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.

New Bead Designs

I have been totally consumed with making new bead and pendant designs this week. Busy, busy, busy little bead studio....the clay's a flying LOL.

New Pendants and Earrings

I have been busy stamping up my clay pendants with some of me newest rubber stamp images. The more I read and search about polymer clay on the web the more great ideas I come across for creating unique jewelry. I must say that I have fallen away from traditional beading material now and become immersed in the world of mixed media jewelry design. The possibilities are endless. I have discovered that Sculpley III does not my first choice of clay for making my earrings and pendants. After reading an article by Cindy Lietz (beadsandbeading) on the hardiness and strength of different brands of clay I have a better idea of which ones to use for my jewelry design projects. These are a couple of my newest mixed media designs.

New Polymer Clay Bead Designs

This past week I've been concentrating on working with my clay trying to churn out some unique pieces to add to my jewelry designs. Here's a couple of pieces that I've come up with so far. The owl bead was hand formed and sculpted. I used a pc tool and an old pen that no longer writes to add the intricate carvings for the face and body. The pendant was formed by cutting a circle shape with my clay cutter. Then I stamped it with one of my fav rubber stamps. After baking I used acrylic paint to add highlighs and lowlights. The bird pendant was varnished with Sculpey Glaze. I don't think I'm going to varnish the owl. I like the earthiness of the matte finish on him.