With Special Mention to the Polymer Clay Crane Project Honoring Lives Lost In The Iraq War:
Judging by the blog contest prizes I’ve been winning lately, it appears that Lady Luck is on my side. Back in March a UPS box of wonderful scrapbooking supplies from Tim Holtz arrived on my doorstep. And this month, it was a jewelry making book from Craftside. Yippeee!
An image of the book (“Altered Paper Jewelry
Below is a tutorial video from the Craftside series featuring Host Stefanie Girard chatting with Author Jenn Mason about how to make a matchbook card and plastic tube necklace.
After reviewing Jenn Mason’s book, I have to say that the projects are very cool and ‘outside the box’. They use lots of different recycled and up-cycled materials. And of course lots of altered paper.
My favorite project is the Origami Glitter Lilies…. a sparkly origami folded pair of earrings shaped like Easter Lilies. The photos make me want to try them in polymer clay.
>> By the way, if you want to read an inspiring story about origami techniques and polymer clay, head over to Judy Dunn’s blog. She is making polymer clay cranes to honor those who tragically lost their lives in the Iraq war.
In addition to the origami ideas, Jenn Mason’s book also has many other projects that could easily cross over into the world of polymer clay jewelry design. So if you like funky, then you might want to have a look: Altered Paper Jewelry
Since this post has touched on the idea that polymer clay inspiration can come from just about anywhere, why don’t we focus on this topic in the comment section below.
For example, I am easily inspired by quilting magazines when coming up with new and unique cane designs.
You on the other hand, might get visions of clay while hiking through an alpine meadow in the Swiss Alps… or while preparing a gourmet meal for a romantic dinner with your significant other.
If you think about it, polymer clay ideas really are everywhere… even when you are day dreaming at work when you really shouldn’t be. So please do share your stories below.
Great project. I am off to the IPCA retreat in Chicago. Will keep up with the group and will send Cindy updates, maybe pictures too.
A chemist from Polyform/Sculpey will be at the the International Polymer Retreat and I would be happy to pass along questions if anyone has any.
My inspiration comes often from french children’s magasines and children books.
@Anna: I would love to get some pictures and updates of the polymer clay retreat you are attending. It could be a bit of a ‘reporter on the scene’ feature that I could post about on the blog for you. I know everyone who could not attend would enjoy that very much! Have fun! Can’t wait to hear from you!
@Louise: Those French magazines sound like a wonderful source of inspiration!
Oh hey, I forgot to mention… If anyone has some special requests for Anna to get photos or info on at the retreat, do pipe up and leave her a comment. Who knows, she may just be able to report on it!
Here’s some questions I gave her the other day: 1) Is Bake and Bond just basically liquid polymer clay like TLS or is there something added? 2) Would they consider adding the artists colors to the Studio line so the colors blended better? They can get pretty muddy. 3) Why is the Studio line not in any Canadian retail locations such as Michaels?
BTW the “Spoon Jewelry” link by my name, will take you to the comment where Anna talks about the IPCA (International Polymer Clay Association) Retreat that is happening this weekend. Click the link to find out more.
@ Anna
Tell us everything please!!!! Great idea to report, get a Lietz press pass. LOL! “Oh, excuse me, did I mention Cindy Lietz…I did? Well, let me mention her again….”
Here’s some notes that Anna took at the International Polymer Association (IPCA) Retreat in Chicago. She asked me to pass them along to all of you:
>> ANNA’S NOTES <<
Here is the scoop from Polyform chemist.
Polyfrom only ships PC to distributors on Mon, Tues and Weds so it is not heat damaged sitting on a semi truck over the weekend.
Premo and Sculpy III “white” clay color is determined by the product development team rather than a problem obtaining a true white. They know Kato and Fimo offer a truer white but do not want to duplicate their competitor’s shade of white.
The chemist did not know of any plans to add additional colors, that is determined by the product development team.
Liquid Sculpey and Sculpey Bake and Bond are not the same product. Bake and Bond is more like a glue while Liquid Sculpy is more of a decorative paint for tranfers or embelishments.
Studio clay holds it’s shape better while curing and will not droop during the baking process; no need to prop or support Studio pieces.
Phthalates have been removed from most PC; only Studio still has small amounts. Phthalate increase the PC shelf life.
Sculpey moldmaker may be added to Studio, Premo or Sculpy III; will have similar characteristics as Sculpy Flex.
Always prebake Sculpy Ultra Lite prior to covering with other raw PC.
They had no idea why Studio is hard to find in Canada as it is sent to distributors.
As of August, all PC packages will include the date the batch was made.
It’s so fantastic Anna that you are sharing this information with all of us. Thank you so much!
-I thought that may be the case with the liquid clay and the bake & bond. The B&B felt a little more like white glue in my fingers than the TLS. FYI: The link by my name goes to an article I just wrote about this topic.
– Didn’t know that about Sculpey Ultra Light. I have a new package of that hasn’t been opened yet, but will be soon.
– I did know that about adding mold maker to regular clay to make it more flexible. But don’t have any of the mold maker yet, so I’ve not had the chance to try for myself.
– Very glad to hear about date stamping of the polymer clay product packagings. We’ll be able to choose the one off of the shelf better and be able track the batches should some be too soft or too hard.
Thanks again! If anyone has any questions for Anna about the retreat, just ask. I’m sure she would be happy to answer!
You can add the mold maker to hard clay to make it easier to condition.
Only a little mold maker is needed to condition dry clay. A little goes a long way. Start with a very small amount of mold maker. Too much and your clay will get too soft.
Several years ago (if I am not mistaken) Fimo used to have numbers on their pkgs. and it would tell you when it was made, then they stopped doing it, don’t know why. It made it a good way to know if you had to buy the quick mix to soften the clay or not. I bought only Fimo at that time. Then swapped to Sculpey and found out it smeared when you caned and sliced. I eventually went back to fimo , and now Kato as well. Lynn Watts
Someone posted in another forum that the temperature in Iraq today was beyond belief…in the mid-teen hundred. Please remember those that serve there in any way you can.
Sandstorms to boot…a line from a Mellencamp song:
“sometimes life is just impossible to live”
No matter what you believe, please trust that these service and contract people are serving for you, and I, and everyone in the world.
@Jocelyn: Absolutely. It’s good to be reminded of this. I lived in the Middle East for several years, and that heat is something else. (While running from the AC in my flat to the AC in my car.) It’s hard to even contemplate what they are going through for us. The weather is the least of it. We should be thankful and remember them constantly. No matter your beliefs, or politics…
May I say how very much I like your videos. Your style of explaining and the speed at which you explain is perfect for me. So, as a “newbie” and having recently watch the beginner’s course, I think that it is just right.