Millefiori Beads by Polymer Clay Cane Artist Iris Mishly [Israel]
Mishly's millefiori canes and polymeri online web site, have inspired the hearts of 1000's of polymer clay artists around the world:
If you've been on the Internet for any length of time searching for millefiori canemaking tips, ideas and techniques… you have undoubtedly heard of Iris Mishly from Israel.
This wonderful Israeli artist is all over the place in the polymer clay world. She publishes a web site written in Hebrew; Has an English language blog called Polymeri Online; Manages numerous Flickr groups; And sells her heart beads in an Etsy store!
The above photo shows some of her unique heart shaped beads decorated with a whole variety of beautiful polymer clay cane designs.
Side Note: Do you see the big bright white swirl on the bead heart in the bottom row 2nd from right? That design was made with a ghost cane just like the one I discussed in this article: Handmade Jewelry Using Rose Beads and Ghost Canes
Besides the great work that Iris Mishly does at her own web sites, she also spends a lot of time leaving helpful comments on other polymer clay artists' blogs and at various poly clay forums… not to mention Facebook. Basically the girl is everywhere and the polymer clay community is better place because of it!
What I love most about Iris's work is her detailed millefiori canes. I'm not sure if it is a Jewish thing, but her colors are simply wonderful! Something completely fresh and different as compared to the colors usually seen in polymer clay art over here in North America. Though that could change pretty quick if she continues to inspire so many people on this side of the 'pond'!
Iris is extremely supportive. Almost every day on her blog she features unique jewelry, beads, art and tutorials from other polymer clay artists and teachers from around the globe.
This 'shrinking' of our great planet is something that just fascinates me about the Internet and its ability to so effectively connect people and groups with common interests.
If it weren't for the World Wide Web, it would have be unlikely that I would have had the pleasure of discovering the awesome polymer clay artist, Irish Mishly and her millefiori beads… and what a terrible shame that would have been!
Filed Under: 06: Bead Shapes, 07: Cane Work, 12: Inspiration, 14: Feature Guests by Comment. 
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Comments on Millefiori Beads by Polymer Clay Cane Artist Iris Mishly [Israel]
6:22 pm
Iris does so many great things for the Polymer Clay Community and I'd love to be able to send some good Karma back to her. Could I get you to help me out?
If you could think of something nice to say about her and post your message below, I'd sure appreciate it. Has she inspired you in anyway? Taught you something that was helpful? Introduced you to another polymer clay artist that you ended up connecting with in some positive way? Opened your eyes to a new polymeri technique you didn't previously know about?
Well now is your chance to give Iris a great big shout out. I know she'll appreciate reading what you have to say.
Cindy's previous post..Ask The Polymer Clay Tutor Q+A
1:32 am
I agree with all the things you said about Iris – she is a wealth of knowledge and her contribution to the clay worls is very appreciated
Naama
3:13 am
Iris is a good friend and a very talent artist. She deserve all the credits and also a big hug!
10:01 am
dear Cindy!
I am so excited! thank you so much for your warm and hugging post, i cannot say enough to appreciate my thanks!
I enjoy every minute of the webblogging, may be too much because it makes me wonder in cyberspace instead of in my studio ;)
thank you again!
hugs from Israel,
Iris.
10:03 am
@Naama: It is great to see you here! Thank you for the nice comment… I'm sure Iris appreciates it!
@Sharon: Thank you for your comment too! It must be nice to have a friend like Iris… there is so much you can share and learn from each other.
@Iris: You're very welcome! I have been so impressed with all that you do. Although this world has become smaller with the Internet, I do look forward to meeting you in person one day. I'm glad I was able to make your day!
4:37 am
I had the great good pleasure to attend CFCF with Iris, and can attest that she is a warm and caring person as well as an inspiring artist! I agree with the comment about the WWW shrinking our world, and am grateful that folks like Iris give me eye candy every day to help me balance a hectic work life with art that soothes the soul. My goal is to learn something new every day, either hands on or with online inspiration, and most days I succeed.
Cindy, thank you also for your great contributions.
12:34 pm
What a lucky girl you are Barb to know Iris! Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I appreciate them, as I am sure Iris does too!
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Memorial Jewelry – How To Make Rose Petal Beads with Polymer Clay
11:06 pm
I agree with your observation about Iris's color choices – she seems to have an eye for including that unexpected "zing" while keeping the overall design balanced. That's the part of this art that seems to be inate for some people – I don't think it's learned!
11:15 am
Iris is so naturally good with colors isn't she Sue?! I love what she does with it!
I think color sensibility is instinctual for a lot of people.
However, I do feel it can be learned. People who struggle with color need to learn to trust themselves more. They need to start to recognize what looks good to them and what does not.
A good way to do this is to start looking carefully at things that appeal to you. A favorite shirt. A pretty flower. The way the sky looks. When you can start seeing the differences in colors, you'll start learning how to create them.
With polymer clay you can start by mixing other peoples color recipes. There are lots on this site. This will give you a handle of what different tints and hues go into a mix to get the end result.
To really understand color can take time or it can take a moment. It doesn't really matter. If you really want to be good with color, you can!
Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Cool Polymer Clay Tutorial – A Fimo and Sculpey Cane Making Tip
7:26 pm
Ah, yes. I love Iris' millifiore ___ (fill in the blank — it's all fantastic!) Before I found this fabulous PC community, I wandered all over the web looking for polymer information/inspiration. I ran into lots of Iris Mishly's creations, as well as polymeri online. I was mesmerized by Iris' flowers, and her amazing sense of color.
Cindy, I love how you say that if you want to be good with color, you can. It gives me hope. Yes, it's true that some people are just "born with it;" they just have that inate sense of how to use color. But others can work at it, and develop a sense of color with practice and the proper training. One can hope, anyway!