Polymer Clay Faux Pebbles and Millefiori Flower Cane Beads

Spotlight: “I am in love with polymer clay, and think this hobby is going to last for many years.” ~Zuleykha-M

One of the most exciting things that is happening in the polymer clay world today, is how artists are connecting from all around the globe. Russia is just one of the countries that is embracing this wonderful medium in a big way.

Today’s Spotlight features Zuleykha McMillan, who is Russian born and now living in the UK. Her passion, her quick absorption of knowledge and her hunger for more is exhilarating to see!

Related links for today’s spotlight include: (1) Faux Pebble Beads; (2) Disc Beads; (3) Leaf Cane; (4) Polymer Clay In Russia and
(5) UK Polymer Clay.

Here’s What Zuleykha Wrote:

Hi Cindy,

I am originally from Russia, but now I live in the UK, Newcastle upon Tyne, where I moved 5 years ago. My profession is a chemist, and my day job is teaching chemistry at the University. At nights I do crafting :) I started playing with polymer clay nearly a year ago, last Christmas. I found pictures of some beautiful works in polymer clay on Internet, and got really interested, started searching for information on polymer clay. When I had enough information in my head I bought myself lots of clay for Christmas and my new biggest addiction began!

My main passion in clay at the moment is millefiori [see photos below], I love making canes, I love the magic of that moment when you cut reduced cane and see the picture inside it. Even if that picture is simple stripes :)) Although I’ve been working with clay for less than a year, I feel like it is my thing, I am in love with polymer clay, and think this hobby is going to last for many years. I still find a lot of things in claying quite challenging, and not everything comes out as I want it. So I hope, that if I try again and try harder, eventually clay will do everything I want it to do :)))

I love watching your tutorials, and seeing your hard work! Most of it I already know, and I just watch your vids because I enjoy watching someone (and you in particular :) ) working with clay. I am normally at work when I watch your videos, and it makes me want to go home to my clay table and make more and more beads :)))

One thing in particular which your video lessons inspired me to make, is faux pebbles [see top photo]! I’ve seen people making them and I knew the theory of it, but I didn’t have any success on mixing clay with dry powders on my own. It worked only after I saw you doing it in your “Faux pebbles” video! :))

Thank you very much, Cindy :) Regards and best wishes.

~Zuleykha McMillan (Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK)

For having less than a year of experience Zuleykha, your work is amazing! Without a doubt, polymer clay is definitely your thing!

I love your funky faux pebbles especially the black heart shaped one. And your Millefiori flower canes are wonderful! On the pink disc beads, the way you turned up the petals on the ends, adds a lot of character. And I also really like how you lightened the look of your flowers and leaf canes by using white as the outlines instead of black.

I am excited to see how far you take your love for this medium. How about everyone else… are you guys as impressed with her work as I am? Please show your support in the in the comments below!

** If you have been inspired by my teachings and would like to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight Article, then please do write up something creative and email it to me along with a selection of your project pics. Make sure to send me high resolution photos that I’ll be able to zoom in on to show the details of your work. If you don’t already have my email address, simply leave a comment below and I will get it to you right away.