New Challenge

I made an entry for this month's challenge at The Art Bead Scene's challenge.
June ABS Challenge

Quite an interesting color palette.  After I shopped for beads at JoAnn's, on the drive home I realized just how realistic that color palette was in the nature that surrounded me as I looked out my car windows.  Green grass medians with Crape Myrtle trees with bits of pink peaking through.  Oleanders all lush green with beautiful red flowers.  I saw the different shades of greens in the other trees as well and I really picked up on just how much green is a part of my beloved flowers and tree blossoms.

I tried the mokume gane technique to make my own art bead for the challenge.  It was fun, I will definitely be trying that again.  The white in the bead is not stark white, I added a little of that bluish green color to look more like that of the butterfly in the painting.  Then I distressed it just a bit.

Vintaj Patinas

Hey!  There is a really cool giveaway going on over at Lorelei Eurto's Blog!!  She is giving away two sets of Vintaj Patina inks!!!  She blogged about using them to color metal and posted pictures of four really great looking jewelry designs.  Check it out and enter now the giveaway ends tomorrow morning!

Lorelei's Blog: Vintaj Patinas

Green green green

I can't get enough of this color.  Certain shades of green, I am really liking lately. 

I like the look of those big gum ball type beads so I made a few of those.  I've noticed the polymer clay bakes a little different on the bead rack I put together.  They seem to darken up quite a bit.  So I was careful to tent the beads best I could.  Here is a pic of them on a simple chain.

Sorry for the lousy cell phone picture, I will be getting a better camera soon.

                     Have a lovely day.  :)

I Hacked the Hack

Yes, I hacked the hack.

Now it fits better in my oven, and I can tent it with foil more easily.  I might try using the bottom half instead.  I'll experiment later.  I watched a good video about keeping the rack pins in position using a product called Sugru.  I recieved a nice comment by someone  to check out this video by Cindy Lietz, The Polymer Clay Tutor.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX3fQ9bfIZ0&feature=player_embedded
Cindy is demonstrating the product Sugru.  It's a soft putty type silicone substance that air dries, and can be used in extreme temperatures.  76F below zero (or freezing? can't remember) and up to 375F, I think it was.  Anyway, safe for baking polymer clay. Looks like cool stuff!
I'll have to post again when I have my bead rack right and exact...haha.
Here are a few beads that I made tonight.

Bead Rack Hack

I finally have a bead rack.  I built my own!  I put it together with some wire that I had previously bought from the floral department at a craft store, and a tin/aluminum? pan at the grocery store.  I cut notches in the top of the pan, to rest the wire on.  The package of the stiff floral wire was in long lengths of about 19". I cut four, six inch pieces.  The wire is 18ga so it should work nicely.  I think this bead rack will surpass my previous method of baking beads on a mound of poly-fill.  That was a little tricky finding space and balancing pieces. Plus, after baking beads, pulling the pieces of poly-fill off the clay was tedious.  And the last beads I made had indentations left in them from the poly-fill, :(. I do like the bead racks in they sell in the stores specifically made for baking polymer clay beads, but in an effort to conserve cash, I made my own.  :)

Marble Tile

I purchased a marble tile today.  It was only $2.04! 12x12 I can't wait to try it with my polymer clay.  I am hoping the dark color works out okay, I didn't think about that when I made my selection.  Just went for the cheapest one.  I may have to return for a lighter color some day.  But, it should work out better than what I was using, parchment paper taped to a vinyl placemat.  That worked pretty good, but I'm tired of having to replace the paper every time it gets "dirty" from certain colors rubbing off on it.  Plus the marble is suppose to help keep the clay cooler.  It looks like it will be more convenient to use.  The marble tiles at the store were so gorgeous!  I love how polished the surfaces are and the interesting look of these rocks!
 

Button clasp bracelet

I made another bracelet with the technique shown in this tutorial, by Lesley from The Gossiping Goddess.  I added a some beads that I made a while ago.  Two word beads and a disk bead colored with alcohol inks.  The button is really pretty, looks like macrame, it's from Joann's.  I liked using the waxed cord, it's really  nice to work with.  I want to try making some macrame style jewelry with it.

Blue Bracelet

Picasso's Two Acrobats with a Dog is the painting for this month's challenge at The Art Bead Scene.  Participants are encouraged this month to offer their bracelets to the 7000 Bracelets for Hope project. The blue themed bracelets bring awareness for rare and genetic diseases. 

I decided to make a blue bracelet that I would donate to the 7000 Bracelets for Hope project.  I made four beads out of polymer clay.  To make the house bead, I added alcohol ink to white clay to make a nice shade of blue but I liked the marbled look as I was mixing it, so I kept it like that.  I had my own stamps to use that I made out of polymer clay.  For those I cut the tiny pieces I wanted to stamp with, baked them and then "glued" them to chunky pieces of raw clay using translucent liquid clay (which is a  bakeable liquid polymer medium).  Then the stamps were baked again, and they work perfectly for making little windows, doors, heart shapes.  I formed the house bead, stamped it, baked it, painted it (windows etc), baked again, then sanded it with 500, 1000, 1200, and 2000 grit wet/dry sand paper.  Then I added a little Renaissance Wax  and buffed it with a clean cloth.  That stuff is wonderful.  Gives a nice shine.  The diamond shaped beads were baked, painted, given a layer of crackle glaze medium and then painted again. I added several layers of protective sealant and sanded in between for smoothness.  The dark blue spiral bead was made by shaping the edges of a long strip of clay, then rolling it up.  I added gold metallic powder for some shimmer and sealant to protect that.  I personally am not a big fan of the high shine glaze, but for certain beads it is needed.  I am almost out of the kind I use and am looking to but more.  Does anyone have any recommendations for a glaze/ sealant that they like.   The other beads in the bracelet are blue aventurine, sodalite, lapis lazuli, two turquoise chips, a trade bead from Kenya, and a few metallic glass beads.  I made the clasp.

Thank you for stopping by. 

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Gumball Necklace

I"ve been seeing those necklaces with the big rounds and thought I'd give it a try.  They look fun, and I like how they come in many colors.  I think they are bright and cheery!  I don't know what they are really called I just gave it the name of gumball necklace.  Actually I think my beads look a lot like peanut m&m's. :) For real.  Mine have a sheen, others I've seen are matte.  I'll try the matte look next time. I mixed up these colors and strung them on a silk cord that I had from Marsha Neal Studio and I really like how the silk ribbon cord looks with these beads.

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Cleaning Day

I took this day to clean and organize my craft room/studio.  I really thought that I could get this done in two to three hours, but it took me five or six.  I think I spent a couple hours just staring at the mess and trying to figure out what to do with it.  So I feel good now it's done...it's tidy and efficient.  Yay!  

I like that my paints are up on shelves and I can quickly see their color.  I bought that cool house shaped unit at a thrift store for $7.00.  It is very well built, and oh so cute!  Score!  I love thrift store finds.  Previously my paints were in a big plastic storage tray, where I was barely able to see anything but the top, which gives no indication of the color it contains. 

I'm going to put up one of those inspiration boards.  That will be cool I think.  I haven't decided what I want to use for it.  I've seen some interesting ones.  Maybe I will search Pinterest for ideas!  I saw one that looked like chicken wire, and things (photos, papers, etc) were attached with clothes pins.  Hmm..looked pretty neato. :)

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Silk Color Palette

Today I received my silk color palette from Marsha Neal. I was one of the 12 finalists in the Round 2 Challenge.  There is more information on the challenge in a recent post of mine.  These silk cords are really pretty! I separated them into two bunches.  (I apologize for my blurry photo below.)   All of the Silk Color Palette Round 2 Challenge finalists silk bundles are for sale at her etsy shop, Marsha Neal Studio.

If you purchase a palette from Round 1 or Round 2 before 9/17/12 you will be entered for a chance to win a $50 Marsha Neal Studio Clay Gift Certificate!!

 

Round 2 silks Prettiness by Lisa Martin

Now I need to work up a jewelry design using some of these yummy silks!!  I will post more pictures later on about that.   :)

 

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Puttin' On the Shine!

I bought some Renaissance wax polish today at my local Woodcraft store.  WOW!  Can I say that again?  WOW.  Wow-wee.  Amazing is the word to describe what it does to polymer clay beads.  I love it.  Just apply a little bit, then polish it with a soft cloth to give a nice shine.  I like to use acrylic paint on my polymer clay, and although I heat set it, I'm happy to have this wax polish to help protect the surface.  This stuff is way cool, and worth the price, which is expensive.  I bought a 200ml jar on sale for $24.95, originally $29.95.  But, this will last a very very long time.  It says on the container, used to revive and protect valuable furniture, leather, paintings, metals, marble, ivory, etc.  Freshens colors, imparts soft sheen.  It's used by restoration specialists in museums. I am just so impressed! I first learned about this product from the positive comments of other polymer clay artists.

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Tutorial Attempt

...and succeed. I tried it and I really like it!
 



I gave Lesley's (from The Gossiping Goddess) tutorial a try last night and I am really liking the bracelet that I made. I chose these blue E beads for their larger holes.  The cord I used is a hemp twine, which worked good. Next time I'll give waxed cotton or waxed linen a try. I had a bunch of gunmetal jump rings that I think are close to 5mm, they seem to work well with the design. The button I picked up at an antique store while on vacation a couple of summers ago while visiting my dear friend Kim in Victor, NY.

I never could find a use for these cobalt blue beads, but I am really loving them on this bracelet. Thank you Lesley from The Gossiping Goddess.

The Gossiping Goddess: Free Bracelet Tutorial and Giveaway....

Lesley has a wonderful tutorial posted on her blog, and she is having a terrific giveaway in honor of her first written tutorial! Go and check it out!!
The Gossiping Goddess: Free Bracelet Tutorial and Giveaway....:

Bumblebee

I recently saw these adorable polymer clay beads in a jewelry design by Lorelei Eurto.  The beads are made by Tree Wings Studio.  Just for fun, I wanted to create my own version of a bee.  It was fun, I might try it again. 

 

Here are a couple of other things I made. 

Hello

Hello.  Yes, it's been a while...  :) Look at my color palette below!  I gave it the title Prettiness.

Marsha Neal is doing something fun,  the Marsha Neal Studio Silk Color Palette Challenge 2012 Round 2. Choose 10 of your favorite silk colors from her Flikr page.  It seemed like such a cool idea  I wanted to join.  It's an event that's open to the public.  She is also having some giveaways!

Good Day Eh...

Well, well, well.  It is October!!!  And my last post was... May ???  Okay.  Some things have changed lately.  Number one, I got a smart phone!!!!!!  Woohoo.  Love it.  So, I am like taking photos and uploading, and videos and uploading, and it's fun.  I like it.  So, I want to get more regular with the whole blogging thing. 

Here is a picture of my sweet big dog.  He's a rescue, he's a good boy, but he is a bit of a pest when it comes to wanting to be pet.  I mean, it's like I can't stop petting him, he hounds me (hehe).  You give him a little bit of love and he doesn't want it to stop.  Also, he is a bit of a stalker...following me everywhere I go.  He'll follow me into a room, lay down, as soon as I leave he'll get up and follow me, lay down, two seconds later I'm moving on, he'll get up and follow me.  I guess a lot of dogs are that way..  sweet, sometimes annoying, not so much tho. 

New Floral Beads

I'm excited about these beads I just made yesterday.  I think they look really pretty and fun.  I am going to make more in different colors and sizes, and maybe shapes.  Hope you like.

Awesome Giveaway at ABS

There is an awesome giveaway going on over at the ART BEAD SCENE.  Wow, it is terrific.  So hop on over and check it out!  Also check out the new Beads magazine, presented by Beadwork.  It's the 2011 Buyer's Guide and it features over 330 new beads and 15 projects to make with them.  The contributors to the giveaway are the artists and companies whose work is represented in this new 2011 Buyer's Guide.  I can't wait to check out that new magazine. 

Vintage Buttons

I've been trying to stay focused on creating and listing things for etsy, but I get so distracted with being on the internet.  I love the computer and could web surf all day long.  I've realized it's become an issue that I need to discipline myself about.  I often think of things I want to look up on the internet, have questions?  answers to follow in seconds!  That is why I love the internet so much!  I am a researcher type of person.  I love information.  I've always been that way.  So, I am going to work hard to sort out my time allotments and stick with it!!!

I went out of town weekend before last on a ladies retreat with some of the women from my church, it was a nice time.  We hit a couple of thrift stores on our off time and I found some neat stuff at great prices.  I bought a bunch of buttons.  There was an old glass prescription jar with a cute lid that held many little buttons.  You see in the pic it looks like the date on the sticker of the jar said 1966, hand written!...takes you back in time huh.  wow.  The large shell button is 1 1/2", it's so pretty.  So many pretty buttons there.  I also found this old needle point clock, it's charming I think. That's my sewing machine covered up, next to it.

And there's my sweet dog Max.  It's nice to have his company, but he leaves me rather constrained to my chair, to not freely move about!  Life is a give and take, eh?