Up Next in Vol-021 | Kaleidoscopes, Butterflies, Inlay, Earwires

1: Kaleidoscope Canes
2: Butterfly Earrings
3: Inlay Technique
4: Handmade Earwires

Gosh, I think you guys are just going to love this next set of Volume-021 video tutorials coming for February at the Polymer Clay Library. As I look forward, I can't help but agree with those of you who feel things are just getting better and better around here…

Every set of videos just keeps getting better and better. I love Fridays. Thanks for everything you have taught me Cindy. Never a dull moment. ~Peggy-B

What can I say? Better and better and better. Cindy, just when I think you've got this site about perfect, you take it up a notch. As always, I am looking forward to the next opportunities to learn from you. ~Elizabeth-S

Here I am with my coffee thinking it is a good day for reflection. Hopefully you find all the wonderful and sweet things I see in this blog, teaching forum, and community that I have grown so very attached too. While I haven't followed you from the beginning, I have looked back through your two years. It is a beautiful piece of work that shows your love, your passion, and your sweet spirit… and it keeps getting better… Thank you Cindy… and to all of the extended family out there. Love, ~Melinda-H

Cindy and Doug, Your combined efforts and products marked a turning point for me to the better as a major life improvement. I cannot thank both of you enough and am in your debt. It means the world to me that you both are so professional, caring and supportive. I wish you both the very best that life has to offer. May your business and reputations prosper and grow with daily blessings from me. Every day, each morning, I cannot wait to rise, grab a coffee, and read the latest blog and all the comments. It has been a long time since I have felt that type of motivation and excitement. Each daily blog post, comment and video get better and better, and it is so amazing and enjoyable to watch and participate! I especially appreciate the fact that you both strive so hard to always give credit to those whose ideas and techniques you choose to modify and transform as well. Every link on your site is an adventure, LOL! I wish you both and Willow and Fisher a wonderful Christmas season and a fabulous 2010! Mine will be because of you all. Fondly always, ~Jocelyn-C

I have been here for quite a while now, and have not been disappointed yet Cindy. So anything you want to do, just makes being here better and better for me. I love every minute of it I can get. Even when I'm very busy I try to peek in every day. Just to take a breath and suck in some of the atmosphere of creativity and comraderie here. Hopefully one day I will be able to participate more when I have my own work space done. Until then you all keep me stoked and ready to go the second I am able! Couldn't face a week without a Friday tute and color recipes either. So don't ever stop! XOXO ~Jamie-H

The following Volume-021 tutes will be released each Friday morning throughout the month of February 2010, to help get you excited about spending some fun time on the weekend playing with your polymer clay.

Volume 021-1 Easy Kaleidoscope Canes: This is one technique that many of you have requested over and over again. Kaleidoscope designs look intricate and complicated, which is why many clayers are intimidated by them. But I'm going to show you a way to make these beauties that is simple and easy to follow.

The kaleidoscope canes look amazing! Another nice thing in any lesson are the words "easy to follow" !  Looking forward to this one. ~DJ

Volume 021-2 Inked Butterfly Earrings: These fluttering earrings were originally going to be taught closer to Summer. But since so many of you expressed interest the other day when I introduced them, I've decided to bump this tute into the February line up. The surface techniques that will be demonstrated in this project are quite versatile, and you will end up being able to use them in many different ways. Some advance notice on special materials required, get some Staz-On Ink (or other permanent ink), a background rubberstamp, some translucent clay and a small butterfly shape cutter. If you already have earwires, you can use those. Otherwise, I'll be showing you how to make your own in the last tutorial of the month.

I'd certainly be interested in this surface technique! :) The end result is quite striking and it sounds versatile enough to cater for all tastes from classically feminine to bold and modern. ~Sue-F

Volume 021-3 Inlay Technique: With inlaying, you embed beautiful accent pieces into a sheet of unbaked clay. The third panel in the photo above, shows strips of faux turquoise and crackled gold leaf added to a faux bone sheet of polymer clay that is covering a tin container. Using similar materials and techniques, I will show you how to make a pendant or other jewelry item in this upcoming tutorial.

I also am in for this technique. I have a feel for it but have not been able to completely master it. I know that I will see what I am doing wrong by watching your demo Cindy. Bring it on!!!!! I have a nice bone sheet ready to go. Thanks to your Vol-019-3 faux bone video. ~Illaya-B

Volume 021-4 Handmade Earwires: If you are making your own polymer clay beads, chances are you may want to create a set of earrings or two, every once in awhile. And making your own earwires for your earring sets, is fast, easy and expensive. Plus you can add your own creative voice, using metals that match or compliment the other design elements in your jewelry making projects. I will show you several designs and give you tips on how to come up with some of your own as well.

Yes.. Yes.. Yes.. please Cindy make a video tutorial. I just spent more money at Michaels last night buying earwires as I have lots of beads and clay ideas to make earrings with. I have enjoyed starting to make my own findings to match my clay treasures, it makes the whole process complete. ~Sam-M

I sincerely hope you enjoy all of the new Vol-021 video tutorials. Preview clips of each tutorial will be posted here at the blog, usually by Tuesday each week. Then on Friday's, the full tutorials are posted for paid members at the Polymer Clay Library.

Also don't forget about the great new color recipe palettes that will be available during the month of February:

• Vol-021-A Series (for paid members):
  Blue African Violet Polymer Clay Color Palette (Premo Sculpey)
• Vol-021-B Series (free for everyone):
  Peony Polymer Clay Color Palette (Premo Sculpey)

If you are interested, here's the link to become a member at the Polymer Clay Library. The price is so small, you won't even know it's there :-)  In the following comment, Sue-W says that it would be a bargain at even twice the price or more…

Hi Cindy, Thank you so much for updating my account. I would hate to miss even one of the Friday videos especially since I am now on winter break from my school job and I have time to "carve" away (bad pun :-o ). And Cindy, I want to wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed new year. I am so grateful to have found your site and to have become a member. I can't tell you how impressed I am with the quality of the instruction you provide which is so packed with tips, information and encouragement I wonder how you do it! And the videos are so professionally done! Although I did sign up for your beginners course (which was very helpful), I think anyone could pick up any lesson and be successful with it. And it continues to improve all the time. I was so flattered that you took my suggestion to list the supplies we need for the upcoming video, thank you so much! All that and personal attention to the blog, to our account problems, encouraging the growth of a new community… well I could gush on. Your site membership would be a bargain at twice the price (or more)! Thank you for a wonderful part of my 2009 and I hope, to a long continuing virtual relationship. I look forward to what 2010 will bring! Most sincerely, ~Sue-W