6 Videos #428 to #433: A wise bird of many faces… who happens to be living in my neighborhood.
With Halloween just around the corner, plus the hooting of a little Gray Owl who lives in our neighborhood as inspiration, I thought it would be the perfect time to share this tutorial for my Wise Owl Charm Necklace.
I haven’t actually seen this little owl myself, but I have heard him. Most evenings and even sometimes during the day, his “who, who, who-who” can be heard coming from the small forested area across the street from our house.
My friend Diane, and several of the other neighbors have seen him, and say it is a Gray Owl. If you look this bird up on Google Images, you’ll see which type of owl he is. He could actually be a she, but since I have no idea, I will refer to this owl as a he.
Any who, this owl has a sweet voice, so when I decided to create a little owl bead in his honor, I tried to give him a sweet personality… though, since each bead is hand sculpted, a variety of personalities have appeared in the tiny owl faces… including some that look down right annoyed! LOL
Another Polymer Clay Artist who lives in the Vancouver Area, Joan Tayler, makes wonderful bird beads such as Loons, Ducks, Robins and Geese. Her detailed pieces are truly amazing. Inspired by Joan’s work, I came up with a simplified method for making realistic looking feather canes you can use for adding wings to the owl bead design in this month’s Vol-064 tutorial series.
To add some variety, I’ve included instructions on making a cool time worn, faux leather bound book bead… as well as a stamped metal charm… and a hand wrought charm holder and clasp. This is a fun-packed tutorial with lots of neat information you’re going to love!
Posted just below is a Sneak Peak and overview of this months Wise Owl Charm Necklace Tutorial. The rest of the 6 part video series will be posted tomorrow (Friday, Sept 6th, 2013) in the Vol-064 section at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library.
BTW, if this Owl Charm Necklace tutorial 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-064-1: Video #428: Introduction: In this 6 part video tutorial series, you will learn techniques and tricks for creating darling little owl beads, with feather cane wings… as well as a time-worn faux leather book bead… a stamped metal charm… and a charm hanger and clasp to put the whole thing together. The ideas and techniques can not only be used for this particular necklace design, but for many other polymer clay and jewelry projects as well.
Vol-064-2: Video #429:
Owl Wing Cane:
In this video, you will learn how to create a polymer clay cane that mimics the striped feathers of a Gray Owl’s wings. You will then take slices from the cane to instantly add detailed wings to each of your Owl bead creations, without having to start from scratch for each new bead. I think you will love how simple this cane is to make!
Vol-064-3: Video #430:
Sculpting The Owl Bead:
In this video you’ll learn how to use some simple clay sculpting tools to create the most darling little owl beads! Depending how you make his shape and features, and how you apply the wings, your little friend can take on a variety of different personality styles.
Vol-064-4: Video #431:
Bound Leather Book Bead:
In this tutorial I will show you how to make a rustic, time-worn, faux leather Book Bead that looks so tiny and real. You’ll swear it came directly off the library shelf of the wise old owl himself… since everyone knows that owls love to read.
Vol-064-5: Video #432:
Hand Stamped Metal Charm:
In this video, you will learn some neat little tricks for using metal letter stamps on small metal blanks, to make wordy charms for your Wise Owl Charm Necklace… or for any charm jewelry project you like. You’ll also learn how to antique your beads and charms to make the texture really stand out. And you will find out which are my favorite products that I use for Antiquing Mediums.
Vol-064-6: Video #433:
Charm Holder and Clasp:
Lastly, in this final video of the series, you’ll learn how to make a custom hammered Charm Holder and clasp for your necklace, so that you can interchange your Owl Bead, Book Bead, and Charm, with any other charms of your choice. This is a simple, practical and beautiful design you can use for many different jewelry projects.
Other Supplies:
- Paper Towels.
- Stiff Brush or Toothbrush.
- Rubbing Alcohol.
- Old plastic gift card or credit card.
- Soft cloth or fabric for waxing.
- Mechanical Pencil or Pen.
- Scotch Tape.
- Ruler.
- Sharpie Marker or similar sized dowel.
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 Wise Owl Charm Necklace tutorial described above, is available in Vol-064 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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Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Sanding and buffing were two of many things I have learned, Cindy! My work went from very amateur to lovely because of you. ~Patt-W
Hi Cindy and all, just saw the Mermaid Scales tute. Love it! I have never been very good with the Mica shift, so this is going to help tremendously. As we all say, you teach in such a way as to make it easy for us to learn all these techniques, that they are not a mystery anymore. Thanks so much for this one. ~Elizabeth-K
Thanks, Cindy! As a newbie I’ve been afraid to attempt the “canes” thus far, but your video has inspired me to give it a try. I am amazed at the creativity of some of the canes I’ve seen, and have wondered how in the world one goes about figuring out how to assemble the picture they want in cane form. Thanks again, your creativity is inspiring. ~Michele-K
Cindy has some great flower tuts here on the site. What I have discovered is that almost, not quite all, but most flowers can be made using the basics of what Cindy teaches us. A few tweaks and you have a different flower. I could never have completed this project if Cindy had not stepped up and said “yeah I know how to do that”. We would have had to change the course of the whole project if she had not helped me out. And the end result would have been changed and the whole project would have lost the sense of coming together. I think that the blog here also has benefited from that same “we can do it attitude” of the Lietz family. The road trip certainly will bring all the members closer as a clay family. And I bet someday even far reaching places will get a visit. How I would look forward to that! ~Karonkay-C
The full video series for the Owl Charm Necklace tutorial described above, is available in Vol-064 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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Hey Cindy. I would like to take your class on the owl but, I can not find the link for how much it cost and How it works, Above it said to click on the download button and it will take you to the course but all it does is take you to a toolbar to download I did that and it still does the same. Sorry about all this hope you can help me out.
Hi Sherry,
Thanks for your interest in this Owl Tutorial. It will be available to subscribing members first thing tomorrow morning (Friday, Sep 6).
If you want to get going on it right away (and get the 66% members discount), you can set up a subscription for yourself at this link.
Or if you just want to purchase the individual tutorial series at the non-discounted price, then you will have to wait a bit, until Doug get’s it posted in the shopping cart for non-subscribing member (later in the month).
As you can see, one of the benefits of being a subscribing member is that you get access to the new content as soon as it released… on the first Friday of each and every month.
Cindy, Thank you so much for your help. I love the owl videos I am so glad I joined up with you.My grand daughter loves owls and I cant wait to make her one.Thanks again :)
This looks good, Cindy! Looking forward to tomorrow!
Oh, by the way, when I clicked on the link for the brayer tool above, the Amazon page came up with ‘Unavailable, not known if or when this item will be back in stock’.
Pity, as I’ve been trying to get one for ages, but everything I’ve seen has been too expensive.
Marion
Hi Marion! Dick Blick has two models, here. Also Cutting Mat’s has two identical models, 6 and 8 inches wide, here.
Is it me, or do polymer clay supplies and tools seem to be jumping up in prices? All of a sudden, it seems like things like timers, oven thermometers and brayers are getting more expensive.
After reading Cindy’s write up about owls, got more curious about the one that visits the top of the tallest weeping spruce tree near my window. Turns out, I think it’s a barn owl, and it just looks white and grey reflecting in our street lights. Cutest thing, just about a foot tall.
Cannot wait for the tute, it sounds like it’s packed full of great ideas.
Hi Jocelyn – many thanks for the links. Pleased to find some brayers within my price range!
Marion
Hi Marion, I fixed the link and put a different roller in there, though it looks like the one Jocelyn found is a little cheaper. Thanks for letting us know!
My daughter loves owls. I am so excited to learn how to make them.
Gonna love this tutorial! I love owls! I collect the carved ones and have embroidered large portraits of them. Thank you Cindy for a wonderful tute on this amazing bird.
My Mother had a poem hanging in our kitchen when we were kids and everytime we got too noisey she would point to the Owl poem and say “read that”. The poem went like this: “A wise old bird sat in an oak, the more he saw the less he spoke,
the less he spoke the more he heard, why can’t we be like that wise old bird?”
We always got the message……..:)
I love that little poem, Dixie Ann… can’t wait to start making little owls. There’s always room at my house for one more :)
I love owls too Dixie Ann – I use to collect them when I was in jr and high school but after we lost our home to fire I never had the heart to start again — But I still love them!
Cindy your owl is awesome the way you did his eyes caught mine right away and the cane is too cool
It was hard waiting for this months tutorial – seemed like August would never end;)
Oh Dixie I think I will make a wall hanging for my daughter so she can have her kids read that poem when they get a little loud. She always refers to the inside voice kids. If you want to get loud go outside and then you can use your outside voice. I much prefer your little poem. Like you I love owls. We have one living behind the house and you can hear him/her in the evenings.
Cindy I really enjoyed this video, all of them. It is just perfect and I can’t wait to make some wise old owls. And my grandkids love the book beads. They make great gifts for teachers. Love it! Thank you and Doug once again for a great set of tutorials.
Cindy, I love it when you make little critters, miniatures, animals, etc… Whether you’re creating them into beads or making them into something else, it is SO MUCH FUN to see you making these little guys!!! I hope you do more!! I made some little clay hockey players to set on the table when our team does their annual meet and greet next month. ? How cool to make some little Canadian hockey player beads!!! Too, too, cute! (And you KNOW they would love em in your neck of the woods) ;0) ~Sherry
Would love to see a photo of them!
I love owls. Cant wait for this tutorial
I saw the owls on your last video, and was hoping to see how they are made! Your paid video series are worth every penny!
Just watched the amazing owl series videos.
Loved it and liked the updated method of making the book bead ( which is one of my favourite charms for copper book marks).
It is so nice to think that Cindy always finds better ways to do things and then even better ways to update them. I will certainly be trying to make them, so a BIG thank you Cindy…. cheers xx………
LOVE THIS!! I saw the owl in your video last week and thought I sure hope she makes a tute for that cute thing! YAY! I was wondering, and hope I’m not repeating a question already asked on any of your blogs, but can I use some of my husband’s shoe polish instead of guilders paste? Has anyone tried that?
Hi Christine! I have used shoe polish successfully, the darker colors antique beautifully and it buffs up to a nice sheen. I use the wax based colors that come in the round containers. If you need to remove a little, alcohol on a Q-tip or paper towel works well.
Loved this tut! I can just see a wise old owl sitting on a book on one of the jar lids already.Btw would a texture hammer work on the clasdp and charm holder or do I need to work it first with a smooth hammer then go back and do the texture.
Hi Cheyrl, you can use a texture hammer without the smooth hammer first but sometimes it can be more difficult to get it to flatten out in the same way. It all depends on the look you are going for. There are really no rules that need to be followed in this case.
Last year when we visited my mom my project for everyone was a charm necklace for Halloween. We had little witches, ghosts and pumpkins that I had made of polymer clay. I think this little owl will be a nice addition to that. Whenever we visit my mom each of us brings a project to teach and put together. Some are simple and some more difficult. I think I will make these little owls and surprise them with a little gift for halloween that they can add to their necklaces.
Thanks so much for all your efforts and hard work to bring these tutorials to us.
How CUTE the little is!!! This tute will be so much fun to make. I see book markers in the near future.
Dixie Ann – you always have such “up-beat” comments. Enjoyed by ALL !!
Cindy -so glad you included how to make this charming ( pun intended LOL) holder too . Your tutes are so complete -from start to finish. A finished, professional looking end result> Thank you so much for all ,your whole family gives, to all of us.
Love your owl videos!!! You are one awesome clay artist!!!
so cute. another one to add to my collection. looking fwd to making these.
Great tutorial. I learned so much. Thank you. I would love to buy a pair of the pliers used to punch a hole in the metal flower charm. Any info on brand or who sells them would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Melodie
Melodie, I got mine at Michaels but you can google metal hole punchers and get a lot of links. :)
Thanks Dixie Ann!
I love making these little owls. I have 2 in the oven and realized if I wanted to make the little stamped charm I needed to get some stamps. If anyone else is looking for the Impress Art Stamps like Cindy uses in this video, you can go online and order them through Walmart. Most sets are only $40 and you can pick them up at your local store or they will ship them to you for around $5. If you go to the Impress Art Website or Amazon the cost is much higher. :)
Thanks for that info on buying the ImpressArt stamps at Walmart… had no idea!
Thanks Dixie Ann, I should have thought to google search lol. I just love Cindy’s tutorials. I think anyone/everyone who has an interest in polymer clay should become a member of Polymer Clay Tutor. Cindy’s sunny personality and knowledge is wonderful and amazing. I eagerly look forward to her tutorials each month. When the last series came out, I was not too interested in making that particular project, but I know that each series is always chalked full of great tips and techniques that are valuable and interesting, methods you can apply to any project. Always something for everyone. Love them!
Thank you Melodie for your sweet words! I am so glad that you are getting a lot out of the tutorials, even if a particular project is not your taste. It can be difficult to please everyone, but your words make me feel like I am at least giving it a good shot! :)
Cindy,
I have been buying a few back issues here and there to get various techniques. But – of course – there is always something else that I would love to learn that is part of a different back issue. I’m sure others have said – I don’t need 3 out of 4 of those topics in that issue, but oh that 4th. And then interest changes, and the other topics become relevant.
By the way, it will probably sound kinky, but the best thing about your videos is watching your hands. I can read descriptions of how to do things, but it makes SO much more sense when I see you do it. Of course your verbal description really helps too, but I love being able to see you work.
Thanks so much
Beth
LOL! It doesn’t sound kinky Beth… lots of people like to watch my hands! :) (Funny story, when I look at my hands now I am reminded of how my mom’s hands looked ‘so old’ when I was young and I told her so once. Now my hands look exactly like hers did then and I think I’m not old at all! Geez I should have been kinder to my mom. Oh well… my daughters making up for it. The circle of life, I guess!)
I just got home from a long, fantastic weekend of ministry and sat down to watch this owl series. I just finished watching the first one and had to stop and tell you how fantastic this is. I kept saying this is sooo cool, and I’m only on the wing, lol! Anyhoo, back to the videos. Thank you. :o)
Thanks Michelle! You’ve made my day!
While I have been using Cindy’s Owl tute for jewelry, I also placed a little owl in a tree on a memorial votive candle made for a friend who lost a son way too early. His birthday is coming up soon and his mother wanted a votive candle to light in his memory. Owls had a special meaning for her son, so this was appropriate.
Great tutorial. I loved the Owl in person… so cute…. and now can’t wait to try this myself. Thanks again I always learne so much from you. The other Cindy
Thanks again Cindy for another great tutorial, love the owl and book charms and can see so many possibilities with them for my beaded bookmarks.
Owls are special creatures and evoke feelings of awe within us when we see them – so it isn’t any wonder that sometimes we feel the need to add these darling birds to our accessorizing . . . :) These little darlings were put on rawhide cords (22″L self tie) and were created with the help of Cindy Lietz’s tutorials.
Wow Michelle these turned out Great! Can’t wait to try them also:)
I absolutely loved this tutorial. First thing I’ve made since last Nov. when I fell I’ll. I couldn’t work my clay. This little owl has inspired me to get creative again. I would love to see more sculpture techniques in the future. Awesome work!
Welcome Back Brenda! We missed you! Glad to hear that you are coming alive again, and that the Owl was able to pull you out into the light. I know things have been tough for you over the last year or so. I am pleased that you are doing better and creating again. You were once our most prolific student and it would be wonderful to see you back making what you love. Take care sweetie!
Took a class on stamping at my local bead store and learned more here on the “owl necklace” then I did there ~ especially helpful was to tape the entire piece onto the block and write the letters where you want them…..
Had a great time watching each segment ~ can’t wait to see more. Glad that i joined and will talk friends into viewing and joining also….marilyn
Hi Cindy,
I would love to start painting on my polymer clay pieces and would like to know if you could recommend if it’s best to use acrylic paint or watercolor and what would be the best way to seal the paint so it won’t come off. Something that maybe has a satin not real glossy finish and something that won’t yellow over time. Also, is it best to paint before baking or after?
Thanks!
Dawn
Hi Dawn, any good quality acrylic paint will stick really well to polymer clay and won’t need to be sealed at all. Brands I like are Golden, Steveston (Canadian brand), Liquitex, DecoArt, Americana and JansenArt. Of course there are many others that would work as well. Just don’t use cheap crap. Bargain brands don’t have enough binders in them and they will flake off anything that you paint them on. Hope that helps!
Hi Cindy and Doug! I Just want to start off by saying Thank You for all the time and effort you spend in the making of all these Wonderful video tutorials. Really Thank You! I enjoy them so much and have made such a difference in the quality of the things I have made… I had so much fun with the owls, they were actually the first project I made from your tutes.
I loved this tut! I’ve got so many projects lined up that I can’t decide which one’s to do first! lol!
You have really gotten me going and I’ve got clay everywhere, and for the first time in months, my pasta machine really needs cleaning! That is so exciting guy’s!
Take care, you and yours!
Joy :)