Faux Leather Rose Beads Made From Studio by Sculpey Polymer Clay

I like them both. Depends on my mood. There is a place for both.

I think it would be perfect in Autumn styles where earth tones and deep jewel tones and the more bolder materials (like learher and corduroy) are worn. The bright fresh colors and realism of the others might not work as well, where these might.

I mean leather. Thats what I get for trying to type by monitor light.

It really does look yummy, Cindy. Looks like I'll have to try out some Studio by Sculpey clay soon. Thanks for the incredible 2 part video – learned a lot!

dear cindy,
I really prefer the delicate translucent rose and the creamy porcelain of your tutorial. I think they are really impressive. I am not really sure about the suede finish of the studio sculpey – the opaqueness of porcelain seems more appealing than the opaqueness of suede- but maybe the studio looks better in real life- all the best-cara

I loved the videos but some how missed where you put the bead hole, or how to attach them to a necklace. No need for a video on this, just some suggestions.

Cindy,

Did you leach the Studio clay? I tried making a rose with the Studio clay and it was very difficult because the clay was so mushy and soft. It stuck to everything, including my fingers and each petal ripped when I tried to attach them to the rose base :( Is there a trick to studio clay?

I love them all. They are all gorgeous.
Jennifer M. I didn't try these roses with studio clay but did some other beads and it is very mushy and soft. I did use corn starch on this clay so it wouldn't stick to everything. I even rolled them on a pattern mold. I found that once I formed my bead, it was best to let it rest for awhile (about 5 minutes). I also rinsed them in cold water (to get the cornstarch off before antiquing them) and this seemed to help solidify the clay a little. Still, all in all, it is pretty soft clay. A little too soft for my taste but I LOVE the colors they have.
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Thanks laurel! I do love their colors too. And it does blend nicely, but it is soooo soft, a little too soft for me as well.

@Freda: Me too!

@Ken: I agree! These would look nice as a fall fashion accessory!

@Maria: I am so glad you liked it!

@Cara: That is what is so neat about polymer clay… you can get so many looks with it, no matter what your taste is!

@Anna: The way the bead is made it already comes with a hole. If you would like to make one so that the bead sits facing out, you can carefully slide it off the pin and pierce it through the stem. Then trim off the bottom flat if you wish. I probably should have shown how to do that, but I forgot. Sorry about that. Maybe I could show that in a post sometime.

@Jennifer: That is the dumb thing about all the polymer clays, sometimes they are too soft and sometimes too hard. I didn't need to leach mine, it seemed like the perfect consistency, but yours could have been too soft. It could be that it is warmer where you are working than where I am. You could leach it if you want, or pop it in the fridge for a while to see if that helps.

@Laurel: The comment above may help if your clay is too soft. The colors are wonderful aren't they!

I'm going to mix up a batch of faux jade clay and try making the roses. Brought the clay last night. hopefully I'll get to it tonight after work.

If you use the palm of your hand to leave a leather-like texture on the petals and the leaves as you thin them out to use, it really adds a realistic look to them…a little tidbit learned after making many flowers for my demos as an RT for Studio.
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I love both kinds of roses. This one would look good with the earthy colors or strung on a cord with brass beads or earthy tone beads

@Ken: Faux Jade Roses would be fantastic! Send pics when you make them!

@Rita: Excellent idea! If you line the petals up with the 'lifelines' on your palm, they do make a wonderful veining and look like leather. Thanks for the tip!

@Cheryl: I agree. This bead would look great with brass beads and cord. Would give it quite and earthy feel!

Sure thing (if they turn out)last time I tried the faux jade they didn't quite turn out(try, try again), the ratio of opaque to translucent wasn't correct, they looked like soild plastic beads instead of having that "glow" that jade has (and I even threw them into an ice bath straight from the oven). Mom has a real jade bracelet for me to compare to, the multi color jade beads are sort of macaroni shaped.

Sounds great Ken! I know, sometimes you think you have used plenty of translucent clay or even maybe too much, in a technique and it turns out you used to little. That is part of the fun in polymer clay. The experimenting until you get it just right. And then being able to repeat it time and time again.

Can't wait to see your jade flowers!

Cindy, I thought your course was very informative. I never worked with clay before, but read several books. I like to be shown how to do things rather than just reading about them. Most of the things that are in your course I was familiar with. I just needed to hear some of the problems that you had making things so that I could correct my way of doing things. I find myself looking forward to your new video every week, along with the color recipes. I would enjoy seeing something that you actually make, like jewelry for instance. I did go back an purchase your past classes.

One thing I did want to know was on making your roses or any flower. The packaging says bake for 30 minutes, you baked them for 1 hour. Does baking longer make the clay harder? I made some flowers and only baked them 30 minutes and they were easily broken.

~CJ Clinger

Yes CJ that extra time baking makes them much stronger!

I think it is very important to bake everything you make for at least and hour at 265F to get a proper cure. Ovens tend to go up and down in temp and in order for the polymers to fuse, they need enough time at the right temp. Baking longer makes up for the fact that your oven may have dipped below the proper temp several times.

If you want more info on baking, click the link by my name or type 'baking' into the search box at the top of the page.

I am so happy you are pleased with the course and the membership videos. That means I must be doing my job right!