Vid #184: “Beautiful
Cindy. I love how the
bail extends into the
pendant itself.”
~Cheryl-H
When I first discussed this integrated bail design concept about 6 months ago, it sparked a fair amount of interest from you guys. And since then, it has proven to be a hit with both young and old. Here is a link to the original article in case you missed it: Timeless Polymer Clay Treasures
Cindy, way cool pendant! I love the way you used the copper wire to accent the bead. ~Lisa-W
Thanks for another great idea. I love the copper piece in the clay. I just ordered more copper from my favorite copper lady so I’m definitely going to try this. ~Bonnie-K
I love the idea of the wire in the pendant I must try it as I love wire work as well and the two go hand in hand, another great one Cindy. ~Ritzs
Too much! Oh, Cindy, another winner. But, golleeeeeee, I want to try everything you post and there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day! ~Carolyn-F
YES to the bail for an upcoming metal segment for me. I would love to learn how to do this one. I don’t think you could come up with anything I wouldn’t enjoy learning. Your tutes are amazing to say the least. Thank you once again Cindy for being you!! ~Peggy-B
Beautiful Cindy, I can totally see how your daughter and mom in law would want one too. I would love to learn this as well, the curved metal spine is really pretty with the shape of the bead. ~DJ
Yes, yes, please teach us the bail! ~Lisa-W
Alright then… I WILL teach you guys this unique wireworking technique. How does tomorrow work for ya (Friday December 17th)? Cause that’s when the Vol-031-3 Leaf Vein Bail video will posted over at the Polymer Clay Library. Be there or be square :-)
Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly 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 or Teardrop 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.
Supplies & Tools: Video-031-3 Leaf Vein Bails:
- Polymer Clay that can be formed into a leaf shaped pendant. I show examples using pieces of Rainbow Teardrop Blends, as well as a slice of a large Leaf Cane or Feather Cane. You could even use a solid color of clay if you choose. Once you see the video you will be able to decide what approach to use for your design.
- Small length of heavy gauge wire. I used about 2 inches of 14 gauge Copper wire in the demo, but any type of wire from 16 gauge to 10 gauge will work, depending on the size and design of your piece.
- Flush wire cutters.
- Round Nose or Stepped Nose jewelry pliers.
- Chasing hammer and surface to pound on.
- Metal File.
- Sanding and Buffing Supplies.
- Weldbond glue or other polymer safe adhesive.
The full version of the Vid-031-3 Leaf Vein Bails video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday December 17th, 2010. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.
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Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Leaf Vein Bails” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-031 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
There are no classes here in Southern Ireland so I had booked one in London at the price of £125.00. After finding your website I canceled the London flight, London hotel and London class (a saving of almost 500 euros). And I decided to learn from your site and spend that money on lots of the tools you suggested. So now I think I am just brilliant and I feel like an artist – which I am most certainly NOT. After work every day I cannot wait to get my fingers going. I have found my passion in life. Your videos are well worth the few dollars you charge! ~Angela-K
I watched the [Cookie Cutter Cane] video on my phone today — what a great tutorial! Just as everyone described… you found easy fixes for any ‘potential’ difficulties with this technique. The ‘cut’ is the one I wished I’d thought of when I tried this on my own — would have saved some time and angst! Thanks for this video, dear Lietz team! You two do such amazing work together, you offer so much to the PC world, and you do it for (nearly) free! While others are out there charging your ’90-day price’ for one written tute, you give us 12 wonderful, easy to follow videos full of inspiration and innovative techniques! Hard to imagine why anyone would pass on such an amazing deal… they just must not know about it. Let’s pass the word on, shall we guys? ~Phaedrakat
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Leaf Vein Bails video tutorial:
- See examples of several different leaf pendants and a pair of earrings, made using this unique wire working technique.
- Discussion of the tools and materials needed to create this unique jewelry piece.
- Learn about simple design elements that make this idea work.
- Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity there are many ways to come up with unique versions of your own!
The full version of the “Leaf Vein Bails” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-031 Back Issue Package.
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Billiant Idea Cindy! as always , I am looking forward to tomorrows tutorial.
Can’t wait until tomorrow. This looks like a winner too!!!!
They look pretty Cindy! I’ve been wondering about making bails recently because I’ve made some pieces using findings in a kind of dark gunmetal colour and haven’t been able to find bails in the same colour to match. If I could make my own pendant bails out of the headpins I have that would be perfect.
Yay Cindy! Once again I can’t wait for Friday..!!
Peace, Love, & Clay,
~Lisa :)
Don’t you love using wire with PC ? A match made in heaven Scraps just crying out -use me, use me !!! And now I will be able to -what a great idea!!!
Don’t know how you do it, but your brain must be on speed time LOL
My tools are ready. C’mon Friday!
Spectacular! Can’t wait for this one!
My brain is already thinking up ideas for this! (And it’s almost Friday!)
I just love these…they have such an elegant, simple line. You continue to spoil us Cindy – can’t wait! :)
Wow, just watched this video and I love how elegantit looks can’t wait to try this , thank-you Cindy! a quick question off topic, can anyone recommend good work shop I could attend here in England, if possible on a weekend! Thank you again! Anne xx
Wow these are simply lovely! I particularly like the earrings with the silver wire. Thank you Cindy. Doug, your filming is just getting better and better — thank you too!
Does anyone know if Vinivil, which is a white glue that dries transparent and sticks almost anything to anything, might work with polymer clay? I can’t get hold of Weldbond here in Italy.
Can’t wait to try this, now. Oh my gosh….how do you keep coming up with these things? These tutes are just rigtht for newbies like me and I imagine give ideas for the more expierienced clayers too. WTG girl….and Doug :).
am I the only one who can not open this weeks member only video
Thank you everyone! I am glad you enjoyed the tutorial. I’d be excited to see what kind of twists you guys can add to the design of this one.
@Kathy G: Sorry to hear you’re having problems watch the video today. The first thing to check is to make sure you are logged in with your username and password. And for more in depth trouble shooting tips, the link by my name will take you to some helpful info.
Really enjoying the videos Cindy, even though I am not claying this month. I have my colored pencils so can work on some design ideas and taking loads of photographs while enjoying being a snowbird.
Today’s video was especially inspiring.
Thanks
@Susan B: Sorry I missed your question Susan. I have never used that glue before. If someone else doesn’t pop in with an answer for you, the best thing to do is test it yourself. Make a sample polymer piece and glue something to it with your glue. Put the date on it and leave it for awhile. If after a few months, the glue is still holding with no adverse reactions, then it is polymer clay safe. Make sure to come back and let us know about your findings whenever you do an experiment like this. It is a great service to everyone working with polymer clay!
@Lawrence: Thanks Lawrence! Nice to hear from you. Get some sunshine for me and have a wonderful Christmas! Don’t drink too many Margaritas… but then again… why not! ;-)
@Cindy Lietz from Faux Druzy Tutorial: Thanks Cindy — I will have a go using Vinivil glue and report back.
Cindy, I don’t know what well you are tapping for this inspiration, but once again, unique, gorgeous, and unlimited. Never in a million years left to myself would I have ever thought of this technique. Kudos.
Thanks Doug. Sweet 11 mins.
Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to all of you. I’m spending one nite with eggnog and rum. Hopefully a fireplace, too. May Santa brings you all an adult stocking full of Premo. LOL!!!
I think the possibilities for amazingly unique outcomes is the gift of this technique. Thank you, Cindy & Doug for giving me another push forward as a wannabe pc artist.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
Forgot to ask–where can we get the super new tool you used this week?
Very, very cool project. Would putting a very thin coat of UV resin over the piece after the wire has been glued in also help keep the wire from becoming dislodged?
@Anne o: I’m still hoping that someone from the UK will pop in here and help you out Anne. In the mean time, you can try typing words like “UK” and “England” into the search box at the top of the page to find other places on this blog where this type of thing has been discussed. I know that there are several members from the UK that follow this blog, so hopefully you will be able to find what you need. If you click the link by my name, it will take you to a post about a UK meet-up that happened last year.
@Jocelyn: Thanks Sweetie! Imaging myself having an eggnog or two in your company. Have a Merry Christmas my friend!
@Elizabeth S.: I got those Multi-Size Looping Pliers at a local place called Capilano Rock and Gem but you can get them online at Contenti. Here’s the link: contenti.com/products/pliers/370-094.html
@Kathy Bloom: Putting resin on this type of pendant would be a wonderful idea. I just wouldn’t taper the edges like I did in the tutorial, because resin does better with crisp edges which keep the resin from spilling down the sides.
@Cindy Lietz from UK Polymer Clay Meet-Up: Thanks for the link-that is a nifty tool.
I used your technique today, Cindy, but had to use aluminum wire as I have lost my copper wire I just bought! Ok, where is that brain? I had it somewhere….oh, well. It will turn up in the fridge or someplace equally odd I imagine (the wire, not the brain).
Anyway, I made a sorta-leaf shaped pendant with remnants from Torn Watercolor technique in muted Christmasy colors with the embedded bail and I think it turned out great! I will post a pic in Facebook when I get a minute tomorrow. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions, too!
Did I mention I simply love the Torn Watercolor technique? It does indeed make such impressive looking beads or even shaped pendants and is so easy to do. I used the Betta Red, Beechwood and Succulent Green colors (lightened with a bit of pearl in all but the green–I forgot :)). Thank you, Cindy!
@Becky C.: Safety first, but, I checked the basement and found some too long copper wire rolled up as a builders insurance. If you are sure it is not charged with electricity, clip the excess and use. Also look into any cable wires laying around….inside some are copper, and you can strip it out.
Happy Holidays to all.
Great tutorial. I won’t be claying for a few days but will try it. It looks really neat.
Elizabeth, i bought my looping pliers from Fire Mountain Gems.
Where can I purchase the Weldbond glue?
@Susan Colvin: Hi Susan! Lots of places carry this glue, including craft, department, and (I think) home improvement stores. I’ve seen it most recently at Michael’s arts & crafts and Walmart. I found an older article Cindy wrote about Weldbond Glue — it has some additional info. Good luck finding it quickly…and have fun with your project! ~Kat :D