“…not just a
teaching forum,
but a home where all of us can congregate and be there for each other.” ~Aims
It is hard for me to believe, but now that Jack-o-lantern season is over, Jack Frost is now showing up in the mornings where I live. The photo is of some of his glittery handiwork on the tall grasses in the vacant field beside our house. It’s actually very intricate and pretty isn’t it?
I’m feeling a little sentimental today. It seems with all my blog posts over the past (almost) 2 years (there has been over 600 of them), every once in awhile it is time to reflect.
So many new friends have been made here at the blog. People from all countries and all walks of life, come together here to chat about their passions for polymer clay.
The support you give to each other is so touching at times, it sometimes makes my cry. As it did in this post: A Polymer Clay Tribute, In Loving Memory of Vance, Her Biggest Fan
To all of you, as I sit here and read all the posts, I can’t help but cry and think, wow what a wonderful group of people, to care and share with someone that is hurting now. Your kind and encouraging words are an inspiration to me. I can’t help but smile through the tears. Vance always used to say to me “Never regret anything that makes you smile”. So I am glad I took this step, and I think it was just the nudge I did need to get back to it. Thank you Cindy and everyone one from the bottom of my heart. ~Jackie-N
A fairly new addition to the blog which I am very proud of, is the Spotlight Features. This is where you guys get a chance to showcase your wonderful polymer clay beads and jewelry projects, for everyone to admire.
I LOVE Cindy’s site because it’s so much more than instruction (which is excellent) but a community which I was sorely lacking. My coffee and I are here every morning to see the next dose of polyclay fabulousness. ~Melinda-B
As I read through everyone’s comments I was struck by Melinda’s reference to this site as “community”. I think that in addition to the wonderful teaching Cindy provides for us, the opportunity to put our stuff “out there” in this supportive environment can’t help but make us better artists as we learn from and appreciate each other. ~Elizabeth-S
Here are some links to just a few of the Spotlight Features:
> Keepsake Jewelry and Prayer Chaplet Made with Rose Petal Beads
> Jupiter Beads Made With a Clay Extruder, Scrap Clay & Old Canes
> Polymer Clay Rose Wine Glass Charms for a Cowboy Wedding
> Polymer Clay Studio Design Ideas | A Perfect Bead Making Set Up
To see a complete list use “spotlight” as the keyword in the search box at the top of this page. They are ALL so wonderful and inspirational to read.
I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel like this blog is my home in clay country. Where everyone gets me and I can just be me. A place filled with friends and where time flies by so quickly that the next season has arrived before you know it.
Cindy it seems we are going to keep you at it for ages to come. Whatever you come up with is fine by me, I’ll be watching. It is nice too to know others out there are doing the same thing. Makes it all feel very homey, somewhere to go to discuss it all, and see all the variations. Love, ~Elizabeth-K
Thank you all for making this the community that it is. Without you, this would just be a file on my computer where I put pictures and a few words, and not the place I’ve come to call home!
Thank you for your dedication and inspiration. I feel like this is my clay home too and an extended family. I read this blog in the morning most times wish I could skip work and stay home to Clay. I love spotlight features and the quotes form other clayers you include. These things make this more of a community rather a place where ideas are filtered through the blog owner.
Anna-Des Moines, Iowa
.
Just finished my morning ritual–turn on computer, start coffee, pour coffee, sit down at computer and open blog. Sound familiar anyone?
Needless to say there is always something special waiting and today was no different. Cindy, thank you for expressing what many of us feel, that this is our clay home to which we bring our creative yearnings and know they will be satisfied. Beyond that, indeed, there is something more, this sense of community, family, friendship. It would be impossible, I think, to identify all the factors that contribute. It certainly begins with your talent and generous spirit in being willing to share it with us. Maybe, too, in a world where egos dominate and there is very little genuine kindness, we, from all countries and all walks of life, as Cindy put it, have found an exception.
Elizabeth S. – El Paso, TX
remember too that ‘Cindy’s girls’ from the UK are getting together at the NEC in Birmingham on November 6th – meeting at 11am at the entrance of the glass walled garden in the middle of the complex – we want to see as many of Cindy’s followers there as we can.
There is nothing i can add to Elizabeth;s words so i won,t even try as it is just how i feel to, its like having an extended family in every country love to you all Ritzs wales u k
I just discovered polymer clay in this last year and like we all do I searched online for information and videos that would help me learn to use this stuff. I came across Cindy and thought investing in her beginner’s tutorial course was what I needed. At the time I was wrapped up in multiple projects and couldn’t sit down and take her step by step video and apply it to clay but I kept it all in the back of my mind as I read her blog. When I finally got around to sitting down and applying her teaching I was grateful for learning little things that I know I would have fought with forever.
Next step was signing up for a membership and I foolishly put it off as life got in the way once more. I don’t know why I didn’t think harder that Cindy’s bargain price for what she offers was something I could go back to over and over when I had the time. Instead I just read the blog and thought I’d sign up when I was finally settled back into my craft room and life.
Ha! Polymer clay had got under my skin and I started playing with it whenever I could and wherever I could. I took over the dining room table with all my tools and my laptop running Cindy’s videos once more. And! I had to buy back issue after back issue that I could have had for membership prices if I had been a little smarter. It didn’t matter. Even buying the back issues and catching up has been worth every single penny I’ve put into it.
Living where I do there is not one person I know of or any classes given on polymer clay. However – I can reach out to Cindy with an email and she has repeatedly given of her time and knowledge like she lives right around the corner from me and we have known each other all our lives.
Not only does Cindy give all she has – but this community also gives as well. I have learned so much from Cindy and from other clayers in the comments. I feel that if we all met in one big room we would all know each other immediately.
Thanks Cindy. I don’t feel so alone in my new hobby. And thanks to everyone else as well.
Here I am with my coffee thinking it is a good day for reflection. Hopefully you find all the wonderful and sweet things I see in this blog, teaching forum, and community that I have grown so very attached too. While I haven’t followed you from the beginning, I have looked back through your two years. It is a beautiful piece of work that shows your love, your passion, and your sweet spirit…. and it keeps getting better… Thank you Cindy… and to all of the extended family out there.
Love,
Melinda
Helena, MT, USA
Love the photo, Cindy. Jack Frost’s magic is such a splendor. He brings a life to nature that has gone dormant. I love the sunshine on his crystals and like so many wonders it doesn’t last long. So it does bring me back to the first time I found your blog. I was amazed with the amount and variety of instructions you have passed on to all of us. It is so fun to go back to the first days. What a road you have travelled and the inspirations you have given us. “Thank You” is so overworked but how do we say it any other way. This is certainly the nicest of extended families that I have come in contact with. Everyone showing concern when someone encounters a glitch, encouraging when the road gets rocky and sharing when success happens.
As I am retired my day starts out with a check on the blog to see what is new for the day. Not a coffee drinker so breakfast waits a bit so I can enjoy what is new at our clay home. Then time for the regular household chores and a trip to the spa somedays for much needed exercise. Then it is time to get back to the clay project at hand. I am still new at this and doing lots of practicing. Someday I hope to make it to the Spotlight that I enjoy so much. So thank you one and all for your contributions and the encouragement I feel so many days.
Joyce, in sunny Florida, USA
Great pic Cindy! I agree with everyone else, this is THE place to come for everything clay and we can never thank you enough for your hard work, enthusiasm, and great tips! This is the first site I check every morning (even before my etsy shop)! Keep up the great work!
Oh yea, I have been busy for awhile and not been able to really read or post. It is like missing old friends.
:( Everyone here is so supportive and inspiring and fun. And while we are all totally awesome!!! we wouldn’t have this community feeling without Cindy leading the way with her warmth and friendship. Thanks Cindy for all you do. We luv ya!!
I am sort of new to the polymer clay group. I was reading for sometime then finally joined and have been enjoying the videos, I am still in the early stages but I usually do start slow. I do like the wire work although I am still trying to get the loops the same size, I am left handed so I have to try and turn things around so they work out for me, But what fun it is. I also want to thank you for the videos I love the one with the crayons I am going to try that one for sure.
Thank You Barb in Ks.
I am touched by all the amazing comments you all have written. See, this really is a place to call home!
Hi Again
I am very happy that everyone was so willing to help me with the stickness of my charms.I did use the rubbing alcohol and the Future Shine..It took some time to get rid of all the stickness. I read you article about using the Sculpey Glaze and may try it when I get my next coupon for ACMoore or Micheals.
I do have a question about using translucent clay. I read on another web site that you have to place the fired bead( in my case charm) into cold water.. why is this necessary…
Also can I mix glow in the dark clay with other colors and end up with a glow in the dark that is that color and not just the ususal white
@Natalie: Hi Natalie, plunging your charm into ice water right out of the oven makes the translucent clay a little bit clearer. It’s not going to make it completely see-through or anything, but it does help some.
As for glow-in-the-dark (GITD) clay, mixing it with other clays will diminish the “glow”. I tried it at 50/50 and it didn’t glow at all. But if you want color, you can try alcohol inks. They’re transparent, so the glow shows through. Did you see the “Glowing Jellyroll Cane” video tutorial Cindy did a while back? It’s made using alcohol inks and GITD clay. It’s an awesome video. If you haven’t already, check out the video preview at the link. It shows how the colored spiral can “glow”.
BTW, you should sign up for the “Polymer Clay Newsletter” if you haven’t already done so. You get free color recipes, and 3 free videos. (Sorry, I can’t remember if I told you this already.) The link to sign up is at the top of the page. Have fun! ~Kat
Hi Again
I read you article about using the Sculpey Glaze and may try it when I get my next coupon for ACMoore or Micheals.
I do have a question about using translucent clay. I read on another web site that you have to place the fired bead( in my case charm) into cold water.. why is this necessary…
Also can I mix glow in the dark clay with other colors and end up with a glow in the dark that is that color and not just the ususal white
Sorry for the duplication..hit the button twice