Comments on: Polymer Clay Rosary Beads | Real Flower Petals | Bake and Bond

By: Phaedrakat

Phaedrakat — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:17:11 +0000

@michelle: Hi Michelle, I thought I saw something on another thread recently about dried flowers staying “true to color” or the like, but I can’t remember which page. Maybe on a resin thread? Wish I could remember where… You could try using the search box in the upper left, or wait and see if this “reply bump” (adding to the recent comment list) helps someone notice your question & respond. You’re right about Valentine’s day being close…thanks for the reminder! Time flies…
Well, have fun — and good luck with your projects!

By: michelle

michelle — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:36:54 +0000

spring is right around the corner, almost time to make those valentine gifts. Has anyone done more experimenting with the flower beads or have you tried the opal method?

By: Cindy Lietz@Delphinium Flower Petal Earrings

Cindy Lietz@Delphinium Flower Petal Earrings — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:59:26 +0000

@Treaki: Thank you so much Treaki! That is very kind of you. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks here with us. It is always nice to see how others are going about things. I’m so glad you are enjoying this polymer clay journey!

By: Treaki

Treaki — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:08:11 +0000

Cindy, I can’t thank you enough for all the enjoyment I’m received from your classes and the Friday newsletter with each new project idea. It’s opened up a whole new avenue for me. I’ve dabbled in various hobby crafts, but have fallen in love with the polymer clay jewelry making.
Thank you so much. What a talent you have!

By: Treaki

Treaki — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:49 +0000

Mollie, I use Patricia Nimocks Clear Acrylic Sealer. I wear my bracelt alot and it does well holding the shine. Have tried various products, but these
steps seem to work the best for me, but I’m excited about trying out the irredescent powder and dipping the beads in ice bath. Thanks for sharing.

By: Mollie Hubenak

Mollie Hubenak — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:42:48 +0000

@Treaki – What kind of sealer do you spray on the beads? After I have rolled my beads, I brush on a very light coat of pearly white irredescent powder. It adds a little shimmer to it, and with the white beads, makes them look alot better since you don’t get much color out of white.

I bake my beads for about 30 minutes, then brush on the Sculpey Gloss and bake another 20 minutes. Then I dip them in an ice bath for a couple of minutes while still hot, and this hardens them even more.

Everyone seems to have their own little methods and techniques, and it is really nice to be able to share this information.

By: Treaki

Treaki — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:21:38 +0000

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments. Kat, I forgot to say that I also spray the beads with sealer. It dries super quick. Then I coat the beads with a small brush using the Liquitex medium. It dries pretty quick, also.
Then I coat the beads with Sculpey gloss a couple of times. When completely dry, one coat of Future. Maybe all these steps are not needed, but just trying to keep the shiny look on the beads. The customers seem to be very satisfied. So, the extra pains taken, I think are worth it.

By: Treaki

Treaki — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:15:02 +0000

Actually, the clay colors are for retaining the memory of the original flower colors.

By: Treaki

Treaki — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:11:39 +0000

Thanks, Mollie. I’ve been drying mine in the microwave and yellow and lime green flowers do well, but red roses always turn darker. I still haven’t mastered the white flowers. They always turn an offwhite and when I add them to clay, they turn a tan color. I’ve been combining clay colors to retain the original color of the flower.

By: Tanya L

Tanya L — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:16:02 +0000

@Mollie Hubenak: Mollie, this tip came just in time! I’ve been collecting flowers every couple of days and drying them in my attic (VERY hot up there!) so I’ll be all set sometime soon. Thank you!