Polymer Clay Bytes! - Tina Holden's Beadcomber

Layered Polymer Clay Discs

2009-07-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Oh my, how time flies. Wednesday already! Had a friend visiting for a couple of days that we tried to cram with as much Polymer Clay as possible. There was a lot of 'lets try this! or that!' but we didn't get as much done as we'd hoped for. Some of it was work...namely 'sanding', but we took some breaks with beach and forest walks to clear our heads or give our shoulders and hands a rest. Beach and sand and sanded fingertips...mm...The weather wasn't too great, a bit drizzly and wet, but this is a Rainforest, what can I say, misty facials, lol.

Our heads are crammed full with ideas! It was inspiring to chat in person about various techniques. While Vanessa has left for home, my work isn't done. I still need to finish the box that I started and create a few more molds and stencils. Some of the stencils I made didn't work out...photoEZ has a limited shelf life when undeveloped.

We actually got something done and finished! - Layered polymer clay disc necklaces similar to Bettina Welker's necklace in PolymerCafe ( Summer 2007). Instead of magnetic closures we used a beaded loop-over-button method. We chose a mokume gane technique instead of texture. While the concept of the layered disc necklace is appealing to me, the flipping and layering of the beads at random when the necklace is picked up and laid back down again, is not. It would be a problem when trying to sell such a necklace in person, it would require constant fussing with the beads to stack up properly again. I thought that adding size 6 czech seedbeeds between the disc beads would help prevent the problem, it didn't, but it gives the back of the necklace a tidier finish and also lengthened it a bit, necessary for my larger size. I think this necklace will be a 'keeper', that is, I will wear it. I'm going to play a bit more with the concept and am sure I can come up with a way to keep the beads stacked.

The dark blue necklace is Vanessa's, the azure blue is mine. Aren't they lovely?

Summer Days and Defying Gravity

2009-07-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

The blonde with the silly grin on her face is me. I think I blinked! That's what happens when you have your picture taken with a Celebrity who just purchased a piece of your handmade jewelry (note Picasso pendant necklace). I'm so flattered!

Meet the beautiful Karen LeBlanc. Karen LeBlanc was nominated in 2008 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role, Dramatic Series for: "ReGenesis" (For episode "Bloodless") and in nominated in 2009 for the Actra Awards for her role in Nurse.Fighter.Boy.
Karen has a long list of roles she starred in, including Trailer Park Boys, Mutant X and "Nurse.Fighter.Boy" (2008) a film that rewards viewers seeking good solid acting. (see trailer video below). Read more about Karen on her website.

When I heard about the upcoming 13 part series that will be airing on ABC later this month: "Defying Gravity", I got really excited. I'm sorry to admit, I don't watch all that much TV unless it's something that I gravitate towards... mention 'sci-fi' and I'm a noodle! Battlestar Galactica did that and I suspect this series will do the same.

Inspired by the fictional BBC docudrama Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets, and dubbed “Grey's Anatomy in space” by series creator James Parriott, DEFYING GRAVITY is a sexy, provocative space thriller. It’s set in the very near future against the background of our solar system, in which eight astronauts from five countries (four women and four men) undertake a mysterious six-year international space mission covering eight billion miles.
The cast is led by Ron Livingston (Office Space) as Antares flight engineer Maddux Donner, Laura Harris (24) as ship’s geologist Zoe Barnes and Karen LeBlanc will dazzle us as part of the Earth crew as scientist Eve Shaw. On board will also be Zahf Paroo (Battlestar Galactica) as grounded flight engineer.
Apparently the show will also air on the Canadian Space Channel. Don't know the exact date yet, but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Thanks Karen, for what made a totally interesting day!

Some respite and ponderings

2009-07-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Spent a few hours at the Lake yesterday. Was hoping for some quiet time to reminiscence about what is next on my agenda regarding Polymer Clay projects.

Here we are living in paradise, with rainforest, ocean, lakes, mountains and wilderness within an hours drive. Get outside of town and not a sound is to be heard except for the call of the Ravens, Eagles, twittering of birds and buzzing of bees... until 5 teenagers show up and blast the atmosphere with loud nonsensical beats from their ghetto blaster. Why come to a place of solitude when you enjoy the noise. Sigh!
Fortunately, a park warden came 3 hours later and told them to knock it off. He was there to check on the garbage situation after Canada Day Weekend. It was a mess and one needn't ponder why someone can bring it in, but not pack it out...an 'I don't care' selfish attitude.

Anyway, I did get to read a bit and think about some of my next projects I'd like to try. I'm a bit tired of all the production work I'm having to do for the shops and galleries. I want to get back into some beadwork, instead of just assembling pendants on cords. I want to use colour. At the moment I'm into Yellows and Oranges...am thinking something fun and vibrant...too bad it'll have to wait until Sunday or Monday.
V...am looking forward to your visit!! Playtime!

Polymer Clay Tutorial on Sea Urchins published

2009-07-01T21:40:00.001-07:00

The much anticipated tutorial is now published on Artfire. If you've wanted to create your own sea urchins from polymer clay, I now have step by step instructions published.
First I will show you how to create a mold from a real sea urchin (ready made molds are also available for purchase).
Then you will go on to learn how to create a hollow polymer clay sea urchin and finally you will learn the effect of color for added realism.

This ebook is packed with 35 steps, 43 photographs, and 16 pages.

As I said, ready made molds are also available so that you can...

Happy Canada Day and Polymer clay...

2009-07-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Canada Day!!
That's it for my celebration, first I've got some work to do.
So, yesterday I sat outside in the sun room working on another polymer clay tutorial. It's something beachy and often catches the eye while one is walking on a pebbly beach. Hint Hint, lol...If you guessed "Sea Urchins", you are partially right, but the sea urchin tutorial is going to be available tomorrow. The other beachy one is still in progress.

I think summer has started! The sunshine that is. Woke up with light streaming across my eyes. It's been so dark around here most of the time. We get a lot of fog and rain here. No wonder the movie "Fog" was chosen to be filmed here, as were "Alaska" (with Charlton Heston) and "Captive"(with John Stamos and Chad Lowe) among the few. Met a few actors during a dinner and a BBQ. Local girls tried to interrogate me about the dirty laundry afterward, long story and way off-topic, lol.
So now I'm wondering if I actually slept? Sleep hasn't come easy for some time. Is it excitement? is it stress? is it work? What is the difference? Those dark circles under my eyes, good thing there is the magic of make up. I've pulled quite a few late nighters lately and my doctor advises to lay off the coffee. So I drag myself out of bed at 7 a.m. even though I've been awake for much longer and discover there is no Coffee!! waaah!!! No wayyy!... Yes way...
Earl Grey it is.

What is on the agenda today? go into the sunroom and toss the half baked clay!! Seems it got a little warmer in there than I had expected, ha! Wait!!...I'll use some of that half baked clay in my inclusions...brain is working...but 1 1/2 pounds of it?? mmm...a lot of pebbles.

Polymer Clay Sea Urchin Tutorial news

2009-06-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

After many requests I'm pleased to announce that I will finally be publishing a step by step tutorial of my polymer clay sea urchin beads...

When: drum roll...the day after tomorrow...July 2nd!
Where: TBA...announcement here

Starfish polymer clay tutorial

2009-06-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a simple tutorial on how to make polymer clay starfish. You can use my mold that I have for sale on Artfire, or you can use part of the tutorial and create your own texture. (click on pictures to make larger). Instead of pressing a sheet of clay into a mold, I'll show you how to use your fingers to make starfish 'arms'.....

Handmade Polymer Clay Supplies....

2009-06-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

Some recent Polymer Clay additions in my Artfire and Etsy that can be incorporated into your creations. I've been busy creating supplies based on a beach and summer theme. Instead of creating all finished goods, I've thought you might like to finish these yourself. There are a few pieces of my finished bead jewelry included in the mix ;)

Weekend already? Studio needs help

2009-06-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday, the market was rained out and with only a few vendors showing up didn't draw much of a crowd. I stayed home, hoping to get some work done. Too distracted...don't ask me why (or do, lol). I've got clay, scraps, blended colours, blades, brushes, molds, varnish, findings... sitting on my table, the ottlight is on and the mess on it is staring at me begging to be cleaned up. My computer desk is full of cards that need cutting out. Things to be labelled and priced.
I'm sort of revolting at having to clean it up..."what for!? it'll just get messy again as soon as I start another project!!" ugh. It has to be done, but I only push a few things aside. Wish I could just hire an assistant.

Am curious how do you deal with your clutter? Do you clean up after each project??

Michael Jackson is Dead

2009-06-27T10:16:00.001-07:00

Video/Music Tribute to all the hypocrites...(WARNING!! lyrics contain offensive language)

Thoughts about Michael Jackson

2009-06-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Ok...a post that isn't even remotely associated with clay....

A couple of days and...only now is it really sinking in that Michael Jackson is gone! We are left with his music and the videos, but what troubles me and I need to get this off my chest...

Why am I only now learning more and more about the level of his brilliance???......I am seeing very reputable people in the music and entertainment industry coming forward and talking about him and sharing never before seen videos of him, all in a sincere and profound way. All over the news,what a kind-hearted and compassionate soul he really was.
It has left me angered and speechless.
Where were all these people when he needed them most??
Where were they when he was exhibiting bizarre behaviors and disfiguring his face??
Where were they when he was becoming reclusive and finally needing drugs to control pain?

The very same people who are now speaking in a genuine manner about him are the people that should have been speaking on his behalf all along! Maybe if they had he wouldn't have had reason to crawl deeply into debt or drug use.

He was deeply troubled, but what I didn't know is...
how much now, after his death, I would miss this often misunderstood, but highly captivating entertainer.
You've listened to his music and if you want to read his lyrics, you will come to understand a part of him. I will miss Michael Jackson...

Link to his Lyrics and Link to his YouTube Videos.

Summer Sales and Online Fraud Alert

2009-06-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting so much these past few weeks. I'll try to get back into it :) So much polyclay happening!!!

...Summer is here, so it's a busy time...

We're crafting and working away on our creations, whether for Market, Galleries, Gift shops or for selling online.
Selling online can be fun, but risky business. Imagine someone emails you and tells you they would like a reserved listing because they like A, B, C and D. Then they tell you that they are sorry but they'd like to pay by cheque. You tell them that is fine, but you'd have to put a hold on the cheque until it clears and that is fine with them and then what happens next is....!!

A few people, in the crafting communities, including one of my fellow Guild members, were recently swindled out of a lot of money and merchandise by a buyer. In each case, artists were sent cheques, the cheques were deposited and the artists waited until they thought the cheques were 'cleared'. In some cases the items were shipped, in others they were not because of other circumstances around it, however...the cheques came back as "account closed". In one instance the seller lost almost $500 worth of merchandise and adding insult to injury, the bank charged her the charge back fee. Another seller didn't ship the items, but was out $20 in bank fees by the time she found out that something fishy was going on.

This mail fraud circulated in both Etsy and Artfire. Artfire has blocked that swindlers IP and alerted Sellers to the Fraud (thanks Artfire!) If it has happened to you, get in touch with Michelle through her blog Creative Critters.

Personally, I don't trust cheques nor money orders unless I know the person personally. I'd worked in the banking system for a number of years and one of my jobs was to 'return cheques', whether NSF, Account closed etc.
Sending payment on closed accounts is considered mail fraud and a felony. Now, while it could happen that one decides to move and closes their bank account before realizing that not all cheques have cleared from that account, I doubt very much that that was the case since several people were affected by this individuals activity. It would be a poor excuse unless one doesn't keep track of their chequing account too well.
Money orders can be fraudulent too and aren't necessarily 'safe'. We've all heard about the fraud of someone sending too much money and asking to please send the merchandise along with the difference in cash...then the money order comes back and you're out of the merchandise AND cash.

There are a few safe options, such as Google Checkout, Interac, Certapay or Paypal. The easiest seems to be Paypal since no account is required for the person doing the purchasing.
One can easily check out with Credit Card or Bank withdrawal through Paypal. Paypal is owned by Ebay, but has become very well-know for its Security features.

Happy crafting and safe selling!

Polymer Clay Molds and Cabochons

2009-06-19T19:41:00.001-07:00

I finally made some Polymer Clay Sea Urchin Molds and Cabochons for sale.

I've been asked at various times for a tutorial on Sea Urchin related things, but I've also been told that it isn't always easy to find sea urchins to make your own molds from, so decided to offer up a few.
I will still write a tutorial for the "whole" ones, but it will take me a while since I'm so busy these days.

Still, it is almost summer and you may wish to use these textures as soon as possible for your own projects.

With sea urchins in mind, I'm also offering sea urchin cabochons in various shapes and colors for the beader and beadwork or the polymer clay crafter to incorporate these into their own polymer clay projects to be rebaked.

You can find these in my Artfire or click on the Artfire on my right sidebar.

One Lovely Blog Award

2009-06-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

I've been honoured with the "One Lovely Blog Award" from Eugena Topina. Thanks so much Eugena!
Please visit her Blog and amazing work. Eugena has just been published in the new issue of PolymerCafe. Very cool steampunk business card case!

Now I need to pass on the award to others.

Here are the rules:
*Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
*Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
*Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I haven't been googling too many new places as of late because of being so busy with other things, so passing the award on to 15 is difficult with so much talent out there, but here are 10, in no particular order:

http://www.goodrun.at/schmuck_jewelery/
http://www.bostonhandmade.blogspot.com/
http://justjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://jeweledrabbit.blogspot.com/
http://shinyadornments.com/wordpress/
http://dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/ (I love bunnies!)
http://bebedesiles.canalblog.com/
http://bounette.over-blog.fr/
http://creasof.canalblog.com/
http://cristalline.blogspot.com/

Artfire Selling made easy!

2009-06-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

Artfire is a hot selling venue. Don't get me wrong, I love Etsy too. I sell on both Etsy and Artfire. Each have their unique benefits.

When you check and compare tho, Artfire benefits are (I've highlighted some of my favorites):

US $12.00 Monthly!... this is low considering there are...

No Fees for Sales

List unlimited Items (and list up to 999 for quantity for an item)

Make Your Own Categories

Full Community Interaction

Up to 10 Pictures Per Product

Preferred Placement in Searches

Shop Banner

Forums

Custom look for your page

Google Analytics

Global Shipping Profiles

Social Media Promotion Tool

Social Media Resource Library

Real Time Statistics

Instant Flagging

Categories Displayed Randomly(No Relisting Needed)

Fast, Clear Checkout Process

Fast, Accurate Filtered Site Search

One Button Relist

One Button Vacation

Sales Mode

Education/Training

Green Impact

View Prices in Any Currency

Google Base (Autofeed Every Item)

Kudos

Guilds

Artisan Councils

Artisan Profile with Photo

Market Hub

Site Participation Rewards (Artifacts)

Automated Markdown Manager

Rapid Cart

And gosh, there is more and more benefits added all the time. Now, that low fee I mentioned? That is cheaper than some websites. On a website you also have to mess with setting up layout etc...and on Artfire, click a few places and you're done. Once you lock in at that fee you never pay more in future. If you sign up 12 people, you get a free ride for life and you can choose someone for a free ride along with you.

Go here to see the benefits yourself or to get started.
Register on ArtFire.com

Check out my Yart Sale

2009-06-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

Check out my Yart Sale on Etsy. Buy any 2 tutorials, get the 3rd for free. Free shipping on stencils and dragonfly pendants....

Etsy Treasury and Starfish

2009-06-10T23:05:00.000-07:00

Exciting to find out I was included in the Etsy Treasury (click on pic to take you to my starfish that was included)...Love all these starfish! Certainly a few of us have been busy making these. I`ve created more than a few as of late, mostly in the amber-brown colour. Must be the warm weather :) brrrr...lol

And yes, last week I actually took a dip in the Ocean here on the West Coast of Canada and it was numbingly cold, but the water was a gorgeous clear, clear green blue. Wish I had had my camera with me when I just about stepped on a gorgeous sun starfish or sunflower starfish (starfish with many arms). Look at all these fact here.

Polymer Clay Petroglyphs

2009-06-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

My latest Polymer Clay articles are receiving a sunny disposition with more orange and lemon flavor. I created a few more stencils and made some petroglyph PhotoEZ stencils for business card cases as well as for necklaces and earrings.

Purple Polymer Clay Jewelry

2009-06-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

Am in a mood for purple. These earrings and necklace are made from black Polymer Clay with Jones Tones foil and resin. I used some of the fishing lure spoons for the oval earrings and some other metal backs for the others.
I have put 3 sizes of the fishing lure bezels up on my Artfire.
I made these with the large size...
These are made with some other bezels I have. I may put a few of those up tomorrow.

This purple starfish is my favorite. Already sold 2 of these. These pictures don't do it justice because it has 3 dimensional depth that can't be shown with a 1 dimensional photo.

Polymer Clay and Fishing Lure Spoons

2009-05-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

Sandy from Simple Inspiration did it again. Polymer Clay and Fishing Lures. Got me digging out the trays of fishing lure spoons that I've been storing for years. Seems the April of PolymerCafe has a tutorial using them. Haven't seen it since I canceled my subscription about a year ago. Am certainly missing out on some eye candy!

Some of the lures have a bit of corrosion happening, but nothing that a bit of steel wool won't cure. Back in the early 90's taught my mom how to make Polymer Clay jewelry and she very much like the lures I had gotten from hubby who was a Sportfishing guide back then. Here is an old picture with a pair of danglies. Omg...that was 1990!! I think not only my jewelry cards have improved since then, lol. Am thankful a computer can print much neater...

I have 3 sizes available. I think I'll put some up on Etsy for anyone who wants to play with them. I have some gold oblong lures somewhere...need to find them.

Here are some samples of my moms work from about the same era. Vintage 1990! she even baked acrylic stones...mm....

Transparent Resin Clay

2009-05-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

It will be interesting to try this product soon. It's called Sukerukun Transparent Resin Clay. I'm not certain if this is a Polymer Clay, but it is air dry.

Here is Penny Dogs blog about it. She created a gorgeous ring from it. Go have a look!

I haven't tried this air dry clay yet, but suspect it reminds me of thickened Elmers Glue since it always stays flexible. Elmers is white out of the tube, but dries somewhat translucent. I think the term "transparent clay" is a misnomer since no matter how thin a piece is worked it will always have a bit of 'opaqueness' to it, althought the pamphlet says the glaze that comes with it will help to make it 'appear' more transparent. Apparently it can be mixed with oil paint, acrylic paint and watercolour, but too much of any of these as liquids and the clay may have trouble drying or won't be as translucent. Am anxious to try and see if I can come up with something worthwhile. I'll let you know ;). The manufacturer sent these photos of some beautiful flowers that are very artistic examples of what one can accomplish with this clay. Too bad I didn't get who the artist is...

Please send your links or tell about your experience with this clay.

Polymer Clay Fun Pendants

2009-05-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

Been having some fun creating some new Polymer Clay pendants for this Spring and Summer. Been enjoying starfish and sanddollars as usual, but also am having fun creating some flower pendants with resin and foils. I'm feeling very refreshed having been able to play and create something new instead of the constant production work...although, these will become a production also.
Hard to photograph the depth. It feels like I'm looking at them with one eye. If you want a closer look go to my flickr.
The amber golden flower pendant if my favorite as it has varying shades of bronzes and golds. The pendants measure an average of 2x2 inches, but I'm thinking of creating even larger ones. I've already sketched another design....
The orange pendant (on the lower right) I had a bit of difficulty with as I wasn't exactly a fan of orange, but now this pendant is growing on me and am thinking of creating some other bright shades for this season. The flowers were especially creating for a clothing boutique, but will take her the orange pendant to see if she fancies it. The center stone is cats eye, same with one of the blue flower pendants. Now I need some names for the resin flower series, for the starfish squares and the metal starfish and sanddollar blings. I'm terrible with names, all I can think of are 'discs', 'circles' and 'squares'. Names help when being asked "can we have more of the "blah blah blah?" Some people just have a knack for names, not me!
Help!

Tutorial in the works...

2009-05-17T12:59:00.001-07:00

More than a few people have asked me to do a tutorial on my Polymer Clay Sea Urchins and other sea life beads. I'm not quite ready to let go of those yet as they are a product line that I sell through various Galleries.
Eventually I will sell tutorials and kits of these when I'm ready to move along in a different direction. For now, I'm thinking of offering up this necklace as a Tutorial with 3 options...

as a stand-alone ecopy for the pattern
selling a mold of the cabochon, so that one could create their own sea urchin colour palette.
and as a complete kit which would include the sea urchin cabochon, beads and pattern, maybe different colours...

Ideas?

New Look for my Site...

2009-05-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

I've decided to give my site a new look. I guess with Spring being here and the warmer weather I was tired of the dark green of my blog. Also, I think these colours match my banner much better. I also added a navigation bar below the banner which makes it easier to find my tutorials. Also check way at the bottom, there are more. Some of the older tutorials don't fit the width of the main space format, so will have to fix this. For now, I'm happy with the new look....even matches the acrylic painting. Can you tell I'm into tan, orange and brown?? Am thinking sandy beaches next...

Acrylic Painting

2009-05-10T14:31:00.001-07:00

Here is my first ever acrylic painting! ...completed that is. I feel I did quite well with this attempt. I might take this photo and turn it into a smaller image and use it in Polymer Clay transfers. What do you think? Maybe on the outside of a vessel...? box?....card?
I attended an acrylic painting workshop this week, also my first. Boy, was that ever fun!!
I've tried watercolors before, but feel I failed miserably with my attempts even though a couple of my watercolours were good enough to be framed.
This workshop was held by renowned wildlife artist Mark Hobson . This year he was bestowed with the honour of attaining Signature Status by the Federation of Canadian Artists which recognizes an artists overall outstanding artistic achievement. Mark has also done 4 coin designs for the Royal Canadian Mint and was awarded the 2006 Artist of the Year award by Ducks Unlimited. Mark has a fabulously interesting workshop coming up in June aboard the Columbia III, a 5 day adventure touring the Broughton Archipelago in Northern Johnston Strait along with learning his many tricks and tips for watercolour.