Metallic Lustres On Polymer Clay

As you know, I love to play with finishes on white clay.  

In some ways it is silly, really.

I could start with a color then play with it, but NOOOOOO!

I will start with white, paint it a color and then mess with it again.

That is what happened with these pieces.

I used white as the base...

Painted them black and then rubbed them with Metallic Lustres paints from DecoArt.

I love the way they turned out.

But i am thinking down the road to make my life a little easier, I will start with black clay, then use the Metallic Lustres.

Work smarter not harder...

In all fairness to me, when I make polymer pieces, I never know how they will be finished down the road.

I do things in stages....

I make beads and components for a week.

Bake them all.

Then I divide them into groups for how they will be finished and start working on them in those groups.

Lastly I seal them.

Once they are sealed,  they wait to become a necklace, bracelet or earrings.

Anyway, Metallic Lustres are one of my favorite ways to finish beads.

I love rubbing them into the pieces.

Have you ever tried them?

Thanks for stopping by....

Recycled Wool Sweater Cozies

I am always grabbing cans and jars from the recycling bin.

I love utilitarian pieces from what some consider trash.

I love all the ways you can fancy them up.

This time I wanted something super easy.

I took 2 sweaters that had been felted.

I now do this at the laundromat when I take my giant comforter.

I washed them on the heaviest cycle on hot.

Then I threw them in the dryer.

One year I did them at home and the sweater pilled and balled so much I had to call a repairman to come unplug the wool balls from deep in the machine's workings.

I have been banned from felting at home now...

For this project, I am going to use the sleeves.  

Before I cut anything, I slid the can and jar inside to make sure they fit.

I measured and cut them to fit how I wanted them to.

Don't they look cozy?

Then I cut 2 hearts from another red felted sweater and blanket stitched them in place.

No they hold my art supplies stylishly.

These would make a great little gift.

It could be even more special if you used a sweater from the recipient.

Maybe I will whip a few more of these up for gifts.

Thanks for stopping by...

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Fern necklace

This necklace does not use polymer clay.

I love polymer clay, espcially Sculpey.

You know that.

This necklace uses an air dry clay that I found in the clearance section.  

It is a kids' clay. 

 Mine was pretty dried out so I added some water, closed the lid and waited.

A few days later, soft clay.

It was fun to work with because it was very similar to earthen clay that you fire.

But this just air dried.

I did seal the pendant with Varathane to be on the safe side.

I love the mix of beads in this piece.

And I always seem to reach for silk in my designs at some point.

I really need to build my natural stones stash up...

I love how they look with clay.

Thanks for stopping by...

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Primitive Blush

Since it is still February, I am going to share another piece with reds and pinks.

This necklace incorporates beads with different colors and finishes than I usually use.

I like to experiment with pieces that feel a little outside my comfort zone.

The pale pastels in this necklace are not my traditional palette.

Now, the waxed linen cord knotting is totally me. 

I find knotting the cord very meditative.  

It is one of my favorite things to do while watching tv.

I will say, this piece has some of my favorite beads styles.

I am crazy for those flattened disks in any size, shape, color and texture.

I also love the heart on the left side.

The back of the necklace has lots of variety.

Lots of pinks, yet the deeper colors keep it from being too sweet.

Thanks for stopping by....

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Primitive Polymer Love Necklace

I wanted to share another of my favorite clay pieces today.

I know Valentine's Day has passed but I always think of February as the month of hearts.

This polymer clay piece is fun pinks and reds.

It is not too sweet though.

I love making my own steel clasps.

I love forming them and pounding them to work harden them.

  They suit my primitive pieces so well.

And they work really well.

I love texture and great finishes.  

The crackled finish makes these pieces look like ceramics or stone.

I love that.

Sculpey clay is my very favorite to work with.  

I prefer clay that condiditons easily.

Sculpey clays are perfect for that.

I am so happy when there is clay in my hands and a tray full of pieces ready to be cooked.

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Redware Polymer Clay Jewelry

Sculpey has a terra cotta clay that they sell in bigger boxes.

I actually buy the large 8 pound box to work with.

It has a different look than traditional polymer clay.

You can change it even more depending on how you finish it.

I want to share a few of them here.

This necklace actually incorporates beads with a variety of finishes and looks.

These heart links are so easy  to make and I love the look.

The spiral focal has an unusual look.

It was accidental.

There were salt crystals still on the piece after dying and it reacted with the crackle step.

I probably would not intentionally replicate it but I know how to if I want to.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know I have used beads to make this style bracelet a few times before.

To me, they are simplicity balanced perfectly with style.

Each bead is even more beautiful close up.

Some pieces do not string as easily.

This necklace uses wire links to join the components.  

It is rustic and artistic.

The sharks tooth is an homage to my daughter.

The shark tooth pieces were made from molding a real shark tooth.

The terra cotta clay takes word stamping so beautifully.

The Time to Love piece had mixed finishes as well.

Do you have a favorite?

Mine changes from time to time.

It depends on my mood.

I generally love the dark, almost black, pieces.

I tend to hoard my scavenged time pieces.

When I make my own, I can use them as often as I like.

The last bracelet I am going to show you has components that were just sealed and not antiqued or aged.

One box of clay with numerous looks.

Does it make you want to go get some?

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Simple Sweet Valentine Gift Bags

I made some valentine bags for my daughter's friends.

They are a wholesome, outdoorsy bunch so I wanted the bags to be simple and natural.

I am pleased with the results...

I wanted them each to be unique but I stuck to just a few punches and materials.

Changing the paper colors or adding a paper doily changes the look just enough...

A feather from the chickens is a great natural touch.

My nephew had this tree punch and I have been in love with it forever. 

When he moved, he gave it to me...

Thank you!

I love the heart arrow.

It starts with a twig and two punched hearts.

I punched the holes in the bag and slid the stick in place before splitting a real feather and gluing on the fletchings.

I love how it turned out.

This one is just a heart on a stick...

This one was a variation on the arrow but with a heart for fletchings this time.

The paper fletchings were easier to glue than the real feather.

I love the double twigs as a bag closure.

Even the back of this one is cool where the twigs cross.

Here is a heart rose...

A couple more of those tree punches....

These subtle shades are my favorite....

Last, but not least, there are the owls...

Each is slightly different.

The first one is this little guy where his beak is actually formed by trimming the bag.

I think he's my favorite.

I hope everyone likes their little treats...

Thanks for stopping by....

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