Blog is 2 yrs. Old!

585 posts, 82 Followers, 115 countries and 38,000 hits. WooHoo! When I started this blog, my goal was just to get my butt out of bed, stop feeling sorry for myself and get back to creating. Posting my creative endeavors did just that. It kept me on track, focused and looking forward. It has helped me become a better artist by stretching my creativity. Blogging has been beneficial to me on so many levels; spiritually, socially, artistically and intellectually. Brene' Brown said, "In order to be connected, one must be vulnerable." It is uncomfortable feeling vulnerable, but so wonderful to feel connected. Thank you for your smiles, laughs, hugs, critiques, sharing, input, feedback and for being there when I get up in the morning. xoxo-Marlene

"In Lights"

Ah, the art of polymer clay up in lights, in all its glory. Through the magic of Photofunia (click HERE) I can imagine, dream and play.

Photo Cards of Polymer Creations

"The Tribe" I hand sculpted faces from polymer clay, made a mold from polymer clay and created more.Hand sculpted polymer clay and beaded head piece.

My copyrighted "Bald Headed Beads" (above) and another polymer clay face below.

I ordered more photo cards for distribution at Bead and Button......400 to be exact. I just about had a different image for each card. I have to pay more for rush shipping, so I hope they are worth it. I'm running around here trying to get ready for the Bead and Button Show so if I miss a few days of posting....that's why.

Polymer Pin & Scarf

Some of my polymer clay canes used in a brooch that compliments this crocheted this scarf done in a simple double crochet in a bulky yarn on a huge crochet hook.

Polymer Pin and Tunisian Crochet Again

I love the baby blue in the polymer clay pin I made. It matches this cute little neck scarf I crocheted in Tunisian crochet simple stitch.

I started a small practice piece with some intermediate stitches. Fun. Click HERE for some videos on Tunisian Crochet.

Knitted Neckpiece

Finally finished this piece and am happy with it. It has a unique look and feel to it.

I have been on a roll with the crocheting and knitting just to relax. I'm still working on the horse paintings which are not going that well at this point. I've had an ear ache which is just hanging on despite the antibiotics. Anywho, my husband just walked in and said, "You know, this is not the painting she is looking for....the mountain is all wrong and...." I was sitting at the computer and whipped around so fast I looked like Linda Blair in the Exorcist and he flew out of the room. I will be crocheting later, obviously.

Polymer Pin + Tunisian Crochet

Above is the Tunisian Crochet sweater I am still working on and a polymer clay pin I sculpted and colored with alcohol inks.

Using PhotoShop, I can see how both would look in different colors.

I like this one the best and will keep it in mind for the next pin and sweater. Yeah, right.

Old, Dried Up Clay

Some of my scrap clay I use right away and some I toss into a container to be made into "mud" later. I WAS moving right along working on the "mud" mixture until I hit a bad patch of old, really old, bad clay and there went my whole batch.

It was peeling and shredding right off of the sheets coming out of the pasta machine. What a mess and what a waste.

I thought some of it was kind of pretty...like rusty metal, so I tried baking it. Old dried out clay is old dried out clay. It does not like to be baked. It came out brittle, cracked and lost most of its color. I did find it a little humorous.

Artist Jewelry

Wow, I'm so glad Blogger is back up and running! Yay.

I purchased the components for the Artist Pin and Earring set at Michael's in the scrapbook section. I sewed a pin back on the apron and then glued the palette, paint tube and brushes on. I smeared some acrylic paint on the apron and paint rag (under the palette). I glued the paint brushes on the artist's palette and attached them to the earring findings. I sealed the pin and earrings with PYMII.

Happy Mom's Day

[source] All together......awwwwwwwww. I know it is not the usual cute baby pics, but then......it is me (c'mon). Happy Mom's Day to all the "mothering" types of you out there who are caretakers, fixers, nurturers, comforters, baby-ers and cuddle-rs who give your all everyday to your families, extended families, adopted families, pets, neighbors, friends, patients, etc. Hope your day is special.

Free Beading Tutorials

This stunning necklace is from Wolfrowanwoods (click HERE). It is a great example of how several spiral ropes can be braided into one spectacular, dramatic piece.

The above spiral bracelet tutorial is from Angel Fire (click HERE)

This free spiral rope tutorial is from Squiddo (click HERE). Spirals can become addictive!

Free Bib Necklace Tutorial

The free tutorial (click HERE) is from "A Bead Store". It is called "Pretty in Pink" by Robin Bare of Bare' (click HERE). I'm thinking of changing out the metal flowers for some polymer clay flowers.

Did You Know...

Bead and Button.com (click HERE) has "Basics" and Videos on the techniques used for some of the projects in each issue? For instance, in the current issue above, an instructional video for the twisted herringbone stitch can be found HERE. It clearly shows and explains exactly what makes the herringbone stitch "twist". Check it out.

New Polymer Clay Book

A new 80 page book by polymer clay artists Dayle Doroshow of Zingaro and Cynthia Tinapple of Polymer Clay Daily on how to get your creative juices going again. Here is a really nice preview of their book (click HERE). Ordered mine yesterday! What a great way to start spring!