Comments on: Polymer Clay Tutorial | Book Beads | Perfect Gifts for Teachers

By: Carolyn Fiene

Carolyn Fiene — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:02:14 +0000

@Kat Skye: I can’t remember the gauge but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t 16, probably 18 … 18 is what I have the most of of the two. I’m pretty stingy with my 16. I only use that when it is absolutely necessary.

By: Kat Skye

Kat Skye — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:30:19 +0000

Thanks Carolyn! Had thought of that – it’s getting them that is the problem. Have to wait for hubby to remember to go get it. And well, you know how that goes!! But ask I will. Had tried a sharpie – not big enough.

What gauge wire did you use. I used 16 gauge. Too big?

Thanks again for the quick response!!

Blessings,
Kat

By: Carolyn Fiene

Carolyn Fiene — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:01:04 +0000

I use dowels as mandrels for my larger jump rings.

By: Kat Skye

Kat Skye — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:06:04 +0000

Hi!
Love these beads! But what did you use as a mandrel for your jump rings? So far I have not found anything that makes them big enough. TIA!

Blessings,
Kat

By: Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Book Beads - Unique Bookmark Gifts for Pastors

Cindy Lietz@Polymer Clay Book Beads - Unique Bookmark Gifts for Pastors — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:21:40 +0000

NEW PHOTOS ADDED... that relate to the theme of this page... Polymer Clay Book Beads. Click on the link by my name for the full story.

By: Phaedrakat

Phaedrakat — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:17:33 +0000

OMG, I never realized just HOW CUTE these are! I’ve glanced over them before, but there’s always so much to see, that I’ve never stopped to appreciate them — as I should have. There are many, many readers in my life. I have to make some of these just as soon as I’m able to clay. I just need to purchase this back issue, and I’ll know how to make Cindy’s Amazing Book Beads from Vol-018.

By: Cindy Lietz@Making a Checkerboard Cane

Cindy Lietz@Making a Checkerboard Cane — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:02:37 +0000

@Carolyn – In regards to your question about re-conditioning clay… it depends on how long your conditioned piece has been sitting around. If it’s only been a day or two, then ‘warming’ it up is fine. If it’s been a year, then start over and re-condition it from the beginning. The second video in the Polymer Clay Beginners Course (How To Condition Clay Properly), provides you with tips on how to tell for yourself if your clay is conditioned well enough. I also posted a bit more information for you regarding this topic at (Checkerboard) link by my name.

By: Cindy Lietz@Conditioning Polymer Clay

Cindy Lietz@Conditioning Polymer Clay — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:25:18 +0000

@Carolyn and Rose: Sometimes if you condition too long you can trap unnecessary air bubbles into the clay. Once the clay is softened and feels thoroughly mixed that should be fine. Although for the book bead, it would not be critical to condition the clay for the pages, I would get into the habit of conditioning all your clay, to ensure the plasticizers are mixed throughout and you will have the strength needed to make a quality bead. If the clay seems too goopy, you can leach out some of the excess plasticizers or put the clay in the fridge to firm up.

Hope that helps!

By: carolyn

carolyn — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:19:10 +0000

Rose, I’m not sure what Cindy would say, but I did not condition the white and they came out just fine.

And speaking of conditioning clay, I am wondering if clay needs to be re-conditioned if it has been sitting around for a while before it gets used after being conditioned.

By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:47:10 +0000

Is it necessary to condition the white clay used for the pages? Since it doesn’t need rolling, I wondered if I could simple cut a piece the size I need and go from there. I’m finding a lot of information on how to condition, but nothing on whether it always needs to be done. I use Premo clay.