Vid #164:
“Dichroic glass
engaged my interest
a year ago but the results
are very much serendipity dominated!” ~Robin-E
Since working with real dichroic glass can be difficult and unpredictable, jewelry artists have devised several different methods for creating faux dichroic glass with polymer clay. One super easy approach that I’ve recently come up with, is a technique that uses Mica powder to produces very consistent results are are easy to duplicate.
So on Friday, July 16th at the Polymer Clay Library (Vol-026-3), the member video tutorial will teach you how to use Mica Powder to make Faux Dichroic Glass. Some of you noticed that I showed an example of this faux technique in the UV Resin preview video a few weeks back. It was a turquoise pendant with pink flowers. You’ll see it again in this week’s tute.
I would love to know how you made that pendant with the flowers and leaves done in powders!! ~Carrie-W
Wow Cindy! My eyes have been opened to the possibilities of working with polymer clay. I really love my dichroic glass, but there is a lot more scope using your techniques. Attaching clasps and drilling holes through the glass is taxing, as opposed to doing it with moldable and malleable clay. And with real glass, once you fire up the kiln you never quite know what exactly is going to come out when the cycle is completed. I really love your work and am thoroughly enjoying your web site. ~Annette-R
Dichroic glass engaged my interest a year ago but the results are very much serendipity dominated! I wanted to be able to design motifs and get them accurately incorporated in decorative objects including jewellery. I thought I had the answer in the metallic foils. Initial results were very promising but there is a serious reliability problem. Consistently good results elude me and I’ve virtually given up. ~Robin-E
I know that a faux dichroic glass tute from Cindy would be AMAZING!! Until then I’ll keep experimenting. ~Jill-V
Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.
Supplies & Tools: Video-026-3 Faux Dichroic Glass:
- Polymer Clay any color. I used Premo Sculpey in Black.
- Pasta Machine or acrylic roller.
- Rubber Stamp. A deeper more bold stamp works better for this technique than a finely detailed one does.
- Mica Powder. I used Pearl-Ex Powders but you could use Perfect Pearls or even a sparkly loose eye shadow.
- Small paintbrush.
- Bowl of water.
- Sanding Kit. I used MicroMesh Sanding Pads which I will demo in more thoroughly in an upcoming tutorial video.
- UV Resin and lamp (optional). I will not be demonstrating how to apply the UV Resin in this week’s lesson, since I have already done that in a previous tutorial. See Ultradome UV Epoxy Resin video. If you are not able to work with resin at this time, then you can use any gloss finish tha is compatible with polymer clay. Or you can just sand and buff. Without the resin, it won’t look like glass, but the effect is still very cool!
The full version of the Vid-026-3 Faux Dichroic Glass video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday July 16th, 2010. But if you would like to see a sneak peek intro clip right now, scroll down the page a bit to the video player below.
Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Faux Dichroic Glass” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-026 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
I am a member Cindy’s Polymer Clay Library and HIGHLY recommend her site for anyone. I have finally learned several things just by watching her videos that I could not understand prior. If, you need anything she is always there with an answer or will find someone that can do it. Check it out and the membership cost is very reasonable. ~Donna-I
Hi Cindy: I had to really laugh when I saw this simple, but very clever trick to clean white clay. I can’t tell you how many times, I decided that my white clay was going to have to be mixed with something else because of the colour that was being picked up off of my past machine. I’m really glad that I bought my membership, because now that money has saved me much more in white clay. ~Carol-C
Thank you Cindy for your dedication to us. And hey, you dear “fence sitters” come and join us. You will be amazed and what you receive for a mere $3.32 per month. There has never been a question that Cindy has not answered for me, promise. ~Debbie-M
The following topics are included in this week’s Faux Dichroic Glass video tutorial:
- See examples of several different polymer clay projects and jewelry using the faux dichroic glass that were made using my quick and easy mica technique.
- Discussion of the clay and tools needed to create this unique polymer clay technique that really look like glass.
- Learn tricks and tips for making an impression that will work well with the resin, without overflowing, as well as techniques for getting that sparkling image representative of dichroic glass.
- Finally, a faux dichroic polymer clay technique that produces consistent results over and over again.
The full version of the “Faux Dichroic Glass” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-026 Back Issue Package.
HO HO HO is it Christmas already!! If anyone wants to have around 52 of the most exciting Christmas mornings they have ever had, here it is.
Just join your Polymer Clay Tutor and the excitement begins waiting each and every week for Friday to get here and RIP THAT PACKAGE OPEN… oh sorry got carried away. Open your computer and watch your weekly tute with Cindy and Doug. It just keeps getting better and better. All this, the excitement, anticipation, feeling like a little kid on Christmas morning. Then HO HO HO it is here again next Friday all that for LESS than a dollar a week. Now that is what I call a great gift and I can’t wait to open this Friday’s. THANK YOU – CINDY AND DOUG
Many Uuuuuuggggs, Peggy
@Peggy Barnes: That is too funny!!! You know I feel bad because on FB I haven’t been mentioning Doug “Sowwy Doug” You two sure make a great pair. I don’t know how They keep up with all this stuff. Camera, editing, Web design, reading posting, answering peeps questions, and claying top it all off you always have the house hold duties to attend too. I am exhausted just typing this.
This pendant is just the bomb, was a beautiful design. Can’t wait for the tut.
Oh my! What more can I say? I’ll be here!
Friday needs to hurry up and get here. So gorgeous.
There’s too many days between Fridays. Can we change the calendar? Cindy, those are beautiful. Can’t wait to see this.
OK, this is going to force me to get some resin!! I’ve been wanting to make faux dichroic glass for months and I’ve got all the other supplies. Cindy, I think I’m going to like your technique way better than the ones I’ve seen that use foils. Oh, I just need more time in my day so I can do all these gorgeous techniques that are piling up!
I love dichoric glass. Will wait with bated breath for this one.
@Freda K: I was looking at your Flicker photos and saw the frog. Where did you find a frog mold? I am very much frog oriented, having made bean bag frogs for 30 years and selling them at craft shows.
@carolyn: Hi Carolyn, Looks like you are getting back into a more regular routine. Hope your energy level is picking up for you as well. You are still in my prayers. About the Freda’s frog, I have 5 or 6 molds and I purchased them all off ebay. One good thing about ebay if you don’t like what you see today wait a week or two and sooner or later you are apt to find it. Same goes with the price. Be sure to check your shipping cost out because sometimes they like to slam you with shipping. It is best sometimes if you are interested in purchasing more than one because they will discount the shipping on anything after the first purchase. If you are just wanting to make a couple of molds I would be more than happy to take pictures of mine an email them to you. This way if you would just like to borrow mine for a couple weeks that is fine with me. I think I can trust you not to run off with them in your speedy motorhome. Give ebay a look and see what you think. Just type in Polymer clay frog mold and up they will come for your viewing needs. Good Luck.
Uuuuugggggs, Peggy
@Peggy Barnes: LOL, I love it! Peggy, you’re hilarious! And the sweetest thing, of course… ;D
@Peggy Barnes: What I am really looking for I guess is a double mold … I made one myself and it is cute, but I wondered what else was out there … perhaps something larger than mine which is only 3/4 of an inch tall. I have frogs all over my workroom – given to me because I became known locally as ‘the frog lady’ since I made the beanbags that were so popular at craft fairs. FYI: I’m out of the craft fair circuit … donated my canopy to my church. It is just too much work for me any more. This past weekend there were at least three different craft shows between my home and my church! I know my polymer clay would sell like crazy … but I ain’t gonna do it!
@carolyn: Peggy, have you tried the Krafty Lady Art Moulds, an Australian company, represented in the US by “After Midnight Art Stamps” at amstamps.com. If I don’t make my own, texture stamps and molds, I use theirs almost exclusively as they are such great quality.
Check the catalog under nature as I’ve seen a couple there.
@Lawrence: Thanks, Lawrence. I’ve bookmarked this site. The molds are really nice. I like the way they show the pieces made from the molds. It even has given me ideas about ways to use molds that I have made.
I’ve always wanted to try faux dichroic glass!! And I have lots of stamps. Is it Friday yet??? (Yup, can we change the calendar in Cindy’s time zone?)
I love dichroic glass also. I am wearing a piece my dil bought me. Would love to make my own. Like Linda K….. this is it. Going to get some resin…..lol.
Andrea
Cool! Think I can figure out how you did this, so I can’t wait to see if I guessed right. Looks like an awesome technique, and one which I’ll definitely be trying.
You know, I can feel some more colours of Perfect Pearls coming on… I only have 12!
I still haven’t purchased these powders. I guess I will have too now :) Looking forward to this tutorial.
Can’t wait to try this tutorial, Cindy! Beautiful!
I don’t have any ultradome. Help me ladies. How can I get into this new area without breaking my tiny piggy bank? I found the source for the ultradome, but now I need a light. Is it possible to just find a uv light bulb without all the fancy bells and whistles? Help let me know what you have discovered.
@Claycass: I use Lisa Pavelka Magic Glos. I get it from Artbeads.com. They don’t charge shipping and the more bottles you buy the cheaper it is. If you can share them with someone that would be great. I like the Magic Glos better than the Ultra Dome because it doesn’t leak as much. The Magic Glos is thicker and really does cure in 5 minutes in the sun. I did two pieces today. I did one with Magic Glos and one with Ultra Dome. The Ultra Dome gets bubbles in it and you have to use the little flame torch that comes with it to get the bubbles out. If I get bubbles in the Magic Glos, I just use a toothpick to get them out but I’ve also used one of those long nosed candle lighters and that worked too. I made two clear pendants in jewelery molds and put angels in them to see how it would work. The Ultra Dome looks cloudy and scratchy but the Magic Glos looks good except they both turned a little on the yellow side. What was the temperature outside when you put it out in the sun? That has a lot to do with the U. V. resin curing but the Magic Glos seems to harden no matter what.
@Bonnie Kreger:
Thank you Bonnie, I went to Artbeads.com and purchased the lamp and resin for less than $40.
HURRY SALE END THURSDAY – artbeads had a 15% off sale today. Once again thank you ladies and gentles.
@Claycass: Thanks for sharing. I went ahead and took advantage of this sale as well. Now I need to find those mica powders :) I will try to hit the stores this weekend.
@Claycass: Try a small bottle of Magic Glos from Artbeads.com before you buy a big bottle of resin. It cures outside in about 5 minutes in the sun. It’s easy to use. There’s a place on JHB.com where Lisa Pavelka shows you how to use it. You can also go to Tina Holdens blog. She did a whole blog on the difference between the UV resins and the Magic Glos and she decided Magic Glos was her favorite.
@Claycass: Ebay seems to be the best place for most people to get their lights. Check the other resin posts for the advice on buying (regarding the timers, etc.)
I read about someone trying the type used for reptile tanks, but they didn’t post follow-up info. I need to see where I bookmarked it. It kills me because I had one of these lights, and sold it at my garage sale a month or so ago. Didn’t even occur to me—”Hey, UV light!” It had been over a year since we had the dragon, though, so I’d forgotten that the light was UV. Anyway, it seems like it would work for the resin. The lamps are sold at pet stores, but by the time you buy the fixture & the bulb, it might be the same price as the nail lamps.
It sure seems like there’s got to be a way to DIY a lamp, but I want to do it the right way. If someone has accomplished this, please share!
Lovin’ all the great comments here! Wish I could respond to all of them individually, but with the 50 to 100 wonderful postings that are happening every day now (including weekends), it’s taking me quite a bit of time to just read them all (what a nice problem to have :-). That being said I just wanted to pop in here and respond to Claycass’ question about lamps…
@Claycass: Hi, I just got the glazing lamp from Terry’s epoxyjewelry.com site and I really love it! It works really well with the removable bottom, so that you can set it directly over the resin pieces you’re working on and is quite cute sitting on my desk. (I was pleasantly surprised about the color when it arrived. My computer screen showed the pink to be quite garish, when in actuality it is that 50’s style pink that they used to make fridges in. The corners are rounded and it looks quite stylish.) The cost is a fair amount up front but it is something that I will use so much and brings an added value to my jewelry that will more than pay for itself. So I think it is worth the price.
If the cost is just too high for you, Gera Scott Chandler made one up using hardware store supplies. If you head to her blog, you can find out how she did it. Not as pretty or as streamlined as my pink lamp, but cheap and very workable: amusedcreations.blogspot.com/2010/07/further-notes-on-lem-uv-oven.html
Make sure to tell her I sent you there if you comment. I said I would tell you guys and she may be wondering if I ever did.
@Cindy Lietz from Facebook Polymer Clay Photo Gallery: Cindy – I wen tot Gera’s site and left a message. I will probably try to dupe her oven -if it not too expensive. patt
@pattw: I could read it, not toooooo bad, LOL. ;D
I just went over and took a peek at her light. Looks cool! Just as I thought, it’s the same kind of light I sold at my garage sale for a couple bucks a month ago. I had bought it for my Bearded Dragon’s habitat. After he was gone, everything from his cage went into the garage. Now I’ll have to traipse back over to the pet store and get another one. I think they cost about 40 bucks, if anyone is looking for one…
Yes! This looks great! But, I did run into trouble with the UV resin. I had it outside for 6 hours and it didn’t cure! It was a little cloudy but a lot of direct sunshine. You could press on the piece and see bubbles underneath that didn’t harden. I was hoping leaving it out so long would help but it didn’t. I didn’t use anything to cover it thinking that may make curing slower. So, now I’m not sure about using it. The first piece came out nice but I would like to add another coat to make it thicker. But, I may leave it alone now because I don’t want to mess it up. Any advise?
@Catalina: Hey sis! If you saw the bubbles when you “pressed”, it might be that the resin got trapped underneath somewhere and the UV rays couldn’t get to it. That’s probably why it didn’t cure. Not sure what kind of object it was, so it’s hard to tell exactly. There are different things you can do, like cure one layer at a time, or make sure that an object is glued down completely so no resin can get underneath it. I’m so sorry you had a problem with your project! :( (I’ve been thinking about you, girl!
On the topic of Michael’s & Lisa P. products, I’m guessing you might know the scoop! I wouldn’t think that Michael’s would carry Magic Glos because of the short shelf-life, but if Hobby Lobby does, well…? What do you know, Mrs. Inside Info? ;D
@Phaedrakat: Michaels doesn’t sell the Magic Gloss. Only a select few of her items! The short shelf life is probably the reason. I guess they don’t realize us clayers would buy them out every week!!
Yay, this is another lovely technique to learn. I LOVE playing with Pearl Ex Powders, the colors are rich and the way they shimmer is so pretty! This will be fun… :)
The magpie in me just loves bright and shiny things !!Can’t wait ! Jump up and down -another super tute is coming………..patt
The pendant is just beautiful. I love the flowers cindy; would love a tutorial on how to do that. I’ve done a couple of dichroic glass pendants but had to scrap two of them because there was a bubble in one and the other the glass did not get to the edge. I think I cut the top layer just a teeny bit short. It’s definitely a lot more troublesome I’m sure than working with polymer clay.
I get Magic Glos at Hobby Lobby. You might try the one near you. I found it in the jewelry isle not the clay isle. You might also try Michael’s. They sell everything else be Lisa P. They just might sell Magic Glos also. I have also used Diamond Glaze with good success. It doesn’t need a light or the sun. I used a needle to get the bubbles out. It didn’t separate from the edges. The downside to this is it needs to cure for several hours. I left mine over night and it was really hard.
Good luck…………
Linda B.
On my motorhome trip last year I met up with a gal in CO – someone else I met on the web. She makes gorgeous dichroic glass and we spent a couple days together ‘playing’ in her glass room. Yes, it was a whole room! There were large and small pieces of glass, a cutting table, grinder and of course the kiln. Though I love dichroic glass I knew I’d never be able to set myself up with everything needed to make it. I had seen faux dichroic PC pieces and knew that was the way to go for me. I’ve been waiting almost a year now for Cindy to teach her way of making faux dichroic. I know I will love it!
Gorgeous jewelry in this tutorial intro, Cindy! I’m really looking forward to this video, can’t wait to see how you do this. I fell in love with the pendant on the steel bezel when you did the resin tute. Now there are plenty more to fall in love with, including the cute little charms that look a bit like fancied-up scrabble tiles (except they’re smaller than that!) The size of things in these videos always throws me; things are smaller than I realize, because Doug’s shots are up-close so we can see all the glorious detail! C’mon Friday…
Although I haven’t tried Magic Glos yet, I can tell that there are probably projects that it works better for. Alternatively, I think that Ultradome or Jewelry Glaze* (same as Ultradome resin) is more economical and better for certain projects, too. It is thinner, so it goes a lot further than Magic Glos. But if you want a thick resin coating on everything you make, then Magic Glos might be better for you. Otherwise, with Ultradome, you can put a thin coat on certain projects, and thicker coats on others (or multiple coats, of course.)
*Ultradome.com & Epoxyjewelry.com are sister sites—same product. Epoxyjewelry sells Jewelry Glaze, which is the same as Ultradome resin. This site is geared more towards jewelers & smaller quantity users.
Looking forward to this tutorial. I’ve made some faux dichro recently using a slightly different technique and Kato liquid medium – which works really well. It will be good to see a different approach.
@Haffina: Your name is not familiar to me, so I thought I’d just say we’re glad to hear from you. If you are new, you sure are in the right place. Cindy’s Tutorials and this Blog and her Facebook, well, they are the greatest. I could say: Everything I need to know about clay, I learned from Cindy! Welcome and happy learning!
This is gonna be awesome! I can’t wait til Friday!
OOPs, sorry for that. I replied to Carolyn’s message by mistake but am sure Peggy will see the message ;-(
@Lawrence: I am going to head over there now and I grateful for your information. There are so many sites out there I come across searching for something else altogether. I can spend hrs searching the net. So Thank You I do with much appreciation.
Uuuuugggs, Peggy
ugh ! I have dyslexia of the key board. Could you read it Cindy ? Sorry..patt
Here’s an FYI: FLASH! Polymerclaysuperstore.com is having a 50% sale on Premo! until 7/21. 2oz. for 85ยข. I’ll post this in a couple places so everyone gets a chance to see it.
I can’t wait till tomorrow for this tute. Maybe I can get some done before next Wednesday to have for my sale. I have not had much luck using the resin so I have been experimenting with other things that might look just as good. I think I have found a solution. I have not said anything because I have been testing it for the last few months. So far it looks like it is going to hold hold quite well with the polymer clay. I found it in the scrap booking section at Micheal’s. It is call Glossy Accents. It is made by Inkessentials. It comes in a 2 oz bottle. It has a fine tip on it. When I put it on the flat beads it did not run. It takes about 8-10 hours to dry, it left a shine just like glass. I just wanted to share this in case anyone else wants to try it. It really is cost effective too.
@Jackie: Jackie now the test is how does it hold up after 3 or 4 months. Sometimes glossy coatings deteriorate after several months and they become tacky.
@Claycass: I agree that will be the test..It has been about 3 months now and still it looks great and has not become tacky. I will keep you posted on how it is holding up..
@Jackie: Only thing is it’s not waterproof, only then does it get tacky, same with Judikins Diamond Glaze, no probs other than that.If I were to get the UV resin, how long to leave in the sun?
@Pam: I’ve recently been working with the Glossy Accents too. I’m wondering if putting a thin coat of Future over it would solve the water issue. I will add it to my list of things to try today.
@Katie: Let me know! :o)
Wow! What a fabulous tutorial! Now the big question is: do I stay up and make some faux dichroic … or go to bed and get some sleep. So much to do and so little time. I’ll compromise … I’ll set everything up and then I can start making first thing in the morning.
Hi Cindy! This tute is so cool, I really love how you don’t have to be precise with the powder,it looks great!
Attn: Miniature food makers, Mary H. is a Ginny doll collector, and she wants to buy mini-PC food for dioramas she makes with her vintage 8″ dolls. Her comment is here: Polymer Clay Miniature Food
Please help her, and fast—she left the comment on the 13th…
@Phaedrakat: I responded to her request but I messed up my post! So, Mary H. If you like me to help you you can contact me at my ETSY shop. It is: designsbyCATALINA. When I first started out with polymer clay miniature dolls and accessories were the first things I made. I hope to hear from you! ~Catalina
loved this tutorial- thanks cindy.
Ohh, wow! Can’t wait to try this! Thank you Cindy & Doug, you’ve done it again!
Cindy, kudos again, girl! That is one fabulous technique!
Godmother always purchased the makeup kits for us from the good department stores and I have boxes of fantastic mica based eye powders to use finally!!! Cannot wait to try this, even love the results plain without the gloss.
Easy to do for kids too, eye popping results. Anyone know if the gloss finish holds up under heat? Can food be exposed to it? That last huge pendant made me think that a hot plate tile, or spoon rest, might be possible. If food can touch the gloss, I’d take a shot at doing the bathroom counter, LOL! Something stenciled looking like Pennsylvania Dutch hex markings…
wow what a great tutorial I can’t wait to try it out, I think i’ll either raid my eyeshadows or buy some mica powders can’t wait, thanks soooooooooo much :)
Cindy and Doug Thank you for the wonderful gift. I feel this weeks tute was so much more than just a lesson. It was a learning experience not to forget you can take a beautiful piece of art and with a tweak here and a change of color there you have a similar piece of jewelry that is now working for many woman of different ages and tastes enjoying the same technique. Now that is not only Awesome but PURE GENEIUS!!!
Many Many Uuuuugggss, Peggy
I love this! I can’t wait to try it. You just amaze me with all of these techniques. Thanks so much.
Wow, again….. I love this and just found out my uv resin is in the mail. may try this in later and wait to put on the resin when it gets here. So much fun.
Andrea
Loved the “sanding” part…. that will help me with some things I have already tried where the mica powder sort of “took over” the clay! I also have some Gold Leaf Metallic Powders from Pearl that work like the mica powders. Thanks for the tips Cindy!
Cindy, Where did you get the micro mesh discs you used in this Volume 026-3 Dichroic Glass video? They look as though they would be so much simpler to use.
@Jayne Shankle: Jayne,I am not sure where you are located but this is where I get mine for the best prices
woodbin.ca or leevalley.com both online and in Canada.
@Lawrence: Thanks Lwarence…I found exactly what I am looking for at woodbin.ca and it’s reasonably priced.
@Jayne Shankle: They have a website: micro-surface[dot]com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=273_193&products_id=88&zenid=f76651293b44d5af7becfd7312deefe2
Hope this URL gets through OK … I changed the ‘.’ to [dot].
Cindy, looking forward to trying this technique!! My best source for fine grit sand paper has been from a lapidary store and Canadian Tire (automotive dept) in Edmonton, however I am most interested in the MicroMesh sanding pads. Where can I obtain these other than the website offered? Also, have you considered becoming a distributer for some of the more obscure tools/specialty items that you demonstrate in your fantastic how-to videos?
Oh – and did I mention how much I look forward to Fridays?
Carolyn
Thanks for the link. Those micro mesh sanding pads look very nice and easy to hold.
Also wanted to ditto you on why I find polymer clay so fascinating. In college, I was fortunate to meet and visit glass artist Dale Chihuly’s workshop on the river in Providence while he taught at RISD. At the time he was working on the Salvadore Dali style drip containers and the neon lit glass block structures. I was the coffee girl, lol.
Watching those folks work that glory hole during those long winter nites on the frozen river, the heat, the colors, the sheer muscle, and the fineness of the end results….just incredible, but unfortunately, far beyond my financial capabilities. I lusted to make milliefori canes, swirl colors, and design my own shapes.
Who knew, years later, my beloved nieces would expose me to a material with which you can mimic the same techniques for the cost of a toaster oven, lol. Yea Fimo!
Cindy’s adaptation of the dichrotic glass is the perfect example, as you know, from working with an artist with a kiln. Looks even better than glass, in my opinion, and is such a “high” to produce something so remarkably beautiful in your own home.
PS Cannot wait to receive the beautiful pendant and earring set from you!!!! Have some fabric set aside, and once your gift arrives, will design an outfit to wear with it. Due to meds and lupus, bright sunlight is a curse, so in the summer, all my outfits must cover all of me. I look forward to my first attempt at designing something myself in tribute to your gorgeous work, which I shall wear proudly (and hopefully, sell a whole bunch more for ya!).
Fondly
Jocelyn
@Jocelyn: I thought the Jocelyn in CT was you! I am just tickled silly to think you liked something of mine so much that you bought it! Now I know how Cindy feels when one of us buys one of her pieces. It’s one thing for someone who doesn’t know anything about PC to buy, but when a fellow PC artist buys, well, that’s the highest compliment. Thank you so much!
@Jocelyn: Wow, Dale Chihuly you’re so fortunate!! I’ve admired his work for a while now…by accident I caught a show of his here in a Vancouver Gallery a few years ago. A great story, thanks for sharing – it must have been an unforgettable experience for you!
@DJ: It was an amazing opportunity to see Dale actually create the glass himself. The next year, he was injured in an auto accident in Italy and loss the sight in one eye. From that point on, he designed, but, left the actually glass production to his team.
I’ll bet you’d love his coffee table book put out by Henry Abrams, “Chiluly”. Second edition, 1997, 1998. It’s heavy, and I’ve dropped it my my toe more times than I think to care about, lol. Each and every page is loaded with inspiration, color and design. Look at amazon.com for a used copy and enjoy!!!
must try without uv resin to begin with as must not buy any more equipment for a while !As usual you good people have given me some alternatives to try ,many thanks
Cindy,
I did not have the resin to do this, so I tried using UTEE with my heat gun. I did three layers and feel that the result was fair.
Carolyn, don’t know that I’d put myself in the “artist” category, but I sure like the stuff, LOL! Your site is fabulous, such great items! Encourage all to go and check it out. Especially love the wirework trees and the hanging Celtic crystals. Like Arnold, “I’ll be back…”
@Jocelyn: Thank you so much, Jocelyn. One of my trees made it into the Fire Mountain Gems finals. I haven’t ever placed there yet, but it is always exciting when they like my work enough to ask me to send it in for final judging. I made the hanging Celtic crystals during one of our motorhome trips for Don’s MDS treatments.
@carolyn:Carolyn, that’s absolutely awesome!! In my book you could serve as the standard for beautiful art anytime.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
@carolyn: Let us know if your piece makes Firemountaingem!! That sounds soooo exciting! I’m rooting for you!
@carolyn:I thought I had posted a response to your success-guess I forgot to hit the reply button (or, once again I posted something in the wrong place). Anyway, I’m not surprised that one of your pieces made it this far. I’ll say it again-in my book you can set the standard for beautiful art, any day, any time, anywhere.
Hugs,
Elizabeth S.
@Elizabeth S.: You are so sweet. Believe me, the encouragement is very much appreciated. I get real down sometimes now that Don is not here to comment on my work.
Carolyn, that’s fantastic! Do you know if it’s for one of their catalogs or advertising pages? Their pages are wonderfully visual and I can spend hours on their site and reading their catalogs.
To All: Thanks everyone for your outrageously great comments and feedback. It is so nice to see you all have a great time interacting with one another!!
Just thought I would give you a quick update on the Micro-Mesh abrasives. I just recently started using the product and I am IN LOVE! I think it is so fantastic that it will change your sanding experience.
It is so important that you all have the opportunity to learn more about it that I decided to show you all right away in the next tutorial video. So stay for more info in the Teaser Post on Tuesday!! You’re going to love this stuff!
Folks, are we sure that we can’t change Cindy’s time zone??? (And she’s posting on the weekend again…hard to stay away from something you love.)
Gotta question about holes when using resin: does it automatically go around the holes? From other photos the stuff goes around but not into them. Are the holes larger than usual? My internet has been down all day and finally came back a couple of hours ago. Have been dying to ask this question.
Well, just went back and watched the video. I think I simply used too much resin. I’ll need to drill the holes. Lucky me, my Dremel works. Have to say that the effect of the mica powders is lovely.
All I can say is “wow” ! I just saw the video as I have been away for 3 weeks. How beautiful these pendants are and how much fun to make. One would truly feel like an artist painting in the nooks and crannies. Can’t wait to make some of my own…
Well -I finally did it! IT being UV resin. I had (past tense hehe) a sample bottle of Magic-Glos. After doing, my version, of dichro -from the tute, I made a pendant w/ magic glos. IT TOOK THE WHOLE BOTTLE. Of course it was only .5 fl oz. My experience – it kept creeping away from the edges. Maybe it was because it had been sanded and buffed to 800. Hmmmmmmm – it was a smooth as a baby’ bottom. Anyway, I cured it 3 times to get it to cover all the way. Would have liked to do it one more time, but ran out of glos :{. You will see it on FB ( if I can get DH to photo all my stuff -sitting on the diningroom table -sigh). Guess it is time to mention it again and again. Sooon…………hugs
@pattw: Unfortunately that is the nature of Lisa’s Magic Glos … it pulls away from the sides. The best thing to do with hers is to run a bead of the glos around the outside first and cure it, then go back and cover the whole piece and cure again. It doesn’t matter whether you sanded or not … Lisa’s will pull from the edges.
@carolyn: Hi -the only reason I used the Magic-glos is because it was free. ALTHOUGH, because it is so thick, I agree with you. Probably will use it for special things. I am going to get some Ultradome realllllllly soon. Thanks for the info about pulling away from edges. I did put a heavy coat around the border -but it still creeped away. Like I said, the slick surface may have had something to do with it. I have read that magic-gloss does indeed, pull away from the edges. It cured in exactly 15 min – in the sun. Don’t expect to need an uv oven for a while…………….. Actually pretty happy with the results -lots of depth.
@pattw: So happy you took the plunge! Can’t wait to see it on FB!
@Phaedrakat: If the muse strikes him -DH -I have narrowed him down to photo on Sat. Keep your fingers crossed. THOUGH it may take me a while to trans to FB. But I have Cindy’s directions. Don’t hold your breath LOL………see ya
BTW: Terry’s UltraDome does not pull from the edges.
MEMBER PROJECT PHOTOS JUST ADDED… that relate to the theme of this page… Faux Dichroic Glass.
You can view the larger images by clicking on the link by my name.
BTW: Thanks to everyone above, who took the time to comment in this thread. Your feedback, support and engaging conversations are always such a wonderful part of my day. Although I don’t get a chance to address everyone individually, please know that I do read everything. ~Cindy
hai iam geetha, i would like to know that is it necessary to wear gloves,masketc.,while using uv resin.In India we have only two part epoxy, can i use it on polymer clay projects.can anyone pls give me some ideas. thank you..
@geetha: Hi Geetha, I too use two part epoxy resin. I don’t think it is necessary to do either. I think it is each individuals preference to wear glove or masks.If you are very careful not to get it on you, there is no reason to use gloves. I like to feel what I am doing, so gloves for me. I use rubbing alchole to remove it if I get it on me ;)
I love the look of a piece finished with UV resin/gel. I needed a way to use resin/gel on a round bead. Since I teach cosmetology/nail tech here where I live I decided to try UV gel for artificial nails on a round bead. I messed with it for a while before I made it work. I simply brush it on using a gel brush over half the bead making sure not to leave a major line of demarcation, place the bead down where the hole of the bead is to steady it, cure the bead, then turn it over, apply the gel to the other half and cure it. It works great!
@Jayne Shankle: Smart, Jayne! I’ll have to give this a try…sounds like a “winning” strategy! ;D As long as that ‘demarkation’ line isn’t too thick, this seems like it would be pretty forgiving, too. Can’t wait to play with your “round bead” technique!
(The only problem I have now is that I have to buy a UV lamp. I was enjoying curing resin using the sun…but it’s been hiding lately. Then again, it IS October, LOL! I guess I’ll try painting on the 2-part casting epoxy, too. No sun required…but how will it like being painted thin on a round surface?)
hai Brenda, thank you so much for sharing your ideas.
I think you can paint on epoxy too but you will need to clean your brush quickly with alcohol. It would be worth a try. It’s a simple way to make really shiney beads…..no work!!!! I love that!
Two part epoxy can be brushed on round beads and ‘hung’ on a skewer or some such item (bamboo stick, sliver of wood …)to cure. They have to cure for 24 hours. I know this works ’cause I just did it with Terry Morris’ two part epoxy. It can also be colored and used as a paint. Unless detail is desired, the best is just to get a slug of those cheapo paint brushes and just toss them when you are done.
Have you tried Fimo Gloss? I just got a jar and I really like it. I also like Diamond Verathane that I get at Ace Hardware and it’s water based.
Hi Bonnie, are you comparing the Fimo to the look of resin, or just talking about the shine? (Jayne mentioned above that she loves a resin finish on round beads…) I have been hearing good things about the Fimo gloss, so I went ahead and got some last week with a “spare” coupon at JoAnn. I haven’t tried it yet…been insanely busy. Makes me happy to hear another positive review, though…Thanks! :D
I’m sorry, I missed a couple of comments/replies here. Sorry about that! Thank you guys, for the tips…much appreciated!
Hi Kat, yes I was only talking about the shine. Most of my beads I put in a tumbler with river rocks for about 24 hours and then buff them because I don’t want to use resin on a round bead. I tried it a couple of times and when I had to make the holes bigger it damaged the resin by the hole in the bead. I really like the Fimo Gloss for the beads. I had ordered some Fimo Gloss over the internet and they sent me some old stuff that was made by Eberhard Faber and it was awful. I think the place I ordered it from had it sitting on the shelf a long time. Staedtler has taken over the Fimo part of Eberhard Faber is what I was told so they were trying to get rid of their old stock. I also ordered some Fimo Translucent 00 and really like it. If you are using a lot of translucent it’s really good to work with.
I had such a fun weekend doing the faux dichroic technique. They came out beautifully. In the past when I was working with the mica powders I was actually throwing them away when I got it in other places where I did not want it. Why O’ Why do all the people who tell you about it in books, not tell you that you can get rid of the mistakes so easily. I love your video tutorials Cindy.
Karon
Hi Cindy,
I was wondering where you got the stamp for the project? It is really beautiful. I have looked and looked but have not been able to find this particular stamp. Thanks!
Patricia
I think I got those stamps in the dollar bin at Michaels a couple of years ago Patricia. Don’t know if you’ll find the exact ones again there or not. Another place to look for similar shaped stamps is in the candle making section of Michaels. They are unmounted rubber stamps, meant to be pressed into warm was candles, to make an impression. Hope you find something suitable. Good luck!
Cindy – I think of you every day and love playing with my clay. It helps my stress level sooooo much!!! I just made some awesome faux dichroic hearts – love love love love them!!!!
I made a pendant design inspired by my polymer clay hero Cindy Lietz, and this Faux Dichroic Glass tutorial, along with the Etching Polymer Clay Lesson. It’s been lots of fun combining the two ideas into one, while adding my own spin.
Cindy, thank You for for always inspiring me to think outside the box. I couldn’t have done it without you.