Tree of Happiness Pendants in Polymer Clay

The Tree of Happiness pendant is a new addition to my Etsy Shop this summer. I love trying new designs, and trees are a favorite of mine. Gardening is one of my many passions. We recently planted a Norfolk Pine tree, and 2 Red Cedars. The shape of these particular trees reminds me of Christmas trees! 

 This pendant is available in my Etsy Shop Beadazzle Me 

Norfolk Pine in the distance, Juniper front

Magnolia and Red Cedar

The Colors of Summer... New Work : Coral Sea & Sunset

I'm trying some new sparkly color combos with some of my rubber stamps & ink.

I love the browns, golds, & orange tones. White House Black Market is featuring 

some new hues for summer: Coral Sea & Sunset, a delightful pairing of

red-orange & beige linen colours.

Sunset Dangle Earrings

    

Tangerine/Gold Donut Pendant

    

Find these new pieces in my  Etsy Shop Beadazzle Me

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

New Polymer Clay Tutorial

 This tutorial illustrates how to apply a 2-part resin coating to the top surface of 3 Different Types of Pendants:

• Flat, smooth pendants, Steps 1-12
• Raised textured pendants, Steps 13-15
• Curved Pendants, Steps 16-19
• Adding a second coat of resin, Steps 20-21

I just released my third Tutorial, I thought I'd never finish this one! It has 35 pages & 61 Photos. The photos are close-ups, so you can easily follow the step by step format. The reason I decided to write this particular tutorial is that I've had so many customers & folks on my fan page ask me "How do you get that shine on your pendants"? Now, you can find out the steps I take to get that great domed effect & fabulous shine on the most difficult to cover projects like the Raised Surface Pendants, I make in my Cabochon Pendant Tutorial! This is the way I found that works best for me, and I get perfect results every time.
You can find my newest tutorial in my Etsy Shop Beadazzle Me

 

Mica Shift Revisted

Mica Shift Caramel Stripes

I'm bringing back my old mica shift striped pendants for 2012, in new colors and styles! I made so many of these back in 2008. I changed these a bit by adding a nice thick coating of resin.

 

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.