Faux Knit Technique | Polymer Clay Tutorial [Video]

Faux Knit Polymer ClayTechniqueVid #187: “I make
knitted purses out of
batik cotton… how fun to be
able to make polymer clay
buttons that coordinate with
them.” ~Loretta-C

When I wrote this article it was a cold and blustery day outside, here in Vancouver Canada… the perfect type of weather to learn how to make your polymer clay look like a cozy hand knit sweater!

Although there are others who actually knit long strands of baked polymer clay, the technique I will be teaching you is a Faux version that looks much like the real thing… only way easier to make.

And since knitting has been brought up on more than one occaision here at the blog, along with special requests for more tutes in the faux fabric and tweed categories, I’m guessing this week’s technique will be of interest to at least a few of you guys…

I wanted to tell you how much I’m enjoying my membership (so much so, in fact, that I bought three back-issues today!) I’m definitely the “see and immediately want to try it” type. I taught myself knitting, crocheting, and the beginnings of viking knit, but it really is nice to have another person teach (since my mom does not know any of the above, she couldn’t show me…) Thanks for having such a great resource.
~Katie-C

Cindy, any chance of a “houndstooth pattern” or other “cloth” patterns Tweed, etc.? ~Ken-H

Since my baby is coming very very soon, my mom came to Alaska from NY and she’s been knitting non-stop. She offered to put some buttons on her creations and then I thought to myself, “why not make some because I just watched Cindy’s video.” :) They came out pretty neat (for a first set anyway) :) I’m very excited about this. Thought I’d share. It’s my first baby, I’m so happy that I can do something hand-made for her, as I never thought of myself as a “crafty” kind of gal hehe. Cindy does make it easy. ~Rada-F

Well… coming up on Friday January 14, 2011 (tomorrow), I’m going to teach you all how to make this easy polymer clay pattern in the Vol-032-2 Faux Knitting Tutorial at my Polymer Clay Library.

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-032-2 Faux Knitting:

  • Well conditioned polymer clay any color. To get a variegated look for your faux wool that closely resembles the look of real knits, a marbled chunk of scrap clay works brilliantly.
  • You can use your clay extruder and multi-hole (spaghetti) die for this project if you like. But to tell you the truth, this is one technique where I actually prefer not to use the extruder. Instead I’ll show you how to roll your clay by hand to get more of a hand spun yarn look.
  • Clay Blade.

The full version of the Vid-032-2 Faux Knitting video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday January 14th, 2011. 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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Cindy Lietz SignaturePolymer Clay Tutor

 



Click Video Play Button

Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<

The full version of the “Knitting Polymer Clay” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-032 Back Issue Package.

Customer Feedback About Membership Value:

I cannot say enough about Cindy and her site! As for the cost, I have saved the cost many times over just by saving on time and materials using her steps and tips and suggestions. The site is a huge treasury of information both for the beginner and the experienced polyclay artist. In addition, Cindy is the most wonderful person when it comes to customer service and answering questions. I am a beginner and I have had some pretty simple questions but she always takes the time to answer and usually she has been right on. ~Suanough

I always look forward to new posts and have learned so much by having this information available. Definitely the best money I’ve spent in a while! ~Arlene-H

WOW! WOW! WOW! Talk about the path of a new creation with endless possibilities. Cindy once again has worked hard to give us just that for very little cost. Then Doug captures it all on film like the artistic pro he always is. Blessed we all are to have found Cindy and purchased her tutorials, although I feel like I am getting them for free with the cost as low as it is and the quality is over the moon. So THANK YOU!!! BOTH for all the talent you so kindly share with us for free and the tutes you sale us for next to nothing. Lietz Team is #1 in my Book!!!! LOVE AND UUUUUGGGGGGS. ~Peggy-B

The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Faux Knitting video tutorial:

  • See examples of several different jewelry projects made using the Faux Knitting Technique.
  • Discussion of the tools and materials that can be used for this project… and why sometimes it is best to roll not use your tools in favor of just using your hands.
  • Learn about how simple and quick it really is to create this cool looking polymer clay pattern.
  • Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity there are many ways to come up with unique versions of your own!

The full version of the “Knitting Polymer Clay” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-032 Back Issue Package.

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  1. Anna Sabina, 13 January, 2011

    I think you have been reading my mind again. i have been trying to figure out how to simulate a particularly popular knit pattern. kind of got the colors right but I could not get the woven look. Hey, stay warm !!

  2. Bonnie Kreger, 13 January, 2011

    Must be the cold weather that makes everyone want to knit. This looks like it’s going to be fun. Polymer Clay Daily has a thing on knitting today also but her cuff looks like the purl side and Cindy’s cuff looks like the knit side. I have over 100 knitting needles. Some are very old (80 years). Cindy,I’m really anxious to see how you do this. Love the buttons and the earrings and really love that cuff.

    Is it Friday yet?

    It’s going to be 74 here tomorrow but we can still knit :0).

  3. Bonnie Kreger, 13 January, 2011

    I forgot to mention that I ordered some 2 part Simple-Silicone from Terry Morris at EpoxyJewelry.com and I love it for making molds. Watching Cindy using it convinced me I needed something better than just clay to make molds and this is really flexible and you don’t need a release agent.

    I’m making little bears and dogs and cats for a charity project and I broke a couple molds. I tried making them out of clay but it didn’t work as well as the Simple Silicone.

  4. pollyanna, 13 January, 2011

    This looks very interesting. I’m not a good knitter but this looks like something I can accomplish……..love the mittens.

  5. pattw, 13 January, 2011

    Where DO these ideas come from ? I never would have thought you could “knit” with pc. This is brilliant……….. Love th buttons too. Can’t wait til Friday…. Wowser

  6. Jeanne C., 13 January, 2011

    Very Interesting! I love the tiny scarf and mittens. Looking forward to Fridays tut. :)

  7. Peggy Barnes, 13 January, 2011

    CINDY & DOUG I love that you decided to move the tutorial previews to Thursdays. My husband doesn’t have to listen to me wine about Fridays taking so long to get here anymore.
    Then this magnificent tute, I have always wanted to learn how to knit. Now I will not only learn but with my favorite medium ( well kinda learn) That little mitten is so cute. To top it off that scarf and the frayed ends they looked so soft and real. This is going to be another one of my top tutes. You picked the perfect bitter cold weekend for it. All these scarfs and mittens are going to warm us right up.
    THANK YOU CINDY AND DOUG – for working so hard to bring us another perfect tute.
    Many Uuuuuugggggs Peggy

  8. Elizabeth S., 13 January, 2011

    Ditto on what Peggy said, and Anna, and Jeanne, and Pollyanna and Pattw. I’m sick with the flu (shot must have been a dud) and therefore don’t have the energy to compose my usual brilliant contribution to the conversation-I know all of you won’t mind if I borrow your brilliance just this once. I must save all my energy for whining and convincing everyone about how sick I am and that I need soup.

  9. Cindy Lietz, 13 January, 2011

    Thanks guys! Enjoy the tute tomorrow!

    @Anna Sabina: Just call me Oh Great Swamie! LOL (You know like the Swamie on Johnny Carson. :-))

    @Bonnie Kreger: I saw that on PCD… What are the chances we would post the same thing on the same day? It must be cold in a lot of places and people are thinking sweaters. I was actually going to do this tutorial last year but ran out of time before it started getting too warm and wasn’t appropriate anymore. Hope you enjoy it. Only a few more hours to go! Cool about all those knitting needles. Won’t need them for this technique though. ;-)

    @Peggy Barnes: *Blushing*

    @Elizabeth S.: Sending you some virtual chicken soup!

  10. Lupe Meter, 14 January, 2011

    @Elizabeth S.: Hope you feel better! Ditto on what Cindy said…sending you some virtual chicken soup, though wish it was mine! Take care

  11. Elizabeth S., 14 January, 2011

    @Lupe Meter: Thanks for the soup, Lupe. If there is a blessing in this it is that it waited until after our visit to hit me. Can’t tell you how special that time with you was for me.

  12. Lisa Whitham, 14 January, 2011

    @Elizabeth S.: So sorry you’re sick..!! :( I hope you feel better really soon!!!

    (((((HUGS)))))
    ~Lisa

  13. Peggy Barnes, 15 January, 2011

    @Elizabeth S.: So sorry you are sick Elizabeth as a matter a fact I am so sorry I decided to to join in and share some of that bug with you. In all seriousness I hope you are feeling much better. You need to start working on your knitting. Me too I can’t wait to start this tute.

    CINDY AND DOUG
    I knew I was going to Love this tute when I saw the preview. It is out of this world with possibilities. You really want us using our minds to their fullest capabilities. Now that is really stretching mine almost till it snaps in half. I have to be careful I’m not working with a full deck here. All kidding aside another one of my favorite tutes. The Lietz team has once again pulled off another fantastic brain teasing, many possibilities, mind blowing miracle.
    I Love being a part of this clay family.
    Then the thought of the next best thing to being in the classroom with you.
    WOW I am all for it. give me some notice and all the information I need and if I can afford it I will be there with bells on my toes. I hope I read it correctly and understood you would have to charge more for something like this. God and all of us know you deserve much more right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    God Bless you and Doug for all your hard work and everything you do for all of us every day.
    Many many Uuuuuggggs, Peggy

    /

  14. Elizabeth S., 15 January, 2011

    @Peggy Barnes: I’m starting another pot of soup just for you, Peggy. It really works.

  15. pollyanna, 13 January, 2011

    AWWW….poor Elizabeth…..you must be sick to ditto ALL of us. Well, hope tomorrow will be better for you. Get some soup and rest. You have all this knitting to do….

  16. Elizabeth S., 13 January, 2011

    @pollyanna: Knitting—-a term so blatently absent in my lengthy lengthy list of skills. What am I going to do? How am I going to balance sneezing, coughing, aching, whining, begging for soup AND figuring out how to knit clay?—–and did you read Bonnie’s post? The girl knows the difference between a knit side and a purl side when she sees it! No, no, no-much too intimidating for me in my current state of debilitation. I must email Cindy and ask her to cancel tomorrow’s tut and substitute one on how to attach the crank to the pasta machine. Y’all (I’m from Texas) wouldn’t mind, would you? (Cough, cough, sneeze, whine, slurp)

  17. pollyanna, 13 January, 2011

    Gosh, you do have some awful cough…I can hear it here in NY…..oh no…..silly me…the cat has a hair ball…..sorry, couldn’t tell the difference. I woudn’t mind a lesson on keeping that stupid handle on also. I just get going and it pops off and is under the desk. I have thought of putting the machine under the desk to begin with but, I live with my son and he looks at me with wondering eyes. You know the ones…..’what the heck is she doing under the desk’. I have to be careful cause we don’t live far from the ‘HOME’. Hope you really feel better soon even if you can’t knit….lol.

  18. Elizabeth S., 13 January, 2011

    @pollyanna: Don’t make me laugh so hard-makes it difficult to convince people I’m sick and need soup. Glad you approve of the tut change. I just know Cindy & doug are filming it as we speak—.lol

  19. Brenda, 14 January, 2011

    @Elizabeth S.: Sorry to hear that you have the flu bug. Ugh.. We have been dealing with someone being sick every week around here for the last month or so. I am sick of all the sickness ugh…… Hope you feel better soon!

  20. Elizabeth S., 14 January, 2011

    @Brenda: With all your kiddos around you must get exposed to every bug in the world. You all get better soon, too.

  21. Jeanne C., 14 January, 2011

    @Elizabeth S.:Gosh I hope we can’t get your cold via the blog!! Hope you feel better soon.

    As for the handle I wrap regular tape around the tip and insert it in the pasta machine and so far it’s worked very well. :)

  22. Barb, 14 January, 2011

    Glad I’m not the only one with issues about the dang cranker. I hate ducking under my desk to retrieve it too, there’s all sorts of things I’ve hidden under there, and for good reason.

  23. sarahwww, 14 January, 2011

    Love the knit polymer… So cute and to echo some others: Where do the ideas all come from?!?

    On the cranky pasta machine handle :), Cut the end off a disposable glove (latex or non-latex) and slip over the end of the cranky before you tuck it into the machine. Really helps!

  24. sarahwww, 14 January, 2011

    lost my train of thought; cut the end of a finger of the glove–just an inch or so.

  25. Elizabeth S., 14 January, 2011

    @sarahwww: Talk about a brilliant idea!! You’ve reduced pasta machine frustration exponentially. Thanks, Sara.

  26. pollyanna, 14 January, 2011

    @sarahwww: thank you….that seems so simple….will give it a try.

  27. Kathy G, 14 January, 2011

    I think this is just what I’ve been waiting for….I’m going to use this technique and make a bail…..I’ll let you all know how it turns out.

  28. Lupe Meter, 14 January, 2011

    Cindy, I always wanted to learn how to knit…this is perfect! I actually took up crocheting recently. Also saw the beautiful knitted cuff on PC Daily…beautiful! As soon as I am done with my daughter’s baby shower, I will give this a try! Thanks!

  29. Brenda, 14 January, 2011

    Cindy & Doug I love the tutorial as usual. I Have a couple of ideas floating around in my head as to what I can use this technique on. I love the “Twist” you put on it. XD

  30. pollyanna, 14 January, 2011

    Wow…..love this! Got to get the housework done so I can go clay. Thanks again, Cindy and Doug!

  31. Angela Kent, 14 January, 2011

    Fantastic! I wait for Friday mornings (Ireland) at 8:10 to receive my tute and I just have to go thru it before work. Where on earth do your ideas come from? The knitting is so cool!

    Thanks again
    Angela

  32. Elizabeth S., 14 January, 2011

    Cindy & Doug,

    I LOVE this and can’t wait to try it. Have you noticed the pattern of everyone wanting to know how you come up with these ideas? Here’s a thought—-you could do a feature for us called “A Day in the Life of Cindy’s Head”. Doug could just follow you around for a few days, camera in hand, documenting from the “aha” moment when you realize that you want to knit polymer clay or make cloth,design gingham, make opals, simulate animal prints, etc., and then show us every moment of how it comes to fruition. It would be fascinating stuff, I’m sure and maybe some of your creative process would rub off on us——just a thought.

  33. Cindy Lietz, 14 January, 2011

    @Elizabeth S.: Yes I’ve been noticing that pattern … about wanting to know how I come up with all of my ideas :-) … Doug suggested I wear one of those sports gear helmets with the embedded web cam hooked up to a live internet feed. LOL!

    But on a serious note, Elizabeth, you brought up something that we have been thinking about recently. And that is putting together a program that takes my tutoring to the next level for you guys. The idea would be to get together on a regular basis in a virtual classroom setting… where we could interact in real time… “playing” with clay.

    Obviously there would be extra costs involved to set up and run something like this. So I’m curious to hear feedback from the group here, before we jump in with both feet. Would this be of interest to you guys?

    And if anyone has participated in other online virtual events (i.e. elsewhere at other sites), Doug and I would be really curious to know what you liked and/or didn’t like about the experience. If possible, we would rather not have to re-invent the wheel so to speak… and hopefully be able to use a technology platform or system that seems to be working well for other instructors.

    So please let us know your thoughts…

  34. Elizabeth S., 14 January, 2011

    @Cindy Lietz from Pasta Machine Handles (Tips / Tricks): I forgot to add to my virtual classroom comment that I think the web cam in the sports helmet is stellar and should be implemented immediately—-the vision in my head of you sitting at your work table with a helmet on, all wired up—————————-priceless!

  35. Elizabeth S., 14 January, 2011

    Oh My, I can’t begin to imagine how awesome this would be! Please explore the feasability for us. To be honest, I have never participated in something like this so I can’t weigh in on the pros and cons, but count me as extremely interested and excited about the prospect of a virtual interactive classroom.

  36. Cheryl Hodges, 14 January, 2011

    @ Cindy: Awesome tutorial as usual! Yes, I knew you could knit clay with needles and I also kind of figured that you could roll out a thread but did not know how to get the twist so that you form ‘knit stitches’. I love knitting so i’m going to enjoy this.

    @ Elizabeth: Sending hugs your way. it’s awful being sick; I’m just over it myself’ still cough sometimes. My husbands cough doesn’t seem to be going and my two daughters and son are also sick with the same viral thing. Hope you get well soon.

    My friend is allergic to metal, shes okay with sterling silver. She loves my clay jewelry and I want to make a bracelet for her for her birthday ‘ i know she likes bracelets. Any suggestions about what I can use so she wont get allergic?

  37. Cindy Lietz, 05 February, 2011

    @Cheryl Hodges: Hi Cheryl, Doug just pointed out to me that I had missed your question from way back… I am very sorry about that. :(

    As far as which metals will work for your friend, she would have to test some different ones to be sure.

    Niobium is an excellent choice since it is an inert metal and it is considered hypo alergenic. Gold is also a good choice but expensive. Another option that works well is enamel coated wire. It is basically a glass like coating on the wire so the skin does not touch the actual metal.

    You could also try sealing the metal with PYMII (Preserve Your Memories II) and see if that creates enough of a barrier between her skin and the metal.

    Let us know what ends up working for you. I am sure the info would be helpful for everyone here!

  38. Linda K., 14 January, 2011

    I got the PCD tutorial, too, but i didn’t bother to save it because, [A] it was too complicated [B] I don’t like the look of the garter stitch (purl side). Cindy, yours is so much better!

    @Kathy G: I like your idea of using this technique for making bails. I think it would work really well for making a ring, too.

  39. Caroline, 15 January, 2011

    @Linda K.: Hi Linda ….if you look a bit further in her Flickr pics you’ll see a bit of faux purl knitting, and a link to her tute :-)

  40. pollyanna, 14 January, 2011

    I’m thinking about earring sweaters with eyelash yarn at the bottom and cuffs…..hmmmm. Too cute or what???

  41. Loretta Carstensen, 14 January, 2011

    Not only do I anticipate the fun tutorials that Cindy provides on Fridays, but I also get my chance to laugh. I can relate to the crank of the pasta machine falling too. Although I find a lot of lost beads as I’m crawling under the table to pick it up.

    My Knitting Guild is going to enjoy what I have in store for them using this Knitting with PC tutorial. They’ve purchased some of my buttons, but now I can add stitch markers, knitted earrings and bracelets, knitted buttons. Pendants made into socks or sweaters or mittens. Oh what fun I’m going to have. Thanks Cindy!

  42. Loretta Carstensen, 14 January, 2011

    I just got another idea too. Making shawl pins out of the knitted pc. I was recently at a knitting fashion show and they had a lot of beautiful pins holding shawls together. This would be perfect for that. Thanks again, Cindy!

  43. Catalina, 14 January, 2011

    This is super! This is what I need to complete my Snowmen! I have a couple of unfinished wooden nutcracker Snowmen that needs scarfs!! I was wondering how I was going to do this. But, as usual, you beat me to it, Cindy!! Thanks for saving me time!!

    About the virtual classroom, this sounds cool. Just wonder how it will work. What time of the day would you be doing this at? I think you could be 3 or 4 hours behind us in Michigan. Would you have different times for different time zones? Would you “tape” them for those who couldn’t be there? Sorry for all the questions – just excited!!

  44. Loretta Carstensen, 14 January, 2011

    I would also be interested in the virtual classroom. Would Skype be an inexpensive way to do it? I don’t know how that works with more than two people talking to each other. Look forward to what you come up with.

  45. Mrs Rainbow, 14 January, 2011

    Hi Cindy,

    I have in the last year been part of a couple of online language learning courses. Although the teacher was in the same country as me, Finland, she was down south in Oulu at the University and I was up her in Lapland. One course was more busy than the other… and had members from the UK, other European countries, America, Canada, Brazil and Thailand taking part.

    I don’t know much about how the system works.. but they used Adobe Acrobat Pro meeting. We would all sign in with a special code and could text to each other.. or the teacher.. either openly or privately. We had to have headset and webcam, but in reality many of us didnt use the webcam as it seriously slowed down the transmission. Occasionally there was a bounceback of voice too, especially when the person talking was a really long distance away!

    The teacher was able to load multiple pages for us to follow, to complete and work on all together, separately or in groups. We could see her and each other, or we could still our cameras or not have them.

    It was an interesting experience and I hope to join again this year. Better still.. it’s FREE as it is run by the university and in Finland, education is, on the whole, free. It is just the books etc you have to pay for.. if there are any.

    Anyway.. I hope this helps a little.. I know it is not related to craft, but it might help! :D

    As this is my first comment here in 2011… I bid you all a Happy New Year… full of colourful rainbows! :D

  46. Mrs Rainbow, 14 January, 2011

    *Up herE in Lapland!* LOL…. !!

    To clarify… When I say.. that we didn’t use the webcam.. I mean that we turned our own images off.. so the teacher couldnt see us.. just a still image. We kept being able to see her though! Which to us, was the important part!
    :D

  47. Elizabeth S., 15 January, 2011

    @Mrs Rainbow: This sounds so cool-I wonder if this is what Cindy and Doug are considering. Thanks for sharing, and by the way, please post more often! It’s so much fun to chat with friends all over the world.

  48. Laura Z, 14 January, 2011

    Another wonderful (and easy) tutorial. I can see lots of possibilities. Thanks so much for all of your hard work!

  49. Jocelyn, 14 January, 2011

    Love this tutorial, this technique looks so much like the real thing! Extraordinarily easy, also. Think might use cookie cutters to imbed tarsa or scandinavian knit designs.

    Great idea for creating “fabric” for mittens and shoes for those 18 inch historical dolls, which are shaped to stay on.

    I see sparkle threads added, sort of like the ones that Adrienne wears in her hair on Housewives of Beverly Hills. And I can see shades of green making great sweater shrubs and trees for Christmas ornaments. A white cedar springs to mind, stuffed with it’s blue berries. Only ecause I am surrounded by them.

    Easy method too, wish I could wear it, LOL!!

    Elizabeth, sure hope you feel better soon.

    Cindy, would be interested in any way you and Doug think you can chart new territory in the tutorial market. Having an intimate group of us, and being able to ask live questions almost sounds too good to be true.

  50. Cheryl Hodges, 14 January, 2011

    I have a problem with the handle of the clay machine falling off. will try wrapping it. Thanks for the tip.

  51. Lisa Whitham, 14 January, 2011

    @Cindy Lietz: Loved this tute! I’ve got a pair of mittens in the works right now. I’ve got a question though – when you use eyelets with your polymer clay pieces what type of glue do you use to glue them in? Or do you really “set” them with a hammer?
    I also love the idea of an interactive classroom! But having to buy a webcam and headset, hmmm, does anybody have a rough idea how much that would cost? I think I might have to save up for a while to get that kind of equipment. How far in advance could we be notified if we end up needing them? This idea is very exciting! Cindy, it would almost be like meeting you in person and that would be a great thing…!!! :)

    Peace, Love, & Clay,
    ~Lisa :)

  52. Cindy Lietz, 19 January, 2011

    First of all I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful feedback about this “Knitting” tutorial, and on the discussion of the virtual classroom idea. Doug and I really appreciate the help and Doug says he is collecting your ideas and taking notes. I think it is a concept that could work very well as a next stage of your learning experience. So stay tuned for new developments in this area.

    Next I wanted to say I have enjoyed the playful conversation. Don’t have any Purple Goat or Pink Giraffe PJ’s with feet in them, but they do sound cozy and perfect for making beads in! ;-)

    Just thought I’d better pop in here and answer Lisa’s question before it gets completely buried. Hopefully I didn’t miss anyone else.

    @Lisa Whitham: I actually set that particular grommet with a hammer (carefully and slowly as to not crack the clay). But sometimes on thicker projects it needs to be glued in after baking. I use Weldbond for that… surprise, surprise!

  53. Lisa Whitham, 25 January, 2011

    @Cindy Lietz from Weldbond Glue perfect for Polymer: Thanks for answering my question Cindy. Looking forward to hearing more about a possible virtual classroom. Sounds so very interesting!

    Keep On Clayin’,
    ~Lisa :)

  54. Lisa Whitham, 14 January, 2011

    @Everyone: If you are interested, and you haven’t seen them on Facebook already, you can now see photo’s of my polymer clay beads and jewelry on Flickr. You can click my name and it links right to my Flickr page.

    Keep on Clayin’,
    ~Lisa :)

  55. Becky C., 15 January, 2011

    Jocelyn, I was thinking about doing Fair Isle-type “knitting,” too, with cookie cutters or just cutting tiny diamonds of 2 colors and insetting one in the other! Wouldn’t that be just cute? I love the idea of an interactive classroom, too, if it can be arranged not too expensively.

    I also hope those of you down with the sickness right now get better really soon!

    Love to all,
    Becky

  56. Elizabeth S., 15 January, 2011

    Thank you everyone for wishing me back to good health. Your kindness worked as I woke up feeling almost human this morning. The “soup” was delicious- and virtual though it was, I have never tasted better.

  57. Silverleaf, 15 January, 2011

    The Virtual Classroom idea sounds interesting! Lisa, you can get webcams and microphones really cheaply nowadays. I paid £5 for my mike a few years ago and webcams aren’t much more expensive.

    And I’ve used Yahoo Messenger to communicate with groups of people by instant messaging, webcam and voice, and it’s really easy.

  58. Lisa Whitham, 15 January, 2011

    @Silverleaf: Thanks Anna! Good to know they affordable!! Let’s see, 5 pounds would be roughly $7-8 here so that is very reasonable! I can’t wait to see what Cindy and Doug come up with for an interactive classroom!! This is exciting news! Except we won’t be able to wear our PJ’s for our lessons anymore… *LOL*

    Clay On,
    ~Lisa :)

  59. Kathy Bloom, 15 January, 2011

    I love to knit so this is really cool for me to see it done in clay. A virtual classroom would be great fun. Would we all be able to talk to each other?
    About losing the handle for the pasta machine. I tried tying it to my workbench with a piece of ribbon and that worked for awhile until the ribbon got frayed from getting wrapped around the handle too many times. Then I started having problems with my wrists and bought a motor. No more losing the handle!

  60. Catalina, 15 January, 2011

    @Kathy Bloom: Hi, Kathy! Tried masking tape on the handle or plumber’s tape or duct tape. I have duct tape, it was what I had on hand at the time, and it works very well. It has been almost two years since I did it, too! How do you like the motor? I think the sound would scare my dogs.

  61. Kathy Bloom, 15 January, 2011

    I like the motor. It does make a funny noise, but it sure makes quick work of conditioning the clay.

    Lisa, we can still wear our PJ’s. They just have to be rated PG :)

  62. pollyanna, 15 January, 2011

    @Kathy Bloom: LOL……who are the PJ police?

  63. Catalina, 15 January, 2011

    @Kathy Bloom: I was just informed by my electrican, aka Hubby, that I need to have my basement office/craft room rewired for more outlets. I guess he thinks I have too many things that need power. So, if I tell him I wanted to get a motor pasta machine he would tell me no! Only because he thinks that would be the only excerise I would get all day!! LOL!! And my “Art Director”, Princess Daisy, would have to aprove it and I’m sure that would be a no, too! Especially, since she just got the whole “spa” treatment (bath, trim, nails) and she is not happy with me right now. :)

  64. Elizabeth S., 15 January, 2011

    @Kathy Bloom: Ah, by “PG”, you must be referring to the “P”ink “G”iraffes which adorn my flannel zip-ups with the feet in them. Funniest thing-I keep finding them in the trash and Manny(hubby) keeps putting the Victoria’s Secret catalogues all over the house. Thank heavens I find them before they are lost forever; I know he thinks I am adorable when I wear them. I just don’t understand—–

    Anyway, I remain totally comitted to exploring the idea of a virtual classroom. Can’t wait to see what Cindy And doug propose for us.

  65. Catalina, 15 January, 2011

    @Elizabeth S.: Oh my gosh! I got a pair just like it!! I just love the feet, too! Glad you “found” them I would die if I lost mine!! LOL!!! (Actually, mine are “P”urple “G”oats! Don’t tell anyone.)

    P.S. I bet if Cindy and Doug get this virtual classroom off the ground the two of us will be sent to the corner!! :)

  66. Elizabeth S., 15 January, 2011

    @Catalina: Be still my heart! Purple goat pajamas are to die for! I only hope that one day I can add a pair to my collection, too.

    As far as being put in the corner, you are probably right but we’ll have fun anyway. It’s just that the world is not ready for fashion forward divas such as ourselves.

  67. Elizabeth S., 15 January, 2011

    Thank you to everyone for chiming in on how to solve the uncooporative pasta machine handle problem. I just love the sharing that goes on here.

  68. Silverleaf, 17 January, 2011

    I don’t own or wear PJs, so I guess I’ll get sent out of the classroom altogether, lol! ;)

    It would be really good to chat in real time – who’s up for Facebook chat, or instant messaging? I’m usually up late-ish so the time difference wouldn’t be a problem…

  69. pollyanna, 17 January, 2011

    @Silverleaf: Maybe we could make a poly clay rectangle like thet have on the news so we don’t see a person’s ‘parts’.

  70. Phaedrakat, 19 January, 2011

    @pollyanna: LOL!

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