Polymer Clay Carnival Las Vegas

I finished the polymer clay pendants for Clay Carnival's artist swap.  I made 100 and then I made more for myself and for an upcoming sale.  Driving out in the morning and should be to Vegas in about 6 hours.  Classes start on Wednesday and go through Saturday.  Can't wait to see everyone and learn new techniques.

Enchanted Polymer Clay

An enchanted forest polymer clay necklace with tiny pebble steps leading up to a mysterious door.  I am reading a children's book from the 1950's "The Borrower's" by Mary Norton.  I love the creativity and humor of this little book.  It made me think about this polymer clay necklace I made a couple of years ago and have started wearing it again.  Fun and smiles.

Polymer Clay Transfer

The polymer clay transfer is about 5"x7" mounted on an 8"x11" piece of distressed wood painted black and sanded.  It makes a nice backdrop for displaying necklaces.  It is really fun doing a large transfer on polymer clay.

Miss Bacon's Necklace

A Pig Tale by Marlene Brady

Don’t go bacon my heart--I’m apologizing ahead of time (to save my own hide), but you know what a ham I am.

I’m bacon out here in the desert and got boar-ed. In the mood for some humor, I purchased one of Leslie Blackford’s pig pendants and I made some polymer clay bacon to go with it.  A stroke of Ein-swine, I thought. Squealing so loud, I almost hurt myself and had to call a hambulance.  Strung them on a cable necklace using Hamma Beads for spacers. Oh lardy, lardy, it looks good I thought.  Hogwash you say?  Wouldn’t you hock anything for this?  Of kosher you would.  I knew you could be suede.

So, here’s my pig tale.

I wore it on Fry-day and had an urge to watch Hamlet, but instead, I jumped in my pigup truck and went to Porkopolous.  Parked in a no porking zone and almost got a porking ticket.  I walked in the door and it was a hambush.  I was hogging the limelight; surrounded by bacon admirers.  They never sausage a thing.  I’m not loin. Thank goodness there were no pigpockets.  I left in a hurry, driving like a road hog.

I thought Miss Bacon's Necklace might be featured in “Porks Illustrated”, but, no -- snout their style.

Kevin Bacon wanted this necklace, but I couldn’t part with it if I fried.  I know you are rooting for more, but I’m done ribbin you. 

Dutch Spiral & Silver Chain

Double your options; long or short.  Dutch spiral and silver chain = versatility.

Bead Crochet Sample Necklace

 I designed this pattern and thought I would just love it.  I do love the pattern, however the colors are wrong.  The dark red is off and the yellow is non-existent.  It is going to be a necklace of color experiments.  On to the next section.

Wearing Bead Crochet

Above the bead crochet rope is doubled around the neck and magnetic closure is worn on the side.

Above it is looped through itself in the back.

Magnetic Focal

 An elegant magnetic clasp from Ezel Findings (click HERE) becomes the focal point of this simple bead crochet necklace.  I used size 8/0 Japanese glass seed beads in a 6 around pattern.

Wearing Bead Crochet

 All knotted up.  Magnetic closures on two bead crochet necklaces.  One necklace knotted makes a bracelet, two knotted makes a statement.

Wearing Bead Crochet

 Using a Twister Clasp to combine the two woven ropes.

Wearing Bead Crochet

 Doubled bead crochet rope.

Polymer, Beads & Sequins…Oh My!

Polymer clay cabochon and bead embroidery.

I had fun making a bunch of scrap polymer cabochons.  I have enough to hold me for a while.

Sari Beads

 Beautiful colors and textures in polymer clay Sari Beads.

Polymer Clay Adventure

 I'm still in the process of creating and compiling gifts.  They will be part of the Polymer Clay Adventure Online Retreat giveaways which will occur throughout this year via contests and challenges.  I made the above Rugged Beauty Beads and strung them on rubber cording with a Sterling Silver clasp.  The necklace is included in the first package of tools and molds I'm donating.  My class is not until the last quarter of 2015, but I'm sending a few goodies on and off throughout the year.  You can read more about the online retreat by clicking HERE.  You can still join the fun at any time.

I cannot believe it is January 8 already.  This first week as flown by.  I'm heading out to California for a few days of R&R.  Hope your new year is off to a great start!!!!

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.

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.