“Just sold 3 pairs
of those Faux Jade
rose leaf earrings shortly
after posting them on
Facebook. I am so excited
right now!” ~Brenda-M

These “Spot” features are for you guys to display your accomplishments, share stories of inspiration and even ask for assistance with challenges that you may be experiencing. 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 everyone get to know each other a bit better, thanks to this wonderfully artistic medium of polymer clay. And… by participating, you can win some beads too!

	Hi Cindy, Here are pictures of the rose leaf earrings I made after watching your Faux Jade Vol-023-2 video tutorial. I absolutely love Jade! My husband bought me a green Jade ring for Christmas this past year. I had purchased some Rose Leaf Embossing Cutters from Michaels. I used it make the earrings,  Which are quite nice. They turned out a little dark. I didn’t have the exact shades of green that you did in your tutorial.The bird I made using the Makin cutters. More of a traditional type pendant. Now I can make some jewelry to match my ring. :) I have also included some pics of my Ivy Leaf Charms based on your Vol-024-1 video tutorial. on Mothers Day while visiting my Mother In-law, I noticed that she had Ivy vines in her flower garden “Yippy” I was in heaven. She allowed me to pick some leaves. I got to work as soon as I got home. Cranked up my eighties music and made me some Ivy Leaves. I really love how they turned out. I just could not figure out what to use them on. So I attached them to some jars that I had for decor in my kitchen :) ~Brenda M PS: I just sold 3 pairs of those Faux Jade rose leaf earrings shortly after posting them on Facebook. Thank you for all that you teach us. I am so excited right now!

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!

I feel that everyday here at your Polymer Clay Tutor site, I get closer to my claying friends. Starting to remember names and faces… man wouldn’t it be nice if we all lived closer? So that we could give each other big bear hugs. ~Brenda-M

“I’m just so
excited and
scared and excited
and confused… did I say
excited?” ~Melinda-H

These “Spot” features are for you guys to display your accomplishments, share stories of inspiration and even ask for assistance with challenges that you may be experiencing. 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 everyone get to know each other a bit better, thanks to this wonderfully artistic medium of polymer clay. And… there’s prizes too!

	Cindy, First of all I want you to know, I run to you because your teaching has helped me grow enough for this. I can’t even begin to thank you for your tutoring and all you have done for me! I love you and I’m so glad your April Fools prank was just that… a prank. Thankfully my story below, is not! I went to a local bead store in town this week, and asked if I could show her my beads. I wanted to know if they were up to a level to where I could sell them as simply beads and if there would be a market locally. Before this I had only shown my beads at work, to friends, and a very small craft fair so it was a leap for me. Well, she loved them and wants to buy all the beads I showed her, after the middle of this month… plus she wants to see all my beads and she seemed so excited! She wants me to figure out how much I want for wholesale on the beads. I’ve looked through Etsy and the prices are all so different plus I’m looking for wholesale which is not what Esty is about. I know she needs to be able to mark them up… it is after all her shop and she is taking the risk on this (or making the profit). I don’t want to go too low and I don’t want to go too high. Any advise on this matter would be most appreciated. I’m just so excited and scared and excited and confused… did I say excited? BTW… with the faux bone beads, I had to convince them they weren’t actually bone but polymer clay and they loved those! Thank you so much again for your teaching and for the opportunity to ramble to you about the little excitements in my life and knowledge that you (and others here in the community) will read this. With lots of love and thanks, ~Melinda-H

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!

This is a wonderful article… Valuing Polymer Clay Beads. And I love the video about She Beads. I can see that perception and “telling a story” really does help sell beads; I’ve seen this in action on Etsy. I am gathering all of this info, with the hope that I can put it to good use when I’m up and claying again. Thanks again, Cindy, for all of the amazing, informative things you throw at us day after day! You are one tireless teacher (and we love you for it!) ~Phaedrakat

“In a Quandry… I decided polymer clay might come to my rescue again.” ~Laurel-B

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!

	I wanted to share this little story. So I was wearing a wire wrapped donut stone the other day and a friend of mine saw it and loved it and wants 3 of them done for her and as gifts for her two sisters. One sister’s birthday is next weekend. She wanted some kind of pink one for that sister. Well, here I am in a quandary. Hard to find a pink donut stone in a few days. So I decided polymer clay might come to my rescue again. I made a faux stone Rhondite donut bead and wrapped it. I am pretty happy with it. Thank goodness for polymer clay!! Here’s how it is made. I took a couple shades of pink that I liked and a tiny bit of white and mixed those a little bit but not so much that they blended. I just wanted them marbled some. Ratio was about 1 part each pink, 1/2 part white.  Rolled that into a ball then cut the ball up into various sized chunks from about 1mm to 4 or 5 mm. Just take your blade and cut away. You don’t want uniform, you want a bunch of small various sized chunks. Then I took about 1/2 of these chunks and painted them black with acrylic paint. Let them totally dry. Then mix together the pink pieces of clay, with the other pink pieces that were painted black. And crumble some gold leaf into the bunch. Separately, I took translucent clay and added some beige colored sand and mixed the sand into the translucent real well. I then took the translucent / sand clay and dropped some lines (not chunks but more like smooshed snakes) into the middle of the pink mix and then made a ball. I flattened the ball enough to put it through the pasta machine on the thickest setting one time. I then folded it and hand rolled it because I wanted my donut thicker than my thickest pasta machine setting. This came out nicely variegated. I rolled it to the thickness I wanted, and then used Cindy’s tip of using plastic wrap between the clay and the round cutter so I would have a smooth rounded bead edges. Cut out my donut, then baked, sanded, sanded, buffed, then coated it with Magic Glos because I wanted a domed affect. Cured the resin and I was done with the faux Rhondite donut. Then I just wire wrapped it and my customer LOVES it. ~Laurel-B

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!

Faux is freeing — you don’t have to mimic nature exactly. In fact, this is one way you can improve on nature!
~Phaedrakat

“In Nepal… the kids, nuns and monks all loved them.” ~Betsy-B

A while back I talked about selling my Pirate Bead Lanyard at the YMCA just by wearing it to hold my pass card. Well that sale led to several more since then. And now one of the Y staffers is taking 5 at a time so she can re-sell them for me.

Phew! I might have to teach my daughter Willow to start making them, since I barely have enough time anymore. I’ve had to put them together while watching TV in the evening, just to keep up. Which also means I haven’t been working out at the YMCA that much lately. Can we say Muffin Top?!

Any ways… the picture shows one of my more popular lanyard deigns. It is made with a Polymer Clay Heart Bead like the ones I teach in the Vol-020-2 Library Video Tutorial. And it is covered with Gerbera Flower Cane slices form Video-015-4. Isn’t it pretty? Perfect for hanging your YMCA ID card on.

Willow and I have been checking out the workout wear that is most popular in the gym to see which colored lanyards would compliment them best. Looks like I’m going to have to make some Hot Pink, Black, Lime Green, Purple and Red focal beads (not all on the same lanyard of course), since they seem to be the most popular colors these days.

And now here is another tale of how 13 polymer clay beaded lanyards brought smiles to the faces of some monks and nuns caring for children over in India…

I found your web site when I started making polymer clay canes, to put the slices on a flat piece draped over an upside down bowl to make candle holders. Now you’ve gotten me interested in making beads. I made a beautiful badge lanyard for work. And when my best friend just spent 2 weeks in Nepal with Acupuncturists Without Borders. She took 13 necklaces I’d made from my beads. The kids, nuns and monks all loved them – it’s so much fun creating new things. It’s interesting how different every cane is, using the same technique. I’d love to see what other people are doing with your new ideas, and to share what I come up with. ~Betsy-B

“Capturing art in
your leftover polymer
clay. You just don’t know
when that next bead will
turn up.” ~Peggy-B

Today I want to provide yet another example of how every little piece of scrap clay can be used to make wonderful polymer clay jewelry. The pendant in today’s photo was made from the small leftover piece of glow-in-the-dark jellyroll cane (aka Psychedelic 60′s Cane), used in the Volume-022-1 video tutorial.

While cleaning up after filming that lesson, I saw the little piece of orphaned clay, and admired its lovely colors and perfect leaf like shape. So instead of smashing it up into the scrap pile, I decided to create a Glow in the Dark Leaf Pendant with it.

To accentuate the leaf shape, while also creating a unique bail for hanging the pendant, I hammered, shaped and embedded some heavy copper wire. The photo above shows how the finished piece turned out.

The first reaction from my 13 yr old daughter was that she had to have it. And after she wore it this past weekend to a sleep over at the grandparents house, her Grandma (Doug’s Mom) also asked if I could make one for her, along with matching earrings. So I guess this unique copper and clay design that I’ve hit on, is actually pretty timeless. There is something about it that appeals to wide range of age groups.

Imagine… all that from a tiny little piece of scrap polymer clay!

And to show you that I’m not the only one thinking about scrap clay, here are a few more creative stories and comments from previous threads.

I too have made beads with left over clay. It’s such a wonderful medium. Each bead is different and every little scrap can be used. I’ve been dreaming polymer clay! You have me hooked Cindy. ~Cheryl-H

Just goes to show you.. never toss out your scraps or the old clay pieces! ~Rob-K

I save every little dab of scrap clay. Nothing is wasted. That’s one of the things I love about this medium. Everything gets used. Thanks, Cindy, for such a fabulous web site. I’ve learned so much over the past couple of months from visiting here. ~Bonnie-B

Yep, some of my favorite bead were destined for scrap. Scrap Jupiter Beads, scrap slice pendants, and you just never know what you get when you run your scrap through the pasta machine a few times. ~Katie-C

Oooo, I used the scrap from cutting the ends of my cane to make gitd Jupiter beads. They look sooo cool. Clay On.
~Lisa-W

Left over scrap clay from my Kaleidoscope Cane was great to use for other type beads and I came out with some nice looking beads with array of colors. That is why I like playing with clay, nothing is ever wasted! ~Lupe-M

Love those Arizona scrap clay beads. I will have to try that one myself. Those are so pretty. I have came across many happy accidents as well and made outstanding things with those. It’s exciting to hear of others, happy accidents and the beautiful things that come out of that. ~Lynn-W

I just love these beads, Cindy!  Perfect Southwestern Beads, very typical of the Arizona colors. Sometimes, scrap clay turns out better than expected! Sometimes, I will put my scrap clay back through my pasta machine and end up with the neatest blend…too bad I can’t reproduce it, but it takes care of any scrap clay you happen to have around. Thanks for all your tips and ideas, Cindy…keep it coming. 8-) ~Lupe-M

Captured art in a leftover polymer clay bead. You just don’t know when that next bead will turn up. BAM, you just did it Cindy. ~Peggy-B

I will pay more attention to my scrap clay from now on – something beautiful like this could happen and I’d miss it trying to hurry and mix my scrap! ~Phaedrakat

I love all these suggestions! I just do not think there is such a thing as scrap clay! ~Shannon-L

So I made watercolour beads today, as usual I had to put my own spin on the technique though! I’m proud that apart from the white and black, everything I used was scrap clay or leftovers from another project. If I’d made a New Year’s claying resolution it would have been to try to use as much of my leftover clay as possible rather than just adding it to the (admittedly quite small) scrap pile. Like if I make a particularly nice Skinner blend it seems such a shame to waste the beautiful colours in the trimmings. ~Silverleaf

Hi Cindy and all, just watched the inlay polymer clay technique video. Just amazing. What a way to use up some of those pieces you have left over. Would never have thought to do this but so so easy but looks so intricate. I will be getting onto this as soon as I can. Just love it. Bye. ~Elizabeth-K

In the comments section below, please feel free to share any other creative scrap clay stories you can think of. There are so many ways to use your polymer clay left overs. Lets see how many of them we come up with.

Vid #147: “My
friend at work
keeps suggesting that I
try making buttons and cufflinks.” ~Susan-B

Buttons are one of those things you can never have too many of. In fact, they are often collected and passed on from generation to generation. My mom has already given me several jars of buttons that her mom left for her.

Besides their obvious use in sewing, knitting, crocheting and quilting, buttons can also can be added to scrapbook pages, and even worked into jewelry designs.

With polymer clay, you can make your own custom buttons in an unlimited variety of styles to suit any creative project you happen to be working on.

Listed below are some of the many “Tutorial Yes Votes” that were originally posted at this article: Making Polymer Clay Buttons for Sewing, Knitting and Scrapbooking

My friend at work, with whom I share an office, keeps suggesting that I try making buttons and cufflinks with the small disk beads that I use for necklaces. So a tutorial from you on buttons would be simply wonderful! My vote is “YES”! ~Susan-B

Buttons? Yes! It’s one of the items on my to-do list. I’d love a video. ~Rose-M

Oh, me too for the tut!! On a related note I would love to hear about people’s experiences selling at bead (and button) shows. I placed my beads at a church bazaar late last year and they sold well. I also sold some (on consignment) in a shop here in El Paso with good results. I am now thinking of doing a larger (and expensive) bead show later this year. It makes sense to me that pc beads ought to sell like hotcakes, being so beautifully unique and different from the usual bead show fare, but then I wonder if people would be willing to pay for their worth. (Cindy, knowing that people offer single buttons for $38 is encouraging). Anyway, any and all advice, feedback, recommendations would be most appreciated. As I am jewelry design challenged, bead shows make more sense for me. Thank you. ~Elizabeth-S

I’ve always loved sorting through button collections. Count me in, I’d love to see how these are made. I’ve been curious, but wasn’t sure how or if the buttons would hold up strength-wise. $38 for a button, wow! ~DJ

Hi Cindy and all, I have made buttons before, some flowers and some with a crystal in the centre. I was very pleased with the results, although matching the colour with shop buttons was a problem. I only used them on hand wash garments. How good if we could use them in the washing machine I don’t see why not on a cool wash. I vote yes please for a video tutorial. ~Ritzs

I vote yes on buttons… Looks pretty interesting to me!
~Lisa-W

I recently approached local shops about selling my jewelry. Their initial concern was they already sell so much jewelry; yes indeed it all looks alike. After seeing what I made they decided this was A LOT different and want in in their store. I want to continue exploring other projects to expand my offerings. Button sounds like a great idea. ~Anna-S

Wow! I just recently turned my interest to buttons and have made a few sets now. I would love pointers on making buttons and I’m going to have to try out these buttons that I have already made for durability. ~Melinda-H

Yes, please, a tut on buttons. I’ve also been wondering how sturdy polyclay buttons would be. ~Linda-K

YES, YES… I am also interested in this Tut. Greetings from Germany. ~Janine-K

You get a big YES from me, Cindy. You might even throw in how you made the button card! Presentation seems to be everything in the sales game. ~Carolyn-F

WOW! I was just thinking about making some buttons! This sounds awesome! I know there is quite an interest in custom made buttons. Can’t wait!! ~Catalina

With such a clear ‘Yes’ vote, I am happy to say that the Polymer Clay Buttons Tutorial has now been filmed and will be available in the Polymer Clay Library (Vol-022-2) on Friday March 12th, 2010.

Supplies & Tools: Video-022-2: Polymer Clay Buttons:

• Strong Polymer Clay. I used Premo but you could also use Fimo or Kato.
• Polymer Clay Canes (optional). I used a striped cane in the video but also show examples of buttons made with kaleidoscope canes.
  
• Pasta Machine.
• Small Shape Cutters. I used some Makin’s Cutters.
• Parchment Paper (optional).
• Glad Cling Wrap.
• Piercing Tool.
• Small two hole or four hole button.
• Sanding and Buffing Supplies.

The full version of the Vid-022-2 “Polymer Clay Buttons” Video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday March 12, 2010. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.

Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<

The full version of the “Polymer Clay Buttons” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-022 Back Issue Package.

Customer Feedback About Membership Value:

Hi Cindy: I watch your videos with interest, because, even though I may have tried a particular technique before, you always seem to give a fresh approach to ideas I have seen before. You continually inspire me again, and again.
~Carol-C

Dear Cindy, just watched the video – so easy and so impressive – so many techniques now to try and not enough hours in the day! Imagine our repertoire after a a few years of your lessons – I don’t think there is anywhere else where you can get this ongoing tuition in polymer clay. I do believe it will have a big influence in raising the artistic status of polymer clay in the community. Cheers. ~Cara-L

Cindy, that video was great… I feel sorry for the people who don’t subscribe to your website. They are really missing out. ~Bonnie-K

The following topics are included in this week’s “Polymer Clay Buttons” video tutorial:

• See examples of several different buttons in a variety of patterns and shapes.
• Discussion of the types of clay needed to make strong, durable buttons.
• Learn a simple trick for getting beautiful beveled edges on your buttons.
• Tips on how to get the perfect placement and sized holes for your handmade buttons.
• Find out just how easy it really is to make professional looking buttons.
• I will also show you a great way to display, protect and keep your buttons organized on cards.

The full version of the “Polymer Clay Buttons” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-022 Back Issue Package.

“Your beads have the Michigan colors! You could sell these to Michigan fans easy!” ~Catalina

The other day I posted a photo of some Spliced Flower Cane beads made by Elizabeth-K, along with a couple of other wonderful polymer clay project pics submitted by Mary-G and Carolyn-F. In the comments of that post, Catalina couldn’t resist making the connection to one of her other passions besides polymer clay… sports.

Very beautiful! I love the purse charms, Carolyn! Elizabeth, your beads have the Michigan colors! You could sell these to Michigan fans easy! Since I’m an Ohio State Buckeye fan, Mary, your beads remind me of Ohio State! Yes, I got sports on the brain! ~Catalina

Isn’t it so fun how we can link polymer clay to just about anything and everything that’s important in our lives!? I love it!!

Related Articles You May Want To Check Out:

• Polymer Clay Inspiration is Everywhere
• Selling Polymer Clay Jewelry to Niche Markets

Any ways… all this friendly chit chat inspired me to post a picture of my own version of some spliced flower cane beads. See photo above, at the top of this page. Based on what Catalina has told us, maybe I’ll have to start calling these Michigan Beads. Hey there are State flowers… so maybe there should be State beads as well :-)

The remainder of this article will be for Q+A. This gives me the chance to make sure everyone’s questions get answered effectively, and in a timely manner.

Q&A: Product Info – Caring for Polymer Clay Jewelry:

Hi Cindy! I am selling my first piece and want to include some information about precautions to use when wearing polymer clay jewelry (e.g. don’t spray perfumes or hair sprays near the pieces, etc.). Do you have any such verbiage I could use to include with this piece of jewelry? Thanks so much! ~Jenny-S

This is an interesting question Jenny. Not one I’ve had before, though I do know what you’re talking about.

I think, with any marketing materials you put together, it is important that your own voice shines through. This is especially the case when it comes to selling artistic creations such as original jewelry designs.

So with something like this, the verbiage really depends on what your style is. If you are selling Gothic Jewelry to young women, the way you word things would be quite different than if you were selling a string of pearls to an older lady.

Taking your style into consideration, just say something along the lines of…

Just like with all precious jewelry, polymer clay creations should be treated with care. Protect them from hairspray, perfumes, etc., and wipe with a damp cloth from time to time to keep clean.

Now, if you’re selling to Teens, say something more like…

Polymer Clay Jewelry Rocks, so don’t get gunk all over it. Hairspray, Gel  and perfume will wreck it… so keep it away! If it gets grubby, clean with a damp cloth. Then get ready for all the compliments you’re gonna get!

“Wondering where the entry pictures are… I was thinking you were going to start showing them last week.” ~Freda-K

Glad to hear you are anxious to see the photos for the contest entries, Freda. The first batch is presented below, right here in this post. As the giveaway continues into the month of February, I will continue to add additional photos to this page, until everyone who is going to participate has had a chance to follow through.

I would strongly encourage anyone who has not got involved yet, to do so. The prize that one lucky winner will receive as a reward, will make it well worth your while. Click on the following link to see a large photo of winnings: Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway Prize

And as an additional benefit, you may also experience some Polymer Clay Happy Dance side effects, like Silverleaf did…

Congrats on your sale, Silverleaf! Your execution of the watercolor beads is beautiful,  … It is SO fun to look at all your beads on Facebook and see how someone has used the lessons we learn here. Great work!! ~Malinda-J

I am doing the happy dance too. I am so excited for you Silverleaf. The beads are really pretty. And thanks Cindy, this is going to be such a great opportunity to see others work. ~Anna-S

I’m so happy for you Silverleaf. It’s always exciting to get that kind of response. ~Melinda-H

Wow Cindy, thanks for mentioning me and for being so nice about my beads. I can’t wait to see what everyone else has made! So far Facebook has generated quite a bit of interest… one sale, several people saying they are thinking of buying pieces as birthday presents, and one person wants an “Anna (Silverleaf) Roberts” original as he put it. He just hasn’t decided exactly what yet but it will be a custom-made piece. So yay! It’s such a boost to my confidence that people have been making nice comments as well. This whole thing has spurred me on to actually get on with finishing some pieces. I assembled 24 pendants today and have another 33 to do later. I’ve decided if I can get 60 pieces assembled, photographed and listed in my shop by the end of the weekend I’ll reward myself by ordering some more clay and playing with the faux raku technique. ~Silverleaf

As most of you already know, to participate in this fun contest, Step 1 is for you to email your photos to me, along with your First Name; Last Name; City; State/Province/Region, Country; and a Short Caption or Title for Your Photo. You can read the full details of Step 1 at this link: Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway Step 1

Step 2 is for you to leave a comment on this page about your photo entry. Each photo is numbered. Reference that number in your comment so that others will know which photo you are referring to. In your comment, say a few words about your entry. Part of this contest is about encouraging everyone to interact. So feel free to share tips about lessons learned as you were creating your beads or jewelry items for this contest. You can also ask questions of each other and leave supportive compliments or helpful suggestions.

Step 2 Strategy Tip: Each comment on this page will be assigned a number. It is one of these comment numbers that will be drawn as the winner… and NOT the numbers associated with the actual photos. If you understand what I am saying, you will realize that the more comments you make, the better are your chances of winning. So for those of you that entered multiple photos, be sure to talk about each one in a separate comment. Non participants are allowed to comment as well. In the event that one of their names is chosen in the final draw, I’ll just reach into the hat again, until a qualified contestant is selected.

Since there is a Step 1 and 2, you probably guessed there is also a Step 3. Full details about Step 3 will be provided in next Friday’s blog post. But since Step 3 ties in with the Step 2 Strategy Tip that I shared in the previous paragraph, I will give you you some Step 3 hints and tips today as well.

As you can see further down on this page, the contest photo entries are fairly small. If they were any larger, this page would take too long to load and possibly even crash your web browser. Not a good thing.

So what I’m hoping for, is that at least a few of you will post larger pictures of your contest entries, at your own blogs or on photo sharing sites like Flickr, Photobucket, Facebook, etc. For those of you who do go to this extra effort, you will be able to post another comment here at the contest page, to let everyone know where they can go to view your extra photos. And as I said above in the Step 2 Strategy above, more comments means that your chances of winning also increase.

I always put my jewelry on Deviant Art, Facebook, and Photobucket (I use it as a photo storage for my blog) and obviously my blog… I put my canes on Facebook too, and I’ve got comments from my friends who haven’t got a clue how I do it lol ~Cindy-G

Indeed Cindy G, I’ve put some work and canes on Facebook and the canes amaze and baffle people. ~Melinda-H

OK – I’ve avoided Facebook as long as I could.  I just signed up – and I even have a link to Cindy on my first post. Being one of the older set I don’t know how to use all of these newfangled programs. But I’m learning. ~Carolyn-F

I’ve set up a Flickr acct recently and had uploaded some of the pieces I’ve made using your techniques, Cindy. I’ve even shared a link to Flickr on Facebook, now how do I link the specific photos back to you?  What an adventure. ~Rachelle-W

@Rachelle-W – I agree, the web is full of adventure and fun! On Flicker and Facebook when you post photos of your beads and jewelry that are related to my tutorials, what would be great is if you could say a little about this contest in a way that might inspire other clayers to get involved, or at least to come have a look. For tips on linking, read the following paragraph.

Step 3 Strategy Tip: There will be some added perks for those of you who decide to post additional photos of your contest entries out on the web as described in the previous paragraph. I’ll explain more about this next week. But so that you know, it will involve you connecting back to one or more of the following links (as appropriate):

• Polymer Clay Jupiter Beads Tutorial (Video Intro)
  
• Polymer Clay Faux Raku Tutorial 1 (Video Intro – Smooth)
  
• Polymer Clay Faux Raku Tutorial 2 (Video Intro – Deep Crackle)
  
• Polymer Clay Torn Watercolor Tutorial (Video Intro)
  
• Polymer Clay Tutorials (Vol-014 Videos)

Contest Photo Entries

^^ Photo #001 ^^ Rachelle Whetzel Martinez, Georgia USA	^^ Photo #002 ^^ Anna (Silverleaf) Roberts Chesterfield, Derbyshire England	^^ Photo #003 ^^ Carlee Nave Pasco, Washington USA
^^ Photo #004 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA	^^ Photo #005 ^^ Cindy Graveline Quebec City, Quebec Canada	^^ Photo #006 ^^ Lupe Meter Glendale, Arizona USA
^^ Photo #007 ^^ Nancy Reddick Pensacola, Florida USA	^^ Photo #008 ^^ Carlee Nave Pasco, Washington USA	^^ Photo #009 ^^ Lupe Meter Glendale, Arizona USA
^^ Photo #010 ^^ Cindy Graveline Quebec City, Quebec Canada	^^ Photo #011 ^^ Melinda Herron Helena, Montana USA	^^ Photo #012 ^^ Joyce Folsom St.Petersburg, Florida USA
^^ Photo #013 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA	^^ Photo #014 ^^ Freda Kramer Wadsworth, Ohio USA	^^ Photo #015 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England
^^ Photo #016 ^^ Anna Sabina Des Moines, Iowa USA	^^ Photo #017 ^^ Joyce Folsom St.Petersburg, Florida USA	^^ Photo #018 ^^ Melinda Herron Helena, Montana USA
^^ Photo #019 ^^ Carlee Nave Pasco, Washington USA	^^ Photo #020 ^^ Melinda Herron Helena, Montana USA	^^ Photo #021 ^^ Nancy Reddick Pensacola, Florida USA
^^ Photo #022 ^^ Joyce Folsom St.Petersburg, Florida USA	^^ Photo #023 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #024 ^^ Cindy Graveline Quebec City, Quebec Canada
^^ Photo #025 ^^ Melinda Herron Helena, Montana USA	^^ Photo #026 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA	^^ Photo #027 ^^ Joyce Folsom St.Petersburg, Florida USA
^^ Photo #028 ^^ Carlee Nave Pasco, Washington USA	^^ Photo #029 ^^ Anna Sabina Des Moines, Iowa USA	^^ Photo #030 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England
^^ Photo #031 ^^ Melinda Herron Helena, Montana USA	^^ Photo #032 ^^ Cindy Graveline Quebec City, Quebec Canada	^^ Photo #033 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA
^^ Photo #034 ^^ Nancy Reddick Pensacola, Florida USA	^^ Photo #035 ^^ Carlee Nave Pasco, Washington USA	^^ Photo #036 ^^ Melinda Herron Helena, Montana USA
^^ Photo #037 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #038 ^^ Anna Sabina Des Moines, Iowa USA	^^ Photo #039 ^^ Carlee Nave Pasco, Washington USA
^^ Photo #040 ^^ Carlee Nave Pasco, Washington USA	^^ Photo #041 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #042 ^^ Melinda Herron Helena, Montana USA
^^ Photo #043 ^^ Bonnie Kreger Sun City West, Arizona USA	^^ Photo #044 ^^ Kerri Crawford Lindon, Utah USA	^^ Photo #045 ^^ Lupe Meter Glendale, Arizona USA
^^ Photo #046 ^^ Loretta Carstensen CathedralCity, California USA	^^ Photo #047 ^^ Janine Kloubert Huerth, NRW Germany	^^ Photo #048 ^^ Susan Bates Florence Italy
^^ Photo #049 ^^ Bonnie Kreger Sun City West, Arizona USA	^^ Photo #050 ^^ Lisa Whitham Midland, Michigan USA	^^ Photo #051 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA
^^ Photo #052 ^^ Loretta Carstensen CathedralCity, California USA	^^ Photo #053 ^^ Freda Kramer Wadsworth, Ohio USA	^^ Photo #054 ^^ Susan Bates Florence Italy
^^ Photo #055 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA	^^ Photo #056 ^^ Lisa Whitham Midland, Michigan USA	^^ Photo #057 ^^ Kerri Crawford Lindon, Utah USA
^^ Photo #058 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #059 ^^ Susan Bates Florence Italy	^^ Photo #060 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA
^^ Photo #061 ^^ Loretta Carstensen CathedralCity, California USA	^^ Photo #062 ^^ Freda Kramer Wadsworth, Ohio USA	^^ Photo #063 ^^ Kerri Crawford Lindon, Utah USA
^^ Photo #064 ^^ Susan Bates Florence Italy	^^ Photo #065 ^^ Bonnie Kreger Sun City West, Arizona USA	^^ Photo #066 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England
^^ Photo #067 ^^ Anna (Silverleaf) Roberts Chesterfield, Derbyshire England	^^ Photo #068 ^^ Catalina Ledesma Allen Park, Michigan USA	^^ Photo #069 ^^ Susan Werner NewLondon, Minnesota USA
^^ Photo #070 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #071 ^^ Cheryl Hodges Mississauga, Ontario Canada	^^ Photo #072 ^^ Elizabeth Schydlower El Paso, Texas USA
^^ Photo #073 ^^ Lupe Meter Glendale, Arizona USA	^^ Photo #074 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA	^^ Photo #075 ^^ Susan Werner NewLondon, Minnesota USA
^^ Photo #076 ^^ Anna (Silverleaf) Roberts Chesterfield, Derbyshire England	^^ Photo #077 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA	^^ Photo #078 ^^ Cheryl Hodges Mississauga, Ontario Canada
^^ Photo #079 ^^ Susan Werner NewLondon, Minnesota USA	^^ Photo #080 ^^ Catalina Ledesma Allen Park, Michigan USA	^^ Photo #081 ^^ Elizabeth Schydlower El Paso, Texas USA
^^ Photo #082 ^^ Cheryl Hodges Mississauga, Ontario Canada	^^ Photo #083 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA	^^ Photo #084 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA
^^ Photo #085 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #086 ^^ Susan Werner NewLondon, Minnesota USA	^^ Photo #087 ^^ Lupe Meter Glendale, Arizona USA
^^ Photo #088 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA	^^ Photo #089 ^^ Helen Sperring W. Palm Beach, Florida USA	^^ Photo #090 ^^ Elizabeth Schydlower El Paso, Texas USA
^^ Photo #091 ^^ Susan Werner NewLondon, Minnesota USA	^^ Photo #092 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA	^^ Photo #093 ^^ Cheryl Hodges Mississauga, Ontario Canada
^^ Photo #094 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA	^^ Photo #095 ^^ Cheryl Hodges Mississauga, Ontario Canada	^^ Photo #096 ^^ Helen Sperring W. Palm Beach, Florida USA
^^ Photo #097 ^^ Susan Werner NewLondon, Minnesota USA	^^ Photo #098 ^^ Anna (Silverleaf) Roberts Chesterfield, Derbyshire England	^^ Photo #099 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA
^^ Photo #100 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #101 ^^ Elizabeth Schydlower El Paso, Texas USA	^^ Photo #102 ^^ Helen Sperring W. Palm Beach, Florida USA
^^ Photo #103 ^^ Anna (Silverleaf) Roberts Chesterfield, Derbyshire England	^^ Photo #104 ^^ Catalina Ledesma Allen Park, Michigan USA	^^ Photo #105 ^^ Cheryl Hodges Mississauga, Ontario Canada
^^ Photo #106 ^^ Lupe Meter Glendale, Arizona USA	^^ Photo #107 ^^ Susan Dyson Miami, Florida USA	^^ Photo #108 ^^ Susan Werner NewLondon, Minnesota USA
^^ Photo #109 ^^ Dawn Boone Fort Collins, Colorado USA	^^ Photo #110 ^^ Helen Sperring W. Palm Beach, Florida USA	^^ Photo #111 ^^ Catalina Ledesma Allen Park, Michigan USA
^^ Photo #112 ^^ Helen Sperring W. Palm Beach, Florida USA	^^ Photo #113 ^^ Dawn Boone Fort Collins, Colorado USA	^^ Photo #114 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA
^^ Photo #115 ^^ Dawn Boone Fort Collins, Colorado USA	^^ Photo #116 ^^ Helen Sperring W. Palm Beach, Florida USA	^^ Photo #117 ^^ Dawn Boone Fort Collins, Colorado USA
^^ Photo #118 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England	^^ Photo #119 ^^ Carolyn Fiene Lake Tahoe, Nevada USA	^^ Photo #120 ^^ Carole Holt Cleckheaton, wYorkshire England
^^ Photo #121 ^^ Linda Kropp Killington, Vermont USA	^^ Photo #122 ^^ Joan Wallace Palm Coast, Florida USA	^^ Photo #123 ^^ Linda Kropp Killington, Vermont USA

Thanks again, Cindy, because I know that you have now taken on a bigger load than what you are already carrying to get US to practice what you teach! Your kindness of giving us a Reward for doing that is just another sign of your generosity! You’ve made it very clear that this contest is more about each one of us than just one superstar. I hope everyone really understands your intent and not nip pick if something during this contest doesn’t go as smoothly as you plan. ~Catherine-R

Thank you Catherine, for understanding and restating the purpose of this contest. It really is all about providing you guys with motivation to use and practice the skills you are learning about each week. The techniques are not difficult. But to master them, you must actually DO them.

I love teaching. But what I love even more is seeing that my teaching is having a positive impact in your lives… no matter what the reasons are that inspired you to start up with polymer clay. Not only will this contest give me positive reinforcement that my work as a teacher is making a difference, but it will also help each and everyone of you, to learn from, and be inspired by each other. I know ALL of you can accomplish great things!

I also want to point out and add emphasis where you said, “…I know that you have now taken on a bigger load than what you are already carrying to get US to practice what you teach!”

This is truer than many of you may realize. My workload in writing the daily articles here at the blog, answering everyone’s questions, plus getting the video tutorials prepped, filmed and published each Friday at the members library… is already a VERY taxing job.

But I know that if this contest turns out to be a hit with you guys, it will mean that more of you will end up becoming at least as passionate as I am (if not more), about this incredible polymer clay art medium. So for that reason I am putting in the extra time, effort and energy to do this.

I have been making jewellery for about a year mostly with crystal, glass beads and semi precious. I’ve done a couple of clay pieces which I think I need to work at to improve. I’m trying to summon the courage to send in pictures! ~Cheryl-H

Here’s to summoning up your courage Cheryl… and everyone else who hasn’t sent in your photos yet. The ball is now in your court. The success of this initial contest will determine whether or not I am able to continue to provide it as an ongoing benefit to members of the Polymer Clay Library. Bottom line is… participation. Any fears or reservations that you may be holding onto… set them aside and just do it  :-)

“Posted my pics of watercolour beads on Facebook… now people are asking where they can buy my jewellery. Yay!” ~Silverleaf

My original plan for today’s post, was to start showing off all the wonderful contest photos you guys have been sending in over the past week. But something exciting has come up which deserves special attention.

It is to do with a positive side effect of this contest, that I was truly hoping would happen. And it is so great to see it happening right out of the gate.

You see, one of my goals is to get you guys to feel proud and confident about the beads and jewelery you are able to create, using all of the new polymer clay skills you are learning each week.

And with this enthusiasm, I was anxious to see if some of you would take things to the next level by sharing your accomplishments with the rest of the world… using some of the freely available online publishing tools.

There are so many sites now like Facebook, Flckr, Photobucket, etc., that make it easy for anyone to post photos and stories, even if you don’t have your own web site or blog.

And when you start showing off your jewelry and bead making accomplishments, very good things can happen. Here is a wonderful example from Anna (Silverleaf) Roberts…

Posted my pictures of watercolour beads on Facebook. I’ve just logged back in to find a message from a guy I went to school with asking if I sell jewellery as his daughter saw my necklace and wants a bracelet!  Yay Cindy, you got me a sale! :) *does a happy dance* ~Silverleaf

My Response: Silverleaf – Your watercolour beads are GORGEOUS! And the sale you made, is like adding a cherry on top to make everything feel so worthwhile. I’m doing the happy dance with you right now. This is a great example of how good things can happen when you participate. And I LOVE it that you are sharing your pics with the world on Facebook. When I post the contest pics here at my site, I’ll only be able to post one photo per entry. So it’s going to be great for everyone to have the option to click through to your page to see your gallery layout of several photos, showing different angles and zooms of your work. Absolutely wonderful! [Rose-M also said: "Silverleaf, your watercolor beads are gorgeous. Love the colors."] ~Cindy-L

Thank you Cindy and Rose! I am pleased with the way my beads turned out, especially as the technique is one I haven’t tried before. Oh and I had another couple of messages from people asking where they can buy my jewellery and if I do commissioned work. :) Yay! I never thought of getting sales through Facebook. Maybe it’s worth a try for anyone else who wants to sell as well.
~Silverleaf

This is amazing Silverleaf! I am so happy for you. Thanks for sharing this story and please keep us updated with the details of your ongoing Facebook adventure. It is very exciting!

By the way everyone, I would encourage you to follow Silverleaf’s lead here. Facebook attracts a huge amount of Internet traffic, so it is a great place to share your photos and stories with the world.

Here is another Facebook related story from Jackie-N…

Absolutely loved your purse charm. What a way to dress up a purse. So I made one with my first attempts at the tribal cane.. need to watch the video again.. lol Not quite right.. ok no where near right. But I used the cane and made some beads and made me a purse charm. Showed to a friend on face book. She said what a great idea. Gave you the credit for the inspiration. Thanks for giving us that inspiration. ~Jackie-N

And a Flickr mention from Bonnie-K…

Cindy, I tried the torn clay process that you did on your video. It was fun and turned out pretty good. I put a necklace that I did on Etsy and I also put it on Flickr and on Flickr I gave you the credit for the tutorial. Just wanted to let you know in case you see it out there. Thank you for all your tutorials, you do a great job of explaining things. ~Bonnie-K

Photobucket is another site to consider. Anyone using them? And for that matter, has anyone else posted their contest photos, stories or links on ANY of the social networking sites? Or maybe on your own blogs?

Stumbleupon and Del.i.cious are great places to share your web bookmarks as well.

Please do provide me with direct links to photos, stories and links you post (or find) out on the web, about this fun bead giveaway contest. I want to make sure and acknowledge everyone appropriately, like I did for Silverleaf in today’s article.

And keep those contest photo entries coming. No procrastinating allowed :-)

“My polymer clay charms are turning out really cute and I love giving them as gifts.” ~Radeane-F

Picture this. It’s Thursday at around dinner time. Your 10 year old son announces that he needs 18 friendship gifts for his classmates by the next day… for a Friday morning school Christmas party. What to do?

First of all, don’t panic. And secondly, you remember that big bin of polymer clay beads up in the craft room. They are perfect for making cool and unique looking, backpack charms!

Normally I’m not the kind of mom to give in to such ridiculous requests at the last minute. But it really wasn’t my sons fault this time. You see he was moved into a new school this year, and was unaware of their tradition of having all the children exchange presents with each other. He just found out about it when one of the kids ended up leaving early for holidays, and gave everyone his gifts the day before the party.

Now at the risk of sounding like an overly proud mom, I’d like to share a little story about my son Fisher and his new school situation. Over the last couple of years, he has been very unhappy at his old school. But thankfully a perceptive teacher suggested that he go in for some tests. They revealed that he is actually “gifted” and he ended up qualifying to get into self-paced, accelerated education program.

Even though it was hard for him to leave his old friends and the nice school he was at, being in this new situation has made all the difference in the world! He is so happy now, and excited about learning.

The reason I told you this story is because it helps to explain why his teacher has all the kids exchange gifts each Christmas. Unlike other programs where the kids move to a new class each year, Fisher’s class is made up of grade 5, 6 and 7 students that all stay together for 3 years. So they kind of become family with each other. Gift giving is a way for them to bond.

Anyways… back to the polymer clay backpack charms part of the story. Being the night before the party, it was too late to go shopping. And even too late to make a whole bunch of handmade cards.

Well lucky for Fisher (and me), besides all of the finished polymer clay beads I had on hand, there was also a package of small lanyard clips in my studio. So he selected the beads that best suited each of his classmates, and I wired them up into little charms that could be clipped on a zipper, a backpack or even a cell phone.

When he passed them out the next day, everyone was thrilled. As you can see in the photo above each one was different. There was a couple of graffiti beads, a faux turquoise bead, a Jupiter bead, a faux leather leaf charm, a few different lentil beads, some faux pebbles, an extruder flower cane bead and a bunch of others!

This gift giving idea was fast, personal and easy to do. Plus it didn’t break the bank. My teen daughter, Willow, decided to take a few for her friends as well.

I think these kind of charms would make a great little fundraiser for Girl Guides or church bazaars. Or maybe the soccer team. You could make up a variety of beads in the school/group’s colors and have the kids make them up to sell.

They also make great last minute Christmas gifts! Phew! Polymer clay safes the day once again!