“It was
surprising to see
how many different
beads resulted from the
same set of polymer clay
canes.” ~Cindy-L
As I explained last Friday in the Mushroom Jewelry article, these Gallery posts allow me to show you guys some of the current projects I have on the go in my studio. The idea here, is when you see something that you’d like to learn about, simply post a comment to let me know. Your feedback will help to determine what video tutorials get filmed for the Polymer Clay Members Library.
Suggestions could be for specific bead shapes, cane projects, wire working, jewelry making techniques… or whatever else may be on your mind. In fact, your requests don’t even have to relate to the Gallery post you are commenting at. I’m happy to hear about anything you would like me to try to work into the schedule.
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I usually don’t make Circus theme jewelry pieces, but every time I look at this handcrafted necklace, I think of balloons, vintage circus themes and of the time we saw the amazing Cirque de Soleil in Vegas.This unique artisan necklace came to be, after making some beads from some Mitered Corner Canes I made using bright Summery colors. It was surprising to see how many different beads resulted from the same set of polymer clay canes.
Some of the beads had an Asian feel. Some had a funky modern style. And others seemed bohemian. But when I placed 3 of them onto the necklace with the front hanging hammered copper focal clasp, these beads ended up looking very circus’y. Funny thing was that even the clasp ended up looking like a balloon, which was never the original intention! The total length of this one-of-a-kind necklace is 19 1/2 inches (49.5cm) when stretched out, including the beads, clasp, hook and rubber cording. But it hangs more like a 17″ (43cm) choker when clasped. The unique copper findings including the dangles, the clasp and the cord ends were all handmade by me with the utmost love and attention. Three beautifully sanded and buffed polymer clay beads dangle from flame dipped headpins in the shapes of a lentil bead, round bead and a cube bead, ranging in size from 3/4″ to 1″ across (15-24mm). Price: $45 — If you are interested in purchasing the necklace shown in today’s post, then 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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Wow, Cindy, I love this new Gallery! The beads in this one are fun and they do look circusy–to carry it even further, it’s like a 3-ring circus, because you’ve got three beads on a ring. :)
I am crazy over your circular clasp/bail finding. PLEASE teach us how to do this!
Very cool Cindy! I would like to learn the Mitered Corner Cane. By the way, I missed you this weekend, but I made it thru!! (possibly having a new grandson born last week helped to ease the pain…lol)
@Maureen: Congratulations on the new baby boy! His mom was just in time for Mother’s Day!
First I hope you had a wonderful MOTHER’S DAY with your family CINDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow Cindy there isn’t anything about any part of your necklace I don’t LOVE. I would be thrilled to learn every part of it. At first I thought the rock or piece of polymer not sure what it is was a part of the necklace. I still think it would look great as a part of it. I would really appreciate it if you would add another picture of this necklace hanging with the clasp closed. I don’t know if it is just because I didn’t sleep much last night and feel kind of yukky this morning or what. But I would love to see a picture of it hanging the way it would around some one’s neck. Any one else like another picture or is it just me. I just absolutely love the wire work. The copper is awesome. I agree with the way the different combinations of the mitered canes just all look perfect. The colors go so well together. I just love every little inch of this adorable necklace. Congratulations on this wonderful piece of art. This piece just doesn’t look circus’y to me though. Just to pretty for a circus. Guess I just haven’t been to a high class circus. Need to go to Vegas. I am sure my husband would say Wow do you think you feel good enough to do something like that. So I am going to have to say YES YES YES to every part of this wonderful creation. I am in, 250% on the YES side for a tute on this one. Any chance you could or I guess I need to ask Doug could ya would ya should ya PLEASE think about posting another picture of this wonderful piece of art. I’m afraid my brain is just way to foggy today. I will take a nap and look again later. I just love this new Gallery posts. Another great idea from the Fantastic Lietz team.
Uuuuuuugggs, Peggy.
Pretty!
I’m going to be controversial here and say that I’m not interested in the Mitred Corner cane, because I could see straight away how you did it, and the complex cane you made from it as well.
That said, I can see a lot of other people on here wanting to learn it, in which case it’s fine with me, especially if you show us how to go “beyond” the basic cane.
I really like the idea of charms hanging from a circular piece of metal like with your Ivy/Olive necklace, and it may well crop up in some of my jewellery in the future!
Oh Cindy, the colors you used on those canes are gorgeous and the canes are really cool! Please add to your member tutorials. I would love to learn how to make a cane like the ones you have done.
Another beautiful piece Cindy. I find the necklace style to be very interesting and would love to see how it looks on your neck. The beads are very cool too. I would love a tute on the canes…
~Lisa :)
A Really unique look. I love every part of it. I’m especially interested on the balloon like copper hanging and the mitered corner cane. I think I sort of figured it out a bit but I would still love a tutorial because you always teach us how to perfect it and give us that something extra that makes it a special tutorial.
A really great necklace Cindy with a spectacular colourful circus theme. I am always amazed at your copper wirework such as the handmade clasp. Now that the weather is warming up I really enjoy working outdoors and not just gardening. I set up a gazebo and can hammer away and fire away with my torches with no fear of bad ventilation.
I too can figure out the canework but always still like your tutorials for the extra tips. You said it best – ” I learned by making mistakes…Now you don’t have to “
What cool canes and great beads! I vote yes for a tutorial.
I’m with Silverleaf on this one: not interested personally because I too can see straight away how all of the canes, beads and wire components are made, but definitely happy for it to be included for the benefit of others as the results are very effective! :)
Love all the variations and how you designed the final pieces. Count me in for a lesson on whatever might come up too :)
I like all of it, so a tutorial on this would be great. Call me dense but I can not see how the mitered cane works, but then again I am geometrically challenged. When doing new baseboards in my mothers bedroom I cut the same wrong angle three times, fortunately I had added extra length in the baseboard knowing my ability to mess up angles.
@Ken: Don’t worry, we know you have other talents that make up for any “angle problems” you say you have. Acting/performing, and making gorgeous, perfectly round Faux Jade beads are just a couple of them! (And we know you’re not dense!) :D
@Cindy: What a fun piece — I love it! Quite a cheerful necklace, and I love how it all goes together so nicely. The copper bail looks beautiful, I can see why Silverleaf wants to “borrow” your idea! I certainly want to use it myself (can I please?) Your beads are all so pretty, brightly colored and finished so nicely. And I agree, some of them do have an Asian feel, the tube beads especially. This necklace is something I would wear, for sure. Yep, I’m feelin’ this Cirque de Cindy!
I think the Mitered-Corner Cane is a great idea. It looks fabulous, and you can make it simple, complex, or even more complex! I’d vote “yes” for a tutorial on this cane. I imagine you’ll have the process perfected, with tips to make it easy for us to create — sounds enjoyable to me!
BTW, I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I missed you over the weekend, but did you miss us? Your first 2-day weekend, how did it feel — strange? Did you resist the urge to check in? I know someone (Doug, I guess) was putting in links, but what about you? C’mon, you peeked, didn’t you? LOL
I keep looking back at the tube beads — are they a bit flattened, or is it just the photograph? They look kind of oblong, instead of round…? And the background of the bead is mottled-looking, or is it slices of the other (pink/orange) cane? It’s hard for me to tell… Anyway, they’re cool!
The Mitered Corner Cane looks really good on cube beads (I imagine you really want your cane slices lined-up, though!)
Also, I love the striped round bead, like the one in the middle of the necklace. I’ve seen a couple different techniques for making these, but I haven’t tried them yet. My clay space needs another day or two of work, but I should be making beads really soon… (I was going to say “yay”, but I don’t want to jinx it. I’m gonna wait for it…)
This is so alive, I love it all. All parts are worthy of a tute in my book so I vote “yes” for the Mitered Corner Cane, the front hanging hammered copper focal clasp etc. A great combination….
Those fab colors do remind me of Cirque de Soleil. We saw them when they toured to our city. Amazing!
@Phaedrakat…thanks so much. Yes, my daughter (the mom) celebrated her birthday on Saturday and Mother’s Day on Sunday with her new little son and his 3 year old brother. Wonderful week!
This is truly a one-of-a-kind piece. As always, any tut would be appreciated, but I would love to have the wire work included as it is what makes the piece so unique.
Thank you everyone for your comments. I missed you too over the weekend, though I did pop in and read some of the comments, just to see how things were going. Mother’s Day was a bit of a bitter sweet day. I got to be with Doug and the kids and spent some time with Doug’s Mom on an incredibly beautiful sunny day so that was sweet.
But the day ended on a very sad note…
We were unable to spend time with my Mom because she was with her Sister in Seattle (my Aunt) spending time with my Uncle who has been fighting Prostrate Cancer for 11 years and losing the battle. They celebrated Mother’s Day and my Aunt’s birthday together while my Uncle watched and enjoyed his family.
My brother and I were to go and see him on Monday since he wasn’t expected to make it much longer, but late Sunday night he passed away.
I loved my Uncle Glen very much and am heartbroken. It has been very difficult for everyone and my heart goes out to my Aunt, my cousins and their families.
I thought I would share this with you since I haven’t been very quick to answer all of your questions and inquiries since the weekend.
With regards to this necklace and the canes, I plan to put a few tutorials together of some of the elements of this design such as the cane, the clasp and the flattened tube bead I’ve dubbed the ‘rocker’ bead. When I do I will show you more details on how the everything works, including how the necklace hangs, so for those of you who asked to see more pictures, you’ll be able to see more when I get a chance to do the filming.
For those of you who aren’t interested in a mitered cane tutorial, don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the cane design. When I first saw this cane, I thought it would be incredibly easy to figure out but it definitely has a few things to keep in mind when putting it together, which I learned through trial and error. That being said, it is not a hard cane if you know the tricks, so I’m positive you will enjoy this one.
Thanks again everyone for all your enthusiasm, encouragement, support and creative energy! You really are a fantastic bunch!
Cindy my heart goes out to you and your family! I will keep you in my prayers…
Cindy, I am so sorry to hear of your Uncle’s passing. You and your family are in my prayers.
Andrea
I’m sorry to hear of your loss, if it helps any, remember that he’s no longer suffering, and also remember all our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m keeping you and your family in my prayers.
So sorry, Cindy. Tragedy seems to be everywhere, lately. Please hang in there and my prayers are with you, too. BTW, love everything about this cane and it’s copper findings. Would love a tute. Love, to you and your family……Honey
Cindy, I just read about your loss. I’m so sorry. Too many people are battling illness or have passed away. Just know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know how you must feel and you will miss your uncle.
I would love this tutorial. I would definitely love to own a piece of jewelry made by you; I love this piece but then I love everything you make so i am keeping a lookout for the something special for myself.
Cindy, I’m very sorry to hear about your uncle. It’s so hard with an illness like that, so long and drawn-out. I hope you can find a bit of comfort in the fact he’s no longer suffering. Bittersweet day, indeed. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.
Regarding the proposed tutorials, I think they’ll be very interesting! I look forward to seeing them…
Oh, yeah. I thought those tube-y looking beads were different. “Rocker Beads,” huh? Cool!
I am sorry to hear of your loss Cindy. My thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time.
Oh, Cindy…… I am so sorry to hear about your uncle. My dad had Prostate Cancer so I know the pain your uncle went through. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Linda B.
Kansas City, MO
Thank you everyone for your kind supportive comments. It means a lot to me. I was very close to my Uncle Glen. In fact he was a pastor years ago and preformed Doug and my wedding ceremony, as well as my Brother and Sisters’ weddings, and of course my cousins’ ceremonies too. His nickname for me was CinCin and the memories I have of him are many. He will be missed.
And on another note… if you did not see it yet… Doug added a new photo to this post, showing exactly how this necklace is worn with the front clasp. My daughter Willow modeled it for you all while I made dinner last night. Hopefully this will give you a better idea of how it works.
@Cindy L: The clasp looks awesome! Willow did a wonderful modeling job, too. ;D
I’m sorry for your loss Cindy. My prayers are with you and your family.
I love the canes and the clasp! And the “rocker” beads look fabulous!
I know you and your family will miss your uncle. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
I understand your not being able to respond, it’s taking one step at a time. Please Cindy, give yourself the time to grieve, and don’t force yourself to do more than you are able at this time.
I love your beads and recipe cards, and am always so amazed at your ability to work with color. You are special!!!
I’m really glad to find this blog so useful. The necklace is very cheerful.
@Vivid: Hello, Vivid! Welcome to the blog. Very nice to “meet” you! From which country are you visiting?
~Kat, Riverside, CA US