“Purr is what you
will do when you slip
this gorgeous polymer
clay bracelet onto your
wrist!” ~Cindy Lietz
As you may have noticed from today’s featured Gallery post, as well as from previous ones (see Flower Petal Bead Earrings for another example of a recent Gallery feature), these photo spreads are included here at the blog to provide you guys with creative jewelry making ideas and inspiration.
Please use the comment section at the bottom of the page, to discuss the items presented… or to let me know what other projects you would like to see and learn more about.
Animal Instincts Polymer Clay Bracelet:
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Animal Instincts Polymer Clay Bracelet: Purr is what you will do when you slip this gorgeous polymer clay bracelet onto your wrist!Showcased by a handmade Leopard Print Polymer Clay Toggle Clasp, the one-of-a-kind Polymer Clay Art Beads, Chocolate colored 9mm Freshwater Potato Pearls and tiny glass seed beads, round out the exquisite design. The round focal beads ranging in size from 14mm-18mm in this bracelet, were created with my original Polymer Clay Art Sheets technique. The special process uses inks, texture sheets, stamps, copper leaf, a variety of different polymer clays and artistic flair. Each bead is hand rolled with care and attention and is one-of-a-kind in design. At just under 9 inches (23cm) in total length this bracelet fits a 6-7 inch (15cm-18cm) wrist comfortably. And although this bracelet looks substantial, it is light and breezy to wear. Animal Instinct is a special piece for that special woman who uses intuition to make decisions, and isn’t afraid to show her wild side now and then. Do you know that woman? Maybe it’s even you! Price: $65 (US) – If you are interested in purchasing the Animal Instincts Bracelet shown in today’s gallery post, then please send me an email. Be sure to include your full mailing address so I can work out the shipping cost for you. |
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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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What a yummy bracelet! I can’t wait to learn the Polymer Clay Art Sheets, so I can make delicious Art Beads like this! They’re so beautiful, as is that wonderful toggle I raved about last week. This bracelet has so many luscious components (love the potato pearls!) It’s stunning the way you used your Animal Instinct to put it together! Yay, Cindy — you wild thing!
Forgive the pun, but a Ertha Kitt would say “Purrrrrrrrrrrr-fect” (heavily rolled “r”)
Cindy, this is absolutely amazing. I was thoroughly “examining” this bracelet during the tutorial – pausing, rewinding, pressing my face up against the screen (wiping the smudges from the screen), trying to see the focal beads a little closer, along with trying to figure out all the components you used (potato beads, etc). I used to wonder how people noticed all those little things during the tutorials, but I guess I may be catching on!
I want to let you know that I’m now “harvesting” flowers, buds and plant material, drying them in my attic! Not only that, any time I’m outside or at the cabin, like this past weekend, I’m always eyes to the ground, searching for “possibilities”. Oh, and my son gathered a whole lot of empty mussel shells from the pond at our cabin when he was swimming, with beautiful mother-of-pearl on the inside! Now I just have to figure out what I can do with them! LOL!
@Ken H:Ken, that was a “purrrrrrrrrr-fect” response to Kat’s response!!! LOL!!!
@Tanya L: Mussels look great surrounding a mirror, but, I’d try cracking a few of them up and trying a raku finish embedding them in polymer clay. The iridescent effects should be beautiful.
@Jocelyn: Jocelyn, that does sound beautiful! Thank you for the suggestion!
@Linda K.: Thanks, Linda! All taken care of. I scrubbed them good as soon as we got home. Learned THAT the hard way years ago when my hubby decided to bring shells home all wrapped up and tucked in our suitcases from Florida. Yummy smell I’ll never forget! LOL!
@Tanya L: Soaking in bleach water works.
@carolyn: Thanks Carolyn!
@Tanya L: You might want to do a search on how to clean seashells. They can get quite smelly if you don’t.
PLEASE -another request for a tute on the Polymer Clay Art Sheets -it looks as if it has so many possibilities -fun -fun-fun. Soon huh ?
@pattw: Yeah, I think I forgot to add my plea for a tut on the Art Sheets – I was still focusing on the fact that it almost looks like whole pieces of flower petals, along with gold leaf, in the focal beads. And don’t they look like they’re multi-layered? They’re just so beautiful and ethereal. Of course, we’ll never know how Cindy does it until we get the tut, and we’ll have it so complicated in our minds until we see how easy she makes it! So I’m asking too, please can we have a tut for the Art Clay Sheets SOON?!!
Ok, this is of topic but I need help! Some of the chain on a few of my necklaces is tarnishing. How can I fix them and how can I prevent this in the future? Is there something I can spray on the chain before I use it?
@Carrie W.: Try doing a search here at the blog for PYM II (Preserve Your Memories II)… You can spray it on your chains to prevent tarnishing. Also you can spray it on your polymer clay beads to seal them and give them shine. Hope this helps!
~Lisa :)
@Carrie W.: What kind of metal has been used for the chain? If it’s base metal there’s probably nothing you can do to fix it because it’s not really tarnish. (Click on my name to go to my blog where I recently wrote about the different kinds of metals and how they hold up to wear.)
If it’s silver-plate, it could be tarnish. Unfortunately, silver-plate wears off quickly, leaving base metal showing through. The act of shining silver-plate is sometimes enough to remove the plating.
If the chain is sterling silver, then tarnish is your problem and you’ll need to polish it with silver polish or a silver-polishing cloth.
The PYM II would probably be great to keep new base metal shiny, new silver-plate from wearing off, or to keep sterling silver from tarnishing.
@Linda K.:
PYM 11- seems to be something else we can’t get. It cwertainly isn’t turning up on a google search.
Would any spray varnish wokr?
@Judy: Are you in the UK? I know that the makers of PYM II are working on getting a distributor there, but so far not successful. There are so many rules and regulations about shipping aerosol products. You could try other craft finish sprays and see how they do. I’m sorry you can’t get PYM II cause it is the best! [I sell it, but only ship in the USA.]
@Judy: No, Judy, unfortunately, most aerosol (or other!) sprays do not play well with polymer clay. PYM II is the only one I know of that does…
The following links to a comment on a Preserve Your Memories II post. It’s an update about getting PYM II in the UK.
There’s a previous update (Sept. 8. ’09) earlier in the thread about the difficulties involved. They’re finding it hard to find a UK distributor — a min. 5000 can order is needed because it has to go by cargo ship. I really hope that it all works out soon! Wishing you luck! ~Kat
@Judy: Sorry, sent too soon! The reason I mentioned the above is in case you or anyone else knows of a distributor or someone (who knows someone who knows…) who could help get this awesome product to Europe! :D
@Phaedrakat:
Thanks Kat. We’re not really a total backwater :-)) . After all, we did invent afternoon tea!
OH occasionally goes to Sacramento. Perhaps I can get him to collect some next time he’s over if it’s legal to ship aerosols in non-cabin luggage. There was talk of October/November, but I’m not sure.
Boy, he’s going to have a big shopping list when he goes next time.
@Judy: Be sure to check with the airlines before your OH (can’t figure out the O part of that) buys PYM II. I don’t think you can carry aerosols in luggage but I could be wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time! ;-]
@carolyn: I think OH = Other Half. Am I right Judy?
@Peggy Barnes: I’ll be teaching the Art Sheet technique next month… so yes the tute is coming soon :-)
@Cindy Lietz from PYMII Preserve Your Memories Spray on Polymer Clay: Yes. Didn’t want to write ‘Better Half’! :-))
@Tanya L: LOL! You crack me up — I got a laugh thinking about you peering every which way trying to see every component of the bracelet & beads. I’m also picturing your “harvested” flowers in the attic; it made me go outside (high 90’s!) to grab some petals, too! Your mussels story reminded me of many a beach trip that turned “smelly” a week or so later. Yeah, always clean the shells and empty out and check all bags & totes! You never know what kind of surprise the kids “discovered” for you… ~Kat
@Judy: …and crumpets! Oh, wait, that’s part of tea. Sorry — my bad! Seriously, I’ve been to your wonderful country many times; I know you’re definitely not “backwater!” I also lived in the Middle East (try getting supplies there!) so I guess that’s why I started to visualize ‘extreme’ shopping situations. But I really do wish you could get everything “clay-related” there. (Just like I wish Michael’s had MicroMesh here!) ;D
I’ll bet your shopping list keeps growing — it’s “just the way” with our fantastic medium, isn’t it? New ideas all the time; & they require supplies. Next time your hubby’s trip rolls around, you’ll probably be asking Cindy for a new list of “upcoming tute materials,” too. ;D ~Kat
PS: Don’t forget that PYM II has to be mail-ordered here — or look for CI SuperSeal at a scrapbooking store if you want to “buy off the shelf”…
@Phaedrakat: Kat, I tried that mid-day, where it’s been in the 90’s and crazy humid, and learned to wait til dusk! Another tip.. I grab my 16 yr old son and make him make a “basket” out of his t-shirt to toss the blossoms in! :) I have company while I collect, and he’s functional! LOL!
@Cindy Lietz from PYMII Preserve Your Memories Spray on Polymer Clay: YAY!!! We get the Art Sheet tut next month! Thank you, thank you!!!
@Judy: The reason I said to try other craft finish sprays is because you asked about coating a chain. Any craft spray should work on chains … but keep the coat very light or it will rub off again. This is true of PYM II also. The coating must be light.
@Cindy: I love the cool combination of patterns & materials in this bracelet! It screams both “fun” and “feminine”, at least to me. And I’m guessing it looks even better in person! Love it, & still looking forward to the tute on the Art Sheets (gotta have some of those beads!)
@carolyn: OMG! Sorry, I didn’t even see that part of your message. I definitely was not trying to override what you said — I thought that part of her question had been overlooked. I should have known better (that you’d be thorough.) Sorry about that!
Apparently my early AM bleary eyes do not work so well… Unfortunately, that’s the only time I can get on the computer undisturbed~
Thanks Lisa!
As always Cindy you never disappoint us with your beautiful creations. I’m with the others, hope a tutorial is in the near future.
This is such a lovely piece Cindy… the round beads in your Animal Instincts Bracelet have texture and are luminous at the same time! I was very interested before with the Hopeless Romantic Earrings, but now even more curious about this fabulous technique. Fingers crossed for a lesson soon!
I love those beads Cindy… hope we get the tute really soon!
While the bracelet as a whole is totally not my thing, I do really like the look of the polymer clay beads.
Nice, strong looking wire work on this necklace. I just love it…….Honey
Cindy, there’s a whole lot I like about this bracelet: the toggle, the clay-art-sheet beads, and the copper looks great with these colors. I, too, am looking forward to learning the clay-art-sheet technique.
Oh my goodness! I just posted a message and it disappeared!
Anyway, Cindy, I said that I like lots of things about this bracelet: the toggle, the clay-art-sheet beads, and the copper looks great with these colors. Can’t wait for the clay-art-sheet tutorial.
Cindy – I love the beads and I really do like the toggle. I’d like to be able to get that shape cutter that you used for the toggle. There is a negative comment that I would like to make … sorry … I think softer tones for the toggle would work better with these lovely beads. The toggle used here just doesn’t seem to ‘go’ with this bracelet, the colors are too intense.
Those beads are simply drop dead gorgeous! Cindy, do you or Doug take your own photos? I’ve been thinking of taking a photography course in adult ed. I edit my own with PS Elements 7 but would like to start with a good photo to work with. Sometimes it seems harder to edit than to make the jewelry.
Thank you everyone for your sweet comments and your tute requests! You will be happy to know I have planned to show you my Polymer Clay Art Sheet Technique next month in vol-028, so stay tuned for that!
@carolyn: Thanks for sharing your honest opinion. It shows that you must feel comfortable enough with me, to express a different point of view… which is great!
I know there will probably be a lot of people here that will agree with you. But I stand behind the design choices that I made with this piece. The bold almost jarring contrast between the toggle and the rest of the bracelet was intentional and is exactly what makes it special and artistically appealing (IMO).
Another less intense toggle would have definitely been a safer more classic choice. But I feel it is this clash that gives it a bold edge and makes it exciting. This contrast is the kind of thing that makes you take notice. A softer clasp as you have suggested would have faded into the background. Even though they don’t technically go together, the clasp and bracelet aren’t completely out of sync. The visual weight is balanced and the colors in the pearls ties everything together. I think the piece works very well.
You may notice some designer clothing on the runways that contain several almost competing patterns. Fabrics you would never think to put together. Many people would find these patterns and colors quite jarring to wear. But those pieces were not created for those people. Designs like that, which are outside the comfort zone of some, are exactly what others, who want to stand out, crave. Think Rock Stars and Celebrities.
So… although I disagree with your opinion Carolyn, I do understand your reasoning behind it, and respect it. Although this particular style of bracelet and how I put it together, will not appeal to everyone, there are elements of it that will appeal to many. And that is a good thing. The world would be a very boring place if we all liked the same thing!
@Koolbraider: Doug takes all of the photos and does the editing. He says, “…the two most important technical considerations are: (1) Proper Lighting and (2) A good macro lens. The rest is art and being able to ‘see’ your shots through the lens.”
@Cindy Lietz from Finding Your Artistic Voice: Cindy, you replied to my comment exactly as I knew you would. I knew what was in your brain … it just wasn’t in mine. Maybe it is an age thing! I even saw the color balancing with the bronze pearls. So, it’s not my thing … rather than just saying it wasn’t, I wanted to let you know why. And thank you for recognizing that I do feel comfortable enough here to express an honest opinion. You are a dear!
I loved the chocolate pearls, mom wants a strand of them, so I’m going to order a packet of them from Swarovski and hand knot a strand for her. Your focal beads to me seem almost like a torn watercolor version of the animal prints. Hey now, there’s an idea. Amazing what can come into your mind at 12:30 in the morning.
OH there are those yummy beads again! Still love them!
I was traveling yesterday and didn’t have a chance to say how beautiful this bracelet is. I love it!
Cindy, I LOVE this bracelet!! The clasp is a little bold, but it still works!!!!
Can’t wait for the tutorial…
Oh Cindy your bracelet is a truly gorgeous one of a kind. I am in love with those beads, and that surface technique is shear artistic talent of the best from the best. Doug without your pictures setting them off the way you have,` well you know a picture is worth a thousand words. The two of you just bring out what is the absolute best in each other. Once again the Lietz team has done it the best!!!!!!!!!!!! and ask so little in return.
Many Thank yous and even more Uuuugggggs, Peggy
I forgot the most important question. Can we have a tute on this very soon Pretty Please with a Cherry on top PLEASE CINDY AND DOUG!!!
Uuuuggggs, Peggy
THANK YOU