“Let the games
begin! Time to show
off your stuff in the new
Polymer Clay Tutor
Facebook Gallery.”
~Cindy-L
As most of you know by now, Phase 3 of my Polymer Bead Giveaway Contest is well under way. You should also know that to play, your photo entries must be uploaded to the Facebook Gallery Page that I announced last week. Here is the link to that article in case you missed it:
July 7, 2010: New Facebook Guidelines for Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway Contest: “This should simplify things considerably for most everyone.” ~Cindy-L
Each week, as you can see in today’s post, I will be showing the thumbnail pictures of the latest contest photos. This will give you a quick overview of the most recent entries. And to see the pictures in their full glory, you can click through to the Facebook Gallery Page where each of the images are viewable in a much larger format.
Also each week, I will be announcing who is holding the top spot for points (see post title… congrats to Carolyn-F on this first round of the challenge).
The point system was discussed in last week’s post. Having a high point count does increase your chances of winning the big prize of polymer clay tutor beads. But since this contest is based on a random draw, anything can happen in the end. With luck on your side, all it takes is one point to get picked for the win.
Here Are This Week’s Contest Entries:
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Larger Images Here: Polymer Clay Facebook Gallery: If you have questions, comments, suggestions… post them here at my blog in the comment section below. And by this time next week, hopefully there will a whole ‘nother whack of inspirational photos for everyone to admire. |
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| ** Did You Know… Members with current subscriptions to the weekly tutorial videos are always entitled to a 10% discount when purchasing 6 or more back issue packages in a single transaction. If you are interested, let me know which back issues you would like and I will send further instructions on how to complete your order. |
 
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Lovely pieces! Good luck, everyone.
How fun to see how everyone applies what we learn here. Beautiful pieces everyone! I am having a serious problem that I hope someone can help me with. The very first couple of things I made turned out not bad, at least they baked to the correct hardness. The last 2 batches of items I ‘cooked’ ended up a total waste of time and product because they are not cooking to the desired hardness! I can not figure out what I am doing wrong. The first failure I baked items less than 1/4″ thick at 275 for 30 minutes. The second time I thought OK, I will bake longer, I think that’s what I did in the past when I had no probs so I baked at 275 for an hour. STILL no good! So once they were cool I popped them back in and turned up the heat to ALMOST 300 and baked for 30 more minutes. My flat pendants are the consistency of a roof shingle. The bend till they just break in half, very flimsy!!
I am using Primo clay, baking in a Corel dish between 2 pieces of parchment paper with another Corel dish on top to weight the pieces and keep them flat (since my stuff tends to not stay flat). Yesterday when I cooked them for the additional 30 minutes at almost 300 degrees I also moved them to the lowest rack. I use my kitchen oven.
I threw the first batch away but am hoping to salvage my latest and I have some ready to bake but am afraid!! The beautiful things I am creating are turned into trash! Please help! Should I crank the heat up higher? Bake longer?
Thank you to everyone in advance and keep cookin! ; )
@MalindaJ: Do you use a reliable oven thermometer? I’m not sure what you mean by Corel. Is there some place where you could pick up a couple tiles … these seem to work best for baking. You should stick with a temp between 265 & 275 for Premo. And you should start by baking them for a full hour all at once. When you bake and cool and bake again you can’t just combine those times … your second baking should be at the full hour, this gives the clay time to warm up again and fully cure. So your final baking (for Premo) should be at least 1 hour.
Polymer clay flat pieces [at least the ones by Polyform, ie. Premo, Sculpey III, etc.] tend to remain somewhat flexible. Cindy used UltraDome on both sides of one of the thinner pieces she made to add rigidity.
@carolyn: Corel is a type of dishware and bakeware that are designed to be virtually unbreakable, I believe it’s some type of glass with additives to make is more break resistant.
@Ken H: I thought she might be talking about Corelle (made in Corning, NY) by I wasn’t sure. BTW: I had some in my motorhome, hit a pot hole while making a turn and one cupboard flew open and my dishes came down like a waterfall. Let me tell you, Corelle does break and when it does it explodes … I had shards of dishes all over the rig … in fact I just found a few more shards as I was cleaning for my next trip!
@MalindaJ: BTW: Don’t throw your ‘failures’ away! Cindy has shown us how we can use some of these in doing Polymer Clay Inlays (Volume 21-3) in her video library.
@MalindaJ: Malinda, I’d be willing to bet that the Corelle or Pyrex, or whatever it is that you’re using is causing your baking problem. You can get an 8X10 inch tile (smooth & glossy only) at Home Depot for $1.02.
I love being able to see all the things people have made. What an inspiration! We have some great artists here.
It is really nice to have the Facebook photo gallery to see how everyone is applying the tutorial lessons. Lots of lovely things. Well done Carolyn your stuff is lovely.
@Cindy; Do you want us to upload all of our work from each tutorial to this fb site? or just what we are learning now?
@Brenda: Brenda – Have at it! It doesn’t have to be just what we are learning now. Cindy says we can post any pieces and link to the tutorial. As prolific as you are – and you do suchj beautiful work, I’m in awe – you can easily end up with way more points than me. I couldn’t believe it when Cindy said I had the most points. But then you were on vacation and didn’t get your other pieces posted to FB. Remember Cindy did a switch on this one, so those that you just posted on your blog, with link, and you messaged Cindy about them, well, you have to do FB posting entries for them. You’re off and running ….
Beautiful beads all you growing artists out there. I love going to facebook and looking at each and every one of them in the larger picture. Thanks for having the drive to share all your work with us. I wish Cindy had enough beads so all of you could win a few just for trying. Great work!
Uuuggs, Peggy
@Brenda: I was just waiting for you to ask that question :-). The answer is to definitely upload ALL of your work to the new Facebook Photo Gallery Page.
And if you are also making personal blog posts about your jewelry creations (which I know you are, Brenda), be sure to add an additional comment to each picture you upload at the new Facebook Gallery page. Your additional comment should include a link back to your own blog, or Flickr site, or where ever else you may be displaying your pieces.
This serves two purposes:
(1) It gives you yet another opportunity to have people see your wonderful creations; and
(2) It ensures that I will be able to award bonus points to you in the giveaway contest… especially if you have figured out how to do anchor text (which I know you have, Brenda). Each one of the anchor text links at your blog counts as THREE points. If are able to go crazy this week by uploading all of your past photos to the new Facebook Gallery page, your point tally will go through the roof :-)
ADDITIONAL NOTE 1: I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again here, Face book does not allow anchor text links. This means we are stuck with having to use the big, long and ugly http web address format.
ADDITIONAL NOTE 2: To everyone who has already been featured in the two initial Contest Posts for Phase 3 of my Giveaway Contest …
#1 to #15 Contest Entries Posted – Polymer Clay
#16 to #27 Contest Entries – Faux Agates Popular
… please upload your photos to the new Facebook Polymer Clay Gallery Page. This will allow your entries to be counted in the new points and awards system.
ADDITIONAL NOTE 3: For all of you who submitted photos for the 1st Bead Giveaway Contest back In Jan/Feb of this year (see link by my name)… and also to anyone who has been featured in a Spotlight here at the blog… you are all welcome to enter all of your original photos into this new Phase 3 of the Bead Giveaway Contest. This gives everyone more chances to win some of those prized Polymer Clay Tutor Beads.
If everyone uploads pictures of their creations to the new Facebook Photo Gallery page, just think how great a resource that will become when you just want to go immerse yourself in a sea of polymer clay inspiration.
FB doesn’t allow anchor texts — so do we use it on a blog? I’m totally confused about this anchor tex thing. How is it done and where do we have to use it? I’ve managed to set up a blog , it took me a few days and I’m nearly ready.
@Cheryl Hodges: If the anchor text links stuff is really confusing you, don’t worry about it for now. It’s not required for you to participate in the contest. Just get your photos uploaded to Facebook to get started.
There are so many blogging platforms out there that it is impossible to have one set of instructions for doing anchor text links. But you are sure to find instructions in the help files or customer support documents for which ever blogging platform you are using. Look for topics like “how to turn words into links” or something like that.
WHOOOOOO I NEAD A NAP
UUUGGS, Peggy
Thanks for the additional Info, I just added my photos, hope I did them correctly
What a thrill to be able to see slideshows of all your work close up! Thank you all so much for contributing! Just love this site….
So now I have done the FB public link which I sent in to you and have just uploaded a picture to polymer tutorial FB gallery with a link to your video.
@ Brenda – Thanks a million for walking me through that step by step. I really appreciate you giving me your time.
@Cheryl Hodges: Anytime Girly , that is why we are here right :)
Here’s an FYI: FLASH! Polymerclaysuperstore.com is having a 50% sale on Premo! until 7/21. 2oz. for 85¢. I’ll post this in a couple places so everyone gets a chance to see it.
@carolyn: have you ever ordered clay through the mail? I am worried about it baking in the heat????? Before I recieve it. Anyone mail order their clay?
@Brenda: Yes, just recently, in fact, and there did not seem to be a problem. I’ve ordered most of my clays from Polymerclaysuperstore. Some are harder than others, but I’m never sure whether it was some I bought on sale at Michael’s or where. This issue had been raised before, so when I got this last batch – when they had Studio on sale – I squeezed the packages as I put them away and they seemed pliable enough. You must go through a lot of clay with as prolific as you are! 85¢ for 2 oz. blocks is sure a great deal. I just wish I needed more. I already stocked up … dang … think I paid $1 a block. Oh, well, one just never knows.
@carolyn: I just loaded up. Thanks for your feedback on the clay..
I have ordered from Polymerclay super store. No problem with the clay. The only clay I found that was a bit dry and crumbly was a big block of translucent I bought in NY from Ultrecht’s Art store. The packet was sealed so I don’t know why it was dry. I used a bit of sculpey mold maker and got it pliable again.
That must have been a mess! I know nothing is unbreakable but I’ve dropped a bowl or two in the sink and stood there and watched it bounce in the sink unharmed, I guess it’s all in how it hits. I don’t have tiles either, would two pyrex casseroles work?
Ahhh, that is what I meant Ken, between two pyrex dishes! Maybe I need to add to the baking time since the dishes themselves probably take some time to heat up? Thanks Carolyn about reminding me how to use the old bits! I do have an oven themometer and will double check but am 99% positive the temp is within the ranges you stated. Ahhhh, so, I will try to recook these at the full hour…probably longer even because I’m determined to not make fancy roof shingles, lol! I’ll have to check out this UltraDome stuff. I hope it’s cheap and easy ; )
Thanks so much for your responses!
Frankly, I think there is something special about ceramic tiles. It’s like the cooking that is done in ceramic clay ovens … it is just extra good. Don’t you have a Good Will or Habitat for Humanity somewhere in Philly? They frequently have ceramic tiles for about 25¢. You would want ones that are perfectly flat and smooth – they aren’t as pretty as patterned ones, but you need that perfect surface.
Hi Cindy! thanks a lot for your visit and your enthusiastic comment! I’ve discovered polymer clay some time ago and it has now become a real passion that I try to share with other people through my blog.
I go and take a look to your fb page!