Polymer Clay Tutorial: Mica Shift Pendants

                                    Mica Shift Tutorial


 My New PDF File Tutorial is finally complete! 
Click on the link above to view it. 
This is 4th Polymer Clay tutorial 
that I have made available in my 
Etsy Shop, Beadazzle Me.
This tutorial will guide you step by step, 
how-to create Polymer Clay Mica Shift Striped Pendants, it includes 30 pages of easy to understand instructions, and 53 color images.


Directions are also printed right on the photos,
so you may choose to follow the photos only,
for an easy, photo by photo version of the tute..
Suitable for use by Beginner's, Intermediate to
Advanced level clay artists, will also enjoy it.


Here are a few examples of my 
completed Mica Shift jewelry

Mica Shift Technique Earrings

Gray/Silver/Gunmetal Pendant

Sea-breeze Pendant

Mica Shift 1" Pendants

The Resin tutorial below is a companion tutorial to this one
How to Apply Resin to Polymer Clay Pendants

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

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. 

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 & 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

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!

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:)

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:)

Tutorial - How to Make a Polymer Clay Hollow Pod Pendant

You can make these Pods on any size light-bulb, I used a small appliance (refrigerator) bulb for this project. Use a good quality
clay for the pod, such as: Premo, Fimo or Kato clay & follow the manufacturers directions for oven temps. This is important to insure a strong, yet flexible pod.
My Hollow Pods are super light-weight & can be made in many sizes, from large, to small, for use in pendants, earrings or charms:)