More new tile charms...

I have added a few more tile charms to my designs. Hoping to get some mixed media earrings made up with some of them.

Beads are drying....

Sometimes it feels like it takes forever to get my polymer clay beads ready to sell. Kneading, rolling, stamping, baking, painting, drying....whew! What a long process. But, before I start feeling sorry for myself I remember what my fellow ceramic clay artists go through to complete one tiny bead. From getting a perfect consistency in their clay to firing, and glazing and re-firing. What an ordeal....all for that perfect tiny bead:) I admit I am fascinated with earthen clay and hope to move towards working in this medium one day. Until then I will be happy rolling out my polymer clay and learning all that I can about this art form. I stayed up late last night forming these beads that are now drying this morning. I've found it more efficient to get my bead designs formed up the night before so they are ready to bake and decorate as soon as I come back to my studio.

Maneki Neko Polymer Clay Beads

I love those cute little lampwork glass figurine beads of various characters. Beautiful birds, fish, faces, cats, dogs the supply is endless. Here recently I discovered some cute little beads on etsy called Maneki Neko beads. This means 'lucky cat' in japanese. They were so adorable I just had to see if I could recreate them in polymer clay. Here's my first attempt. Now that I've made one I have a million ideas in my head of how I want to make an entire series of them now. They are quite addictive:)

New Lotus Polymer Clay Pendants

Here's a couple of my newest polymer clay bead designs. I used a mold for the flower pendant and I hand carved the line sculpture into the other pendant. Next, I used alcohol ink and liquid pc for the glaze. Re-baked and wella...

New Bead Designs

I've been inspired by my Beady Muse and she's ready to make beads. Here's what she's come up with lately. Round, flat and in between there's clay and paint flying around everywhere. I've converted my mixed media studio into my bead studio. Packed away my canvas and paint brushes (well not all the paint brushes...saved some to use for painting beads of course). Mixed media art is so me. I have a hard time focusing on one medium for extended lengths of time. So, combining several hobbies into one is perfect. With polymer clay you can sculpt, paint and bead all at one time. What could be better.
Here are a few of my latest creations with clay. Simple pendants with a faux finish resembling tile pendants (oh to work with ceramics, if only I could afford a kiln...sigh). Versatile focal beads as a point of interest for a chic necklace design on chain, string or ribbon. Elegant yet simple is my motto.

Grand Opening New Bead Shop

Grand opening of Mermaid Beach Bead Studio on etsy. Stop by and take a look I am selling handmade polymer clay beads, pendants and jewelry designs. Check it out at Mermaid Beach Bead Studio