Polymer Clay Jewelry

 

 

I wanted to share my process in making some jewelry for myself. I have lost several of my favorite pairs of earrings these last few years. So, I decided why not make a some of my own.

 

A little over twenty years ago I was first introduced to polymer clay at my local art store. I decided to give this medium a try. I loved the fact that you could bake the clay in your oven. I had not worked much in clay before really since grade school. I never thought I would be any good at three dimensional work.

 

Many years had passed since I used the clay again. I started using Sculpey again about five years ago.

 

 

 

 

Both of my necklaces were made with a mold.

 

 

 

 

 

I usually work with white Sculpey, but I decided to use terra cotta for a nice effect.

 

 

 

 

First I condition the clay with my hands to soften it up.

 

 

 

 

 

Then I use my pasta machine to get the clay nice and smooth.

 

 

 

 

Then I press the stamp into the clay, then cute out my shape.

 

 

 

 

 

For my flower, I used an x-acto blade to cut out the shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The necklace and earrings were cut out with the circular cut outs. Then I inserted the jewelry findings into the clay. I baked the clay according to the instructions on the box.

 

 

After the clay had dried I applied acrylic paint. I used a lighter purple, then a darker purple for the flower. For the earring set, I just brushed some gold paint over some areas of the pendant and earrings. The final touch was to seal the jewelry with an acrylic varnish.

Christmas Products and gifts

This past week I have been busy creating a few new products for the gallery that sells my work. I also decided to make some gift tags and magnets for gifts for neighbors and friends. I saw some really great ideas on Pinterest, and decided to give it a try. All of my products were made with polymer clay. I really love the versatility of this medium. It gives you that ceramic look without having to use a kiln.

What homemade goodies do you make for family, friends, or co-workers?

New products

 

These past few days I have been busily working on some new items for my shop. Since the weather has been pretty gloomy and rainy this has been a perfect time to create  This new clock was a suggestion from another crafter I met this past fall. She thought I should create a clock for a boy's room.

 

 

 

 

 

I am continuing on with my Sweet inspirations art blocks.

 

 

 

 

These little blocks hopefully will add  a touch of encouragement  to any room of your house, or on your desk in your office.

Cityscape

I am excited to be venturing out to some new subject matter in my line. I usually never paint a city scene, but I was just itching to give it a try. My desire was to paint a pleasant small town scene to add to my collection. This will be the first one of a new series of paintings that you will see very soon.

New Landscape Painting

I completed this painting last month, and just need to sign it, then take to my local gallery to have on sale. I will also make this into an inspirational block and maybe magnet. I'm thinking of naming this painting New Horizons. Do you have any suggestions of titles? What inspirational message should I use?

Featuring Mary Freeman

Mary has been a blogger friend of mine for the past three years. Check out her blog here. Our paths have crossed several times, but unfortunately we have not met each other in person. Hopefully that will change this week since we are planning to meet for coffee.




Most of Mary’s work comes from her processing internal issues and time spent in quiet reflection. Mary developed her style through trial and error and experimentation.

Mary began making cards and prints of her journal pages and paintings in 2010. She also leads visual journaling workshops at her church and to small groups in her home studio. Mary teaches several techniques for creating backgrounds, but her main focus is on what she calls heart work. Getting down on the page what's going on inside is her main focus. She is continually amazed to see how putting down paint and using various supplies can facilitate the "seeing". Mary has also led workshops in several retreat settings. She always has a journal prompt available to help begin the process.

Along with her painting Mary loves to read, decorate, and re-arrange furniture in her home and other friends’ homes. Mary was featured with her reflections of faith and thoughts in an online magazine called Sprout.

Mary is generously offering one of my readers three cards from her shop A Splendid Adventure. The winner can pick them. Just leave a comment for a chance to win. The winner will be announced next Monday.

A New Painting

The first picture I ever took as a child was of my dad drinking a cup of coffee. Over the years I have graduated to the older coffee makers my parents used to brew, to instant, then International Flavors, and now to our family Keurig. I especially enjoy the fancy flavored brew in the morning to jump start my day. I thought why not make a painting of my favorite drink. I am already making a clock and some magnets of this image. They will be available in my shop soon.

Mickey Mouse

I thought I would show you this adorable print that I saw at the World of Coke Museum last summer in downtown Atlanta. Isn't he adorable! The winner of the beautiful necklace from Zuda floral necklace is Cabootique congratulations!

New Year Calendar Giveaway

To start off the new year I wanted to offer my 2011 desk/wall calendar to my readers. Just post a comment for a chance to win. Tell me a goal or resolution that you have for this year. The winner will be announced next week.

New Designs

I wanted you to see a little sneak peek of some new journal books that I am working on for my shop, and upcoming show this fall. Have a great and creative day!

Sort of New

I wanted to share with you one of my designs I created at the beginning of the year, but never added it to my shop. I remembered just recently about this design. I will be adding them to my shop soon. I think they would go perfect in a child's room!

New Design

I was inspired to create this design, because they remind me of the beginning of spring time. Everything is fresh with new possibilities during this transition of seasons. These cards are now available in my Etsy shop. They are blank inside, so you can jot a special note to a loved one, or friend.

Tutorial and Blog Winner!

I decided to add a little flair to this white t shirt with the stamp I made a few weeks ago. Come take a look on how it was done.



I carved out a drawing that I had made before. I reversed the image on some parchment paper before tranferring onto the stamp block. I used a pencil to draw all over the back of the paper the image so I could transfer the image. Then I carved out my stamp with Speedball carving kit.

I placed a piece of chip board in between the shirt, so to protect the back.

After I finished carving out my stamp I used acrylic paint with Delta Creamcoat Textile medium. The textile medium transforms the paint to become a textile paint. I randomly placed the flowers down the shirt.

I added a second row of flowers and allowed the shirt to dry. I let the shirt cure for seven days before steam heating on medium on the back of the shirt. That's it, simple and unique fashion tee for the summer!

The winner of the tote bag is Little Sistah Studio. Congratulations!

New Painting

I have been busy with the kids since they are out for summer vacation. Computer time is limited since there are now three other people wanting their time. I wanted to show a new piece I started working on a few weeks ago before the school year ended. Hopefully I will get a chance to work on it some more this week.

New Pendants

I started working on some new pendants to get ready for a show later this month, and to add to my shop as well. The title of this painting is Deeply Rooted. I painted the wooden pendants brown like the sides of my paintings, so to give a consistent look to my work. What do you think?

New Card

I finished my little painting and created a new card design that is now available in my Etsy shop, just in time for Mother's Day. What do you think?

Have a great weekend!

Charming Savannah

My family and I visited the beautiful city of Savannah for a few days during my kids spring break. The city is so charming, and inviting whenever I come for a visit to this historic place. It gives me the feel of New Orleans with the beautiful historic buildings and gorgeous magnolias draped with Spanish Moss. Here are a few sights we got to see.

Strolling down River Street.

River Street Sweets.

Tybee Island.

New Design

I wanted to show my latest journal book that I was creating for my shop. It should be available within the next few days.

The winner of my March giveaway is #2 post P and P! Congratulations!

March Madness Giveaway

It is so hard to believe that the month of March is almost over with. So you know what that means? It is time for another giveaway for one of my lovely followers to win. Just post a comment by Sunday March 28th 8pm EST., for a chance to win one of my little glass pendants. I will contact the winner on Monday.

Treasure Box

Here are a few treasure boxes I have been creating just in time for the spring season. They will be available in my shop in a few days.