California Seashells and Polymer Clay Drift Wood [Spotlight]

Polymer Clay Projects “The result is my
take on your inlay
technique. Quite honestly,
I love it!” ~Carolyn-F

These “Spot” features are for you guys to display your accomplishments and share stories of inspiration. The projects are based on techniques learned from articles here at the blog, as well as from tutorials at the Polymer Clay Video Library. My hope is for these “Show and Tell” features to help you guys get to know each other better through your wonderful creations. I am soooo… proud of everyone’s work!



Inlaid Shells and Faux Bone

Hi, Cindy – Since I didn’t have any baked scrap clay … I dove into my bin of shells from the CA coast. The result is my take on your polymer clay inlay technique on faux wood. Quite honestly, I love it! Now I know why I gathered those tiny shells and bits by the handful. I added a flat back Sworavski in a deep ocean blue color, to add just a touch of glitter. These will become earrings and a pendant, but I just don’t feel like doing that today. Still feeling a bit under the weather. Wanted you and everyone to see this take on your inlay technique.

~Carolyn-F



If you are interested in sharing pictures of your polymer clay projects with the community, please follow these 2 simple steps:

1) Email several of your photos to me as attachments. My email address is shown in the “From” line of the weekly Polymer Clay Newsletter that gets sent out each and every Friday morning.

2) Include a description and/or story about your pieces, being sure to reference the tutorial(s) or blog article(s) that provided at least some level of inspiration for your work.

Don’t be shy. Everyone is VERY friendly here.

In the comment section below, please do compliment each other; Offer encouragement; Ask questions about the techniques used; And in general… be social. This is your community! It’s up to you to make it a fun and supportive place to hang out. All of you are amazing and it’s wonderful to have everyone here!

Actually I’m obsessed with trying new things in general, lol. Another reason I love polymer clay so much, there are so many things still to learn. ~Silverleaf

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Cindy Lietz SignaturePolymer Clay Tutor


  1. Cara, 20 March, 2010

    Wow nice idea, they look great. Nice faux wood. I shall go and dig out my box of shells.

  2. Linda K., 20 March, 2010

    @Carolyn: This is such a clever idea. I love how the shells appear to be on driftwood and the crystal is like a piece of beach glass.

  3. Elizabeth S., 20 March, 2010

    Another creative adaptation of a Cindy tut. Love it! Love it! Love it!

  4. Melinda Herron, 20 March, 2010

    Wow, how pretty! Very nice!

  5. Helen Sperring (honeyclay), 20 March, 2010

    I love this spotlight!!!! What a clever idea. Sorry to hear your not feeling well. All of your work is just beautiful, but this is really clever. I bet this sells fast!!!! Feel Better, Honey

  6. JoyceM, 20 March, 2010

    How lovely, Carolyn, Love the shell and faux wood idea. Nice job, someone will snatch that combination up quickly. Those inlay pieces needed to be glued in I’m thinking. If so, what kind of glue did you use, might I ask? This really makes the imagination take off in all directions. Thanks so much for sharing, Carolyn. All your work is remarkable. Get better quickly is my wish for you. Joyce M

  7. Ritzs, 20 March, 2010

    Well; Carol i think they are great i love your idea with the shells (the brains behind us crafters is always at work keep it up, and the spring is coming so i am sure you will soon feel better

  8. Carole Holt, 20 March, 2010

    you are another very talented lady Carolyn ,we now have more things to try just wish there were more hours to do it in

  9. Ritzs, 20 March, 2010

    Sorry Carolyn I got your name wrong i am good at that

  10. Lisa Whitham, 20 March, 2010

    @Carolyn – Fabulous! I love the way the shells look in the faux bone! What a great idea…

    ~Lisa :)

  11. DJ, 20 March, 2010

    Wow, Carolyn what a great idea. These go so well with the faux wood, I like how you distressed it too, to me it looks like beach driftwood. A few of us will be digging up our bits of seashells and ocean treasures for sure now! Hope you feel better real soon :0)

  12. Mary, 20 March, 2010

    Carolyn, such lovely work! You’ve inspired me to get going on my little dream inlay project. Thanks. Get better soon. Mary

  13. Koolbraider, 20 March, 2010

    These make me think of warm beaches under the summer sun! Using shells was a very nice touch.

  14. Phaedrakat, 20 March, 2010

    Carolyn, where are you? I’m surprised you haven’t commented on your pretty inlayed shells here. I just checked out your blog, since I know you’ve been fighting the pneumonia. Thank goodness you blogged today! At least I know you felt good enough to post pics! I’m gonna leave a comment for you over at “your” place, since you must not be feeling well enough to visit here today. But, for the record (lol,) I love this pretty inlayed set. The shells & Swarovski crystals look beautiful in the lovely Faux Wood. I didn’t check them out in detail (by clicking on the picture) when you posted them last month on your blog. I should have — your finishing work is lovely, & they look even better up close! I’ll pray you’re feeling better. You poor thing!

    If you’d like to see a close-up of Carolyn’s work, you can click on the photo at her blog (the post from Feb. 24th.) She’s done some beautiful work here (her other stuff’s pretty, as well.) Take a look, and leave her a note to cheer her up at dovedesigns (dot) blogspot “dot” com. (To go to her blog, you can type out the address, or go to her last post (Polymer Flower Canes), follow her name, then click on the DoveDesigns link in the text.) Actually, her Feb. 24th post was called “Driftwood Delight + Pneumonia”, so she’s been fighting this thing for awhile. Please get better soon, Carolyn! We miss you around here…

  15. Cindy Graveline, 20 March, 2010

    Good idea to mix shells with the faux wood!

  16. Phaedrakat, 20 March, 2010

    ***Please leave a comment at Carolyn’s blog, she probably needs cheering up! The info is in the 2nd paragraph of my comment above.

  17. Cheryl Hodges, 21 March, 2010

    Hi Carolyn

    Hope you ‘re feeling better and get stronger soon. Your work is beautiful. I love the idea of the shells and wood and the crystal gives a nice touch too. Beautiful!

  18. Peggy Barnes, 21 March, 2010

    Love your take on Cindy’s tute. You have inspired me to use some shells I have picked up from the beach also long ago. I have used them for texture and as part of my jewelry just not in the PC itself, what a fantastic idea and I am grateful you have shared this with us.

    I did not know you have been sick or I would of said something sooner. I will put you in my prayers. God bless you and may he give you the strength to fight off the rest of the illness. Praying you are better soon.
    many Uuuuuggggggggs, Peggy

  19. Carolyn K, 22 March, 2010

    I am so impressed with you take on inlay. I have collected all kinds of sea glass just waiting for some creativity. Hope your feeling better soon.

  20. carolyn, 23 March, 2010

    First of all, thank you all for your kind comments … and for your prayers. I am feeling considerably better, though I have quite a way to go before I’m back to normal. This round of pneumonia just took all the starch and stuffing out of me. Now I must pace myself so I don’t do too much; I must eat better so I don’t lose any more weight; and at the same time I must be active enough to regain my strength.

    Then, regarding gluing the shells – no, I didn’t use glue. I worked the shells into the clay in such a way that some of the clay came up and over the edges to hold the shells in place – like PC prongs.

  21. Phaedrakat, 24 March, 2010

    @carolyn: So glad you’re feeling better! Also, I love the new post at your blog, another gorgeous faux wood with real garnets as inlays this time. Very nice…!!! :D

  22. Cindy Lietz, 24 March, 2010

    @carolyn: I am so relieved to hear you’re feeling better. We were all a very worried about you. But you’re a fighter and I knew that this darn pneumonia couldn’t beat you!

    I loved your story of the garnets and think your pieces will be a big hit. You are such a giving and generous soul and I am so happy to have you as part of this community. Be good to yourself. We don’t want that pneumonia to sneak back. :-)

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