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.

New faux ceramic clay design...."My Heart Shall Beat Because of You". This is a new pendant design finished in a copper glaze. I love using my glazes to create that beautiful faux ceramic effect. One day I hope to get my own kiln and work in ceramics but for now I'm content just copying the look in the clay:)

Hot out of the oven....

Here's what I'm up to today. A large batch of lotus blossom pendants are headed to the oven to bake. After that, lots of glazing going on. Hoping the glaze I ordered gets here soon. I don't want to run out mid-glaze. Still using Studio by Sculpey for now. However, I have positively decided to switch to Varathane as soon as I can find some. I actually found a large 1 gallon can of it today at Lowe's.......way to much and I didn't have $40 to drop on Varathane today LOL. I just need a small can for now. Think I'll just order it online. Seems to be more and more the norm these days. I'd rather order online than waste time, money and gas driving all over town to not find what I'm looking for (and it's soooo hot here in South Alabama). Come on fall...I'm ready for some cooler days!

Making Word Beads and Charms...

I ran across this website awhile back on Polymerclay Web (Chatty Charms) which inspired me to make my own word beads/pendants. I used the basic idea presented in that tutorial using various colors of base clays (mostley browns and blues). Then I stamped my images and text into the clay and baked. Once completed I embellished them with various thin coats of acrylic paints (in layers). The techniques in the link are excellent resources for more information on how to create word pendant. These little pendants are totally addictive to make.

Trying out new glazes....

Here's the results of my glaze experiments for the day. The first pendant (lotus blossom) is the new glaze technique. I used Triple Thick Gloss Glaze by Decoart. I mixed a bit of my ink tint in with it for the color. I'm really happy with the outcome. It's actually just a bit more shiney using this glaze than my usual Studio by Sculpey Glossy Glaze (this glaze has been discontinued by Polyform). The second picture of the square heart is the Studio by Sculpey Glossy Glaze (which will always be my fav). They look fairly similar. I am hoping for the same results in my other designs. I'll post pics as I go.
P.S. If anyone has any comments or info on using Triple Thick Gloss Glaze I'd love for you to comment:) I've never used it so I don't know a lot about it. Okay, so I have really been researching this whole polymer clay 'glazing' process for several days now. I never thought much about it as I was happy with my old product. However, now being forced into finding something new it seems that the professional p/c crafters highly recommend "Water Based Varathane Diamond Polyurethane Interior" for all their glazing needs. See this link for a wonderful explanation by polymer clay artist SaraJane . For more info on using Varathane check out Polymer Clay Web.
Mossyowls.blogspot.com is another great site for more info on glazing (plus a ton of info on creating with p/clay)...
Wow, now that's what I'm talking about....Tina Holden, polymer clay artist of Beadcomber Originals has the perfect formula for making faux ceramic on p/c. Take a look at her gorgeous pendants (looks just like ceramic...I need to get some mica powder today!!) In my research it seems that the Fimo Gel is hard to find in the U.S. I think it has to be specially ordered from Europe. I'll post more on how to purchase Fimo Gel when I find a source.

Polymer Clay Glaze Comparison Tests

I was so disturbed to learn that Studio by Sculpey Glossy Glaze is no longer being manufactured. My supply was getting low so I had looked for it at Michael's & Hobby Lobby on my last few trips. To my dismay, I couldn't find it at either location. I figured they were just out of it. After several months of not finding it I searched online and alas, I discovered that they don't make it anymore. GRRRRRR!!! That was an essential part of my design process. It was how I got my faux ceramic effect and it's not available any longer. I read that Polyform is not going to replace it with anything comparible either. Now, it's back to the drawing board. I've got to find a comparible product to achieve the same effects. Here's a great post from Garie International on a comparison between Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Kato Liquid Polyclay and Fimo Deko Gel. I've never heard of Fimo Deko Gel but it seems to be the best of the three for my purposes. I am still hoping that Polyform will change there minds and put it back out there (even if it's in a new package). Until then, I am forced to find a new source.....SIGH!

P.S. I will keep adding links to this post as I find more helpful info on glazing. Here's some great links that I've found: Craft Test Dummies did a comparison test on several glaze products with some interesting results. Mossy Owls on blogspot has great info on using Kato Liquid Polyclay as well.