Cymbidium Orchid | Polymer Clay Tutorial Vol-075

6 Videos #550 to #556: Sculpted polymer clay orchid flowers… perfect for pendants, headbands, brooches and home decor.

Warm Summer days bring to mind, scented breezes and gorgeous exotic flowers. Why not make a stunning focal jewelry pendant of a lifelike Cymbidium Orchid (using polymer clay), to go with your Summer wardrobe!

It’s way easier to create these exotic flowers than you may think. Using just a few easy to use flower cutters (or you cut the pieces by hand if you don’t have the cutters), and some simple-to-follow instructions, your home and your wardrobe will soon be filled with beautiful lifelike Orchids!

Posted just below is a Sneak Peak and overview of my Cymbidium Orchid Pendant Tutorial. The rest of the 6 part video series will be posted tomorrow (Friday, August 1st, 2014) in Vol-075 at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library.

BTW, if this Sculpted Polymer Clay Cymbidium Orchid Pendant looks exciting to you, please do click that YouTube Like button. Many of you have been giving the Thumbs Up to the weekly YouTube videos, which is great… Thank You! However, these monthly intro clips need some love as well. When they don’t get as many likes, it makes it look like they are not appreciated as much… which surely can’t be true with all the nice comments you all leave :)

Vol-075-1: Video #550: Introduction: In this 6 part video tutorial series, you will learn how to create my original Cymbidium Orchid Pendant design. Included are many tips, tricks and techniques that you can use to create this stunning flower in the colors and style I suggest, or your own. Truly a one-of-a-kind polymer clay project. This gorgeous Cymbidium Orchid Flower design can be used to create gorgeous pendants, brooches, hair bands, pins and other jewelry pieces. Plus these flowers are great for making home decor items and whatever other polymer clay creations you can dream up!

Vol-075-2: Video #551:
Orchid Petals:

In this video I will show you how to create a pearly color blend that is the perfect base for your Cymbidium Orchid Flowers. I will then show you how to use the petal cutters from the Wilton Gum Paste Flower Cutter set to create the three specially shaped petals. I will also show you a trick for using the same cutters to create much smaller petals, so that you can make a smaller flower if you wish. And should the Wilton cutter set not be available to you, I will share with you an alternative method of cutting out each petal by hand. So you will never be stuck without the right tools!

Vol-075-3: Video #552:
Texture & Wire:

In this video I will show all the tips, tricks and tools needed to make perfectly shaped orchid flower petals, including how to add a wire to hold its shape and texture to make it look real. You’ll learn how to give the petals a lovely ruffled edge that takes it far beyond, just a cut out petal of clay. This segment also teaches you how to create the perfect stamen for the flower center. Plus some easy tricks for shaping the orchid flower throat.

Vol-075-4: Video #553:
Color Dusting:

In this video I will first show you how you can give your petals texture by hand if you don’t have the texture plates I use. Then we move on to giving color to your Cymbidium Orchid Petals, using a combination of chalk powders and  mica powders. This is where your own creativity can really shine through. Go to Google and search for Cymbidium Orchids to find color inspiration, or use my custom color shades to recreate some beautiful orchids of your own. Of course you don’t have to use realistic colors if you don’t want to. This is your art after all! Also included in this video is a neat little structural support item that you can make, to support your delicate flower petals while they are baking in the oven. Plus tips creating pieces with lasting durability and beauty.

Vol-075-5: Video #544:
Wire Wrapped Bail:

In this video, the petals  come together to become a beautiful flower. The wires are wrapped and twisted into a unique bail. Then, this roomy bail can be hung from a chain, a cord or it could even be strung artfully onto a scarf. As an alternative to making a wire bail for your flower, you could use floral tape and wrap the stem as you would wrap a silk flower stem. Then the Cymbidium could be wrapped onto a headband, clipped onto a shoe, made into a hat pin, added to a picture frame, or put into a vase as a home decor piece. Anywhere you want a tropical flower, you can use this polymer clay orchid design!

Vol-075-6: Video #545:
Painting and Finishing:

In this video you will learn how to hand paint the spotted throat of your cymbidium orchid using a selection of acrylic paints. I will share with you my tips and tricks for getting the distinctive patterning. You will also discover the secrets to for making your own custom metallic paints and everything you need to know for creating a lasting finish on your piece. All the knowledge you will gain in this tutorial, will not only have you mastering the art of making polymer clay cymbidium orchids, but will also inspire you with ideas to use in many other types of polymer clay projects in your future. So enjoy!

Other Suggested Supplies:

• Water.
• Fine Liner Paint Brush.
• Fluffy Art Brush.
• Parchment Paper.
• Baking Tray with Foil Pan or Cardstock for Tenting.
• Uncoated Paper Clips or Stapler.
• Paper Towel.
• Preserve Your Memories II Spray Finish.

By the way, many of the “shopping” links I provide for the various tools and supplies used in my tutorials, are “affiliate” resources. That means companies like Amazon and the other suppliers I refer, pay me a small commission if you click on the links and end up making a purchase at their site. It’s not a lot, but every little bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials down. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay, even if it is a “sale” price. So please feel free to click whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for your support.

The full video series for the Cymbidium Orchid Pendant tutorial described above, is available in Vol-075 at the Polymer Clay Library.

If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials

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… Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my monthly library tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.

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The full video series for the Cymbidium Orchid Pendant tutorial described above, is available in Vol-074 at the Polymer Clay Library.

If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials