It's All About Creating

Quilted In Clay

2012-01-29T00:01:00.006-07:00

I spent a wonderful day at the Quilt Show with my friend and polymer clay artist Jodi Lawroski. We went specifically to see Jennifer Patterson of Quilted in Clay (click HERE). The weather was beautiful, it wasn't too crowded and the show was great. Jennifer Patterson (left) and Jodi Lawroski (middle). Jennifer's bright and cheery booth consists of louvered panels covered with the most spectacular polymer clay jewelry beautifully arranged. When we arrived at the show, we headed straight for Jennifer's booth only to find her busy creating more pieces for her new "Flower" line in her RV. She was gracious enough to take a break to come visit with us. Talk about an inspirational artist and business woman. Jennifer's website has an interesting page explaining her process in creating her polymer clay cane pieces. You can find it HERE. Enjoy.

Polymer Faux Leather Cuff

2012-01-27T00:01:00.005-07:00

This was my third submission to IPCA's 2011 Progress and Possibilities (click HERE). I had researched armor and learned that most early armor ended at the elbow, so some type of wrist guard was necessary. I was inspired by this, and as a result, yesterday's post of the Contemporary Wrist Armor and today's piece "Modern Wrist Guard" were my polymer clay interpretations.

Contemporary Polymer Wrist Armor

2012-01-26T00:01:00.003-07:00

A dramatically over-sized cuff was my second submission to IPCA's Progress and Possibilities (third, and last-tomorrow). My central theme for all three pieces was "Protection". The top photo was the piece submitted. When it didn't win, I played around with it a little more and added some crystals and a "brass" highlight. I think I still may add some lacing to the underside.

Polymer Chinese Fingernail Guards

2012-01-25T00:01:00.004-07:00

This was one of my submissions to IPCA's Progress and Possibilities this year. In dynastic China, the upper class people would grow long fingernails in order to distinguish themselves from the laborers. Manual labor was virtually impossible with excessively long fingernails, so long nails or just long pinky nails separated the working class from the aristocracy. These types of fingernail protectors or guards ensured their nails would not get damaged or chipped. I loved how the fingernail guards came out, but they didn't photograph well. So I sculpted a strange looking textured hand to display them. A very weird little sculpture indeed.

Polymer Fold-Over

2012-01-24T00:01:00.003-07:00

Kind of like a "clip"; it has enough flex to open to fit over a beaded rope or large neck piece and then closes, securing it on the rope. Experimenting.

Polymer Magnetic Closure

2012-01-23T00:01:00.008-07:00

I applied some canes and Swarovski crystals over a magnetic closure to create a focal bead(s) for one of my bead crocheted ropes.

Bead Crochet Necklaces

2012-01-22T00:12:00.004-07:00

I finished the third Color Band necklace and started this one.

Polymer And Feelings

2012-01-18T07:31:00.005-07:00

A picture is worth a thousand words; in this case, a sculpture. This is an old photo of some of the "Stick People Tribe" I sculpted out of polymer clay. They were so much fun to make. The tall guy seems to fit my mood today (hehe).

Words of our Enemies

2012-01-16T07:41:00.003-07:00

I borrowed this from Lorelei's blog (click HERE).

Blue Dutch Spiral

2012-01-13T00:01:00.004-07:00

I finally got around to adding a nice magnetic closure to my dutch spiral necklace. A tutorial from Beadwork About.com (click HERE) has a nice pattern for a bracelet that can be made into a necklace. I've been working on some right angle weave too (the beaded band on the tube top). And I have another bead crochet started and am going on an art outing today. Hope to have some photos for you tomorrow.

Polymer Clay Alter Ego

2012-01-09T00:01:00.003-07:00

This is me in polymer clay. I love to paint, bead and create with polymer clay. I keep my alter ego hanging on the wall near my work space to remind me that not all projects have to be finished; it's ok to have trays of works in progress. Not all projects have to be perfect. I can have a painting started and be in the middle of a beaded piece while I'm finishing a free form crochet. Having said that, I have to seriously clean my workspace. She also reminds me when it's time to get a grip.

Bead Laughter by Sylvie

2012-01-06T00:10:00.003-07:00

Sylvie of Bead Laughter (click HERE) has tons of these. Laughed till I cried and boy, did I need it. So creative.

Free Form Peyote Necklace

2012-01-05T00:01:00.005-07:00

After I finished sewing the free form peyote piece on the purse, I got out my stash of blue bead blends and started a free form necklace. I will work on it off and on. I like having a few of these works in progress in my trays. Hope your new year is off to a creative start; mine sure is.

Free Form Beaded Purse

2012-01-04T00:01:00.006-07:00

I sewed one of my free form peyote piece to the flap of a 6" x 8" soft leather shoulder bag. I had the peyote piece in a frame and got tired of it. This will may me happy for a while.

Memory Wire Bracelet

2012-01-03T00:01:00.003-07:00

I did a simple dutch spiral, slipped it on memory wire and covered the ends with some beads.

Bead Crochet and Polymer

2012-01-02T00:01:00.002-07:00

I crocheted the dot pattern and added one of my polymer clay beads. I think this is going to be a beadiful week.

Bead Crochet Color Bands

2012-01-01T00:01:00.006-07:00

First of all, Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best for the new year! I finished the second bead crochet color band necklace. The first was 48" before I joined it and the second was 47", crocheted using various brands of size 11 seed beads. I really enjoyed making these. Above is my inspiration photo from Refinery29 (click HERE). The necklaces are cording wrapped with colored yarn, string and/or embroidery floss. Refinery29 provides a free photo tutorial for the wrapped necklaces. Have fun.

Polymer Raku Cactus Wreath

2011-12-25T00:01:00.002-07:00

May your day be filled with joy and love.

Folks Dressed Up Like......

2011-12-24T00:01:00.004-07:00

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir and folks dressed up like escargots. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

More Bead Crochet

2011-12-23T00:03:00.004-07:00

I finished a very long "Color Band" bead crochet I can wear with my black and white patterns. I want to make three of these, but we will see how far I get. I will post my inspiration photo over the weekend.

Patterned Bead Crochet

2011-12-22T00:01:00.004-07:00

The patterns include Steps, Dots, Stripes, Diamond within a Diamond and single Diamond. I just finished putting three magnetic closures on them so I can wear them separately or link all three together into one continuous rope.

Thank You Polymeri Online

2011-12-20T10:16:00.005-07:00

Yay! I'm on Polymeri Online today (click HERE). Can I just say how much fun it is to be scrolling through my blogs this morning and find me on Iris' famous blog! Iris has excellent tutorials (click HERE) in her Etsy store and a beautiful collection of her work and tutorials on her Flickr site (click HERE). She is also a teacher at Craft Edu (click HERE). Check out her blog to see all the publications her work has been in. And, last, but not least, she is the creator of PolyPedia Online (click HERE) where, according to Iris, you can expand your skills and enhance your designs! Have fun.

Polymer, Beads & Paper

2011-12-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

My gift to trade at our Bead Club's holiday party. I set several hanks of beads on my copier and made a color copy. I used the copy as gift wrapping. I made a mold of a vintage Christmas tree pin, sculpted on it a little, baked it and used it as a gift topper on the 3x5" small box after it was wrapped. I printed a 3x5 photo on card stock, cut it out and folded it in half. I glued a 1-1/2"x2-1/4" piece of card stock inside to hold the gift card. The photo was taken at one of our meetings and the gift card was from Michael's. And, yes, the party was fabulous. The gift I received was a gift card to one of our local bead stores. Yay.

Bead Crochet String Along

2011-12-14T00:01:00.003-07:00

Judith Bertoglio-Giffin is having another string along. This one is "Native Stripes". You can learn more about it on her blog (click HERE). I am looking forward to starting mine January 1. I have my colors picked out and am working on the beads. I have been so busy I have not had time to post every day. I'm still working on my polymer pieces, just nothing I can post yet.

Santa Claus Amulet Bag Necklace

2011-12-11T00:01:00.007-07:00

I had this Ann Paxton Santa Claus amulet bag made for me in 2000. I wear it every Christmas and treasure it. The front has Santa's jovial face and the back says "Joy". The strap has the year on it and the saying, "He knows if you've been good or bad, so be good for goodness sake. Santa Claus is coming to town." If you're interested in making one, you can purchase the pattern separately or buy the kit from Beyond Beadery (click HERE).

No "L" and TP Scarf

2011-12-10T01:18:00.007-07:00

Get it? No "L"? My sense of humor. What can I say? The holiday season can be hectic and stressful. It just made me laugh. I was inspired by a TP cover I saw on Ravelry (click HERE). My little TP scarf is 20 across and however long you want to knit it. The yarn is Bernat Satin "Snow". I love its softness and how pure the white is. I also used it for the Snowball scarf. Makes incredibly soft snowballs.

Pipe Cleaner Holiday Tree

2011-12-09T00:03:00.002-07:00

My instructions for the above tree are from an old Family Circle Magazine from the 1970's. This one measures 5" at the bottom and almost 10" high. It's loaded with faux pearls and lots of tiny shells. When I cut the pipe cleaners, I made enough for two trees. Hopefully I will get to posting that one next week. I am still working on finishing a crocheted vest and another snowball scarf. If you want to give the pipe cleaner tree a try, Martha Stewart has a really nice tutorial for the tree pictured above. You can find it HERE.

Snowball Scarf

2011-12-05T00:13:00.006-07:00

I have wanted to make a snowball scarf every since I saw one on Ravelry over a year ago. It's no longer on Ravelry, so I winged it. JoAnn's sells the Clover Pom Pom Makers in lots of sizes and YouTube has an easy to follow tutorial (click HERE). Craft Stylish blog also has a good tutorial for making a cute pom pom tree and easy to follow instructions (click HERE). It's just something fun to wear to some of the holiday parties here in our part of Arizona where there are no snowballs.

Bead Crochet Bangles

2011-12-04T00:01:00.004-07:00

I finished these bead crochet bangles last Wednesday. They have been sitting in the "To Finish" tray for quite some time. I know I have said it before, but I really love to bead crochet. I'm planning on a big bead crochet project in January. Hope your Sunday is full of warm smiles and hot cocoa.

Brrrrrrrr, Icicle Necklace

2011-12-03T00:01:00.004-07:00

It's a statement necklace. I won't say what statement, but it's "out there" for sure. Just playing with white polymer, translucent and sequined snow. I am still going to play with this design, curving the center and bringing in the sides. I wanted it to look like icicles formed over the ribbon. I used a very large aluminum knitting needle to fold it over for baking and it was just too wide. I think this one will end up being a pin.

Strung Out

2011-12-02T00:03:00.002-07:00

I don't think I have any words. Stringing them didn't help. Ever work on something for several days and not have it work out? Their only redeeming quality is they make me laugh.

Worry Beads

2011-12-01T00:01:00.004-07:00

I sliced up some of my face cane and applied them to brown clay....thinking the brown clay might take the place of hair. One friend said they looked like monkey beads. Another friend said the faces look so worried. So, maybe I'll make them my worry beads. I'm drilling the holes today and hope I get inspired to make them into something. Happy December!

Holiday Decorating and Recipes!

2011-11-30T00:01:00.003-07:00

First, let me give you Foodgawker for yummy photos and recipes (click HERE). I got it from Simple Inspirations by Sandy (click HERE). Love it. Now, to my nostalgic decorating. Our favorite holiday decoration is a sleigh I found in a Chicago antique store about 15 years ago and a Santa doll from a store in Long Grove, Illinois, also about 15 years ago. The "helper" I've had a long time too. I have him hanging around the studio all the time. I love all the decorations and parties this season brings. LOVE it. Tomorrow I want to work on a holiday necklace. We'll see how far I get.

Oh, Tan & Bombed

2011-11-29T00:01:00.003-07:00

The season of holiday parties has officially started! Above is a photo of a card I got from a friend many years ago when we moved to Arizona. I didn't "get it" when I read it. Then everyone began to sing "Oh Tannenbaum"! Duh! I framed it and it is the first decoration to go up each year. Hope your holiday season is off to a good start too!

Free Tutorial Wrapped Vest

2011-11-28T00:01:00.004-07:00

I'm not even half way, but I'm having fun with this pattern. Worked side to side so who knows what it will look like. I am making mine with one side of the front on an exaggerated angle and the rest even. Probably not a good idea, but oh well, I'm having fun. I want to make a phenomenal polymer shawl pin for it too. The Seafoam Green Wrapped Vest free pattern from Michele Dupont (click HERE) of Two and Six blog. The middle photo of the gray wrapped vest pattern is from Joyce Lives Here blog (click HERE).

Free Tutorial Polymer Ornament

2011-11-27T00:01:00.002-07:00

Coming from FaveCraftsBlog (click HERE) is Becky Meverden's free tutorial for her "Snowballs For Sale" polymer clay ornament.

Abstract Portrait

2011-11-26T00:01:00.003-07:00

This was a quick acrylic sketch of one of our models that pose for our local art club's portrait class on Mondays. It's a strange little painting, but I really like it.

A Little Blue

2011-11-25T13:51:00.003-07:00

I've been a little down with a toothache, but now feel better after seeing the dentist on Wednesday. I haven't been doing much clay because of the toothache. I've been sitting with my feet up and crocheting, watching movies, reading, sleeping and wishing it would go away. I hate going to the dentist. But, thank goodness for my dentist! Boy, do I feel better.

I worked on this scarf in a simple double crochet in an Egyptian cotton yarn. I'm happy with the color and softness. Happy with my fixed tooth. Thankful for my hubby, family, friends, you guys out there in blogland, just all of my blessing. Even though I'm a little late in this, I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.

Face Cane Jewelry

2011-11-24T00:01:00.001-07:00

I don't know...I just like them. Pendant and earrings of beautiful bald headed beauties. Nothing more, nothing less.

Altered Art Jewelry Display#3

2011-11-23T00:01:00.003-07:00

Another altered art jewelry display for my booth. She will eventually have pierced ears and a tiara. I'm still working on her. The door opens to another 3 shelves and several cup hooks to display more pieces. Back to polymer tomorrow. Hope your turkey week is going well.

Altered Art Jewelry Display#2

2011-11-22T00:01:00.003-07:00

The cutest little faces on these dolls. I just love them. They make me smile every time I see them. Yesterday's display box and this one are wired on the back to hang on my booth walls. The above photo is from yesterday's display box. I forgot to include it. I did use up some big polymer beads and quite a few of the bobbins so I was happy. The displays are very sturdy and store well in my art closet.

Altered Art Jewelry Display#1

2011-11-21T00:01:00.006-07:00

I buy broken toys at Goodwill and use them to make altered art and mixed media pieces. When I was preparing for our local art fair, I made several Altered Art display boxes for my booth. Another one tomorrow.

Upcycled Felted Purse

2011-11-20T00:01:00.003-07:00

I am the proud owner of one of my friend's gorgeous felted art purses. She purchases used sweaters, felts them, embellishes them and adds a cute story to each of them. The front has a cell phone holder, her signature, flowers and a tiny pocket for a jingle bell. The back has some abstract forms, patches and a flower. She took a workshop to learn how to makes these and said that her teacher told her to always put a surprise somewhere in her design and that it should always make noise. The inside is spacious and has another pocket. I just love it. Christmas early!

Trust Me

2011-11-19T00:01:00.003-07:00

My little polymer tongue in cheek. The look is sweet and honest and yet.....you know he's not on the level.

Face Cane

2011-11-18T00:01:00.004-07:00

Above and below are my canes. Lots of eye canes and a couple of lip canes left over for another try. I was so amazed at how perfect my fellow artists' face canes turned out. I am "OK" with mine and will play around with combinations. However, what I did learn was when you are tired, stop. Even if you are not done, or you are behind; it is better to stop than to make a costly mistake. I was in a hurry and did not keep my pure translucent separate and it messed up my nose area. But, I really had fun and am still having fun.

Free Tutorial Beaded Necklace#4

2011-11-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

Emily Hackbarths "Garland of Fall Leaves" free beading tutorial is from Beadwork.About.com (click HERE). This necklace uses the Apache Leaf Stitch. Emily learned the stitch from Horace Goodhue's book, Indian Bead-Weaving Patterns. She believes that all beadworkers should consider purchasing this book. Horace derived the stitch from a necklace (presumably an Apache one) he saw in a museum in Phoenix AZ.

Barbara McGuire Face Cane Workshop

2011-11-16T00:01:00.004-07:00

We spent Saturday learning the details of building depth in our eye canes. Barbara McGuire giving us tips on building our polymer clay palette much like a painting palette. We all had a new found respect for face canes. Oh my goodness. I have always wanted to try a face cane, and am so very glad that I had the opportunity to learn from Barbara. She is a wonderful teacher; professional, efficient, informative, patient and funny.

Free Tutorial Beaded Necklace#3

2011-11-15T00:01:00.005-07:00

Another one of Jennifer VanBenshoten's gorgeous designs. You will have to supply the pendant for this one. Maybe whip one up from some polymer clay. Beadwork.About.com brings us the free pattern for this beaded spiral necklace (click HERE). I love the deep brown with the teal.

Free Tutorial Beaded Necklace#2

2011-11-14T00:01:00.002-07:00

This free pattern is from Jennifer VanBenshoten. She calls it "Gotham City Brick Stitch Necklace". Beadwork.About.com brings us the free tutorial (click HERE). Gorgeous for the holidays.

Free Tutorial Beaded Necklace#1

2011-11-13T00:01:00.007-07:00

Could the photo be any smaller? Ugh. But, what a pretty necklace by Chris Franchetti Michaels. The free tutorial is from Beadwork.About.com (click HERE). Love the colors.

Free Beaded Earring Pattern

2011-11-12T00:11:00.003-07:00

Emily Hackbarth's "Holiday Harvest Corn" free bead pattern from Beadwork.About.com (click HERE). These can be made into earrings, a pin or pendant.

11-11-11 Polymer Necklace

2011-11-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

One of the new necklaces I finished. I really love translucent canes.

Free Tutorial Polymer Necklace

2011-11-10T00:01:00.002-07:00

Another of Barbara McGuire's free tutorials from HGTV (click HERE). It consists of leather and polymer clay. Beautiful.

Free Tutorial Earrings

2011-11-09T00:01:00.004-07:00

A free tutorial for Barbara McGuire's earrings and earring stand from HGTV's Carol Duval's Show (click HERE). I'm featuring free tutorials while I'm busy getting ready for Barbara McGuire's stay and two day workshop.

Free Beaded Turkey Pattern

2011-11-08T00:01:00.002-07:00

An odd photo of the earring, but it is all that is available on Fave Crafts (click HERE). Really a cute free pattern.

Polymer Bracelet

2011-11-07T00:01:00.003-07:00

I finished up two bracelets and three necklaces last night. I am happy with them and happy I will be clearing my work table this morning to start conditioning clay for the weekend.

Beads, Sand and No Art Fair

2011-11-06T00:01:00.004-07:00

I textured this painting with fine glass beads in the red stripe and extremely fine sand in the yellow-green stripe. Love how it looks in the light. Didn't love Saturday. The weather was too bad; too windy and too cold. In our part of Arizona, there are probably 3 or 4 days out of the whole year that are too rainy, cold and/or windy to go out. Saturday was one of those days for me, so no art fair. We were up at 4:30 a.m. with the trailer and car loaded and at the site at 6:00. I waited around for a while and then made the decision it was just too windy to risk it. Hours later, the rain did stop and the winds lifted and the sun came out. It was a first for me. Not a good feeling. Now, I need to put it behind me and get ready for an exciting 4 days with Barbara McGuire, starting on Friday, Nov. 11th. I've never done a face cane and am so looking forward to an intense workshop over the weekend.

Textured Abstract

2011-11-05T00:01:00.004-07:00

Kind of says how I am feeling. We couldn't set up Friday afternoon because of high winds. I'm posting this late Friday night and I'm pretty worried the weather is not going to cooperate for Saturday's Art Fair. I worked hard on making some changes to my booth and was looking forward to seeing how it all fit together. I used a few ideas from my Pinterest board from the Booth, Display, Blog & Marketing board. I really get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest. Well, off to get a good night's sleep and see what Saturday brings or doesn't bring.

Preparing For the Art Fair

2011-11-04T00:01:00.004-07:00

Finishing up the paintings and packing for the Art Fair. I really like how this tissue collage came out. Very happy with it. We are going to set up the tent today which makes Saturday a whole lot easier. I'm just hoping the winds don't carry my tent away overnight. I'm very excited, happy and looking forward to tomorrow.

Dexter's Shower Curtain

2011-11-03T00:01:00.004-07:00

On the last minute, I decided to make a "Psycho" shower curtain for Halloween. I set up in a small area on the side of our house and hung the plastic liner on the clothes line and started splattering a couple of colors of red acrylic paint. Spritzed it with some water and let the red drip down the curtain. The wind came up.................... and I had red paint all over the back of our trailer, the trailer's license plate, the propane tank, the rocks, you name it. We had some wind damage to our roof from the last wind storm, so I had a repairman come to give us an estimate. Unfortunately, he came the afternoon after I was done painting. He walked all the way around the house and stopped dead at that red splattered side yard and was speechless. Took me a minute to realize and then explain my crazy idea of the shower curtain and that it wasn't really blood. Honest.

Dias de los Muertos

2011-11-02T00:01:00.006-07:00

Nov. 1 and 2 celebrates Dias de los Muertos. The following is an excerpt from Carlos Miller's article in the Arizona Replublic newspaper:

"Today, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend, according to Mary J. Adrade, who has written three books on the ritual.

The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth.

The skulls were used to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations believed came back to visit during the month long ritual."

I took a Michael deMeng workshop a couple of years ago and I celebrated myself in the after life as the Queen of Debris making assemblages from found objects. Yeah, the big head fits me. hehe.

Best Witches To You

2011-11-01T00:01:00.005-07:00

Yes, yes, I know it's Turkey season, but I wanted to share a couple of photos from a great time yesterday. I Had a Witches Tea for some of my friends and we had such a good time laughing, eating and talking. I made the shoe favors from card stock I had on hand. But for the real witch's shoe photo and template, click HERE. Thank you to Skip To My Lou blog for the template and wonderful inspiration.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T00:01:00.004-07:00

Polymer clay marshmallows wishing you the happiest of Halloweens! Photofunia editing lets me be an angel for the day. hehe.

Pencil Drawing

2011-10-30T00:01:00.003-07:00

This is my pencil drawing projected up on a movie screen through the magic of Photofunia, a photo editing program. I did this drawing years ago; loved it then, love it now. It is just one of my favorites. And what fun to see it on a movie screen in all its glory. I'm taking a break from non-stop painting, pricing and tagging. October has been a blur. A blissful blur.

Alcohol Ink Beads

2011-10-29T00:01:00.005-07:00

Some polymer clay beads I painted with alcohol inks and strung on a turquoise cable. Next Saturday is our Art fair and I am on countdown. Wearable art pieces are pretty much done and tagged. Displays and table covers are done. It's the paintings that are not done. Tomorrow.

Free Form Beaded Heart

2011-10-28T00:01:00.003-07:00

I had all my free form beaded hearts hanging on organza ribbon, but have switched to cables. They appear light and free and wear beautifully.

Coffee Cuff Surprise

2011-10-27T00:07:00.004-07:00

Not only did I receive my beautiful coffee cuff from Cat Ker of In the Light of the Moon (click HERE), but I got the magazine she was published in, Cloth-Paper-Scissors (click HERE). Her article appears in the Holiday 2011-2012 issue. What a great surprise. Again, thank you Cat.

Polymer & Crepe Paper

2011-10-26T00:01:00.003-07:00

I really enjoyed making the paper streamer boxes (click HERE) and thought I would give a roll of crepe paper a try and top it off with a big polymer bead. I would do fine for a couple of inches and then, capoohie! Better I should use the crepe paper for our next party.

Big, Bold Polymer Necklaces

2011-10-25T00:01:00.005-07:00

These are over 10 years old, closer to 15. I think I made them in '96. The joy of "playing". Simple scrap clay and swirls. Oldies, but goodies.

Look What I Won!

2011-10-24T00:01:00.002-07:00

How lucky am I? Out of all those entries on Cat Kerr's blog, "In the Light of the Moon" (click HERE), I won. I chose a custom made Coffee Cuff with the word "Happy" on it. Because I am happy. Hop on over to Cat's blog and enjoy her artistry and then take a look at her Etsy shop (click HERE). Thank you Cat.

Polymer Crochet Hook

2011-10-23T00:01:00.004-07:00

I made this polymer "finger" about 10 years ago and it is still going strong. It's just starting to show some wear, but I love it. I molded it to my hand; super comfortable. I inscribed the size of the hook on the bottom side of the hook. This one is a size 7. Wishing you a joy-filled Sunday!

New Toys

2011-10-22T00:01:00.004-07:00

I ordered blog cards (mini cards) from Moo (click HERE). LOVE them. A photo of my work on one side and blog info on the other. They were easy to do, fast delivery, great quality, fun and reasonable. Then, I treated myself to some of Crafti Staci's products (click HERE) for my camera and purse. She is great to work with. I wanted pockets that would fit on my new camera strap (click HERE) and Staci had no problems accommodating me. I had one made for my camera's remote control, my camera's lens cover and a pocket for business cards. The fourth one (bottom left) is for my purse and is so lightweight! I wanted the pockets to slide on the camera strap and open from the top, not the side. She made a new pattern for my request and whipped these up in nothing flat. They are so well made. Thank you Staci, I love them.

Polymer Drawer Pulls

2011-10-21T00:01:00.005-07:00

I made these polymer covered drawer pulls a while ago for a small cabinet I don't even have anymore. So, here they sit. But I thought I would share a great tutorial from Amy Crawley of Musings From The Moonroom on her drawer pulls (below). Amy's tutorial is wonderful (click HERE).

Free Form Shoulder Lace

2011-10-20T00:01:00.003-07:00

Version 1 - Front Version 1 - Back Version 2 - Front Version 2 - Back. It's funny how this relaxes me. I am working on my entries for the International Polymer Clay Association's Progress and Possibilities competition and am really struggling with them. I had two ready to go and decided to change them on the last minute and now I am struggling to get three done. I sit and crochet these little free form pieces just to relax. I hope to be done with the P&P entry pieces by this weekend. I hope.

Crocheted Rings & Free Patterns

2011-10-19T00:01:00.007-07:00

Two little rings I crocheted. I used cotton thread for the gray one and gave it a crocheted band. I used button hole thread for the white one and glued it on to a ring blank. I have lots of free flower patterns on my Pinterest board (click HERE). Click on the link below the photo to access the tutorial. And here is a favorite of mine; one of Mayae's gorgeous crocheted "doily" ring patterns (click HERE).

Three Ghosts Hanging Around

2011-10-18T00:01:00.007-07:00

A Fall leaf painted white to look like a ghost (click HERE) inspired me to make a few leaves in polymer clay for a necklace. Wish I could come up with a way of making them into a writing pen!

Polymer Gingerbread Skeletons

2011-10-17T00:01:00.004-07:00

I seem to be on this "food inspiring polymer creations" kick. I saw some real gingerbread skeleton cookies (plus the recipe) by Amy Kaldo-Bul that she made for Family Circle Magazine (click HERE) and wanted to make them in polymer. I liked them so much, I made some skulls and bats too!

Repetitive Design Pin

2011-10-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

I had some questions on what type of cutters I used for the Repetitive Design Pin. They were a gift from a good friend for my upcoming birthday. I received two sets. They are a de Buyer Plain Square (set of 9) and a fluted (set of 7) Boat cutters from Sur la table made from heavy weight plastic and are heat resistant to 320 degrees. They run about $58 each set. As with any product, many variations can be found on the Internet at more reasonable prices. I used the boat cutters for the Repetitive Design Pin.

Polymer Zombie Marshmallows

2011-10-14T00:01:00.004-07:00

Polymer Clay Zombie Marshmallows!

I saw some real Zombie Marshmallows on The Decorated Cookie (click HERE) and became inspired to create them out of polymer clay. Hope you have an inspiring, fun, creative weekend!

Shoe Pixie

2011-10-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Cleaning up my workspace and re-organizing my cabinets and ran across an old friend. I sculpted Pixie from ProSculpt and used some scrap cane for the wings and dress. Since I didn't have a decent photo of her, it was perfect timing. Now, back to work.

Skeleton Crew Jewelry

2011-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

I pulled out my Skeleton Crew canes and have been making some spooktacular Halloween jewelry (if I do say so myself). Having fun.

Polymer Candy Corn Bracelet

2011-10-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

I made these polymer clay candy corn charms a while ago and finally got around to putting them together. I even have some leftover for earrings. I used some vintage crystals, faux pearls and some old black plastic beads from my stash to complete it.

Bandage Jewelry

2011-10-10T00:01:00.001-07:00

Yes, I need help. Polymer Clay Anonymous. I was in recovery last Friday after a minor procedure getting the IV removed and looked down at the bandage. I said, "Ooooo, I like that texture, could I have some new pieces of that bandage?" I cut four strips and made a two-part silicone mold of them lying side by side. After pressing the polymer into the mold and removing it, I cut out shapes, baked and highlighted the texture and voila! Bandage Jewelry. I get the biggest kick out of how fascinated I am with these textures and how happy I am with the finished pieces. Pretty funny.

Free Beaded Patterns

2011-10-09T00:01:00.006-07:00

Cute little black cat earrings from Bead Jewelry Making (click HERE). Marjorie from Living With Three Moon Babies Blog designed these witch earrings. You can find the free tutorial HERE. Hope you are having a creative weekend. I have been sewing up a storm making a fitted floor length table cover for the table I use for the art fair. Made a new polymer necklace, earrings and bracelet and more polymer decorations and then crocheted some new pieces I am loving. I will post starting tomorrow.

Polymer Bones and ....

2011-10-08T00:01:00.005-07:00

I used a stuffed stocking face in the specimen jar, polymer for my witches fingers and broken bones and added some paint to the cheap Walgreen's skull. The "Scrumptious Earth Worms" label can be found at Coco and Bella's (click HERE). I printed and cut it out, stained and painted it, crumpled it and glued it on the jar. Then added some "bloody" fingerprints on the jar.

Lifesize Polymer

2011-10-07T07:31:00.007-07:00

The beginning of "Broomhilda". I applied paper mache' over a balloon. When dry, I popped the balloon and cut a hole for the pvc pipe. I applied polymer clay over the paper mache', sculpted the features, inserted the glass eyes and baked. I made this life size polymer head a couple of years ago for a 7' sculpture to go in my art fair booth. I've used it a couple of times, but am liking this the best. The wrecked face fits Broomhilda the best. I definitely need to get her a broom and a hat!

Repetitive Design

2011-10-06T00:01:00.005-07:00

It's soothing; repetitive design. I created this brooch using ProSculpt Polymer Clay.

Bottle Molds Conclusion

2011-10-05T00:01:00.004-07:00

The above pendant was made by cutting a circle out of polymer clay. Applying the circle to the inside of the lid and applying enough pressure to get an impression of the inside of the red cap (below). I cut a larger circle from black polymer clay for the pendant's backing and bail. After it baked and cooled, I embellished it with paint and beads. Why bother with molds and textures from a plastic bottle when there are beautiful textures and molds on the market? Just to show that you don't have to spend money on expensive molds or textures to produce a one of a kind piece.

Bottle Molds Continued

2011-10-04T00:01:00.007-07:00

I cut the bottoms off of a plastic juice bottle and a plastic water bottle and used the inside as molds for the below two pins. Tomorrow I will finish up the Bottle series with using the inside of the red plastic lid (in first photo above) for a mold.

Bottle Molds Continued

2011-10-03T00:01:00.009-07:00

So far we have used the outside bottom of the bottle (click HERE) and the outside top (lid) of the bottle to create molds (click HERE). Today, we are using the side of the bottle. I used the side of the bottle to create the pattern in these two pins. This has been an interesting experiment to see how many ways I can use a bottle to produce a mold or pattern in polymer. Not done yet. I will have more on Tuesday and one on Wednesday to complete the Bottle series.

Halloween Snowman?

2011-10-02T00:01:00.005-07:00

I keep my molds, cutters, textures organized. I'm pretty good about it. So when this snowman cookie cutter showed up in my Halloween group, I was surprised to say the least. Oh, what the heck, I'll get a head start on the holidays while I'm working on Halloween. But, it kept bothering me; how the heck did I get them mixed up? Then, it hit me.......turn it around! That's no snowman; it's s a skull! The hubby came in to see what I was laughing at. He mumbled something about yesterday's post and where's that extra brain when you need it. Ha, ha, very funny.

A. B. Normal

2011-10-01T00:01:00.011-07:00

Meet "A. B. Normal", a little brain food for my gruesome Halloween table. I used a Jello Mold and Makins Air Dry POLYMER Clay. The resulting impression was excellent; good definition and extremely lightweight. I sealed it with a high gloss finish to give it a "moist" appearance. This was really a lot of fun. In the process of doing this, I went through all my air dry polymer clays and finished using all of it on different projects which I will post later. I even used the REALLY old dried up hard packages. Happy October my friends!

What Has 4 Legs, Striped Stockings and Ugly Shoes?

2011-09-29T00:01:00.008-07:00

Twin Witches. What do you say when you see twin witches? Which witch is which? hehe. My dining room table is transitioning for Halloween. Thanks to treasure hunting at Good Will, I was fortunate to find 2 pairs of "witchy-type" shoes for all four dining table legs. Good Will now has an entire section of new Halloween costumes and decorations, so I was able to purchase the stockings there also. Most stores carry the striped witch tights, but the stockings or thigh-highs fit the table legs much better, so I was happy to find them at Good Will. Details, details. Witch Legs aren't pretty you know, so they needed a bit of ugling-up. Above was my inspiration. I saw this on Bubblegum and Duct Tape (click HERE) and knew I had to have it. They actually cut or drilled a hole through the heel of the shoe so the square leg would sit evenly on the floor. My dining table legs curve out and narrow at the bottom and sat flat in the shoe on the floor so I chose not to cut a hole. Tomorrow, some bathroom decorating. I have found some fun Halloween decorating sites....just click on the "Free Tutorials" on my sidebar and click on the Halloween board.

Scarrot N. Run

2011-09-27T00:01:00.003-07:00

Meet Miss Scarrot N. Run. I sculpted her in polymer clay and painted her in acrylics. I added the pretty bows and her growing "roots". I thought she was pretty scary. But with a fun side to her too. Oh yeah, she's ready to partay! She'll most likely be stewed by the end of the night! Did you just groan?

Bottle Top Cakes

2011-09-26T00:01:00.006-07:00

Remember the molds I made from the bottom of plastic bottles (click HERE)? Well, why not the lids? The little cakes in the back row are finished, but I am still working on the rest. This is air dry polymer clay applied over various plastic lids. When fully hardened, I decorated some with hand sculpted air dry polymer clay roses and leaves and some with dimensional paint. I remembered that I had done a demonstration on various brands of air dry polymer clay and dug these out. OK, two more areas (maybe 3) of a plastic bottle to experiment with. The hubby keeps walking by me, shaking his head, saying, "Stop already".

Beaded Sculptural Piece

2011-09-25T00:01:00.005-07:00

Above shows the detail of the using peyote stitch to build small walls giving it a 3-D effect. This one is finally done. I'm happy with it. I usually have one or two of these beaded free form pieces going and when I'm in the mood, I can pick one up and not worry about where I left off in a pattern. I have one that I started 3 years ago and am still working on. I do like structured pieces, but abstract, free form art just makes my heart sing.

Free Form Crocheted Necklace

2011-09-24T00:01:00.007-07:00

I took a little break from goblins and ghouls and created a quick free form crocheted necklace. It's dramatic, large and light as a feather. I've also been working on a free form beaded piece and think it is done, so will post tomorrow.

I'm Baaaaaaack

2011-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm working on more Skeleton Crew pieces, but thought these would be worth posting again. Ahhhh, good memories. When I make another one of these canes, I will add more white around the chin area. The outside of a cane loses the most clay (definition) in the reducing phase so it is better to over-pack than under-pack. I'm off to have some Boo-berry pie. C'mon, can't let a day go by without some little pun fun.

Free Tutorial Silicone Mold & Truffle Recipe

2011-09-22T00:01:00.008-07:00

You HAVE to see this. These are Chocolate Walnut Truffles created by Marc Brownlow. That's not the amazing part. This is. He hand sculpted the skulls from polymer clay. Then made a form to pour a silicone mold into. Made the silicone mold of the skulls. Made the white chocolate truffle mix, poured it into the silicone molds, removed them from the silicone molds after they were set, made the walnut candied "brains" and voila! Halloween truffles. So, go to the site "Figs With Bri" (click HERE) to learn how to make a "pour in" silicone mold. I mean, each step is a work of art. He is unbelievable. I loved reading how he wanted to create something that wouldn't be gobbled up, but something that his friends would savor. He and his mother have maintained the site in honor of his wife, Bri's death from cancer in 2008 at the age of 32. He encourages all to savor each day, each moment, each bite.

Free Tutorial for Wreath

2011-09-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

This is Elizabeth Goodman's tutorial (click HERE) on To Be Charmed. I like the idea of just spray painting a green wreath black. I also like the cutouts, but I am thinking I want to use the bats from yesterday on this wreath. Will figure it out. Extra treat: Halloween Tip Nut (click HERE) has an entire page of tutorials for boo-tiful Halloween wreaths.