“Your contest gave me the incentive to try different techniques that in the past I didn’t consider.” ~Susan-D
Well there were only 15 new photo entries submitted over this past week, so this contest appears to have run it’s course. In all that makes a grand total of 120 entries… WOW!!! You guys did absolutely fabulous! I’m exhausted… but very, very proud of everyone who participated.
As has been the case each Friday for the past few weeks, the new entries (Photo #109 to #123) are now posted at the end of the picture gallery spread, here: Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway Contest
As everyone should know by now, each comment you make over at the contest photo gallery page, increases your chances of winning the grand prize… a special selection of Polymer Clay Beads handmade by me (Cindy Lietz, Your Polymer Clay Tutor).
So head over there right away and get your final comments posted before it’s too late.
The lucky winner will be drawn at the end of the day on Thursday, February 25th and then announced here at the blog on Friday, February 26th. Only 7 more sleeps to go… :-)
Cindy, I have to tell you how inspiring you are. I’m still relatively new to polymer clay. I’ve taken a magazine subscription and read everything I have time to that I find on-line, but nothing compares (at least for me) to being shown. My husband (who is my biggest fan and supporter) enjoys watching your videos along with me every week. He’s even dreaming about Premo clay :-)
Your contest gave me the incentive to try different techniques that in the past I didn’t consider. I guess it’s partly because I can’t ignore a challenge like this. That led to me realizing I should try everything you do at least once. When I first tried the Jupiter beads I couldn’t stop! I only have a few hours a day to play with my clay, but every night I found myself making more and more Jupiter beads. It became addicting.
I finally forced myself to stop, for now at least, and also try the other techniques in Vol-014. I don’t think the crackled Raku bug bit me like the Jupiter beads, but I did enjoy the experience of trying to make them. Now it seems I can’t stop making the torn paper beads. You’ve definitely made this so much fun. Again, thanks for all you do for us.
~Susan-D
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| ** Polymer Clay Tutor Giveaway: Links to all of the information about this fun contest are posted here: Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway |
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Whoever wins this contest will be lucky indeed! As so many have said already, though, this is one of those opportunities where everyone who participated won-I can’t tell you how many times I have gone back to the photos. I am richer for having seen how my “classmates” interpreted what Cindy has given us. Thank you all.
P.S. Do I still have a chance even though I called the jupiter beads I submitted “mobius” beads? lol. How embarrassing! I really do know the difference.
Completely agree!!!! This has been so much fun. First doing the techniques and then seeing everyone’s work. I feel like I’m in art school again, which I love! I feel young and inspired and excited about creating so I definitely feel like a winner!
The contest where everyone wins is a perfect way to look at this fun event. Thank you Elizabeth and Melinda for posting your comments here. It is so wonderful to have both of you as part of the community here.
@Elizabeth – I chuckled when I saw that Mobius-Jupiter slip… but wasn’t going to say anything LOL. Actually, Mobius would be the perfect name for one of the moons that orbits the real Jupiter out there in our great big solar system. Hey, maybe we should tell NASA about this… :-)
I knew that, (yeah, right). lol>:
Oh, no, I thought we had until the end of February! I just got my videos the other day and I was planning to do my beads this week. Next time, can we have a specific deadline?
Sorry, I didn’t mean that last comment to sound like whining. :)
@Linda K.: The pink heart necklace with the white lace on your website is so pretty. Did you paint it, or is it a cane or other technique? I noticed you teach a lot of jewelry styles — I can see that you like to try a bit of everything (beadweaving, stringing, chainmaille, pearl-knotting.) Of course, can’t forget making your own polymer clay beads!
I finally got my hands on Vol-014 about a week ago, but my back has been feeling so bad, I haven’t been able to clay. I’ve been hoping it would start feeling better so I could start some of the new techniques, but no luck. It’s been so bad I haven’t even left the house in, well, I can’t even remember!) As soon as I feel better, though, I’m going to do a project, even if the Giveaway is over. I’ve been admiring everyone else’s work for so long, I’ve just got to try a project of my own.
I thought we had more time too… I still haven’t managed to get a good photo of my faux raku necklaces. :(
Can I send more pics if I get them done in the next day or so?
@Phaedrakat
You are AMAZING! So positive and generous with your knowledge and compliments even during this bad patch you are going through. Your comments are all over this website and they are all so thoughtful and helpful. I very much hope that you feel better very soon so you can get claying again.
@Susan B: I agree – Phaedrakat has been AMAZINGLY helpful! I’m so glad you went to the effort of letting her know.
@Linda K and Silverleaf: Yes… if you can get your contest photos to me as soon as possible, and I will do my absolute best to squeak them in.
@Linda: I apologize for my dumb question above — asking if you painted your necklace. I wrote this same thing on another thread (the post where you mentioned wearing your necklace & getting a sales order — Congrat’s!) I thought I’d seen “lace painting lessons” on your website, so I guess that’s why… Please forgive me; it’s such a pretty necklace!
@Susan B: Thank you for your kind words & encouragement. I find it therapeutic to read (& write) about polymer clay when I can’t actually be doing it. It also feels good to help, if I can. I just have to watch it — I can get quite long winded! (I’m sure you’ve noticed… ;-) I’m learning, trying to keep it short! Thanks again!
@Cindy: Thanks! I love to help, if I can. It feels great, & I know you’re very busy. Of course, everyone wants to hear from the wonderful Cindy — YOU are amazing! But, I thought if I can help with the little things, it might give you a bit more time to work on great videos! Thanks for creating this great community. You are helping all of us in so many ways! I just keep looking at the gorgeous work of your students on the Bead Giveaway Contest page, and I feel so inspired!
@ Cindy: I didn’t mean to be a pest or disrupt your schedule. I’ll try to do my beads by Sunday and send you the photos, but don’t hold up anything for me. The point is that I’m going make the beads, and that’s more important than entering the contest.
@ Phaedrakat: You ARE amazing. I hope that you’re able to get rid of your back pain soon. I have fibromyalgia, so I know how chronic pain can wear you out.
I’m smiling at your question because I completely understand why you were misled–don’t be silly–never apologize for an honest question. Clearly, I need to do a little work on that website to make things easier to understand. I created my website 2 years ago, when I was spending most of my time painting, although now I’m more focused on jewelry. The lace painting that I mentioned involved a couple of different techniques for painting designs that look like lace.
The heart necklace was the result of my trying to practice as many of Cindy’s tutorials as possible in one project. So…I mixed the Peony clay recipe and used it with White clay to make very simple (I’m still quite new to polymer clay) bullseye and jellyroll canes. Then I made a kaleidoscope cane out of them. Finally, I used the kalei cane to make a heart bead. I didn’t pinch the kalei cane slices to make them meet, though. I wanted the core bead (leftover Peony and White) to show through in places, so it does look a bit more like it was made from a lace cane than a kalei cane.
Speaking of long-winded, I can sure give you a run for your money, LOL.
Linda, I’m so glad there was actually something called “Lace Painting” on your site. After I wrote that, I went back and couldn’t find it again. I thought I’d gone a little cuckoo… (I’m glad you understand where I got mixed up.) Anyway, I love how your Peony/Kalei/Lace Heart came out. I’ll bet that was fun trying all those techniques in one.
I’m sorry to hear about your Fibromyalgia. It’s so hard to deal with chronic pain. It’s been over 5 years of surgeries & trying to recuperate for me; it’s gotten so old (and so have I in the process!) I don’t know much about your disease/condition, but I’ve heard horror stories about the pain. I sure hope you have lots of good days and that it doesn’t interfere with your life too much.
There sure are a lot of us at this site who suffer from chronic pain. I’ve seen lots of comments from different people. Strange, huh?
@ Phaedrakat: You always make me smile. I know what it feels like to think you saw something online, but then you can’t find it again. It can make you crazy! I changed the wording on my website and I hope that makes it less confusing.
I’ve only been a member here for a few months, but I’ve noticed that there are several of us with Fibromyalgia. I’m very lucky because mine does not usually control me and I’m able to ski and play tennis. The less activity I get, the more I hurt, so I try to be as active as possible.
I’ve had back problems in the past, but never to the extent that you have. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Linda
@Linda K.: I don’t respond too often but read the blog daily..hmmm as well…you can add me to the growing list of chronic pain patients. I find it very strange too.
Well I am very sad to have to admit defeat but I guess I have to count myself out on this contest. I was so hoping I would be better in time to get some beads ready to send in and get that proud little kids grin we all have when we have accomplished something great. I have decided I will not claim complete defeat. As soon as I am up to spending some time at my craft table I will work at getting some beads done so I can send a picture of them to Cindy so she will still know how very much she has inspired me. I haven’t even felt well enough to post on the blog this last week. So I am slowly improving.
Yep I am one of those fibromyalgia gals. It only kicks me in the behind this hard 2-3 times a year. Otherwise I am able to move around fairly well. I enjoy my clay so much because it is something I can work on off and on and not have to worry about it waiting on me most of the time.
I do want to congratulate each and everyone of you for putting your hearts and soles into your beads.
I sure don’t envy you Cindy, having to pick out a winner. But because we have found your site and this blog and become the kind of family that can support each other with open arms and hearts, WE ARE ALL WINNERS!!!!!
HATS OFF TO CINDY THE BIGGEST WINNER OF ALL!!!!!
WAY TO GO CINDY and your POLYMER CLAY FAMILY – WAY TO GO!!
Love and Uuuuuugggggggs (the painless hug), Peggy
Peggy – I’m so sad to hear you have been feeling under the weather. But not to worry, whenever you get your Volume-014 beads completed, I will be sure to get the photos posted for you. By the way, the nice thing about doing a draw for this contest is that I don’t actually have to choose a winner. That would be a difficult. In this community, everyone deserves a place on the podium. How’s that for an Olympics tie in!? :-)
Peggy, you and your Uuuuuugggggs always make me smile. I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well enough to enter the contest — I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you around here lately. It’s good you’re still going to make some beads to send, though. Good job!
I was kind of in the same boat. When the contest started, it was a matter of $ (I didn’t have the money to buy the back issue.) I worked on Valentines projects, instead. After I finished those, I finally got the Vol-014 back issue. But by then my back wouldn’t cooperate. It started “screaming” louder than usual, and I ended up in bed (where I’ve spent most of my time for the last couple weeks.)
While it’s been an inspiration to see everyone’s beautiful pieces, I have to admit that it’s made me feel really jealous. I’ve been aching (literally!) to be a part of the contest. When the next one starts, I’ll make sure I have the back issue right away. That way, I’ll have lots of time to get some projects in. I’ll be part of it next time, for sure!
@Phaedrakat:
You are so kind. Why don’t you join me and send some pictures of tute 14 in when you get to feeling better. I’m sure Cindy would love to see your art. I know I enjoy it when someone sends pics to Cindy and she posts them for us to see. I could look at Polymer clay beads all day. They are even more beautiful when the artist behind them is someone you know and care for. Hope your back starts to cooperate for you soon. I hear tute 14 calling our name.
Uuuuuuuggggggggs, Peggy
@Peggy Barnes: “I could look at Polymer clay beads all day. They are even more beautiful when the artist behind them is someone you know and care for.”
Me too! I LOVE seeing everyone else’s work. And hopefully we can have another one soon – I like Carolyn’s idea of a competition where everyone sends in pieces and the entries become the prizes!
Sounds good, Peggy. Vol-014 is calling us, isn’t it? It’s actually been calling for some time. Yelling sometimes, even! Besides all of my back problems, I am also battling a “work area challenge.” I’ve been working in a “community area” (aka dining room) where I can’t leave things out (I have to put everything away, take it out, put it all away again, etc. It really puts a damper on creativity.) It made it really difficult when I was making the Valentine’s jewelry. So much so that I only made a fraction of what I’d planned. As soon as my back calms down some, I’m determined to get my work area set up right. That way I can actually leave things in their place (& work on them when the mood strikes or the body feels good enough!). This will help me so much. If I can complete that before the next contest starts, I’ll certainly make some Vol-014 beads and send the pics in. If not, I’ll still end up using those techniques; they’re some of my favorites anyway! (Maybe I’ll do combinations of Vol-014 & whatever the next contest is about!)
I agree, it is so nice to see the work of the others here at the website. I started a Flickr acct, but it only has one photo on it right now. I’m trying to get it ready so that when I’m up to it, I’ll have a place to show my things. I’ll put a link by my name as soon as I get some jewelry put on it. Thanks for urging me on, Peggy! It helps to have a cheerleader (and a kick in the booty sometimes, too!)
@Phaedrakat:
@Peggy Barnes:
Oh and I hope you guys feel better very soon, and I’m looking forward to seeing your beads! :)