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

Millifiore Meets Faux Dichroic

I'm having a great time this summer working with my own unique flower canes. I love mixing the colors and layering the different types of flowers, for a real 3-D look. After sanding the pendants with 3 progressively higher grits of sandpaper, it's time for a nice thick coat of resin for a glass-like shine!

 

My pendants are available in my Beadazzle Me Polymer 

Clay Jewelry Etsy Shop

Polymer Clay & Resin

Some of my latest creations feature a nice thick coat of Enviro-tex resin.  I never liked working with resin, but I decided to give it another try. Finally, getting the hang of it! Seems it takes some fussing with a toothpick to keep it evenly at the edges, or else it doesn't stay and shrinks back as it cures. It takes some practice, that's for sure. Being the impatient person that I am, I couldn't wait 8-10 hours for it to cure either! I popped the pendants in my craft oven at 200 degrees and after about 15 minutes...Wha-La!!

 

 

Blue-Green Paisley

 You can find my new pendants in my Etsy Shop

Under the Sea: Starfish, Shell & Freshwater Pearl Bracelets

Peach & Melon Starfish Bracelet

Silver & Turquiose Starfish Bracelet

Back to my favorite private beach last week-end, where I find all my lovely shells. You can only get there by boat, it's very secluded. We always take our dog Teddy along with us, he's very good at sniffing out the best shells!! I hope you like my new Starfish bracelets, they are loaded with a nice mix of Scallop shells, Orange & white Jingles, Pointed Augers, Freshwater Pearls, and my new Mini 10mm Pillow Beads.

Click this link & come visit my Etsy Shop to see my Starfish Bracelet & and many more unique jewelry designs.

Seafoam Starfish Bracelet

Teddy is hunting for shells

Tutorial - How to Drill Sea-shells for use in Jewelry Making

 

Hot Summer - Cool Springs : How to Cool Off in Florida

Head Spring at the State Park

If your looking for the perfect place to cool off this summer my pick is the picturesque & relaxing Rainbow River. The Rainbow River is a gently winding river that is 5.7 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon Florida. The headwaters, Rainbow Springs, is the anchor for the Rainbow Springs State Park. This first magnitude spring is not one large vent but is numerous vents that issue 400 – 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day.

 It's a great place to snorkel, kayak,canoe, tube, or just look at the scenery! The water temp is a constant 73 degrees...burrr....but it's so exhilarating!! 

 

Flower Power in Polymer Clay

 

Summer is the perfect time to flaunt some fabulous Flower Earrings. 

Here are a few of my latest creations, featuring Swarovski flat-backed crystals!

 Bright Coral/Peach with a hint of Periwinkle, Aqua Breeze with a 

touch of Silver Leaf & some soft pinky/lavenders, 

 with a dash of Dichroic sparkle. 

A crisp white sundress & some strappy silver sandals, now 

your ready for some summer fun in Florida!

  

Faux Geodes Continued...

I'm creating more Faux Geode pieces again!
This time it's a pendant consisting of 5 very thin cane
slices in varied shapes, colors & sizes. I used
Pardo Jewelry clay to achieve the translucent Turquiose
& Olive Green shades. Added to each color is a
generous portion of my favorite Translucent Pardo.
The light shines through the sheer slices & illuminates them

Earthy Organics Collection

My new Earthy Organics collection was inspired by my love of nature

and plants. I experimented with some textural plaid designs in the 

Organic Orbs. The colors I used are rich earth tones, reminiscent of 

soft mossy greens, bark browns & turquiose stone. I love the colors
available in the Pardo Professional clay line. The Turquiose is especially nice to
work with, as it is quite transparent. I also added some Faux Obsidian for
contrast, and a bit of Faux Sea Sponge to bring in some hi-lights.
Blown-Glass hollow beads bring another punchof turquiose to the piece.
The necklace is constructed with pewter-look findings, which lends
a matte/natural appearance to the metal.

Earthy Earrings

Polymer Clay Kitty Cat Teapot

 

Black & White Kitty-Cat Teapot stands only 

 3 1/2" tall and is sculpted from Fimo polymer clay over a 

small appliance light-bulb. I used an assortment of my 

handmade black & white canes

to decorate the little fellow. The tiny teapot will actually 

hold water & can be used as a vase too!