Bead Making Tips To Build Your Confidence as a Polymer Clay Artist

Hi Cindy!

Just a note, but no response is necessary.

I began to rethink my issues with Polymer Clay, and my problem was definitely not with working with too soft/hard clay. Actually, I went back to the program I purchased from you, and low and behold there it was. Don't know how I missed it in the first place! Guess that I'll have to read over the tutorial a number of times.

I was grateful to realize that, your response to us today was right on the money. For me, it is difficult to work with a medium leaning into foreign territory, and being older tends to put more of a slant on that. So, I appreciated your words of confidence. It was as though you were peering into my brain.

I believe that you are absolutely correct, because familiarity helps a person to expand his/her horizons — namely, me. Ha! Ha! I should know, because I've been on breaking ground before.

Thanks for the encouragement. The worse it could be, is that I will get colored clay stains all over my hands. Ha! Ha! Does Brillo work on that!! Oops! It's weird, but today (prior to reading your posting), my mind was concentrating on marbling. When I began to read your input, I found myself laughing. It was only because we were thinking in the same direction. I do have to start somewhere, so that will be my somewhere. How hard can it be, especially after I have been watching your tutorial I purchased. Won't be concerned if it doesn't turn out right, the main thing will be that I'm learning, and (most important) having fun. I've heard "That one person's junk can be another person's treasure". This is right on the money. Ahem! I'd like to think that the fact that I'm involving myself, is what really matters. My clay will be my masterpiece — My Monet!

Ta! Ta!

DIANA

P.S. Just think you've made someone listen!

Cindy,
You are so right about hushing our minds. Sometimes we must see our work through others eyes. I had been experimenting with pinata inks on focal beads trying to create a watercolour technique. I made a bead that I thought was hideous and threw it to the side of my table,discouraged yet again. My friend came over the other night,pointed to it,loved it wanted it strung as a necklace and saw it as a true piece of wearable art.
She owns her own hair salon, and with confidence wore that art necklace all day receiving many compliments on the beauty of it.One persons trash, another's treasure!!
Another lesson learned.
Thanks.
Sam.

Thanks for the reminder Cindy. I knew that but just stopped paying attention to the beauty of it.
Shelly

Cindy your tips as with all of your posts was very helpful. I have a hard time taking the time to finish things. Like sanding and buffing I hate doing that but I know like you said it is something that I should practice on and do. So thank you for reminding me.
I have found that there is no "right" way to do something. It all just depends on how you yourself see it and what is easier for you to handle. Like the heart pin I made, ( updated the pic by the way) I made it my way and I like it.
Thank you and your DH for all that you do for us.

@Diana: Wow another great comment from the queen of beads! That is funny how your brain was on the same wavelength as mine! If you look back in the comments this kind of thing happens all the time! Great minds think alike I guess! :-) P.S Brillo pads would be way too hard on your hands… use baby wipes instead!

@Sam: I hear you! Sometimes we can be way to judgmental of our own work. That is so great that someone loved your work and is wearing it! Keep creating and hopefully soon you can see your work as the art that others see!

@Shelly: There is something beautiful about a quiet mind! Thank you so much for your great words!

@CraftyLinda: I love how willing you are to try harder with your craft! Each thing you do to improve your skills will also build confidence. I think it is great that you are changing designs to suit your own style and taste, like you did with your heart pin. Keep up the great work!

Hi Cindy,

I guess I missed this post when you first posted it. Maybe I missed it because I needed to read it tonight!!!

Tonight is December 19th, and there are only just a few days left until Christmas. I had planned for months on making some Christmas gifts using my polymer clay, but as yet have not. I have TONS of ideas, but have not executed even one of them for Christmas gifts yet. It is because I have that fear that you refer to here. It is so much easier to just keep reading your posts than to actually sit down and start a project. I have the fear that what I try to make won't turn out and I will be disappointed, and then, of course, the person who might receive the gift will be disappointed too! I have this problem when it comes to my oil painting as well.

OK…tonight is the night. I am going to put my fear aside, sit at my table and begin to create without so much judgment of myself and what I will create. I will keep reminding myself of what Sam (above) reminded me of tonight…"one person's junk is another person's treasure." Cindy and Sam, I'm shaking in my boots (or slippers :)!!!) But I will proceed…and I will honor myself by making these pieces, and give my polymer clay projects as Christmas presents as I told myself I would months ago!!!

Thank you for this post, and the reminder that I don't have to be perfect, and that I just need to do it!!! (and have fun while I do it!!!)

:) Cindy E.

In one of your blogs, you talk about how one persons ugly/useless jewelry is another ones treasure. Well, I have been wearing a lot of my jewelry that I make to work. I have worn many a pendant tediously and carefully wire wrapped and baubles made with polymer clay that have been hand formed, sanded, buffed and coated with hours of work on every detail (as you well know). Most times I hear not a word about these treasures from my co-workers.

So the other day I throw on a little trinket I absolutely threw together. It was some store bought brown/amber plastic rings with some facet cutting on them. Threw a cheap gold colored chain through the middle of them and hung them from my neck. 2 minutes tops on this one. And sure enough, I get a comment about how pretty/cool my necklace is.

Go figure!!! LOL

Laurel

@Cindy E: Somehow I missed answering your comment way back before Christmas, though I do remember reading it. I am so sorry for that, it must have slipped through the cracks. What a wonderful comment! How is your confidence now toward your artwork? Were you able to shake off the fear and honor yourself for where you were and to move on from there? I haven't heard too much from you lately. Hope you are well!

@Laurel: I know, it's funny how that can happen! I often get more compliments on my most simple pieces than on my complicated ones. Oh well. We are not only making these special pieces for what others think, we are also making them for the challenge and how we feel when we create a truly beautiful piece!