Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Stacker Beads

I'm learning how to make Amy Wallace's Stacker Beads. This is my first try.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Lucky Charms Finished

The polymer clay submissions for the Lucky Charm Swap have been glittered (my first use of glitter), cured and finally, added matching rings to hang from. Pictured are the fronts and the backs, respectively.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

More Polymer Clay Pins: Feb. 19, 2012

Preparing to mount pin backs on polymer clay brooches.
I glued each pin back to the back of each brooch. Then I scratched a spot almost as large as the polymer clay appliques are. Then, I firmly applied the black rectangles over the base of each pin back. This process insures that the pin backs are permanently attached to each brooch and won't snag the wearer's clothing.
I put a little pile of corn starch under each brooch to protect the textured surface on the front. I'll brush the corn starch off after the brooches are cured.
All cleaned up and ready to add vintage goodies.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Desktop: February 16, 2012

I have read about charm swaps and found one I can participate in. It's called the Lucky Charm Swap sponsored by Ornamentea of Raleigh, NC. The deadline is Feb. 29 and the swap is March 2. To participate I have to make seven charms 1.5" x 1.5". I love seeing the beautiful selection of charms and inchies other artists have blogged about. Many are swaps at international polymer clay conventions and events, but I have stopped traveling to conferences due to health, so I was happy to learn about the Lucky Charms swap. This is the fronts and backs of my polyclay charms ready to cure. I'll post the charms I receive for participating. What do you think of these? I hope they like them.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's and Polymer Clay Hearts

Been making Valentine's. All polymer clay. Enjoy!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Finishing Polymer Pins: February 6, 2012

Having finished the goddesses and getting stopped in my tracks when I started pairing beads with the pendants, I decided to transition into another polymer clay season/session. This is sort of a segue into pulling tools and reorganizing my primary creative space...known by many as my desktop. A conversion from the bead and wire portion of the goddesses to opening the polymer clay studio. Thinking about matching beads for some goddesses. Any excuse to clay again.
Remembering that I put some of the polymer clay stuff away unfinished I started in my stash. Found three unfinished shield brooches, one fan brooch and seven small, textured brooches. Each one needs a pin back applied.
I first checked the back and strength of each piece. On the shields with the dark gray/black back sides I added a medium thick sheet of polymer. That adds some strength and provides an even surface to mount pin backs on. I,also, made rectangular tabs of polymer to use for the pin backs.
The four texture brooches need an even finish on the back as well.
I'll scratch the back of the brooch where it will be under the pin back. I scratch the pin back itself to create a little texture for the glue to adhere to the brooch back. After I let the glue set for a few minutes I apply the black polymer tabs over the pin backs and then I cure the brooches. I'll get finished images to share after I cure everything. Caio!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Ground Hog Goddess: Desktop, February 2, 2012

Six more weeks of winter here. Confusing news on a sunny 62 degree day. The trees are fixin' to bud. I am wondering if and when we'll experience winter. It won't be pretty.
I finally listed one of the polymer clay goddess all decked out.
I have added beads to an emerald green goddess and I like it.
I need to do those photos, but I wanted to share the royal blue goddess today, Ground Hog Day.