Getting my spring/summer collection ready. Check out these fabulous Mermaid style pendants on my Etsy shop http://www.mermaidbeach.etsy.com

New Polymer Clay Buddha Beads

I have become fascinated with making Buddha beads for some reason. I think it's because of how peaceful they look. I get inspired every time I look at one of my finished beads. I can think of a million zenful ideas to use them in. Here's a few photos and some of my bracelet design creations.

Beautiful Necklace Design

This beautiful necklace was designed by Julie Komenda using some of my letter bead charms she spelled the word HOME. She has accented it with pretty and colorful odd shaped glass beads by Maya Honey (http://www.mayahoney.etsy.com/). I love the macrame stringing she used to design the necklace too. Julie does beautiful work! I am in love with this necklace:) See more of her work at http://www.1batiklady.etsy.com/.

Zen Buddha plant stake

New Buddha decorative plant stake. How Zen is this.....a peaceful, serene Buddha plant stake for your favorite plant. What a nice addition to a Zenful decor.

New Spring Beads "Watercolors"

This is my newest glaze design which I absolutely LOVE!!! The finished glazing process resembles a loose watercolor painting. Very loose and fluid, the colors mingle and blend forming a wonderful blend of spring colors.

New Polymer Clay Monogram Pendants

Very sweet.....these are my newest monogram/initial beads. Approx. 3/4 inch squared they make the perfect charm for a unique and personalized necklace design. Hang them on a chain and add some dangley charms for an eclectic and one of a kind piece of jewelry.

I love to to paint so.......I have found that adding some of my polymer clay embellishments make great additions to my little shabby hand painted signs (you can find more of my shabby signs on my other etsy shop at http://www.southernfroufrou.etsy.com/). On these signs I have added a sweet pink rose, heart and various beads to add a dimensional effect. How sweet are these:)

Pretty little hearts..in polymer clay

This little heart turned out so sweet. I just love faux ceramic look of this fun little heart. I have it strung on hand dyed silk cording....it's ready to wear:)

Initial Charms in Polymer Clay

Smaller sized initial charms in polymer clay. These are my newest charms which fit easily on necklaces or charm bracelets.

Video Tutorial Using Dye Ink In Polymer Clay

I Believe in Angels Ornament

How sweet is this.....I love making ornaments from polymer clay. I love tiny little hangy things LOL. I also love anything angelic.....so this piece was a gimmie:)

Air dry clay designs

So, in case you didn't know my big dream is to get my own kiln one day and work in pottery/ceramics. I absolutely love ceramic beads and pendants. That's the main reason I started working in polymer clay...it was the closest thing to pottery I could find. It's fairly easy to re-create the look of ceramic with polymer clay. Sometimes I think p/c may be easier to work with than clay. However, the earthy feel of working in clay can never be replaced. On my quest to work with earthen clay I have delved into the world of air dry clay (which is simply clay that doesn't have to be fired in a kiln). I really love working with the a/d clay as anything that can be created with fired clay can be done with a/d clay. Only problem is that it is not near as stable and strong as kiln fired clay. It's great for making beads and pendants as long as you make sure and seal it with a varnish or sealer. My next project is to take some of my pieces to a ceramic studio and have them fired (this gets a bit pricey when you only have a small amount to fire so I'm waiting until I get a large batch ready before I take them in).

Faux Ceramic Polymer Clay Pendants

Today I mixed up some gorgeous turquoise glaze. I just had to find something to put it on so I pulled out a couple of pendants that were underglazed in earthy brown hues. This is the result...

More fun with crackle finish...

I love the look of crackle ceramic beads. I have developed my own technique to make my polymer clay beads look like kiln baked ceramic beads. Simply by applying the crackle finish over my final design I get the look of fired ceramic.

Test beads in coral...

Here are some photos of my latest 'test' beads in coral hues. I just received my crackle glaze this week and am so excited to start using it in my designs. It adds a totally different look to the beads. Kind of looks like a faux raku fired bead. I like to stain the crackle with a bit of distress ink to add a vintage effect. I'm still playing with my crackle varnish but I'll post more pics as I get them.