Tutorial Mixed Media Beads

My new step-by-step tutorial is ready and available in my Etsy shop.

In this tutorial, I explain how to combine polymer clay, glass, and metal parts to make beautiful focal beads.  Three types of beads are described in this tutorial, but the number of variations possible for this technique is simply endless.

To complete this tutorial, I also included detailed explanations of haw to use these beads for making earrings and necklaces. 

One of the beads shown in this tutorial is decorated using my own cane.  Detailed instructions for building this cane are also included in this tutorial.

This tutorial consists of 25 pages and includes nearly 70 full-color pictures.

Mixed Media Beads, Finished Necklace

I am having so much fun with my new mixed media beads!

Here is a finished necklace that will be described in my next tutorial.  The tutorial is almost finished, too!

I am including three different types of mixed media beads in this tutorial:  the first one is when polymer clay clay plays only a structural role and cannot be seen in the finished bead, the second one is when polymer clay is used in design as well, and it is textured, and the third one is when polymer clay canes are used in the design. 

The bead with the canes is used in this necklace.  In the tutorial, I will explain how to make the cane, how to construct the bead, and how to put it all together into a necklace.

As always, I am trying to describe a technique, a general approach rather than a particular project.  The projects in my tutorials (including this new one) are just examples of what can be done with the approach I am explaining. 

In case of the mixed media beads, the number of designs and variations that can be made is simply endless.

I hope to finish the tutorial before weekend, but I cannot promise.  Too much is going on in my life that distracts me from polymer clay...

Mixed Media Beads, Revisited

Polymer clay, glass, and antiqued brass - I love this combination. 

This is my new take on the technique originally described in my tutorial for Pandora Beads.  I made so many modifications to this project that I want to capture them in a new tutorial. 

Stay tuned!  It's coming this month, I promise.

Oh, and this bead is currently in my shop on Etsy, by the way.