My Valentine Heart Bracelet is featured on Polymer Clay Daily

I was delighted to see my Valentine Heart Bracelet featured on Cynthia Tinapple's blog, Polymer Clay Daily. My morning ritual consists of sitting down with my cup of Hazelnut coffee, and looking at what new gems Cynthia has discovered to inspire us! It's a great way to start the day! She introduces us to artists from around the globe, and lets us peek at their latest creations and experiments.

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

Polymer Clay Bracelet Tutorial - Faux Hidden Magic

Here is my simplified version of the Hidden Magic technique. It's quick & easy & the results are comparable to real thing, if I do say so myself-lol! I'm an impatient person, if I get an idea I like to see the finished product ASAP!
I used Premo Clay for this demo, the colors are vibrant & it retains a nice flexibility after baking.The cane I used for this bracelet was an older one, so after I ran the slice through the pasta machine on #2, I added a very thin sheet of translucent on top, to hold it all together. Then, the thin black & white sheets over that. Run the whole concoction through on #3, and then black side down on your stamp on #1. Wha-La !

 The link below will take you directly to my new tutorial, "How to Create a Cuff Bracelet"
How to Create a Cuff Bracelet Tutorial

What's New for 2011- Black & White Bangle

I love making Bracelets! Black & White with a hint of Limey-Olive is one of my favorite color schemes! This  bangle was made using Kato clay because it's so strong & it polishes up so nicely too! I used a large cookie cutter for the center of the bracelet & a flexible tissue blade to cut the outside curves. Lots of sanding & a couple coats of poly-varnish to finish.

My Bracelet won Second Place in Voila!
March 9, 2011

Polymer Clay Florida Sea Shell Charm Bracelet

My new Sea Shell Charm bracelet was inspired by the colors of Florida Scallop Shells & Jingle Shells. Their luscious orange shades range from a vibrant sunny orange to a delicate sheer peach & pastel melon tones. I incorporated real shells, as well as my handmade polymer clay beads & some iridescent freshwater pearls. When worn the bracelet makes a soft jingling sound, reminiscent of shells washing up on the beach in the surf!

One of my favorite spots in Florida are the sugar white beaches of the West Coast. If you like to gather shells, this is one of the best places to find some real treasures! My husband & I love to take the boat down to Venice Beach, it's loaded with so many different varieties of shells & some great prehistoric shark's teeth as well! I especially like to hunt for Jingle Shells! I am fascinated by their colors, iridescence & the characteristic Jingling sound they make

Jingle Shells or "Mermaids Toenails"

Jingle shells are small, translucent, shells. They are practically flat and it's possible to wonder if they are a shell or something else.

Actually the jingle shell is a clam-shell. They are generally 1 or 2 inches in width and come in various colors such as black, yellow, white and orange.

Petite Pillow Beads

Leaping Lizards

Polymer Clay Lizard Cuff Bracelet

We live in a tropical climate on the West Coast of Florida & our yard & patio is crawling with these little creatures. They inspired me to create this Lizard Cuff bracelet.  Some people call them Geckos or Skinks. My favorite's are the Green Anoles or Chameleons. They get their name from their ability to change their skin color to suit their environment. The more common Brown Anoles were brought here from the Bahamas & Cuba. I love to watch the males as they puff their orange throat flap in & out. Our dog Teddy loves to chase them around the pool deck, I have to watch him so he doesn't catch any!

 This bracelet was made using Kato black clay. I chose Kato clay for it strength & durabilty, so the bracelet would hold up to taking it on & off. I used Pearl-X powders for the lizard's iridescent skin, his eyes are flat Swarovski crystals.  

                                                        My little lizardy inspirations

Polymer Clay Denim Blue Pod Bracelet

This Stone-washed Pod Bracelet really came about quite by accident. Late one night, I was trying to create a new cane out of a blue skinner blend, I tried stacking them on top of each other, smooching them a bit & wha-la! the Pod bead was created. Then, I made the small faux-cork beads in a golden color with an antiqued Burnt Umber glaze. The textured wobbly disc beads, in mossy green & midnight blue, were sprinkled with faux carrera marble dust to add to the natural look. The finishing touches were the natural Jade semi-precious stone beads, with their time-worn look! I think the bracelet has a whimsical style. It is strung on clear elastic cording. I also made matching earrings.

Another version of the Pod Bracelet is this Cymbidium Orchid with Grape pod beads & semi-precious stones.

Polymer Clay Faux Dichroic Bangle Bracelet

Faux...Faux...Faux!  This is a bangle bracelet I made on a base of Kato Clay, formed around a Coke can as an armature. I cut the Coke can in half so it will just fit inside my clay oven. I always use a base band of Kato because it makes the bracelet extremely strong, yet slightly flexible. I created this in 4 layers, with 4 separate bakings. After the final baking I wet sanded it, inside & out, then hand buffed it to a silky smooth sheen! Try making a bangle today...it's so much fun:)

Polymer Clay Summer Fruity Charm Bracelet

Brand new Summer Fruity Charm bracelet is a happy blend of fruity colors: Melon, Lime, Lemon, Kiwi, with a hint of black! Add some Citrus charm to your wardrobe...
Summer has certainly arrived in Florida & it's Hot...hot...Hot! but the pool sure is refreshing!

Polymer Clay Faux Geode Bracelet

The Faux Geode bracelet is made with a cane similar to the one I used in the Faux Geode necklace (shown in an earlier post). I used Fimo translucent clay with a tint of Premo purple & violet. The bracelet is strung on purple jewelry wire, I also added charcoal colored glass accent beads. I love making these unusual pieces, I never sell them, I just keep adding to my collection that I display in my craft studio.

Polymer Clay Mica Shift Bracelet

Mica Shift cabochon bracelet features a design motif of various plaids, squares & dots. The handmade cabochons are paired with russet colored freshwater pearls & assembled with copper findings.

For these cabochons I used a Mica Shift technique  that involves using a deep cut rubber stamp. Some stamps are made specifically for use with clay & are therefore deeply cut & leave a nice impression. Lisa Pavelka makes a fabulous line of rubber stamps , for polymer clay & PMC. By pressing a stamp into the prepared sheet of metallic clay, the particles are forced out of alignment. Now the raised areas of clay are gently sliced off using a tissue blade, leaving a holographic 3-D effect. These scraps that are sliced off are also useful (I save everything) for creating a pendant or matching beads. When I am working with the Mica Shift technique I always have a prepared square of clay ready to lay these shaved off scraps onto. My favorite brand of clay for this technique is Premo, it seems to have the largest particles of mica per ounce. I also use Fimo Soft white pearl in many of my beads & pendants. It adds a lustrous pearly glow to the piece & is a different shade of white than the Premo pearl. Below is the matching Mica Shift Necklace & Earring Set

I hope you will try this technique, it is really lots of fun & surprisingly easy! You’ll be amazed when you see the ghost effect appear! The real magic happens after you’ve baked your pendant & sanded it smooth:)

Polymer Clay Charm Bracelets

Charming, Charm Bracelets! Pictured above are just a few of the many different bracelets in my new collection.This new line of Charm Bracelets have been such a popular item in my Etsy Shop this year.  I think it's because they are so fun to wear & no matter where you go people want to look at all the charms & ask you where you found such a unique bracelet! The Black & White Made for a Angel bracelet is especially close to my heart. I made this in memory of my Mom who passed away 7 years ago from a series of strokes. She is my Angel! She taught me every craft imaginable, from crocheting doilies & afghans to watercolor painting & quilting & so much more. She did it all, and did it to perfection! I miss her everyday, but know she lives on in my heart & also in my many craft projects, she is my daily inspiration:)