Vid #249: INSIDE: Orlando Area Fandango Retreat & Auction… Polymer Magazines… Valuable Lessons From My Key Ring Project. ~Cindy Lietz
If you’re new around here and don’t know what the heck a Fifth Friday is… not to worry.
What you should do before watching today’s video posted below… is first watch the video at this Studio Tour link… and all will become crystal clear.
Now for today’s 5th Friday Video, I thought it would be fun to let you take a peek into what is going on in my studio these days…
Next week we’ll get back to the regular Friday programming, starting with the first video tutorial in Volume-047.
Man, I can’t believe it is Spring already. Didn’t we just film the last 5th Friday video in January about the Polymer Art Therapy Book Launch? How is this really the last week in March? Geez... we need to finish that book!
Any who… Thank you so much for sharing your precious time with our happy little clay family! I see lots of creative times ahead… so hang on for the ride!
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I look forward to these Fifth Fridays. It’s so great to see you “up close and personal”. Nice to see that you also have a bit of clutter on your workspace. I am so pleased to be a member here.
Cindy, you had me going, lol. Jumped on with first coffee, saw the video and convinced myself it had to be Friday. But when I looked back at the blog date, it’s a Thursday video.
So enjoy these studio gettogethers.
Hi Cindy (& all)
Lovely to see your 5th Friday video (although it’s Thursday here in UK) but am really, really busy this W/E so good to see it a day earlier…..Great to see your “work in progress” bench-top.
.Hoping to get my garden workshop started and up and running in the next month. Can’t wait, as it will be brilliant to have my own space at last and clear the clutter from the kitchen,bedroom,living room and craft cupboards. Yipee! then I can start moving it all in (a place for everything and everything in it’s place) as my Mother used to say when I left my room in a mess. (still do)
I drive my D/H crazy with all my “stuff” boxed up on every available space that has a flat surface but hey, watching your 5th Friday studio tours and the ones from other artists has been really good for me. I had drawn up numerous plans, only to be discarded and as I watched your smiling face and listened to your cute voice I was drawing up my final plans (I hope) borrowing some of your and their ideas! ……….Thanks all…
Loved your earring tags, made using your cool new die-cut machine and the little ribbon bows just set them off beautifully. It would have taken ages to cut those shapes out by hand, what a time saver, plus the fact they look so stunning, and really set off your lovely creations. (What a cool tool.)
Postie just delivered my complimentary May issue of a well know American Bead Mag. I love the new multi- function magic findings, (must order some as postage shouldn’t be too high to UK) and they look so useful.
Also got my copy of Rie Nagumo’s inspired by nature book and was surprised that it had first been published in Japan in 2006. It was well written, but hated that all the projects were in the first half with photo and (see page such’ n’ such)……for instructions, written at the bottom. So you are forever flipping to and fro. The front cover was stunning and I loved all the spiky things but glad I didn’t have to pay full price for this (CINDY your membership is just the BEST)
So I think I will NOT be buying any new books, (with one exception), bet you cannot guess the author? I know how involved it can become before final publication but think it will be worth the wait and will only be available when Cindy and Doug give their final approval.
CINDY, I have made a long list of future tutes that I would like your spin on, but, will leave for another time ……………..take care all……….cheers xx
Cindy, thanks for taking the time to keep us up to date. Are you actually attending Fandango? I saw a neat etched metal and polymer bracelet by Meredith Arnold on the OAPCG site; I would love to learn about basic metal etching (with a Dremel) from you, Cindy, in a future tutorial. Metal and PC look so great together.
I know many of my fellow members and blog visitors will be travelling next week in advance of the holiday weekend, so I want to wish a Happy Easter to our Christian friends and Joyous Festival to our Jewish friends. And of course, for everyone lucky to be enjoying a long weekend off, remember to spare a thought for the many in our society who work in 24-7 jobs (with a special thanks to emergency services); also the many who are alone during holidays when the lonliness is sometimes hardest to bear. God bless!
Hi Monique, no I won’t actually be attending the Clay Fandango retreat this time, though I would love to go somewhere warm and hang out with some clayers right now! Charline Ahlgreen had asked me if I could send something for their auction, and those are the items I decided to donate.
I will be doing some more metal tutorials soon, including an embossed metal tutorial, using the die cutting machine, so stay tuned for that. I haven’t used a Dremel to etch metal yet… sounds like fun! Another thing to add to the list. Thank you for your comment!
I completely forgot about it being a 5th Friday but was not disappointed with your cheerful video. It is exciting to see PC becoming more accepted and acknowledged to the by artists using other mediums. Last summer the International Metal Clay retreat was the same dates and location as the International polymer Clay retreat. Some metal clay artists are incorporating polymer clay. It was interesting that in the beginning of the retreat many metal clay artists would never consider polymer clay and PC artists sensed their lack acceptance. But toward the later more of them came through and appreciated the work of PC and were buying auctioned items. Sometimes educating others through kindness the best way to win them over.
I subscribe to both Polymer Cafe and Polymer Arts. Polymer Arts emphasizes more technique articles rather than specific project. Both are great.
Anna
When you showed your key ring it reminded me of something I did about two years ago. I have two keys that are identical except when you try to turn them in the lock. I was always picking the wrong key to open our house. So I cut slices from a flower cane and glued three on both sides of the key for our house. Now I never pick the wrong key. After two years, though, I only have one flower left. If I do it again, I will make the flowers thinner and I think they will last longer.
Love the studio videos, BTW.
Freda K, your post gave me the idea to cover the tops of my keys. Like most people, I have those key “copies” which all look the same. I started with the key to my craft/sewing room. (I have to keep it locked when I’m not in there so nobody accidently leaves the door open and allows Curious Kitty to wreak havoc or hurt himself.) I just used leftover mokume gane this time, but the key top would make a great mini canvas for someone who likes to work in miniature. I put a thin layer of scrap first and baked it to make sure I could get it back on the split ring. Then I used Cindy’s tips from Video 045-3: Adding A Faux Wood Veneer to add a layer of MG and baked again. A nice quickie project. Thanks, Freda!
What a pleasant surprise – to see your cute face in action. Nice updates and info on the Premo bezels. I really like Epoxy.com’s bezels. Terry did a good job on designing them.
I think you have sold the die cut machine. So many ways to use it. I am MORE interested in it than ever………….hm………
The 5th Friday on Thurs ! Yeah…….Nice touch.
Hope you have a wonderful, laid-back weekend. We’ll see you next week……………Waiting, per usual for your tutes and the way you show us how to make things easier…………grin
Like a couple of others I forgot it was a fifth Friday. How the time seems to fly by when one is having fun claying. However, I always enjoy your studio chats and to see what you are planning for future videos.
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Its off to work I go, decorating eggs for a challenge.
Cheers !
Enjoyed this video, Cindy. Thank you! (and Doug!) It’s almost like I’m there with you in your studio. :D
I love seeing what your room looks like, i don’t feel so bad about mine now. I have just bought a cuttlebug (thanks to the member who said her cuttlebug was as good as the bigkick) as it is the easy accessible diecutter to buy here in nz, and am so looking foward to playing with it. I also love your jewelry display cards. I have been wondering for ages how I can make my own (I love figuring out how I can do things without having to buy stuff) but it never occured to me to use a die cutter. I also can;t beleive how time flies, I have been a member now for 3 years, and I love, love everything about this site. I take my hat off to you and Doug, Cindy, for the wonderful work you are doing.
Wow! Now I KNOW I’m crazy! I didn’t realize it was 5th Friday or THURSDAY!! So glad to see this in my inbox. Well, I guess you know, Cindy, from my email, I can’t remember anything! I’m even halucinating that I saw a tute that didn’t exsist! LOL! But, nice to “see” you again. Love your work space – even when not spotless. Just makes designing easier, right?
Great video Team Lietz! Love your tut’s and especially your tips! I’m on the fence about the die-cut machine. Want to; do I have room??? LOL Your tags are beautiful though; I want that.
As far as suggestions for videos: Canes, canes, canes. I love canes! They don’t need to be specific, I just love making them.
Dawn: I second your request for more canes. Since this is the centennial of the Titanic sinking, I would love a cane in that theme sometime this year. Could be simple or complex, I don’t want to be more specific since Cindy always comes up with great surprises for us!
Yes, I love canes too !!! They are the quintessential polymer clay technique !!!
I just got done reading the entire blog from the die cutting tutorial. Isn’t it just amazing how so many of us from all over the world all come together here and share so many ideas, questions and comments. I personally don’t think it is necessary to have an additional members forum when there is so much information floating back and forth on this blog. I do think that if we utilize the search feature here and do a little research, most of our questions can be answered. Being able to reply to other members and pick their brains on different techniques is fun and enjoyable. Everyone is always willing to help everyone else. I love that Cindy introduces new products and ways to use them since it always sparks a whole new avenue of conversation, fuels the imagination and sets our minds soaring to new creative heights. Yes, there will be times when some of us can’t afford new tools or even have access to them, but would we have known about her creative new processes if she had not introduced them? A true artist and teacher channels her students to push their creative processes outside the box and to find ways to use their talents to the best of their abilities with whatever tools she can find. We all are here because we crave to know and expand our knowlege of this craft. By concentrating on what we can do and what we can work with, our victories will be sweet. The price we pay is so reasonable compared with the hours of work that is done to produce these tutorials and enjoy the fruits of these extemely talented people. I like the idea of having a place where we could list resources for purchasing different products so that those we might think they can’t afford them or do not have access to them might be able to. I have even shipped items to friends overseas because they were not accessible there. Perhaps we could have a private resource page we could link to after we have signed in to our account. I’m sorry this is running a little long but I really enjoy everyone’s contributions to these blogs. Cindy, I really like that you take the time to visit us from your studio and share your time with us and if anyone is interested, you can buy the Sizzix Big Shot or Big Kick (there the same) on Amazon for $59.99 and shipping is free. Also the Cuttlebug can use the Sizzix dies Cindy demonstrates. I found a chart online that lists all the machines and their compatabilities with others.. God bless and Happy Easter to all.
Dixie
I agree with the comments you made. We are extremely lucky to have talented people like Cindy and Doug who are willing to share their enormous knowledge about polymer clay for such anonanal fee… No where else is possible to make friends with Similare interests and carding hearts…..your personal helLp for me has bee gristly appreciated. I have taken all your suggestions and have I
Proved success in my polymer clay work….May 20 I going to participate in my first craft fair….cj I am working.nowmkr seriously than e ER getting ready…… Got to use many of the canes ibad made from Cindys tutes …
Oh thanks for the info on the die cutters … Boy am I sorry I I’d buy it a few weeks ago when AC Moore had a 50 percent off sale …. It would have been frat to make the tags for my stuffer….now I M getting winded so I sa e my other comments for other time but before I go….Cindy did you do. Tute on making the tag cArds for the daring and stuff?
Dixie, could you post the link to the chart that lists all the die cutting machines and compatabilities?
Sure would appreciate it.
Sure Can, this is the best one I found so far.
http://www.indigojay.com/crafting/diecutter_compatibilitychart.pdf
Wow -thanks !! The download answered all my questions. Now I can look and see which die cutter to buy. Sale etc……….grin
Cindy you had me; thought it was Friday. Checked the blog date and the calendar. I enjoyed seeing you and your work table with all the projects around. I love the idea of using a die cuttin machine for the jewelry cards. I actually hand cut all of mine; did you use the sizzix tag dies?
Can’t wait for the new recipe palette; it’s gorgeous – just my colors!
Hi Everyone.
I dont usually have much time to read all of the blogs or even respond,but I am tonite…LOL found a spare min.. I just ordered the Vintage Big KICK Machine and ALOT of the sizzix dies also a few embossing and etching dies..I cant wait to get it.. I love that Cindy gives us the shopping links to follow… It makes it so much easier to get what you need/want to keep creating. Thanks Cindy!!!!!!!!
I also just ordered a couple books. 1st one- Making Jewelry from Polymer Clay by Sophie Arzalier. Great Book….I have done one project out of the book already.( Not as easy as watching Cindy’s tutes every week tho)
The second book is Enlightened Polymer Clay..The one Cindy mentioned today..I was not as happy with this book.. It kinda just shows us alot of what Cindy already has, but puts the pieces into jewelry a bit different. I also didnt like flipping around to see how to do a project..
SO I too will not be buying any new books anytime soon.. It would be nice to have a ratings list to see what others think of a book item before u decide to buy it..
OR a book exchange thru out our blog community here….?????? I have alot I would trade or borrow with anyone that is interested…Alot of the time I will get a mag or book just to get inspiration from or one or two things I want to read, Then they go in a pile to be looked at every now and then. Kind of a waste especially when so many could benefit from them..
Ideas Ideas Ideas..
I always enjoy the videos and although I usually work in a much smaller scale with PC since I do miniatures the techniques usually transfer well using smaller cutters etc. I’d love to see some tutorials on covering light switch and outlet covers.
How cool to see a member featured in the magazine!
Cindy, I am coveting all your tiny drawers for organization. Must get organized :)
Thanks for the keyring longevity info.
Have a great weekend!
Which brand of resin are you using – the one that didn’t get scratched after all the finish wore off the metal keychain?
Hi Marcia, the ‘indestructible’ resin I used on the key chain is a UV Resin called UltraDome. There are several articles and tutorials on using this resin on this blog. Here is a link to the UV Resin Tutorial. If you type ‘uv resin’ into the search box at the top of the page you will find tons of info on the subject.
Exceleent The die cutting tutorial has me delving into that still. I love where one art medium gets you connected to the others you have quite a following and I see why. Thanks for such to the point tutorials. we cant get enough, addicted…. lol
Hi Cindy and everyone. I have been so enjoying your tutes. You always seem to make what I would think was difficult to make into such a doable project. Thanks so much to you and Doug. I was wondering if you could maybe do a tutorial on Polymer Clay filigree I have always loved the look and with Easter Egg season coming soon I would love to be able to accomplish this technique. Thanks again for all your hard work!
I will be at the Orlando Fandango in May, and I am thrilled to know that there is some of your items up for auction! It is always a great fun event and I hope you and Doug can make it down some time. The kids would probably like it too if you bribed them with a trip to Universal Studios where Harry Potter is! Thank you for sharing your items for the auction and your studio with us. It really makes the 5th Fridays special.
Cindy, Thank you so much for letting us into your creative world again. It’s really fun seeing what your work space looks like and how you organize yourself.
Is there a way to “patent” your videos?
Hi Maria, thank you for your support. There isn’t really a way to ‘patent’ videos but like art and written materials, our videos do have copyrights. Here is our copyright terms for people who aren’t aware of them:
COPYRIGHT TERMS AND CONDITIONS: My tutorials are sold for personal use only. This means you cannot re-sell, re-distribute, share or teach the techniques that I demonstrate, unless written permission has been obtained (by me) that says otherwise. By the way, I am approachable so don’t be afraid to ask if you have any business ideas you would like to discuss. One thing that about my copyright terms that may be different than what you have seen with other instructors, is that you do have my permission to sell and show what you’ve made based on what I teach… as long as you make it by hand (not mass produced), and give “inspired by” credit whenever possible. But for your own sake, it is always best if you put your own spin on the techniques, so that your artistic voice shines through. That is one of the main reasons why I teach in a way that is very “open-ended” and filled with options. Thanks for your understanding and compliance with my copyright terms and conditions. ~Cindy Lietz
I sure did enjoy watching this 5th Friday video today – so upbeat and positive – a real feel good video. As I watched I was thinking how fun it would be to have a real, live Cindy guild where we could all get together in person and clay around and just have a good time. Maybe in another life, lol.
I have a subscription to PolymerCafe magazine and enjoy each issue very much. They have a reader’s gallery and it’s always inspiring to see what other people are creating. I have the same Polymer Arts issue as was shown in the video.
Speaking of the PolymerCafe magazine, I’ve been looking for the first 6 issues to purchase. I found, and won, an auction for Vol. 2 No. 2 on Ebay. It was offered in a lot with another book I’ve been wanting and got both for just $11.00. I’m so excited and can’t wait for them to get here. Also won auctions for a bunch of seed beads, spacer beads and bars, crystal rondelles and angelina fibers-all for $11.60 with no shipping charges. I’ve only recently started using Ebay so am learning how remarkable the deals can be. So far am pleased with the results and am only using high-rated sellers.
I hope everybody has a lovely weekend :)
Hi Angela, thanks for your sweet comments!
Hello Cindy!
I llove the 5th Friday videos and agree that it’s great to see you “up close and personal” in your studio. Your mention of the book bead in the Polymer Clay Cafe magazine really caught my attention because I like the book bead you featurned in your “Copper Bookmark” video. Will you please do a video on your technique? I have a special interest in your charm beads. Thank you and I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Oops! Looks like I didn’t look hard enough. I found your book bead tutorial in volume 18. Thanks and sorry!
Ah Cindy!
Love being invited into someone else’s studio!! Thank you!!
Since watching this vid yesterday morning I
1) went to canadian tire and picked up a tone of those storage units, the ones with less draws, but a couple big draws at the bottom! Totally fits my application to put something on the wall that’s only 6″ deep! Cool! Thank you!
2) I have a cuttlebug, but I have never used any dies yet, always curious about them though, after seeing your jewelry tags again, I went out a purchase the dies!! OMG I am SOOOO in LOVE with MY new tags!!! They are beautiful!!! Thank you!!
I love studio stuff! Anytime we can share with each other tips on storage space or tool area set ups, efficient work spaces is always a great TUT to me!
Thanks Cindy!!
Hi there. Has anyone found a suitable (non-tarnishing) substitute for the Premo oval fob keychain that Cindy feature in the March 30th 5th Friday video? I’ve searched online but to no avail. Thanks in advance.
Thank you Cindy for inviting us into your studio and sharing so many things with us.
I would love to have a tutorial about creating a face cane, if this is possible.
I also wish you a happy Easter
Looking forward to see your next tutorials
Francine
I loved the studio tour! What a great job on organizing all your stuff. Now I can’t wait to get my own storage units like yours. I had thought of this for canes but I never got around to it and now you have inspired me once again!
I was bummed thinking we were not having a video because of 5th Friday. So happy I was wrong.
I do have a suggestion for a tutorial. Embroidery. Not the actual getting a needle out and doing French knots but like everything else polymer clay does things to…faux. I think the clover flowers would make great embroidery flowers but there are other decorations that could be done.
Or faux lamp work beads, making beads look like glass. Have a polymer weekend.
Hi Cindy, Wow ,
This was what I have always wanted from you, so very glad we have the 5th Fridays, so you can really be there in the flesh so to speak.
i had forgotten it was a 5th Fri, so when I saw you, I clapped and clapped and had a tear in my eye, and enjoyed seeing you so much. You are so pretty, I mean that.XX
I realise why you cant do this every video, as we have to concentrate on the tutoring at the time.
So it was lovely ,just like being in your studio with you and brings it home , that we are all very close to you.
I have been getting Polymer Cafe since 2005,(image that) and did get the Jewelry one for a few years, but thought not enough Polyclay in it,but they seem to have caught up and realise that PC is part of the fun with the metal.,so will take another look at that Mag.
I have also taken the digi subs for the new PolyArts mag, and like it too.
Havent got a BigKick machine, buut as was said here, Amazon has one so will look there, in the meantime I have done my materials and wil be cutting them with scissors after tracing round my cutters, as my friend only has the Big Shot, with impression plates, so we could not go ahead with that one.
Thanks for the reminder of the Copyright terms, I do abide by them and dont show or use them in my teaching, only to say that you are there and they can join, like me, if wanted.
I only teach voluntary, because I like to pass on about Polmer clay, and when I get newies , I am so pleased that they are finding out about it, as here it is not as big as in the States, but enough to admire it all. In fact apart from those whom I teach, I dont know anyone near me, so some times I feel either like a fish out of water, or a very lucky person, with a” special secret.”
all my own. There is so much that can be done with Polymer clay I guess we will never stop learning about it.
At the moment I am using Lisa Pavelka Magic Gloss as that is what we get here,and it is so good too.
Well thanks again for your lovely video Cindy it was well worth it. We can always do with seeing more of you.
Bye for now,
Love
Elizabeth K.
P.S. Its April 1st here today, and Easter is creeping up fast, so
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL
Love and best wishes
Elizabeth K. XXXXXX
Hi Cindy! Enjoyed you as usual. How about a hollow bead tutorial? I’ve seen some really beautiful ones. Happy Spring!
Would love to have a faux lampwork tutorial and a sculpted face tutorial please.
Yay, Lynda and Cherie! Hollow beads and faux lampwork- great PC techniques for Cindy to teach us.
Another vote for hollow beads and faux lampwork! Happy Easter everyone!