HGTV & Etsy

HGTV has partnered with Etsy, whose one-of-a-kind handmade and vintage pieces add a unique touch to any home, especially during the Holidays. See the results of the living room makeover collaboration for Design on a Dime, airing this Saturday, December 10 at 8 p.m.

Joy to the World:  Inspired by the show Secrets from a Stylist on HGTV

Heart & Home: Inspired by 15 Fresh Handmade Gift Ideas on HGTV

Selected Treasury Challenge 2011 lists, inspired by our favorite HGTV shows will be featured on HGTV's blog!

Paisley in Polymer

paisley – a distinctive intricate pattern of curved, feather-shaped figures based on a pine cone design from India. ORIGIN – early 19^th century, named after town of Paisley, Scotland, the original place of manufacture.

 

I've always loved the distinctive Paisley design. Many will remember the more psychedelic version from the late 60's & 70's, seeing it splattered over everything from caftans to wallpaper. My version is done in Premo metallic polymer clay. Mixing various shades of purples & violets to achieve a pleasing palette.

I also tried a complementary color mix of salmon, turquiose, & gold, for this shield shaped pendant. For the bail I used different sprockets I found at the local hardware store.

Polymer Clay Bangles inspired by Ca' d' Zan

My latest creation is a Polymer clay bangle made of 100% Premo clay. Done in the Mokume Gane technique, of impressing & slicing off thin layers. My inspiration was the John Ringling home in Sarasota Florida. Using the rich colors seen throughout the Venetian style mansion.

 The Ringlings' dazzling palatial mansion is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy.
The homes name Ca' d’Zan, meaning House of John, has 56 incredible rooms filled with art and original furnishings. With its Venetian Gothic architecture, the mansion is a combination of the grandeur of Venice’s Doge’s Palace, combined with the gothic grace of Cà d’Oro, with Sarasota Bay serving as its Grand Canal. We are fortunate enough to live close by the mansion. We enjoy taking our boat on the Bay, to view the back palazzo of Ca' d'Zan. 

The colors used throughout the home reflect
the Ringlings' love of the circus, and the vibrant blues, greens, oranges & red hues, commonly seen in the circus world.

John Ringling's' Bedroom

Just Let Your Creativity Flow

 Polymer Clay Daily  Just Let Your Creativity Flow

I've discovered something lately, when I just lose myself in what I'm creating, it seems to come out better.  In other words, I don't plan the design beforehand, I just let it happen! Whatever clay scraps or canes are in front of me, that's what I use, it's a very relaxed approach. Most of the time I have the TV on, I am a big fan of  I Love Lucy, so I watch a few of those episodes on the DVR, or there's always something interesting on HGTV too. This new, more relaxed attitude does have it's drawbacks, most of the time I have no idea how I made the piece- lol!

My latest project involves layering, with translucent clay, rainbow foils, and pearl canes made with Premo metallics.  
After I bake the pendant & it’s hot out of the oven, I plunge it in a bowl of ice water.  This seems to help with the clarity of the final product.  After that, I start my sanding! I usually use about 3 different grades of wet sandpaper.  I always follow that with a vigorous buffing on a microfiber dish towel. To complete the look I add a coating of Enviro-tex lite resin.

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep.  ~Scott Adams

 I am thrilled to be featured on Polymer Clay Daily by Cynthia Tinapple! Thank you, I am honored to be included with so many talented polymer clay artists.

Striped Metallic Pendants

This is what I'm working on in my studio right now. I love anything that goes with Denim! Jeans are my everyday uniform:) This distressed-look pendant is perfect with the latest torn, or holey jean style, that is so popular right now.

 

All of these pendants are available in my Etsy Shop Beadazzle Me. 

New Polymer Clay Tutorial

Introducing my 2nd Polymer Clay Tutorial.  

This one is called How to Create Cabochon Pendants. It is a step-by-step guide, including 42 color photos, 28 pages. Also contains, a Gallery of completed projects, and a helpful Q & A Tips section too!

This is a 2-part tutorial, it's like getting 2 tutorials in one!

 

The Tutorial is available in my Etsy Shop

 

This Pendant was made for Breast Cancer Awareness

Mokume Gane My Way

I thought I would try using my own version of the Mokume Gane technique, which consists of 3 basic ingredients, White Fimo, Alcohol inks & silver leaf. I was surprised & pleased with the results. I think it resembles some type of rock formation, or maybe a landscape?

 I made the bracelet with thin shavings from my Mokume Gane block. I also added
spacer beads made from translucent cane slices, inked to match.

Polymer Clay Canes

I was in the mood to make some unique Polymer Clay Canes. I wanted something that would resemble a fine-line pen & ink drawing, but would be tiny enough to use on a 12mm bead. I came up with this flower & vine idea.

                     



Here is a sampling of some of my new mini-raw canes.

                     Polymer Clay 4-Chain Sterling Silver Baubles Bracelet

                                    

Light
as a feather, Bauble Earrings Sterling Silver findings

                        Polymer Clay Pendant with Enviro-tex Resin coating

 

Thank you for looking, I love to get feedback:)

A Tribute to Mr. Buttons R.I.P.

 

Rest in Peace dear friend, companion, confidante.  We enjoyed your sweet face

everyday for 13 years. You will be missed, but the memories you left behind will last forever in our hearts.

 

                                                Whitney & her Doggie

     "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."

Dogs...do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value they have to bequeath except their love and their faith.

 

Pets are our close companions because they provide love, comfort, safety, warmth, levity, wonder, laughter,happiness and friendship. Pets teach us to have more patience with life and to enjoy the simple things.

RIP August 2011

Cabochons

  I've had many customer requests to create flat-backed Cabochons for use in jewelry making. Here is my latest batch! I love experimenting with different color combos and shapes. Hope you like my new Cabs:)

Check out my Etsy Shop for the new arrivals!

Polymer Clay Millifiore Round Beads

     Polymer Clay "Millifiori" Style Beads

I'm back making some of my favorite beads, round "Millefiori" style.

Millefiori is Italian for a"Thousand Flowers."  Originally, a technique used for making decorative glass works, such as paperweights.  A similar process can be used to make designs in polymer clays, such as Fimo and Fimo Classic.  These materials are perfect for beads, earrings and other jewelry, as well as for adorning pretty much any object that can be put through the oven at 265 degrees. Polymer Clay is such a light-weight medium, that it lends itself perfectly to all jewelry making applications. This is especially the case with earrings & bracelets. I also use this "Millifiori" technique on my Hollow Pods, which can be used as pendants or earrings.

Using the Millefiori technique, a long tube of polymer clay is created in an intricate multicolored flower pattern.  Each slice of this tube is a copy of the original design. My clay of choice for this technique is Fimo Classic, as it is firm and holds it's shape as the cane is sliced. I use a Tissue Blade to make the paper thin slices, then apply these one at a time to each bead. It is a labor intensive process, but well worth the end results!

 

 Handmade polymer beads are available in my

Etsy Shop: Beadazzle Me Polymer Clay Jewelry