Polymer Clay Tutorial | Making a Large Butterfly Pendant Necklace

Wow! I'm really looking forward to learning how to use the eyelets in my work … should make it look even more professional! Another winning video Cindy. Thanks again and again!

Just to know its coming is awesome. Friday will be a truly fun day at home. Well, after watching the video there'll be a short trip to JoAnn's for any supplies needed but then to dig in and try my wings! Such excitement used to only come at Christmas. Now you bring it to us every Friday. Thanks Cindy.

While this isn't my kind of thing, I think the alcohol ink/crackled metal foil technique and the smooth faux raku technique would be effective for butterfly wings too, as they both give colourful shimmery results that mimic what you see from the tiny scales on real butterfly wings.

Good point, Sue! Those wings in the alchohol ink crackle treatment would be spectacular.

Still going to try a Whale tail diving into sea foam, a pendant, or jar lid cover. Your favorite ocean blues in a mokume cane block pierced repeatively with two sizes of bamboo skewers makes luscious sea foam or lace, when you slice off thin layers,and would love to have that accent around a metallic deep blue whale tail, with some appropriating markings on its tail.

Oooh, alcohol ink foil butterflies! I love that idea!

For some reason I just don't like the gingko shape. Weird. The effect is pretty though.

Anna, I'd try that crackle you mastered on some Christmas themed items like fir trees and decorative balls…bet folks would line up to add them the the Christmas tree this year!

Cindy: How do you do it! I mean you are so busy, blog, twitter, videos and all the great advise. I absolutely love the butterfly pendant. I am even going to try to use the ginko leaf cutter to make some butterfly pins. Your brain must continue working and spinning even when you sleep. Or do you sleep? As I said as long as you continue I will follow. You amaze me every minute.

Thanks again for all your talent. You are a true artist.
Truely inspired, Peggy

Hi Cindy,

I made the butterfly and would like to share it with you and everyone else.

Also I would like to respond to your request for feedback about the beginners course that I purchased. I can’t think of any thing to say that could improve it, except do a second one, LOL. However, I can state how the course has helped me as a beginning clay-er. Your step by step visual from how we are to sand, what products to use, the types of clay, conditioning the clay, what equipment, the introductory to caning, marbling and blending colors is priceless. Also having access to this course when needed is so valuable that I don’t think words do it justice, as I couldn’t remember all the information you have provided when I need it. I love this course, being able to SEE it is far more than the instruction I have seen on the internet in words only. You explain things so well. I have learned to set up my work area watching your course; I have bought each item you suggested (even though I bought a lot of Sculpey III BEFORE I got the course). Even though I have viewed the course a number of times, each time I come back, I see something new. I love it, keep up the good teaching.

Ifama

Thanks Cindy, I have ordered more back issue volumes today. I love what you do. I believe that acquiring the best instruction for various techniques is key in making the designs that I love and will eventually sell. Your videos provide me the instruction I need and are an investment. A plus is that in business, they are tax deductible. Again, thank you so much.

Ifama – Thank you for sharing with all of us. Your items are beautiful. You have shown and reminded us how wonderful Cindy is at teaching us all how we can take her videos and put our own personal touch on them. We can take and make something all our own thanks to Cindy.

Cindy – I think we are the ones who are blessed to of found you. Thank you for everything I have learned and continue to learn. I have each and everyone of your videos from beginners on. I still continue to go back and watch all of them over and over learning even more each time. You do not have to be a beginner to get much needed information from the Beginner Polymer Clay Course. Even some parts that I had read about in books before, watching it on video helped me to understand it better.

I also want to thank you for all the questions you have answered for me. You make me feel like no question is a silly question.
Also thank you to all of the other members who have helped with my questions and concerns. I feel like Cindy has made us all a part of a special little clay family where we can help each other.

So I am sending all a special THANK YOU!
Keep Claying, Peggy

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for all the great Videos of late.

I am a bit behind sending you these pics of my first efforts of the Butterfly Wings. I had to wait until I purchased the equipment to do them, and am so happy with the results, but can see how to improve, as these are my first efforts. Have made them into a dangle, but intend to make more and get better at it as I go. Love, Elizabeth

Your wings are delightful Elizabeth! What a fun way to hang them. I love them as a dangle!

One way to give them a nice clean finish along the edges is to smooth them a little with cornstarch on your finger, before you bake them. Then to give them a light sanding on the top, bottom and along the edges after their baked to give them a more natural look.

I think you may have done that on the blue one in the middle on the right since it looks much smoother than the others.

I can't quite see in the photo, but it looks like you added some sparkles to the circles on the green wings. It looks cool whatever you did!

See if you can find some grommets for the holes. (I found some in a dollar store). You'll find them to be more durable than without grommets.

Keep doing what you're doing and experimenting with the colors. You're doing a wonderful job! Thanks for sending me your photos! :-)

Hi cindy
thank you for the comments on my butterfly work, so thrilled to see it here. Yes I intend to use the grommets but did not have them at the time.
The only craft store for us is over the other side of our city so has to wait til I get a chance to go there.I think the grommets will certainly be an improvement.
Yes i think I forgot a few stages like the cornstarch so eager was I .
also forgot to do the antiquing but will on next lot.
The dangle came about because I wanted to keep them all together.

@Ifama Jackson:
I think your butterflies are spectacular, Ifama. Love the colours. Isn't it nice to be able to see others completed work here? I just love this site. How any one can be lonely or bored with so much to do beats me. Keep up the lovely work. We are so lucky to have a teacher like Cindy who puts her all into everything, don't know how she does it, yes does she ever sleep. Thank you so much CindyXXXXX.
Elizabeth
XXX

Thank you sweetie! It is my pleasure serving such sweet people like you. Btw I do sleep, but I could always use a little more! :-)

My first butterfly pendant :)

It was such fun.

Cindy, your tutorials demonstrate clear steps and they're very easy to follow.

Phoenix Forbes
Chicago, IL

Hi Phoenix
Just love your butterfly .The colour is so brilliant , love the white on blue.
Really stands out.
As you say, Cindys clear steps make it easy for us to take it and make it our own.
keep up the good work
love
Elizabeth K.

@ElizabethK: Thanks, ElizabethK! I adore your lime green butterflies. It's so cool to see everyone's work.

Thanks, Cindy for posting my pic :)

@Phoenix:
Hi Pheonix, thanks for your comments. Love those butterflies, yes one of my fav colours is the lime green. What a wonderful group this is .
I am so uplifted by all the wonderful comments for Jackie, and so glad I am a part of it.
Elizabeth K. XXX