AND THE WINNER IS…….

M O N I Q U E!!!!!!!

Congratulations Monique!  Thank you all for commenting and those that "Joined My Site".  Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!!!!!

Giveaway Deadline

I'm ending the free membership giveaway to the Polymer Clay Adventure Virtual Retreat at noon my time (Mountain Standard Time) tomorrow, December 31, 2014 in order to give the winner time to get set up with the retreat before it begins January 1, 2015.

GIFT - GIVEAWAY

I'M GIVING AWAY A FREE MEMBERSHIP to the Polymer Clay Adventure Virtual Retreat (Value: $99) to one lucky winner (who is not already a PCA member). 

Follow my blog and leave me a comment from now (December 27) until Dec. 31st.

If you are already a follower, just leave me a comment that you are already, but want to win the membership.

I will email the winner (make sure you leave me a way to contact you).

I will use the Random Generator to pick the winner……what else - randomly.

To learn more about the Year Long Retreat, click http://bit.ly/MarleneBradyPCA2015

Good luck.

Happy Holidays

Wishing you and yours the very best of holidays.  Peace, health, little moments of joy, smiles, giggles and connections.  Yes, I know "connections" is an odd thing to wish, but I think you know what I mean.  Those precious moments when someone touches your heart,  you let them all the way in for that split second of connecting.  I want more of those, I want to give those moments, I want you to know I appreciate you.  Thank you for stopping by my blog or Facebook page.  Thank you for being creative and sharing and connecting.  You can tell I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart.  But, seriously, thank you for giving me the gift of your company.

Peppermint Twist

 Polymer clay peppermint candy charms and crystals tied in a pretty ribbon of "Ho Ho Ho".  The bead crochet necklace can be worn with or without the charms.   Happy December.

The "Peppermint Twist" bead crochet pattern can be found HERE.

Spacers or …..

I've been spacing out lately so I thought the polymer clay spacer beads would be apropos.  I spent a day making spacers and loaded some on a couple of cable necklaces.  Again, they look like oversized Heishi beads to me; which I love.   I'm sure you are all heading out shopping, looking for lots of good deals on this Black Friday.  So be off, have fun, be safe and sing "Dashing Through the Dough" while you shop.

Jellyroll Beads

Jellyroll beads with two Curly Beads on the ends.  Normally it is the design in the middle of a jellyroll that is the main attraction.  This time it is the technique of rolling the sheet and allowing it to spiral on the ends to create the shape of the bead.  I cut clean edges on a sheet of white clay, rolled it, smoothed it a little and then applied the scrap clay slices about halfway up the roll.  Gently rolled it again to blend in the slices, cut the one end and then tapered it a little.  Because the cording end is tapered, I suggest drilling the holes after baking.

Spikes & More Big Beads

 Sculptured, textured big beads.  These are the beads I will be teaching at the POLYMER CLAY ADVENTURE year long virtual (online) retreat which starts January 1.  If you are interested in signing up to take 24 classes from 22 teachers for $99 and want to read more about it, click HERE.

Inner Strength

October was breast cancer awareness month; this painting evolved from that.  I used the netting to depict the feeling of being trapped.  Physically, her right breast removed, loss of weight, color has changed and she has lost her hair.  Emotionally, scared beyond words, she feels emasculated, her femininity gone, and yet, she turns her nose up at it all.  She puts one foot in front of the other and fights.  She is proud of the strength that comes from being who she is; a woman.

Organic Abstract

 I loom knitted the organic shapes and attached them to this large painting.  I used spackling paste and acrylic paints to create texture on the canvas.   The shapes are all open, except one.  It is closed up.  It is one of my favorites.

However, at our local art fair, people just could not deal with the open spaces.  Almost every comment was, "Well, what do you put in these holes?"  I had 4 separate suggestions to put some nests and birds in them.  One person thought it was one of those games where you throw a ball in the circles and asked me if there was a ball that went with it.  It was the first time I had to explain many times that an abstract has no specific meaning.  It is more about concept, movement, lines, patterns, shapes, color or textures; the simplicity or exaggeration of one or all.  That an abstract allows the viewer to experience it and interpret it his own way--different from anyone else's version.  What I found most interesting was how uncomfortable people were with the empty spaces.  There was a compulsion to "fill an empty space with something".  Interesting, right?

Violet Eyes

No papers, but a lot of gel mediums and the use of a comb to create textures.

Abstract Portrait

As I used some crazy textured papers, gels and heavy acrylics and soon this painting took on a life of its own.

Displaying Bead Crochet

 I like creatively displaying my jewelry, even at home.  Above, I mixed up some Apoxie Sculpt and attached it to one of my paintings.  I particularly like this one.

In the green one, I used Command Picture Hanging Strips.  After taking this photo, I can see that the painting needs lighter color, muted tones and a strong transition from dark to light.  But, I'm happy with the Command Strips.  Tomorrow is our local art fair.  I painted some abstracts portraits and a couple of paintings that took on a life of their own.  I will be posting soon.

Black & White

 Make a statement in black and white, no room for grey!  I think these are about as large as these sculptured beads are going to get.  I'm still having fun creating them!

Sculptured Texture Beads

Distinctive, big, bold beads with remarkable textures and the unexpected subtle layering of colors which create a rugged beauty to the polymer clay.  It is like discovering something new each day I create these beads.  I am really having fun.  But, as you will see in a few days, I'm struggling to find the boundary line of what is too big.  Oh, how I love big jewelry, so it is hard to pull the reigns in.

Polymer Faux Ceramic Beads

 I have been designing bead forms and textures for a line of Faux Ceramic Bead necklaces.  

 Exotic, mysterious, sumptuously textured big beads.

Lots more weirdly wonderful offbeat beads to come.

Halloween Fun

Here we are enjoying Halloween even in the after-life.  This just made me giggle so I had to get it for the front door.  I haven't had much time for all out decorating, but have managed a few here and there.

Beaded Spiderweb Bracelet

 I've had this spider pin for 20 years.  And now it has a new home on the beaded netted bracelet I made from the free tutorial Fusion Beads has on its website.  You can find it HERE.

 I made a loop and button closure and sewed the spider on.   Now, I'm in the Halloween mood.

Special Offer for Polymer Clay Adventurers

For the next 72 hours only- when you buy a ticket to Polymer Clay Adventure for yourself or a friend, you can choose ANY of our $10 cutter sets in the shop at PolymerClayTV.com as a free gift so you can start crafting along with us right away!  Above is my favorite $10 cutter set.  Click HERE to read more about the year long online retreat "Polymer Clay Adventure".   And when you sign up, you can choose from any of the $10 cutters located in the "Shop Here" box located right above the main title, "POLYMER CLAY ADVENTURE" at the top of the page.

This Special Ends Wednesday, October 15, 2014!

(USA customers only- please note international shipping is so expensive, if you would like to take advantage of the free gift we will need to invoice you for shipping if you live outside of the USA. Thanks for understanding.)  

I haven't been posting because I am filming my video and writing the PDF tutorial for my Rustic Beauty Beads.  Lots of new textures and they are so pretty.  So, probably won't be online for a little while more because making an hour long video and editing it isn't an afternoon project.  What fun though!  I am having a blast.

Silk Screen on Polymer Clay

 One of the silk screen on polymer pieces I finished during the Arizona Polymer Clay Guild's Polymer In The Pines Retreat.  Syndee Holt did Gelli printing on polymer demonstration as well as silk screening on polymer clay.  Syndee Holt is a wonderful master teacher.  She spent the day patiently teaching, answering questions and sharing her tools and paints.

I love this technique.  More to come.

Polymer In The Pines

Finished putting together 30 packs of my Faux Mexican Embroidery Tutorial, a cable necklace, a headpin and jump ring for finishing the pendant.  It will be a fun class to teach.  I'm ready to head up to the mountains of Prescott for 4 days of glorious polymer clay.

I love Penni Jo Couch's Best Flexible Molds for my cabochons (Above is PJ002). Her Etsy Shop "ClayLady43" is stocked with her fabulous molds also.  I just ordered two more and can't wait until they get here.  I included all of Penni Jo's websites for members to refer to as an excellent source for tutorials and supplies.  And, of course, the neverKnead is also coming with me.  I will demo it for those members who attend the retreat only.   So, if I am missing in action for a few days, you will know that I am in a beautiful setting in the mountains, working with polymer, learning and laughing with friends.

Polymer Necklace Slide

I slipped the corral and jade beads through the back of the polymer clay faux jade/cinnabar enhancer and slid it up to the top.  I secured it between the coral and it wears beautifully.  Not quite a bolo, not quite an enhancer, but a necklace slide.

Polymer + Pearls = Perfection

 I love the combination of faux jade/cinnabar enhancer with the pearls.  I love the elegance of it.  A completely different feeling from the southwestern look of last Wednesday's post.   Polymer clay never ceases to amaze me.

Faux + Real = Fo-Real Beauty

I have been wanting to make this polymer clay faux jade/cinnabar enhancer for a long time.  I also have wanted to string the 8mm round turquoise beads, the branch coral and the large bamboo coral.  Finally did.  I was so pleased when I put them all together.  My polymer clay enhancer has proven to be an extremely versatile piece.  It has inspired the next several posts.

Tribal or….

Ethnic or Native, I don't know.  It's a first try.  I'm working on the second.

neverKnead

As many of you know, several years ago I lost my left wrist bones to a rare disease called Kienbock's.   My surgeon moved 3 upper bones down to become my new wrist.   Conditioning polymer was good therapy to strengthen my hand after the surgeries.  But, there are still times when I need to wear a brace or just rest my hand.  When I saw this kneading machine invented by a polymer clay artist, I thought it was worth a try for me.  I ordered it, used it and love it.  It has been worth every penny for me.  I don't get anything for endorsing it, I just thought I would pass it along.  It is basically a press that gives a ton of pressure; extremely well made.  You can learn more about it on their website:  neverKnead.com. 

Old Friends

I attended an art demonstration by Aileen Garvey.  As she demonstrated her skill in using florescent acrylic paints, she talked about her paintbrushes.  There were so many that should be thrown away, but, she said, she just couldn't part with them.  She smiled and said they were like old friends she wanted to hang on to.

 Her paintings are vibrant, full of life, expressive pieces that keep the eye moving throughout the compositions.

 It was a wonderful time spent with friends observing and learning from this gifted artist.

Translucent Flower Necklace

 I made these flowers using Pardo Translucent clay colored with pastel chalks.  After baking and cooling, I painted the centers with blended alcohol inks.  I used headpins to thread through the center bead and form a loop for the jump ring.  I left a long length on the headpin for the tiny flowers so they would peek out between the flowers.  They are strung on a simple cable.

LAST DAY FOR EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!

POLYMER CLAY ADVENTURE - YEAR LONG VIRTUAL RETREAT.  Lots of extras, Classes 2X a MONTH, weekly inspiration, classes you keep!

Classes:

Karen Lewis aka KLEW - bead shapes and designs 

Syndee Holt - multiple bracelet technique

Christi Friesen - walking pod sculptural vase

Barbara McGuire - faux stone and face pendant

Laurie Mika - mixed media mosaic house

Sarajane Helm - ball jointed doll

Ilysa Ginsburg - decorated display stand

Kira Slye - polymer vase and flowers

Chris Kapono - suncatcher tiles

Katie Oskin - woodland critter sculpture

Layl McDill - cat cane

Anke Humpert - translucent jewelry

Lisa Renner - bathing beauty figural sculpture

Tammy Durham - illustrated greeting cards

Tristina Elmes - sculptural fine art with clay and paint

Teresa Salgado aka PANDORA - caning

Marlene Brady - sculptural beads

Linda Hess - votives and vases

Wendy Orlowski - cabezel jewelry

Suzanne Ivester - painting with polymer

Jennifer Morris - embroidery technique

Cat Therien aka CAT - flower cane

Hot Pink Interlocking Circles

I love the workshops taught at Clay Carnival and the fun of discovering new products.  While at Clay Carnival, I had the opportunity to purchase some of the brand NEW Kato Flourescent Pink to use to make my Interlocking Circle Cane taught by Sarah Shriver.  Thank goodness for my table mate, Becky Acosta of Bliss Point Creations.  She helped me literally turn things around.  I have taken several of Sarah Shriver's workshops and want to take another.  I am in awe of her talent and art.

Above left is the cane I made in Sarah's workshop.  After I reduced it, I cut some cane slices to cover my drawer pull burnisher, made two interchangeable tops for the "Snap" ring and a couple pair of earrings.