A Passion for Making Polymer Clay Beads that will Never Go Away

Hi Cindy,
I sculpt representational figures with polymer clay; Santa and historical characters are my favorites, work in progress going on now with Wyatt Earp on my blog and also have a website. I've recently become fascinated with bead making! When this happens, I have to explore everything I can find on the subject like a hungry wolf going after dinner! Your videos are food for my soul; cant' get enough of them. Thanks for being here for people like me…crazed beginner bead makers! Lynda

Cindy,

Well, I'm so happy that you are so committed to this place and polymer clay because you and this place are an integral part of my life now. I work full time outside of the home and then I come home and clay and often dream of a day when I won't have to work so much and just stay home and clay all day.

I've worked in many mediums…. I was an fine arts student before I changed to nursing…. and I love polymer clay more than any other medium… It's a medium that you can get immediate gratification from. I can go from a couple blocks of clay to a finished project within a couple hours…. ready to wear even!!!! I love that.
There are so many materials you can use with PC that the possibilities are limitless. I think that's my real love! There is and will be a new technique, a new shape, a new medium in which to add…. and someday I will discover something that no one else has…. that is exciting!

PLUS!!!! I love creating… it's a drive that powers my psyche, that infiltrates my being and lets me know that I'm validated and alive. It soothes and awakens my soul. If I did not create… I could not be me.

So thank you Cindy for the reassurance that you too shall be here to be a light and guide on my journey.
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Cindy-

Ditto, the very first thing I do EVERY morning is check the bead blog! I feel the same way about clay, I've tried tons of different crafts but got bored after a few months. Painting pictures, woodcrafts, suncatchers, stringing store bought beads, etc. At night, I keep myself awake in bed thinking of new bead and pendant ideas. Though, this is when I come up with some of my best ones :)

I started working with clay in February and, as most of us here have, I surfed the web for ideas and tips. Your site BY FAR had the most helpful tips and the most content. THANK YOU! I don't think a lot of us would be at the level we are without you!

You're cool. Keep up the good work!

Like so many others, I too have "dipped my toes" in other craft mediums but I always go back to my faithful clay. I guess for me, I feel like once you know how to wood burn, for example, you can burn all kinds of things on wood. Same with glass etching, you can etch all kinds of glass. With my clay, I can make vases, jewelry, little food and little people and…oh my gosh…the list goes on forever. The possibilities are endless. Not to mention all the help out there. But no one need to look any further than our bestest friend in the whole wide world….Cindy. You are the best teacher and friend a clayer could ever ask for. You make everyday a "Clay Day".

And, I know what it is like to lay in bed at night and dream about clay. Just the other night, I woke up all excited because I had a dream my husband bought me the "dream machine". With motor! Does anyone know what I am talking about? You have to check this thing out!

Well….after my husband saw how excited and happy I was and then how crushed to find it was only a dream, he actually wanted me to pull it up on the website so he could see how much it was. Like I said….It was indeed a dream. But you never know!
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@Lynda: So glad to hear you are becoming addicted to making beads! Your sculpted works are truly amazing. Can't wait to see what you can do with your bead making!

@Melinda: I too am thrilled with being able to go from start to finished wearable art , all within an afternoon! (Makes it simple to deal with an unexpected need for a gift!) Very happy as well to be included in your polymer clay journey. It means a lot to me that you feel inspired here!

@Carrie: Thank you so much for your kind comments! I am pleased that you find it such a valuable resource. Keep that passion going!

@Wes: That means a lot coming from a clay guru like you! :-) — Guys, Wes is one of the best caners there is in the polymer clay industry and an clay tool inventor extraordinaire!

@KlayKisses: I know… I'd love to have one of those machines myself! Has a lot of very cool features. Who knows, maybe you'll get one under the tree? Christmas isn't that far ahead you know!

Ooohh, awwww!! I love new toys like this. I didn't know of this machine. thanks for telling us about it Klaykisses.

I have only been claying about a year. Mostly I have made beads but I sure used a lot of clay in getting ready for my daughter's wedding. She has a renaissance theme so I used clay for broaches, cloak clasp cover, place setting name tags and for the making a celtic ring around the candle holder centerpieces. It was a lot of fun and I saved a ton of money doing these myself not to mention, got to make them very customized. Thanks polymer clay and Cindy. You have both helped me so much.
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Wow, that Dream Machine is something. Here's a link direct to the product:

polymerclayexpress.com/dreammachine.html

Convection Oven on a budget – if you have a Ollie's or a Big Lot near you – check to see if they have a convection oven at an affordable price. I picked one up for 33 dollars and it works very nicely.

@Claycass: Oooh, I have Big Lots stores around here, I'll check that out. Where do you live, Claycass? Oh yeah, your blog says MD — I didn't know Big Lots was a national chain! I thought it was a California-thing. I'm learning all kinds of stuff here…

Thanks for the info. I've been eyeing an oven at Costco for $50 — $33 is much better!