Polymer Clay Free Tutorial: Making a mold using Weeds, Flowers, & Pods

  

                                               How to Make a Polymer Clay Mold

Spring has sprung here on the sunny West-Coast of Florida. Flowers are blooming, trees are lush and green, and the weeds are abundant!  It inspired me to go for a walk in the woods, and as polymer clay is always on my mind, I decided to search for something new to use in my mold-making. I found so many interesting shapes and textures that I thought would lend themselves perfectly to polymer clay. A few of the plant specimens are shown below. I found it best to use them right away, as they seem to dry out quickly, and become brittle.

 

Use a conditioned piece of Premo clay that has been rolled out on the #1 setting of the pasta machine. Cut 2 small squares and lay them one on top of the other, so you have a double thickness of clay. Place the clay block on a baking tile. Dust the top of the clay with some cornstarch to act as a release. Trim the plant specimen and arrange it in a pleasing pattern on the clay block. 

Next, cover your work with a piece of parchment paper. Using an acrylic square, press down to embed plants and stems.

Grasp the stems by the ends, and carefully pull them out, so as not to distort the raw clay mold. For the stubborn ones left behind, use a beading pin to gently pry up the pieces. If you are going to use the mold to make earrings you can stop at this step.

 

I like to add a raised frame around the edge when I make a mold for a pendant, it really sets off the design. If you decide to put resin on your pendant, the frame has the added advantage of holding the resin on top of your pendant.

Now, place the mold in your clay oven, and bake for approximately 30 minutes at 275 degrees. 

I hope you enjoy this tutorial, Happy crafting!

Tip:  When using your new mold to make a pendant, dust it thoroughly with cornstarch, so the clay doesn't stick to the mold.

Pendant made using the mold with the raised edge frame

*Note how nicely the thin edge holds the resin

Please stop by and visit my Etsy Shop for Polymer Clay Jewelry, and Tutorials: Beadazzle Me

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

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

 

Tutorial: How-to Create Faux Glass Beads

I just released my first Tutorial! How-to Create Polymer Clay 

Faux Glass Beads. It's available in my Etsy Shop Beadazzle Me.
I sold my first copy just an hour after listing it on Etsy! 
I love sharing my techniques & ideas. This tutorial
is a complete step-by-step guide, with 20 full-color photos,
of  how to achieve your own, unique, hand-crafted beads!
You'll be amazed by how Glass-like they appear! They are made
using the new Pardo Professional Polymer clay.
It's so much Fun, you won't be able to stop at just

one, it's addicting! Make your own shimmery bracelet, Earrings,

or maybe a simple drop pendant. Happy Crafting:)                         

 3/23/11 Happy Birthday Mom!  This Tutorial is dedicated in my Mom's memory. She taught me every craft skill imaginable...she is my Heart:)

Neo Victorian: Cross Pendants & Winged Hearts

 

Neo-Victorian Cross Pendant & Winged Heart Cross Necklace are available

in my  Etsy Shop

Beadazzle Me.

Fresh & Fruity Earrings....Florida Fun

It always feels like summer here on the West Coast of  Florida, and with

March temp's reaching the low 80's it's time to hit the beach in shorts,

sandals & a splash of fruity color for your ears!

Come browse in my  Etsy Shop 

for these earrings, and my other unique jewelry designs!

Gulf of Mexico

We are so lucky to live in paradise! This is a shot of  Siesta Key beach

in beautiful Sarasota, Florida.

Garden Inspirations...Flowers & Butterflies

Click on photo to see a larger view

It's funny how working in the garden, hands in the dirt, sun on your back, can inspire you to create something totally unique.  I think I zone-out while I'm digging around, planting colorful flowers & pulling pesky weeds. So, that is how these new little cone-shaped Vintage looking earrings came about. I believe I do my best work when I don't think, don't plan, just let it happen -lol Clear your mind, put on some music, take a deep breath,
and let your creativity flow...
 

Native Florida Plants that Attract Butterflies Many beautiful native Florida plants have the added advantage of attracting butterflies, the most attractive of all winged insects. Since butterflies usually migrate long distances, they require frequent stopovers for food and rest. 

Our front garden is full of Butterfly

attracting flowers. I just love to 
watch them fluttering around, the dogs
are absolutely mystified by them too.

If your interested in my jewelry designs,
you can find them in my Etsy Shop 
It's the Marketplace for everything Handmade:)

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