out, there were nearly 500 of them!

For one day only, I am offering this tutorial for 20% below its regular price. 

 

The tutorial is available both in my shop on Etsy. 

 

The sale price expires at 10 pm (EDT) on Saturday, August 10, 2013.

Quote of the Week

"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."
William James

I am back!

I am back from our month-long camping trip to Canada.

It was great - the weather was cooperative all the time, the places we've seen were beautiful, the people we've met were friendly. We drove through New York state to Quebec, then to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and came back to the US through Maine.

Here are a few pictures from hundreds I took during this trip.

Kaaterskill Falls in Catskill Mountains, NY

Ausable Chasm in NY

 

Parade in Quebec City, July 1, 2013

 

I am getting ready to swim under one of the falls in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

Famous Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick



 

In Halifax Citadel, Nova Scotia

Sunset in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia



 

Beautiful view from the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton N.P., Nova Scotia

 

In Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia

In Shubenacadie Provintial Wildlife Park, Nova Scotia

 

Kayaking in Acadia, Maine