Video #115: Taking the Smooth Faux Raku Technique to a Whole New Level!
They say that “Imitation is the Mother of Invention.” And that is exactly what happened with my deep crackle, faux raku polymer clay technique. You see a while ago, my husband received a beautifully crackled fish sculpture as a gift. It was made by a ceramic pottery artist who used traditional, high temperature raku methods to fire and crackle the surfaces of the piece.
Ever since Doug received that gift, I’ve figured there must be a way to imitate those dimensional raku crackles, using polymer clay. Well there is a way! And on Fri July 17 over at the Polymer Clay Video Library, you will get to see how it’s done.
The neat thing about invention, is how it is usually spawned from a collection of ideas, combined in a new way through the process of trial an error.
For example, my deep crackle faux raku technique begins with a process that other polymer clay artists are already using. This “Step 1” process is presented here: Smooth Faux Raku Tutorial
Then to get from the smooth surface to the deep crackles, I use an approach that’s kind of similar to what I’ve already demonstrated in my crackled gold leaf video.
And just like what happens with authentic ceramic pottery raku, my faux deep crackle technique produces texture patterns that are unique every time. The color blends will vary and the cracks will differ to the point where you can honestly label each piece as a one-of-a-kind original.
To view an introductory clip of the second and last part of this polymer clay faux raku mini series, click here: Sneak Peak Video (or scroll down the page to the video player posted below).
Information about how to get signed up at the members library, is posted further down on the page (under the video player). I hope you can join me and the many other students who have already enrolled. You won’t be disappointed.
Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<
The full version of the “Faux Raku” preview video shown above, is available for purchase at my Polymer Clay Bead Making Videos Library in the Volume-014 Back Issue Package.
For a bullet list of topics covered in both the Part 1 and Part 2 segments of this mini-series, click here: Faux Raku
After work last night I try the raku smooth. It is beautiful and fun but now I so want to learn to crackle it!!! Can’t wait!
Hi Cindy,
Wow… this technique is EXTREMELY cool!!! :D
I had to run off to try it out during lunchtime because it looked like so much fun.
I’ve had about 5 goes at crackling and am getting the hang of how to control crackle size, although I’ve had to use quite different times to what was mentioned in the video, and the “ready test” doesn’t work out with Kato. It’s not surprising that that kind of detail differs with various brands of clay, however… Perhaps it would be worthwhile suggesting people try the crackling first with plain/scrap clay before “risking” their beautiful faux raku sheets?
I think I’ll also try combining your technique with the leaching approach I played with when I first saw your deep crackle photos. That’ll probably give me a bit of extra control over crackle size with Kato, and I have a feeling that it’ll permit the use of a thicker crackle layer, producing an even deeper finished crackle. (I hope so, anyway!)
Many many thanks Cindy… this is really fantastic!
Sue
You’ll love this one. Heat guns are over in storage, but getting them soon (after watching Cindy’s, that model is on my Christmas list….think of how warm I can keep my hands and feed this winter, LOL).
Too impatient to wait, I discovered that if you place the clay on paper, then on a sheet of aluminum foil, I could rest it on top of the toaster (yep) and get the same dried out texture needed. Watch your settings, no burning! Since it’s not inserted into the toast sections, no danger of contamination. I ran the exhaust fan and a regular fan, just to make sure.
I have sheets of this stuff I made a decade ago and loved it….just couldn’t figure out what to do with it. Now, thanks to Cindy, I know.
dear Cindy
again another fantastic method- can’t wait to try it. I have been crackling clay this week with the perfect pearls method that Barbara Fajardo of ‘Desert designs’ does on her flowers. But yours is a much easier method and i think you have more control.
Thank you again
Cara
Love the beads! Looks to be very easy! I love that blade….did it have a handle on it? It seems to be much longer than the ones you buy, where did u get that? Thank you for making my friday!
@Melinda: Hope you enjoy it!
@Sue: I bet it is different with the Kato! I found the times needed to get the sheet ready varied depending on how old my clay was, so I’m sure it changes from brand to brand as well. Glad you liked the technique. It really does make some beautiful beads doesn’t it!
@Jocelyn: I am very worried about putting paper and tinfoil on a regular toaster being an extreme fire hazard. I’m sure you were careful, but some people might accidentally start a fire with a method like that. It would be better to just put the clay in the oven instead. That would be safer! That is cool you have some already made sheets. Maybe you can use them for this technique.
@cara: I am not familiar with Barbara’s technique. Where did you learn it? Could the idea be combined with mine?
@Theresa: That blade was from the Studio by Sculpey Blade set. There are four blades in the set. One long stiff blade, a slightly shorter flexible blade and two sizes of ripple blades. There are two handles that can be snapped on to either end of each of the blades. But I like to use only one handle per blade since since I pull the blade through my clay. Having a second handle on a single blade would get in my way.
WOW! Another great idea Cindy. I have to admit that I kind of guessed how you might have done this. But I was curious to see what your process was. I knew it would be nice and simple and look like it was really hard to do. And I wasnt disappointed! Thats what I love about your techniques. They give such great results without being eyecrossing difficult. One more thing to add to my growing list of things to try when I can get at my clay!!
XOXO Jamie
One more day… then I have the weekend off and I intend to dedicate at least most of one day to my studio (my desk in the dining room). Can’t wait!!! I can only pray that the children and the hubby will be okay with that.
@ Cindy
Good point. I watched it very carefully, and keep the toaster setting on low. I use my toaster do melt embossing powder too.
Love to click it up and down, and it warms the whole toaster, which for this girl’s achy fingers, is quite the treat, LOL!
My Dad would have termed it “a controlled burn.”
@Melinda
That’s my current method. Works fine. Putting a shelf nearby at the right height where you can line up all your electronics, ready to go, helps and frees up space on the table. Also lets you use one of those long extension cords with the multi slots for all our toys.
Found that ebay.com was a great source for cheap clear plastic tablecloths. Use one on the underneath to protect the table from general smutz, and keep one to throw over the top to keep projects dust free. Also can put a nice colorful fabric tablecloth underneath for inspiration (’40’s veggies).
Could even throw one on the floor as the designed no traffic zone and to catch all those little globs of clay. If they find your way into your acrylic carpet, it will eventially eat it away and leave holes. Trust me. LOL!
If the wind blows at your house, make a couple of clay covered weights or paperweights to keep it from moving.
I am so excited about this part of the technique, was not quite sure about the smooth part. Now I can’t wait till I can try the crackle. What beautiful beads, thanks Cindy for another wonderful technique.
Dear Cindy,
I found barbara’s site through polymer clay central and her gallery is rubarbdesertdesigns.com. Her beads are extraordinary and I paid for a single online lesson to make her crackle flora bead. Barbara uses perfect pearls to get multiple colours and crackles,because the PP is resin based and when rolled cracks. The more you layer, the deeper the cracks. But the paint tends to lift more than your method and again I think your method is much better. One of Barbara’s greatest inspirations is Klew, whose beads are also amazing. When I first saw the work of these women, I was inspired to learn more about polymer clay- hence I found your online course- which is the best way that i can learn the skills to make my own design ideas.
All the best
Cara
This is my video favorite so far. I’ve been wondering how to do this ever since you first showed off your faux deep raku. Thanks for sharing your technique for getting those gorgeous deep crackles. I’d like to see more about doing the smaller, smoother crackles, too. Is it just a “normal” variation? Or do you do something different on those?
@Jamie: Thank you Sweetie! Love your words, “great results without being eyecrossing difficult”! I’m a huge ‘fan’ of making things that look difficult but are actually easy and a huge ‘hater’ of things that look easy but are super hard! :-)
@Melinda: How cute! You’ll have to just tell them family you’ll make them something. Maybe that will help. (Should work for the kids. May have to appease the hubby with food.) ;-)
@Jocelyn: Love the tips! Send photos of your workspace. Even if it is small I’m sure others would love to take a look and see what works for you!
@nancy: Thanks! Glad you liked it!
@cara: I’ve seen Barbara’s work and it is really lovely. I just haven’t seen any of her techniques. Sounds interesting. Will have to experiment with perfect pearls. Been meaning to get some anyways. Thanks for passing the info along. Thank you for the compliments as well!
@PLaneFancies: Thanks! It is part of the ‘normal’ variations. If you look closely in the video there is areas with large crackles and fine crackles. The areas where the crackle is finer were on the edges where they were cured for slightly less time. You could play around with the cure time to get the look you want.
LOL….Cindy…you first. Ahahahaha. I want to see what is under “the blue drape.”
@PLaneFancies: Cindy mentioned it in her reply to you too, but the crackle size seems strongly linked to curing time, judging by the experimentation I’ve done since Cindy released the video.
I use Kato so the times are quite different, but as an example, 12 seconds consistently gives me a fine crackle like the flat pale-gold-on-red piece in the introduction to the video, and 17 seconds consistently gives me a larger crackle similar to the coarsely-crackled pink-on-black tube bead in the introduction. (Much more than that and Kato holds together too much to crackle.)
Worked on this technique tonight, it was very simple after following Cindy’s techniques. Thanks Cindy again for your excellent tutoring skills.
@ Nancy
Love your site! Very impressive pic of some excellent faux raku.
Well I will speak for inept among us– I think the attempted crackle sheet may end up as lovely Jupiter beads eventually. I don’t know if I over cured the sheet or what but I had a HUGE mess once I tried to crackle to sheet onto other clay. What I could get to stick crackled nicely, but basically I had a mess. ewwww.
Sarah: Lol, I have to admit it took a couple times for me to get it right. I over cooked two sheets… whoops!!! But once I got it… it was fun.
Thanks Jocelyn, I love the table cloth idea! Thnks Cindy for the tutorial. I had a good clay day!
Dear Cindy,this technic is great!
I have a question concerning the uses of the heat gun with polymer clay. I’ve just made a flower bead in pearl and black and I wanted to add a piece of clay on the reverse side back of the flower. I always am afraid of baking a clear color twice, and that’s why I ask if it’s possible to bake a little peace of clay fixed to the big one with liquid clay with the heat gun. Can you help me? or maybe to fix 2 parts with liquid clay already baked. thanks a lot from the Mediterranean!!!
Thank you Jocelyn, I had a lot of fun making them.
@Jocelyn: I keep forgetting to get Doug to take photos of my studio! The lighting is poor so the pictures don’t always turn out. May need to bring up lights from the ‘set’ where we film the videos. We will get to it… don’t worry! :-)
@Sue: I absolutely adore how precise you are!! It must be a great deal of help to those who need preciseness! I understand it is a bit of trial and error since clay never seems to be at exactly the same consistency but once you you get a feel for it like you have you can get consistent results. It’s worth figuring out though, since the look is so cool!
@nancy: Very happy to hear you found it easy to do. Your beads on your site look like they turned out quite well! Good for you!
@sarahwww: Sorry you had trouble. Don’t worry with a little practice it will get easier. Maybe practice on a few scraps of scrap clay until you get the hang of how far you need to cure it, to get it to crackle. If you have any questions, just ask. I’d be happy to help!
@Melinda: What a beautiful job! Thanks for sharing your work with us, so that everyone can see it is a doable project.
@Amada: The problem with using a heat gun to cure clay is that it is difficult to control the exact temperature and to have the patience to hold the heat gun long enough (1 hour) to get a proper cure. You can kind of cure it but it won’t be fully cured deep inside and could break down over time. I wouldn’t be afraid to bake your clear color twice. Just make sure the temp is not too high and that it is tented with a piece of folded paper. you should be fine. Ask for more help if you need it.
I’ve just tried making these and I wish I’d practiced on scrap. I used white kato and made quite a large patch, but it just wouldn’t stick to the bottom layer when I* put it through the pasta machine so I ended up having to roll it with the acrylic roller. I think it cured way too much.
So I then thought I’d try making Jupiter beads but couldn’t get that to work either, so I’m feeling a bit despondent and a bit lighter on clay!
I have some beads in the oven right now which may turn out ok – if they do I’ll take some photos.
**PHOTOS ADDED: The following link will take you to a Spotlight Article featuring some pictures of Polyanya’s beautiful work: Faux Raku Polymer Clay
Oh that does sound frustrating Polyanya… don’t worry we’ll get it figured out!
First of all, mistakes are part of learning and you should not get too discouraged by them. There are probably a few things that went right.
In the video I used Premo clay and suggested that you just cure the clay in tiny amounts at a time and ‘test’ it often so that you don’t over cure it. From what Sue said above, Kato cures a lot quicker in this technique and she had to adjust her times back quite a bit. Read her comment above for times.
Also, in the video I suggested you use only a small amount of your sheet just in case it takes a few tries to get the feel of it. When you try this technique again (and I suggest you do), test it on small scrap pieces first.
As far as what to do with the clay that didn’t work out, just chop through the pile with your blade (or put in an old food processor) until the baked bits are small and thoroughly mixed with the raw clay. This will make perfect faux pebble beads so it won’t be wasted.
In regards to the Jupiter Beads, you didn’t put the raku stuff in the barrel did you? Because that won’t really get the right result. You need a mix of new and old clay not baked clay to get the crackled effect.
Also just using soft clays won’t do it either. It is the mixture of soft and crumbly that makes it work.
Don’t get down about mistakes. When you are learning new techniques, some will be easy and some will be harder but if you persist, you will be able to conquer them all. Keep your test batches small until you master the techniques and you won’t use up your clay so fast.
If you have any more questions or you need more help, don’t hesitate to ask. I am here for you!
Bless you Cindy, what an encouraging tutor you are! Of course I didn’t follow your video to the letter – watched it once and thought I’d remember everything, then I watched it back again after I’d made the raku sheet and saw the part where you said DON’T use it all at once. Doh!
And yes I put the raku crumbles into the extruder. Ah well!
I made some more raku sheets and tried just putting some scrap clay mixed with a touch of gold through and part baking that. It worked well and I’ve made some beads. I’ll send you an email soon as I’ve finished them. I warn you Cindy, I hardly ever do anything to the letter – never followed a recipe in my life – sometimes things go wrong but sometimes I get it right. I just like having a go!
**PHOTOS ADDED: The following link will take you to a Spotlight Article featuring some pictures of Polyanya’s beautiful work: Faux Raku Polymer Clay
Awww that’s cute Polyanya! I do something similar myself… my mind races ahead to the end and I end up making many mistakes because of it. But then I get to pass them on to everyone, as what NOT to do, so it works out in the end. :-)
I would love to see pictures of your beads. They would be excellent for one of the ‘Spotlight’ segments on the blog.
When you send the pics do write a little description of your “Raku Escapades’. What went wrong and how you fixed it. Everyone likes to feel they aren’t the only ones to make mistakes. I think they would love to hear your story!
I wanted to share my smooth raku inro that I finished yesterday. Being computer challenged, I am not sure how to place the picture on this comment section. So if you will click on my blog and you can view my version of the smooth raku.Initally, I had stated that I wasn’t sure about the smooth technique, and that bothered me,until I tried it and finally came up with a way to work it in to a project I had been wanting to try. My Inro, I think came out to round and too big, but it gave me an idea of how to work on others. the smooth raku technique is much prettier in person I think. Thanks again Cindy, you inspire so many people to create with your teaching style. Thanks
Wow Nancy that is so great that you have made so many things with this technique already! Great job!
*For those of you who have seen her beads yet, pop over to Nancy’s site to check out what she’s done. The link is attached to her name in the comment above.
Doing some work tonite on the set up. Everytime I think I have it mapped out on paper someone here has another fantastic work shop idea in the comments or Cindy features a studio to die for. Oooooo, the one with the black and white tiled floor…can I come live with you? LOL! Jamie, yours sounds very promising too, cannot wait to see it featured!
Two new things popped out at me, and if this works for you…great!
Was into glass for awhile and live in small spaces, so am always on the lookout for bargains on mirrors, tiles, glass sheets, or mirrored tiled glass sheets.
On Carson many years ago, Burt Reynold’s had me hysterical with a bit he did around the time his movie “The End,” premiered.
After a discussion of Reynold’s likes and dislikes he summed it up with:
“I like tiles. I like mirrors. I like Indians.”
Me, too. Then, I am part Cherokee, so I guess that figures. I was also raised devout Roman Catholic, and when I could not stand Latin or my brother (who always snapped the elastic on those foolish hats my Mom made us all wear) one more second, I could turn to those gorgeous and inspiring stained glass window for solice, comfort, and endless joy.
I took the mirrored tiles and put them back to back, then sealed the edges with copper foiled stained glass tape. The tape comes in many colors, thicknesses, and border designs now to match your decor. This heavy thick glass never budges, and it is heaven to create on with polymer clay. I have several.
It also helps with determining how to tackle sticky or edge problems because the edge reflects back at you. It stays cool and is easy to clean. Muggy hot day? Just pop it in the fridge for a few secs and wipe the condensation off.
I also use double sheets of clear glass in the same manner, but to help with design, I have imbedded graph paper within the plates to assist with sizing. Also I have several imbedded with color chips and choices so can match them quickly.
These are not tempered, so please be cautious with them, especially around small children who are fascinated with their own faces. One or two have hit the floor by accident, and I can tell you that is one mess you don’t want. It also could cut an artery/vein and cause a 911 call, so keep them far away from the edge of the work surface.
As for design and inspirational pics, you could also put them underneath the plastic tablecloth and have them very accessible, no glass needed.
Hi Cindy, this technique looks really nice, but tell me how can I get the gold and the black raku effects that you show at the end of the video?is the clay already in gold color or hast it gold mica powder? and the black? thank you Cindy, now I’m starting my holiday time and I want to give more time to these polymer clay techniques. Thanks
@Jocelyn: Wow those are some great ideas! I have thought about sliding a sheet of graph paper under my glass cutting board but just haven’t got around to it yet. It would be very helpful when making Kaleidoscope canes, in order to get those right angle triangles. Need to find some paper with the larger grids on it.
@Amanda: With the gold and black sample, I used Black clay with gold, copper and I think Pink colored Mica powder. The effect is quite striking in person. I am so glad to have you as a new member! If you have any more questions, I would be happy to help. Thank you for commenting!
Thanks Cindy.
Just use any size graph paper and bump the square size up and down using your scanner or copier, or go to the local copier store. You can have several sizes on hand.
You could laminate them to work on when size counts. Or, use the old overhead projector clear acetate sheets to copy your grids onto…you can slip the right one right under your glass work surface.
Acetate copies are easier available at copier outlets, and cheap. Easy to make at home too. They are fragile and need to be under something clear, or the clay would stick.
Hmmmm, wonder if you could get acetate templates for your Lietz teardrop blends. You could just trace around the teardrop shapes and sizes, then run it through the acetator (lol) to have a record for a series of color blends.
Hope these ideas might help!
Hi Cindy,
I tried today the faux raku crackle technique but I seem to have a problem: my clay won’t brake. I am using Fimo clay and an off the shelve heat gun. Instead of breaking my clay get a rubbery texture and it wont break. Do you have any suggestions?
I got very excited with these beads and I would like very much to be able to make some :).
Best,
Ileana
@Jocelyn: Good idea!
@Ileana: The reason why your clay won’t break is because you have cured it too far. Practice on some scrap clay and cure for less time until you get a feel for it. Each brand behaves a little differently. Read Sue’s comment above for how Kato clay needs only a few seconds to cure. Fimo may be the same sort of thing. If you need more help, let me know.
**PHOTOS ADDED: Some project pictures have just been added to a Spotlight Feature showcasing Polyanya, a member who is very much appreciated here at this supportive polymer clay community. Click on the “Faux Raku Polymer Clay” link by my name above to have a look.
**PHOTOS ADDED: Some Raku Bead project pictures have just been added to a Spotlight Feature showcasing Melinda Herron, a member who is very much appreciated here at this supportive polymer clay community. Click on the “Polymer Clay Jewelry” link by my name above to have a look.
Hi Cindy, I just watched your video on crackle Faux Raku
beads. I have a Question ,could you use a blow dryer to heat the clay ? It seems like it would do the same job.
I’m all for the correct tools to do the job ,but sometimes it’s nice to improvise a little. I’m enjoying the video’s i have purchased so far, this is addicting.
Thanks for making it easy.
Mary
Hi Mary, great question! I’m not sure that your blow dryer will be hot enough. Most heat guns are a lot hotter than blow dryers are. But as always it never hurts to try. You can always pop it in the oven for a couple minutes if the blow dryer doesn’t work. Let me know if it works for you and if you have any more questions.
**PHOTOS ADDED: Some project pictures have just been added to a Spotlight Feature showcasing Elizabeth Schydlower, a member who is very much appreciated here at this supportive polymer clay community. Click on the “Faux Raku Picture Frames” link by my name to have a look.
Hi, Cindy–thought you should know I taught your faux crackle raku technique to my local guild. Of course I gave you credit and mentioned your blog and e-newletter.
Amazing all the different effects we got. There’s a lot of difference between using a heavy-duty paint peeling heat gun (like I have) vs. a craft heat gun. As expected, much faster with the heavy-duty model, but easier to control with the craft version. Since I am used to the heavy-duty one, I quit too soon w/ the craft version and didn’t get much crackle, but still had nice results.
Forgot to mention that one member used her acrylic roller instead of the pasta machine. That might be a way to control the crackle a bit more, if you’re not up for random chance! Personally, I like random AND chance :-)
Wow that is great PLaneFancies! I bet you all had a great time. Thank you so much for giving me credit when sharing the idea with the Guild. I am pleased that your guild members will now be part of our community.
Thanks for letting us know the differences between using the different types of heat guns. Sounds like there are advantages and disadvantages to both, which is good to know.
I’d love to see some photos of what you guys made. Email them to me if you can. We’d all love to see what you all made!
I’m sorry I didn’t bring a camera to the meeting. I’ll try to get some
shots of the pieces I have made and will make. As I said, I didn’t heat
mine enough w/ the craft heat gun, so they barely crackled at all. But a
piece I did at home with the big heat gun crackled beautifully. Will send
to you soon.
**PHOTOS ADDED: A project picture of a polymer clay pendant made with the deep crackle faux raku technique, has just been added to a Spotlight Feature showcasing Ileana Buhan. She is a member from the Netherlands, who is very much appreciated here at this supportive polymer clay community. Click on the “Polymer Clay Jewelry” link by my name to have a look.
Wow, this is a very cool technique! Cindy, you cracked me up (get it?) in this video, it was like someone had told a good joke before you started filming or something! This method creates some amazing results, but I think it will be a little trickier than some of the other techniques I’ve learned. Luckily, we have Cindy, who is always able to help us if we run into trouble with (anything!) our projects. I have everything I need to make Faux Deep Crackle Raku. So as soon as my back says, “Okay, you can stand up and play/clay for a while”, I will tackle it.
There are some gorgeous examples of this technique in the Bead Giveaway Contest, that I’d love mine to look like, but I’ll be happy if I can just get a decent crackle my first time out. Then I’ll try to make some beautiful beads like the other members have made. I might even try the gold/copper colors that Cheryl H. used in her Deep Crackle Raku beads (they turned out so pretty!) Anyway, thanks for all of your hard work creating these videos for us, Cindy! It’s just so much fun learning all of these cool things!
Very beautiful !
I do the same crakle but without colors for some of my chocolate cakes, but with colors like you do it’s.. wouaaaa :-)
Thank you very much, i will test ;-)
You’re a nice teacher, i’m very happy to discover your videos.
Just wanted to share my latest necklace with all of you. Using Cindy’s Faux Raku method was Alot of fun and I got some really cool results :D (just posted pics at the Members Facebook Gallery Page)
This was made for a really sweet lady at our local dr’s office– she wanted something in red and black the rest was up to me. It took about a week to focus in on a technique and then another week to make the beads and get it all strung up. BTW the latest vid showing how to use bead cones really took the fear out of making this a two stand necklace.
Thank you Cindy for all you do -sherry
You’re welcome Sherry! I should be thanking you though, for going to the effort of making such a wonderful piece, photographing it, posting it on Facebook and then coming back here to let everyone know about it!
When members like you, share your ideas like this, everyone benefits. New ideas are born… confidence is built in those that are not sure if they can do it too… and people get inspired to try out ideas of their own. What could be better than that?
BTW, you may have noticed Doug popped in and added the links for you. Thank you Doug! This will make it easy for people to check out Sherry’s stunning necklace!
@Sherry – I think it’s great that you posted your comment in this older Faux Raku thread… which is an appropriate place for it. But like you, I would have expected it to show up in the right side bar.
My post here, is a bit of an experiment. I’m thinking that with older posts like this, it might require several new comments to get posted before they they show up in the side bar widget… maybe some sort of popularity calculation that happens. So with your post Sherry, Cindy’s and now mine… let’s see what happens.
If anyone else is following along here, could you also post a quick comment to add to this thread as an additional test. It sure would nice to figure out this little mystery :-)
After three comments I still don’t see anything in the side bar. So this is test comment #4…. although to complete this test properly, it may require new people leaving comments. If anyone is listening, please do post something here in this thread to see if we can get these comments to show in the side bar. Thanks.
Doug, I’ve been too busy to check the blog for the past week. Today, I went to the bottom of the sidebar and clicked More, so I could go back a few more days. This post of yours showed up in my sidebar, along with the one above it.
Thanks Linda… your comment here in this thread also showed up in today’s recent comments in the side bar… which is what I was hoping for. It means that everyone should still be able to comment at old posts and also be seen right away in the side bar widget.
I sure will… Beautiful work Sherry
Hi Cindy!
I have never shared what I have done before, but I liked this raku-tutorial you teached very much and I think I managed to make some wearable things.
Thank you for your good and simple instructions!
Sincerely Synnøve (Norway)
Ps: I am no photographer as you see!
WOW…stunning pieces. You really put in some hard work. You did GREAT!!!!
these are really gorgeous! Well done!
Synnøve – Your pieces are beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing the photo.
If you have a Facebook account, it would be wonderful if you could also upload your pic(s) to the members gallery page. Having all of the project images archived there, makes it easy for everyone to browse the collection for inspiration all in one central location.
Thank you for encouraging me. I need it because I have not discovered anyone else with this hobby here where I live. I am not so happy reading english either, so your tutorials are perfect. You are easy to understand, and I’m looking forward to get your videos every friday.
Synnøve
PS: I am on facebook, but just because my grandchildren “forced” me. I realy don’t know how to use it ;-)
Okay, here are my faux Rakuten crackle beads! The deep crackle ones turned into almost smooth crackle because I heated my clay sheet pretty unevenly. I sort of ended up over rolling the beads fussing over the seams. I probably should have left them alone, but these are still very pretty. You can see the smoother Raku beads there in the center too. What fun techniques! It never would have occurred to me to use a partially baked sheet of clay in a project. Cindy, you are just so creative! I know there’s a lot of dedication behind that, too working at finding the best ways to do things, & I really appreciate the time you put into doing that. Thanks!
Ooo I do like the “smooth” crackle that you ended up with Katy! You are right about the length of time effecting the level of crackle, but the beauty of this process is that even if it wasn’t quite what you planned to do, the result is still awesome! Thanks for posting your projects! It is so wonderful to be able to see what you are working on!
Yes, they turned out pretty well! I’ll keep posting more projects as they get done, but I’m trying to commit to finishing projects, so I’ve slowed down some on my output of new things… Now, I said “trying” so I’m sure I’ll be doing lots of new stuff still, but I’m trying to at least sand and buff the pieces before sharing them… Plus I’ve gone back to some of my first clay pieces and I’m finishing them up nicely. It’s amazing that some of what I did months ago when I knew nothing actually comes out ok, especially with the sanding and buffing! I’m making or using chain or beading up necklaces so they’re actually finished pieces! I’ve got about a million beads, pendants, cabochons, larger focal pieces for bib necklaces, etc, but now a total of 3 pieces that I can call completely finished! haha…. ok that’s actually not funny… more daunting!! :/ but I’m pleased to finally see results I’m proud of that I can wear without saying “yeah, I still need to sand this” or “I really should have sealed those mica powders” or whatever the case is… I’m even going back and filling in extra clay on the uneven backs of some of my cabochons that I made before knowing how to get smoother backs without big divets… nothing could be more boring than adding some black to the boring back of a cabochon I made months ago… but the bins full of finished beads are piling up now that I’ve got my tumblers and media worked out and running round the clock, and I’ve got to do something with them all! Maybe if I ever sell these at a craft fair I can offer a free bag of random beads with each purchase just to get rid of some of these that I don’t like well enough to use or don’t have enough of one kind to make a piece like I want or something…. I feel like being one of those car dealership guys on a commercial who yells “they’ve got to go!!!!” :D Anyway… back to some boring finish work… it’s actually not bad, it’s just not nearly as fun as creating something new with the clay!
Hi Katy, yeah you need to find a balance between being prolific with new stuff… and finishing things so they can be used. If you are finishing it hard to be motivated to finish things, try something that is quick and easy like making earrings! They are fast, don’t use that much in extra supplies and are a great way to use up stray beads. There are tons of styles you can make. Get some 20 gauge Niobium or Silver Filled wire and make your own earwires too. They make great gifts, they sell well at craft fairs and you can never have too many of them yourself!
*finishing it hard = finding it hard
Haha, don’t worry, I am fluent in Typo… Both reading and writing it ;)
And thanks, that’s a good idea… I made several large pieces and not only are they big or require me to think up some brilliant stringing method (because boring methods are boring.) I also made them before I knew what I was doing so I’m finding a lot of them are causing me trouble and I don’t always know how to solve those problems so I get kind of stalled. Maybe it would be smarter to work with some of my newer stuff first and leave the old stuff alone for now. Especially these weird cuff bracelets and necklace chunks that I don’t know what to do with. Tonight I have been up to fun instead of finishing, like starting some faux dichroic glass pieces and using up an old cane on more pillow beads… :D Plus I’m on this weird keychain kick, playing with various stamps, mica powders and Inka gold paints… so I’ve been applying resin to those. Loads of fun fun fun! And thank goodness for Terry’s UV resin! I also tried the magic glos, just because, and it drove me bananas on these key chains! I used up the huge bottle on just 10 or so pieces because I kept trying to add layers in order to get the darn stuff to the edges. I’m sure it would be fantastic in a bezel or something that you fill and want a nice high dome, but on these flat pieces I’m working with it’s just impossible! By the time I get it to stay at the edges it’s so domed that it runs off and under causing all kinds of trouble. I should have rewatched your video before buying that magic glos… I did watch it again, but not till after a few less than ladylike phrases escaped….
Yeah I hesitate to say anything bad about a product that another respected Polymer Clayer has created, but the Magic Glos isn’t near as easy to use as Terry’s resin… plus it is way more expensive. Although the EpoxyJewelry resin is quite a bit thinner than the Magic Glos, it will make a very nice dome, as long as the edges on the piece you are doming are perfectly straight up and down, not beveled at all. In fact the crisper the edge, the higher you can dome…. it’s a surface tension thing. The way the Magic Glos pulls from the edge, totally drives mecrazy. Though there are tricks to working with it to avoid it pulling. (I really should do a video on that soon.) As far as less than ladylike phrases ever escaping from my lips? Me? Never! ;)
Hi Cindy
Another great tutorial – thank you! I can’t wait to try this technique out!
A quick couple of question:: I love the pinky-mauve on black beads you show in the video – did you achieve this with Wild Plum Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink? I don’t have any of those inks yet but I plan to invest in a few a.s.a.p.. Could you maybe recommend some colours that work particularly well for the faux raku technique? Or is this just a matter of personal taste!
Thanks again.
Caroline x
I would have to go watch the video again Caroline, but I believe that would have been the Wild Plum. For a long time the only colors I had were Wild Plum, Stream and Butterscotch, so a lot of my earlier stuff that used alcohol inks, would have been in those colors. :) As far as recommended colors, just Google real Raku and you’ll get some inspiration for the colors you like the best. There are a lot of options when it comes to making faux raku!