“Thanks, Cindy, for spotlighting artisans that point us in new directions.” ~Beadspiration
It’s the holidays and I am taking a bit of break. In case you missed the announcement, the schedule changes for the weekly video tutorials and color recipe cards, are posted here: Polymer Clay Library Holiday Schedule. And to give you something to read here at the blog, I am providing a 4 part series with links to all of the Spotlight Features from the last 6 months. They are very inspirational.
Silverleaf… your crackled gold leaf pendants are stunning! I SO appreciate the inspiration I find here. I hear my mom’s voice from childhood prodding me on…”Practice makes perfect!” Thanks, Cindy, for spotlighting artisans that point us in new directions. ~Beadspiration
As an idea for the comments while I am on my little break, Peggy-B suggested that everyone think back over the past year and share some thoughts about your favorite lesson(s) so far… or perhaps talk about an proud accomplishment that happened for you with your polymer clay.
Thank you Peggy for making this suggestion. I value everyones comments as special gifts, and appreciate all of you very much. And now here is Part 2 of the four part Spotlight Summary Series:
August 7, 2009: Polyanya
Learning About Faux Raku Polymer Clay Beads and Kaleidoscope Canes — “I couldn’t wait any longer before sending you some pics… so here they are with no sanding.” ~Polyanya (Shetland Islands, UK)
August 10, 2009: Marsha Nelson:
Polymer Clay Jewelry Made with Several Styles of Flower Petal Beads — “I must admit that it’s kind of scary to send photos… my work is still new and evolving!” ~Marsha-N
August 14, 2009: Kim Misenheimer:
Polymer Clay Beads | Home Jewelry Business | Kimisen’s Etsy Shop — “Finally listed my creations at Etsy and have sold my first piece!” ~Kim-M
August 21, 2009: Rob Kerfoot:
Use a Rock Tumbler for More Professional Looking Polymer Clay Beads — “Using the vibratory tumbler has improved my work 10 fold.” ~Rob-K (Providence, Rhode Island, USA)
September 4, 2009: Silverleaf:
Crackled Gold Leaf, Alcohol Ink and Liquid Polymer Clay Techniques — “The owners of my local bead shop took one look and offered to sell them for me!” ~Silverleaf (Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England)
September 11, 2009: Melilnda Herron:
She’s Been Bit’n by the Polymer Clay Jewelry Making… Bead Bug — “A couple of attempts needed on the crackled beads before I actually got them to crackle, but it was fun.” ~Melinda-H (Helena, Montana, USA)
Links to All 4 Articles in this Spotlight Summary Series:
Polymer Clay Spotlights (Part 1) 2009-07-12 to 2009-07-31
Polymer Clay Spotlights (Part 2) 2009-08-07 to 2009-09-11
Polymer Clay Spotlights (Part 3) 2009-09-18 to 2009-10-23
Polymer Clay Spotlights (Part 4) 2009-11-06 to 2009-12-18
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 environnment can’t help but make us better artists as we learn from and appreciate each other. Congratulations on getting your store up and running, Kim. It’s obvious from your quick sales that the world loves your work, and rightfully so. ~Elizabeth-S
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| Back Issue Video Sale: 15% to 25% December Discount: More info here: Polymer Clay Video Gift CertificatesOr… If You are not Yet a Library Member: The cost is only $3.32 per month: Polymer Clay Library – More Info |
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Thanks for such a wonderful website… my 5 yr old granddaughter and I love it!
Hello to all… Merry Christmas (late) and Happy New Year to you and your family Cindy. I have been terrible towards the end of this year. I have not made any time for Cindy or her videos. I moved the end of October and just finally unpacked the very last box. I have a whole craft room to myself now with a door and everything. (I still have a 9 year old who likes to sneek in and search for items to use for his matchbox cars and army guys). Anyway…for the start of the new year my goal is to watch your videos every Friday and actually make what you teach. I have done quite a bit in the past and was doing really well. But then….life got in the way. I miss you! I promise, I will be a good girl the new year and will not miss a thing. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to all the excitement you will bring in the new year.
I apologize for writing long comments but I just have to add this to my story from yesterday. My 6 yr old grandaughter’s name is Liberty and her Daddy works for the federal prison so this means working holidays. They celebrated Christmas day on the 24th because it was Daddy’s day off then they celebrated Santa who brings 1 gift each Christmas night after Daddy got off work. Now I was ill most of Christmas day and my husband and I didn’t exchange gift until 10:30 Christmas night. Because of this Liberty didn’t know what Pappa had given me until today. Ok try to shorten this and get to the point. When I called my daughter this morning to see how Santa’s gift went she said they had a little bit of a problem with Liberty. I was stunned she is such a caring loving child I couldn’t imagine what had happened. Well Santa brought Mommy and Daddy a laptop for Christmas and Mommy said that it would be for everyone to use. Liberty decided since it was hers too she wanted to give it to Momma (me) so that her and I could spend time with Cindy why we worked on clay in “our” craft room. When Mommy tried to explain I would be ok without it she cried and said that is what I really wanted and she really wanted me to have their laptop. So when Mommy found out I had got one from Pappa I had to talk to Liberty and she was so happy. Cindy as soon as my little Liberty starts doing polymer clay on her own at home. I am going to buy her a membership to Polymer Clay Tutor and every back issue you have. You have given me something special Liberty and I will always cherish. For that I am blessed to have found you and the videos and this whole new family of mine. Uuuuuuuuugggggggggggs for everyone and I will see you in my craft room very soon!
I LOVE THIS SITE! It is such a huge help to a newby. Thank u so much!
Peggy, that’s so cute! Liberty sounds like a sweetheart. And yay for being able to have Cindy in your craft room. :)
I hope everyone’s had a wonderful Christmas! I’m happy, I got a Makin’s extruder and two clay books (Donna Kato, and Lindly Haunani and Maggie Maggio’s awesome Colour Inspirations) and lots of other cool stuff as well. Lucky me. Off to have a go at the extruder flower cane now…
Happy New Year everyone.
Merry Christmas, Cindy! Enjoy your break and thank you for all the wonderful inspiration and advise you have given this past year.
Can’t wait for the the new years posts!
@Denice: Thanks! That is so great that you enjoy the site with your granddaughter. I can just picture the two of you cuddled up in front of the computer! :-)
@KlayKisses: Merry Christmas to you too! Sometimes life can get in the way. Good thing the videos are sitting there waiting for you. It’s going to be so fun for you do see them all at once. It will be a creative marathon! So glad to have you back!
@Peggy: I loved reading your comment! How cute! Your granddaughter sounds like a sweetheart. What wonderful memories you are building with your grandchildren. My grandma was a seamstress and we all did sewing projects with her. It created lots of good memories. Your grandkids will feel the same about the times they made beads with you!
@Linda: THANK YOU and you are very welcome! Great to have you here!
@Silverleaf: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from ‘across the pond’! Sounds like you got some great clay related gifts. This upcoming year is going to be a good one… Hold on it’s going to be a wild ride!
@Shannon: Thank you! I hope that this new year is a successful one for you. Your work is so beautiful, you deserve all the best. Looking forward to a fantastic 2010!
Hi Cindy, thanks for following my blog. I have to know (so that I can get on with creating)….can I use acrylic polymer medium on cured clay? Also, what model of Dremel tool would you suggest so I can drill and polish? Thanks, Deb
I’m sorry Deborah for taking so long to answer this for you… it is getting so busy around here, I’m having trouble keeping up!
I haven’t used Acrylic Medium on clay but have used acrylic paint with great success. It would be worth testing on a scrap piece of clay to see if the piece gets sticky over time. I bet it will work since the materials are similar and should be compatible.
As far as a Dremel, any of the models will do. Polymer Clay is such a soft product that you won’t need the highest power for drilling or polishing. I have the Dremel Multi Pro but even a no named brand will do.
Hi Cindy,
I wanted to tell you that your Polymer Clay Basics Course is very helpful. I knew nothing about Polymer Clay so for beginners it really makes it much easier to be successful when making beads. Thanks so much.
But I do wish I had more lessons on wire wrapping ideas. I will be trying to design some from some of the photos, but wish I had instructions. I really look forward to more videos. I really love the heart one I got today.
Marie Schwab
East Canton, Ohio
Hi Marie,
Thank you so much for taking the time to send me your thoughts about the Polymer Clay Beginners Course. Sharing feedback like this really gives others great insight about what they can expect from the video tutorials. So…. thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
In regards to wire working tutorials, I now include one video on polymer clay wireworking projects every month. The back issues currently posted at the Polymer Clay Library that include video tutorials about wire techniques are: Vol-019, Vol-018, Vol-017, Vol-016 and Vol-012.
I’m very much looking forward to hearing more about how your beads and jewelry projects are coming along.
All the Best
~Cindy