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....: