“Like a fresh
picked wildflower
still covered in dew.”
~Cindy Lietz
As you may have noticed from today’s featured Gallery post, as well as from previous ones (see Hopeless Romantic Earrings for another example of a recent Gallery feature), these photo spreads are included here at the blog to provide you guys with creative jewelry making ideas and inspiration.
Please use the comment section at the bottom of the page, to discuss the items presented… or to let me know what other projects you would like to see and learn more about.
Morning Dew, Blue Flower Polymer Clay Pendant:
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Morning Dew, Blue Flower Polymer Clay Pendant:
Like a fresh picked Wildflower still covered in dew, this nature inspired polymer clay pendant is wire wrapped in oxidized Sterling Silver, and dripping with Swarovski Crystals, dangling on 7 flame dipped Sterling Silver balled headpins. It measures 3 inches (8 cm) from the top of the bail to the tip of the longest dangle; The flower gracefully hangs from a black rubber cording fitted with handcrafted Oxidized Sterling Silver findings and a Swarovski Crystal dangle. This polymer necklace is to be worn choker length and is adjustable from 14″-16″ (36 cm-41 cm).
Price: $37 (US) – If you are interested in purchasing the Morning Dew Necklace shown in today’s gallery post, then please send me an email. Be sure to include your full mailing address so I can work out the shipping cost for you. |
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| ** Did You Know… Members with current subscriptions to the weekly tutorial videos are always entitled to a 10% discount when purchasing 6 or more back issue packages in a single transaction. If you are interested, let me know which back issues you would like and I will send further instructions on how to complete your order. |
 
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Beautiful, reminds me of a crocus(sp)
Thanks guys! I am loving the new roll of Sterling Silver wire as well as some Liver of Sulphur for Oxidizing I recently picked up. Finally found some time to run to the only store that carries it, which is more than an hour away, if the traffic is good. You can’t see it in the photo, but the wire on the dangles almost have a rainbow patina on them, which looks really pretty with the crystals and the flower.
@Ken H: You are so right! It does look like a crocus. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that. I made this focal bead a long time ago, so I had forgotten what originally inspired it. Since it looks like a crocus, I should use saffron colored crystals on the dangles when I make one again. Would be an awesome hit of color from the opposite side of the color wheel, as well. Thanks for the idea! Hope you get your torch and UV stuff. They are really fun to play with and take your polymer clay art to the next level!
@Jeanne C.: I made the actual bead a long time ago, but looking at the colors, I am thinking I just used Purple and Turquoise Premo for the flower. It would look very pretty using a color palette as well. Monkshood would look lovely!
It does kinda look like a crocus, Ken! It’s absolutely stunning, Cindy! It looks like glass. I can picture it in different color variations. Do I feel a tut coming on?? Please, please, please???
what lovely colors – and the shape –so well done
I love the colors! Are the colors straight colors or one of your special combinations? And Swarovski are my favorite crystals, they make everything look so classy.
I love that necklace! Very pretty!
Sigh…. looks like I need to finally break down and get myself a torch!!! Beautiful work, Cindy :)
Cindy, I do like this one a lot … and I really like your ‘neat’ wraps!
Ok new “Need Item” on my list is Micro Torch right under the UV kit. Maybe with B’Day money I can get both (hehehehe!!!!)
@Ken H: Ken, how was your 39th?? Hope it was awesome!
@Tanya L: The third anniversary of my 39th b’day was great, that’s why I think I can buy both a micro torch and an UV resin kit.
@Ken H: WOOHOO!! Good for you, Ken!! LOL!! (PS. I want YOUR friends/family!!)
Oh wow! This is just gorgeous Cindy. Another beautiful design for inspiration (and hopefully a lesson too!! ;)
Oh, so lovely! I’ll bet when the light hits those crystals it’s breathtaking. Sure hope we’re gonna learn it. I just wish Manny (hubby) didn’t turn so ashen when I tell him I really really need a torch to enhance my creative skills. I just don’t understand his hesitation-it’s just a little fire, right? How much damage could I do? I’ll show him this gorgeous piece and how the fire dipped headpins add so much to its beauty. That will convince him that I must get fire apparatus at once.
@Elizabeth S.: Just tell your hubby that if he is concerned about you catching things on fire with your torch, that you will only use it in the middle of your driveway, nude. (So your clothes don’t catch on fire, of course!) LOL That might keep him quiet. Then again, he may just suggest you get one right away! :-)
@Cindy Lietz from Making Balled Head Pins: HA! Elizabeth’s hubby will probably find a store that’s open 24/7 and buy one for her himself! Maybe even wake her up if she’s sleeping when he gets home! :)
@Cindy Lietz from Making Balled Head Pins:
OFF TOPIC: I’m dying! If you knew my husband—-I’ll just leave it there, except to say he is outside hosing down the driveway (do you think my suggestion during dinner that I implement your recommendation in exchange for being allowed to purchase fire apparatus had anything to do with this sudden burst of domestic responsibility?). Surely not–however, I am a bit suspicious because in our unstated marriage contract there is a clause relieving him from any responsibility to know how to turn on any or all outside faucets. No, no,no I am doing him a terrible injustice— I have to believe he has seen the error of his watering ways and it is just coincidence that tonight he made a conscious and loving decision to help me keep everything on our property alive, even the cement. What a guy!
@Elizabeth S.: OFF TOPIC: I’m laughing my ___ off! Surely your hubby has just learned a new trick, as Ken suggested… He’s just trying to keep everything green (although you might tell him that cement doesn’t grow!)
Still, Elizabeth, I think you should torch with clothing—you wouldn’t want to burn yourself anywhere, um, embarrassing… Hahahaha! You always make me laugh, lady!
@Phaedrakat: You make me laugh, too, in addition to all the kind and generous things you do for all of us.
I spotted some torches in B&Q (DIY store) the other day and seriously considered getting one – £12 (about $18 I think) for a precision torch designed for jewellery seemed great value. The only thing that stopped me was that it fits onto one of two sizes of butane/propane mix gas cans, but they only had the large size which would give me less flexibility in terms of the angles I could hold it at. I’ll have a look again soon to see if they have new stock in.
I really do want to have a go at those headpins, they look great!
Hi Cindi: Love everything you make. Beautiful.
I used my new UV oven from Ultra Dome this weekend, what a difference it makes. It gives the beads a wonderful finish and it’s so easy to use.
I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to make a bead that looks 3D.
Cindy do you think it’s possible to stamp the clay with a design, bake it, use the ultra dome and when it’s done apply a smaller image on the top and apply more ultra dome? Would that work?
@Jeanne C.: I’m sorry Jeanne I was just reading through this thread for something else and realized I missed your question about layering resin. Though I haven’t tried it myself, I am pretty sure you can stamp on the resin and then add another layer on top. I would try a permanent ink for non-porous materials like Staz-on ink. Otherwise the ink would probably bead up.
@Jeanne C.: Now that Cindy has answered you, I’ll wade in and ask if you’ve tried it. It sounds like something worth experimenting with. I didn’t have a clue about it until Cindy gave her ideas. She is so good. If you do try something like you are describing, I sure hope you’ll submit a photo or two … this just sounds so interesting!
@Jeanne C.: Also wanted to mention that Terry has a video on his site where he uses paints with UltraDome.
@carolyn: Thanks, Carolyn, I knew I saw that somewhere, lol. Want to try cloisonne like effects with this method, think if you first covered the black base clay with foil, then just filled the depressions with gloss, either tinted or just on top of the mica particles, you’d get a great effect.
I want to make a completely oval bead with the faux opal technique. Can anyone tell me how to do this please? Cindy’s technique is for flat back; How do I get the bakd and bond to go around the bead??
@Cheryl Hodges: Hi, Cheryl, Brenda made some round faux opals which she posted on Cindy’s facebook. For other help with this it would be good if you would post this query on the faux opal blog page itself. If we ask questions on the correct page there is more of a chance of getting good answers. Some folks follow one page and not another. Anyone interested in Faux Opals probably subscribes to that blog entry.
@Cheryl Hodges: Here’s the page where you should pose this question: Polymer Clay Faux Opals
@Cheryl Hodges: So far, the tips shown on the blog do not tell how to make a round or oval Faux Opal. Just the cabochon shape from Cindy’s (fabulous!) tute. Go to the link Carolyn mentioned, and you’ll also see where Cindy answers a couple of similar questions about how to create a round opal bead. As of now, there are just “experiments to try,” so if Brenda has created round opals, you should try contacting her on Facebook (if she doesn’t answer you here) so she can tell you how she did it!
Comments on round opals are here:
Faux Opal Comment 1
Faux Opal Comment 2
Best of luck! ~ Kat
@ Cindy – This pendant is just gorgeous. One of my favorite colors. I love the deep blue and the patina in the wire really sets off the sparkle in the crystals. I love the neat wrap too . Would love to learn to make that flower bead pendant.
@ Ken – Good for you ! Hope you can get your torch and resin. The torch is really handy also for PMC. I just tried out the resin. Will post a photo soon. It’s easy to use and looks stunning.
Love the colors and the wire wrap.
Andrea
Ugh.. I need a torch.. I am so broke after taking the gkids home, purchasing my pearl ex powders, clay’s and uv lamp.
@Cindy this is very cute indeed. I love what you did with the wiring Beautiful work.
Oooooooh! This is so pretty! Love the shape; love the colors; love the crystals. Just gorgeous.
P.S. He is the most amazing man in the world. I am blessed.
See we can be taught “NEW” tricks.
@Ken H.: With the right motivation, absolutely!
What a beautiful necklace, Cindy! I love the oxidized sterling wire, and how you used it for the “neat” wrap around the base of the flower, creating a lovely bail. And I love what you did with your flame-dipped headpins. Pretty nifty—I’ve never seen them used to create cord ends and clasps. It adds something “a little different” to the design, and it’s a cool way of finishing (without having to hide the cut wire ends.) This way, you only have to worry about one end of the wire—the pretty ball on the other end looks like a pretty silver bead! You’ve shown us yet another reason to make our headpins a longer length.
The components of this necklace go together really nicely, and the flower in these colors is especially lovely! The crystals really make it, although I always love adding crystal dangles to my jewelry. Anytime one of my pieces doesn’t look quite right, I think, “it needs some crystals dangling from it!” Or most of the time, I mean more crystals added… ;D
Regarding tutes, I think most things in this piece have been covered in previous videos. I know that these gallery posts are mostly for inspiration, but you also show us things that make us cry out and beg for tutorials! (You enjoy hearing us beg, don’t you… Hahaha!) I guess a video on this would be for the flower pendant (how to “put it all together.”) Unless I’m missing something, which has happened once or twice—LOL—okay, a lot more than that!
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely jewelry, Cindy!
~Kat
@Phaedrakat: I never even noticed the ball ends on the clasp. Dah -not very observent, huh ? Love the effect though
Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know I am going to be away from the computer for about a week. I started feeling pretty bad over the weekend and hubby took me to Peoria to my new Fibro Dr. Monday. He thinks I am having some problems with new meds and old ones he took me off of. So I am following a page full of instructions trying to get this straightened out. So if you don’t mind keep me in you thoughts and prayers and I will be back very soon. Love and Many Many Uuuggs, Peggy Cindy I see you and Doug are working just as hard as ever. Awesome work!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OFF TOPIC @Peggy Barnes: Peggy, I’m SO glad to hear from you! I was going to ask today if you were feeling ok because you haven’t been posting the way you normally do. You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers, and will continue to be. Please let us know how you are doing. Lots of gentle hugs for you, Peggy. Feel better soon.
@Peggy Barnes: Best of luck with the new Dr. & meds, Peggy. You’re in my thoughts and prayers! ~Kat
@Peggy Barnes: Wish you the best, Peggie. Getting the stuff adjusted is the most tedious part of the process, but, hopefully you’ll see payoffs in lots of free time in the future.
OFF TOPIC @Jocelyn: Jocelyn, been wondering about you, too!
@Peggy Barnes: We will miss you. My prayers are added to those of others.
Wow Cindy, this new pendant is just georgeous. .
So original too.
Your creativity knows no bounds. I hope you have great luck in selling your pieces. you deserve it all.
Thanks to all who I am friends with in Face book. I am not a fan of Face book and had taken myself off it just before we started the gallery,but am back there now and it is a great place to view all the lovely work everyone is doing.
You are all a scream what with nudity on the driveway, and torches in embarrassing places. I guess I will never be bored here.
I found I could not afford to buy the UV oven or the resin, too pricey here in Australia, so I am using the direct sunlight method, with Lisa Pavelka Magic gloss, which is what I could get here, and find it works perfectly for me, I am really pleased with it and would never have done this particular tutorial about Faux Dichroic had it not been for Cindy’s lessons, so I have learnt something good that works for me from it. Am looking forward to the Friday Tut on Blend and Switch, can’t imagine how its done.
Bye
XXX
@Elizabeth Kerr: So glad the Magic Glos & sunlight does the trick for you, Elizabeth! Guess I need to keep a look out for your resin-d pieces!
@Elizabeth Kerr: Elizabeth, just checked out your blog. You’re butterfly wings are beautiful (I love butterflies too!), as is the jewelry you’ve made. And I LOVE your fish!! :)
@Tanya L:
Thanks Tanya,
yes butterflies are my favorite thing.
I did have a lovely butterfly template as background on my blog, but somehow it got changed,so I hope to find another one soon. The fish I do are from Christie Friesens books if you know them. Before I came to Cindy here. Saw your work in Face book really worth looking at.
Phaedrakat, yes I’m getting around to putting my Faux Dichroic in Face book soon.
See you here soon.
XXX
@Elizabeth kerr: Thank you Elizabeth! I’m hoping to get more posted soon! I have seen the Christie Friesens books. Love her work! You do a great job! I’ve got 4 absolute favorite things – butterflies, dragonflies, cardinals and sunflowers. Love ’em all! :)
This shape is the ultimate for a magic wand. We ought to have a contest, “healing wands” laden with twirled wire and crystals, polymer and good thoughts. The more it glistens in the light (or moonlight) the better.
Ahahaha, missed this. Folks, don’t know if I’d come here everyday if it weren’t for the following moments….too funny. It’s Depends, medication or no coffee in mouth at machine from now on.
“Cindy @ Elizabeth S.: Just tell your hubby that if he is concerned about you catching things on fire with your torch, that you will only use it in the middle of your driveway, nude. (So your clothes don’t catch on fire, of course!) LOL That might keep him quiet. Then again, he may just suggest you get one right away! :-)Tanya L
6:51 pm Reply
@Cindy Lietz from Making Balled Head Pins: HA! Elizabeth’s hubby will probably find a store that’s open 24/7 and buy one for her himself! Maybe even wake her up if she’s sleeping when he gets home! :)
Elizabeth S.
7:47 pm Reply
@Cindy Lietz from Making Balled Head Pins:
OFF TOPIC: I’m dying! If you knew my husband—-I’ll just leave it there, except to say he is outside hosing down the driveway (do you think my suggestion during dinner that I implement your recommendation in exchange for being allowed to purchase fire apparatus had anything to do with this sudden burst of domestic responsibility?). Surely not–however, I am a bit suspicious because in our unstated marriage contract there is a clause relieving him from any responsibility to know how to turn on any or all outside faucets. No, no,no I am doing him a terrible injustice— I have to believe he has seen the error of his watering ways and it is just coincidence that tonight he made a conscious and loving decision to help me keep everything on our property alive, even the cement. What a guy!
Elizabeth S.
8:03 pm Reply
P.S. He is the most amazing man in the world. I am blessed.
Ken H.
9:12 pm Reply
See we can be taught “NEW” tricks.
@Jocelyn: Jocelyn, don’tcha just love it here? I think I’d go through withdrawl if I couldn’t pop in at least once a day… I’ve become very attached to all of you! :)
OFF TOPIC @Jocelyn & Tonya L: This stuff is funny! Elizabeth really knows how to get some fun discussions going, doesn’t she? And now I wonder if Cindy’s suggestion has given us insight into how she gets Doug to do such a fantastic job around here, from his wonderful photography to the fantastic videos and the way he keeps the sites running so well. Hmmmm…. ;D It’s a good strategy though, and can be used in alternate ways. Since I’m not at the peak of fitness, I could use this as a threat for getting things done… (I just need to find someone to “threaten”! LOL)
OFF TOPIC: @Phaedrakat: LOOK OUT!! Kat’s on the prowl!! LMAO!!! Kat, you crack me up! :D
Hi Cindy, Just LOVE this necklace!! Would love to learn how to make it. What kind of a torch would one use to make the balled headpins?? would a pincle torch work?? We need to know more…..Thanks for all that you do. I too, am taped for funds after buying all of the resin supplies. Look forward to the tutorial for this pendant!
@Stephanie Bargelski: Hi Stephani. Yes, a pencil torch would work! I don’t know if you saw this or not, but Cindy had posted some YouTube videos of making headpins with a lot of useful information. Have fun!
@Stephanie Bargelski: Hi Stephanie, there’s a lot of discussion regarding torches on the headpin videos page, Making Your Own Jewelry Headpins and Guest Videos.
You can also do a search—type “torch, headpin” or something like it into the search box at the top of the page. You’ll get a list of articles where people have discussed the types of torches they’ve used. Good luck finding your info! ~Kat
Doug, my apologies…I sent this email to you and it daemoned, so I will copy and paste it here for you…..
“Doug
Just wanted to send a special thank you your way for the incredible photography, the series posted for the blue swirled crocus with the crystals was just fabulous, the pics MADE me want to master it!
Ex-husband sold to major card companies and played with a Nikon myself years ago. My Mom was an excellent published wildlife and art photographer too. It’s a skill that is very difficult to master, and you have mastered the visuals, plus you can put it into a format that teaches others.
Do you sell your pics (especially the wild flowers)? Have you and Cindy ever entered your videos into any “teaching award” type categories?
If not, you should.
Fondly
Jocelyn”
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ADDED NOTE: Thank you Jocelyn. Glad to hear you are liking the photo spreads. Once you get to know your lens (and your lights), it’s actually pretty amazing how many different angles and perspectives you can capture from a little piece of jewelry. At this point, I’ve not been selling any of my photographs… but who knows what will happen down the road. By the way, there are some shots that don’t make the cut for these photo spreads here at the blog. But these culls do get uploaded to the new facebook gallery page if you are interested in seeing those ones as well. ~Doug
Doug, thanks for the quick reply….I’m on my way. Think I am becoming a huge fan of your imagery, lol. I can pick it out from other stuff now, what a treat!
Looking for a special wedding gift for my daughter (semi-adopted) and new new Morrocan husband. She converted to Islam, married in the faith and is working with him near Boston, pursuing a Masters in teaching.
It occurred to me that the Artic wildflowers….being rare, extremely beautiful, and requiring a certain temperment, might be the way to go for their gift. They both cherish the unusual and the commonalities of people.
Would like to purchase a series of them from you, to uniquely frame for special spots….thinking big pics for a 4 frame over a door or on a door.
She was raised in Africa, Belgium, Haiti, and the US. He has been a student abroad since small. Both love flowers.
What do you think?
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ADDED NOTE: Jocelyn – If there are specific pics you have in mind, you can send Cindy and email to discuss this further. And thanks Tanya for your comment below. Good quality photos really are an important part of presenting your jewelry online. Photography and digital editing are excellent skills to learn, since hiring this type of work out, can get expensive. ~Doug
@Jocelyn: You know, it’s funny you had to bring this subject to the blog, Jocelyn, because I take special note of Doug’s exceptional photography skills, too. I love taking pics and will take tons of shots (because I’m a novice!) to get one that’s “just right”. So anytime I see pics taken by someone who has outstanding skill it catches my attention right away. I’d love to see the shots Cindy uses for her color recipe cards..Wouldn’t you?? So thank you Doug, from me too, for sharing your incredible skills. Believe me, they are very much appreciated.
Well I am back, not 100% but need some more positivity in my life I thought. So I am back not full time but back and glad. Doug I have always said how much I appreciate your artistic talent for photography… Then the recipe cards well you and Cindy know how long I have been trying to get you to make and sell copies of the recipe pictures to put with our recipes. I just think that would be so inspirational for all of us when picking out colors and there is nothing more inspirational then Doug’s pictures – NOTHING Well yes Cindy’s artistic clay pieces are just as inspirational. That is the Lietz team work once again!! I love and appreciate both of you so very very much. Don’t know where or what I would do without the two of you. God Bless you and your family.
Uuuuuggggs, Peggy
ADDED NOTE: Thank you Peggy for your kind words. It’s good to see you back. Cindy and I were getting a bit worried after not hearing from you for so long. It’s just not the same around her without you. I hope you got things straightened out. ~Doug
Cindy I love this pendant. I think it is the prettiest one I have seen so far. I like the crystals and well there just isn’t anything about it I don’t like. I hope we can do a tute on it very soon and don’t have to wait for the crocus next spring. “PLEASE”
You do such beautiful work.
Uuuugggs, Peggy
Just finished my 3rd coat of Ultra-dome. I checked to see if it was level -and both sides were. Cured it for 20 min ( hard as a rock). and it did dome, slightly The sides of the piece were sanded ,again, to a sharp 90Degree, when I added the 3rd coat, Guess it needs a 4th coat ! I WILL NEVER GIVE UP -LOL. I will do it til it domes -won’t get the best of me -darn it.
oops!! Wrong thread sorry