Video #151: “It is always useful to know as many techniques as possible and these faux stones look fantastic.” ~Carole-H
Without question, making faux jade using polymer clay is a very popular topic. When I asked about adding a faux jade tutorial video to the members library, your responses were very positive, as can be seen by the feedback listed below. These comments were originally posted here: Faux Jade Polymer Clay Technique for Making Jewelry and Beads
I have a recipe for faux jade but would definitely prefer a video from you. Your teaching is so good, we can follow step by step. So I vote yes! ~Cheryl-H
Yes from me too, I do have several tutorials for faux jade in books but haven’t got round to trying it yet so a video from Cindy might be just the thing to get me going with it. ~Cara-H
Yes please. I think that this will be another winner. It is always useful to know as many techniques as possible and these faux stones look fantastic. ~Carole-H
I’d love a faux jade video! ~Cindy-G
Faux jade would be great. I made a faux jade fish focal bead which I love and would really like to see another method (since I can’t remember how I made mine). I’ve made Cindy’s faux turquoise and it came out great. Lots of fun. ~Rose-M
Faux jade sounds good. This is one time when plaquing in translucent clay can actually help! Again, I’ve seen many varying approaches to this but would like to see more. Then I can try them all out and see which produce faux jades closest to the types of real jade that I’d like to mimic. Faux semi-precious stones are great fun to make and there are almost infinite possibilities. ~Sue-F
Yes from me too, I’ve made faux jade a few times from different “recipes” and it would be cool to add another variation to my arsenal. ~Silverleaf
Cindy – I’m so glad you pointed out that jade comes in different colors. I have a pair of earrings that I purchased when I was in Hong Kong and there are 5 different colors – and all are jade! Most people think jade is only green – oh, how they are missing out on the beauty of the rest of God’s jade pallet. ~Carolyn-F
Yes, I’d like to learn how to do any kind of faux stone you want to teach us. Jade sounds great! ~Linda-K
Faux is freeing – you don’t have to mimic nature exactly. In fact, this is one way you can improve on nature! BTW, I love your green tribal guy backed by a Ridiculously Awesome Hammered Metal Bezel. Cool! ~Phaedrakat
I’m so into the fauxs. Of the two designs I’ve created so far, the faux jade has sold infinitely more than my first. BTW I strung (very quickly) a multi jade bracelet to show my friends and I’ve already gotten five requests for a bracelet. I am so excited, this is the first time that a hobby has become self sufficient (WOW!). I would really like to see how you do your Jade, please do the jade video. ~Ken-H
With such a clear Yes vote, I am happy to say that the Faux Jade tutorial has now been filmed and will be posted on Friday April 9, 2010 at the Polymer Clay Library (Vol-023-2).
Supplies & Tools: Video-023-2: Faux Jade:
- Translucent Clay. I used three different brands including Premo Translucent, Premo Frost and Fimo Translucent, which adds some nice variations to the faux stone. But if you only have one brand on hand, that will work as well.
- Alcohol Ink. I used Adirondack inks in Stream and Butterscotch for the Green Jade. But you can also use many other colors as well.
- Embossing Powder. I used a dark green color. Other colors work as well, depending on the effect you want.
- Baked Piece of Black Clay (optional). You will have to watch the video to see what I use this for.
- Micro Plane Grater (optional). Only needed if using the baked clay tip.
- Clay Blade.
The full version of the Vid-023-2 Faux Jade video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday April 9, 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 Jade” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-023 Back Issue Package.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Yep, I am addicted to Cindy’s videos, and stay up late, too! I became a regular member a few weeks ago. I thought about doing it when I first came across this blog, but I put it off. Now I am kicking myself, because I missed out on all that value! At least now I will get future videos at the super cheap price. I will also try to pick up one of the back issues ever time I can afford to. I just love this site and Cindy’s videos! (And, of course, polymer clay…) ~Phaedrakat
I have yet to see a tutorial that doesn’t interest and inform me in some way or another! Cindy, thank you so much for being you. ~Susan-B
The following topics are included in this week’s Faux Jade video tutorial:
- See examples of several different colors of faux jade beads as well as two molded pendants.
- Discussion of the supplies needed to create these beautiful realistic faux stone beads.
- Learn how to create the perfect faux jade using simple easy to do techniques.
- Tips on how to make beads that appear to look carved.
- Find out how to make molded beads, using a silicone mold.
The full version of the “Faux Jade” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-023 Back Issue Package.
Looking forward to Friday – as always!
The date says this will be posted April 2. I’m hoping this is another April Fool joke! “Puffy Beads” was last Friday. Then again, I rarely know which day of the week it is….
@Koolbraider: That was just a date faux pas (aka… a typo). All fixed now :-)
PS: When ever you see mistakes like this or spelling errors, please do let me know so that I make the corrections right away. Having some extra eyes on the street is always helpful.
I’m excited! These look very very fun and I my little brain is churning over the possibilities!
I love the faux techniques and am looking forward to Cindy’s version of the Jade.
Did you know that British Columbia, Canada is the world’s largest producer of Green Jade (Nephrite). I saw when I googled it that someone here is selling unfinished Jade for $10 a lb. which is cheaper than Premo. But of course there is all the trouble of finishing the stone and carving it etc. I guess Cindy’s lesson will save some of that time and effort ;-) and be more fun.
Oooh! I can’t wait for faux jade. The beads look so beautiful.
Oh, I’m so far behind on the lessons! So many techniques, so little time. I need to give up housework, grocery shopping, and cooking so that I have more time to play with my clay, LOL.
I was on a road trip last week and stopped at an AC Moore (we don’t have that store in my state). They were selling some silicone molds for 40 or 50% off. I think one of the molds I bought is the same one Cindy used to make that green jade primitive head. Yippee, I’m going to learn how to use my mold!
What is the difference between a micro plane grater and a regular kitchen grater?
@carolyn: I think it’s the little one that’s used on nutmeg and the likes.
@Ken H.: Ken you are so right I feel a little silly now. I have one I won at a pampered chef’s party. I have never used it because I am not keen on the taste of nutmeg. You have made my day. Thank you so much for reminding me. I feel so much better when I smile and you have put a smile on my face. I love it when I can put an item I don’t use to work. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,
Many Many Uuuuuuugggs to all, Peggy
@Peggy Barnes: Glad I could help :D
@carolyn: I finally saw some of these at Bed, Bath & Beyond last week. They supposedly are a woodworking tool that’s been adapted to use in the kitchen. They have razor sharp edges, kind of flat, instead of the way regular kitchen graters have raised parts. The sharp edges cut better, and in both directions, I think. I didn’t buy one, since the prices at that store were high. But they look like a cool tool — I’ll get one when I find it priced more reasonably! Do a google search, then zoom in on an image. You’ll see the difference in the way they look right away.
Good question Carolyn, I would like to know also. I just use the smallest grater I have which is meant for garlic, very small pieces. When making faux jade. I have 3 graters I keep in my PC tools but have only used the finest or smallest grate. The other 2 are just there waiting to be experimented with someday. I can’t wait to see Cindy’s take on this faux jade beads.
Linda don’t feel alone I am way behind on the tutes. I don’t know if I will ever catch up. I already depend on my husband for help with the other work issues when I am sick. So if I am up to Clay I really feel guilty if I don’t put some time in on the other work load. So if you figure a way to get around it please let me know.
Were these made in a mold? If so, what type of mold? I ordered some push molds from ebay, but I have no clue how to use molds effectively. More tutorials on molding techniques and materials would be great.
@Jill and Carolyn: I do show a little on how to use a mold in the video, so stay tuned for that. I am also thinking of doing a mold making tutorial down the road that would go further in depth.
Cindy – a tutorial on using molds might be a good one for a technical segment. I also have purchased push molds and have made some of my own molds, but it would still be great to have a tutorial on how to best use them.
Great job in answering Carolyn’s question everyone! You’re right, a micro-plane grater was originally used in wood working and is now used in the kitchen. I love mine for grating lemon zest, garlic and fresh ginger.
Nothing does a nicer and finer grate for baked polymer clay. Keep an eye out for them, sometimes they pop up in discount stores. Other fine graters will work in a pinch.
@Cindy Lietz from Purple Leopard Cane: I trust you have two of them … one for PC and one for cooking! Tee-hee!
Cindy, I was a proofreader for 13 years so that’s how I picked up the date. I tend to lose track of the days and thought I had missed another great tutorial. Fridays are now my favorite days of the week!! (And I will definitely be renewing my subscription.) I can’t say enough about how much fun and inspiration this site has been. My joy each day: a new photo showing pieces from other members.
Another grand slam by Cindy and Hubby – Love this video!! You are out to teach us just how important sanding is. The shine makes the bead. I can’t wait to give this one a try. AWESOME AWESOME BEADS!!!!!
Thank you Cindy for another hit.
Nobody does it like you. Hats off to the LIETZ team.
Many thanks and many Uuuuuuggggs!!
Loved the video, Cindy! I need to experiment with my ink colors & embossing powders to see which color combos make the best jade (or at least which ones are the prettiest!) Thanks for showing us how to make the quick & cool little leaf, as well. This should be lots of fun! Thanks for making Fridays a day to look forward to!
This looks like a fascinating technique to try and how I wish I had a shop which stocked things like translucent clay, inks and embossing powders just around the corner. Having to rely on the internet for supplies is an annoying hurdle I have to overcome before I can have a go! Great tut Cindy….many thanks.
Pretty. Faux jade is awesome, but I have to say that the faces are a bit scary… :)
I’ll add this one to my list of jade techniques – natural jade has so much variety that it’s useful to have lots of different ways to make faux versions. You could even mix different techniques in the same piece.
The easiest one I’ve played with uses trans clay with coloured sand. I used two different greens, yellow and orange sand mixed into the clay in different proportions (green and orange to made browner green, green and yellow to make a light green, etc.), chopped them up together with a ripple blade and formed into beads. I purposely leave little cracks and scratches in the beads, then use acrylic paint to antique them once they’re baked and sanded.
Hi all, Could someone tell me the reason for putting our baked clay into cold water? Does it temper the item for more durablitiy?
Thanks in advance for any answers.
Andrea
@pollyanna: The ice bath is supposed to make the translucent clay a little more clear, don’t know if it has any benefical properties for the regular clay.
Thanks Ken. I’ll have to try it.
Andrea
I have the G-kids in Orlando for the weekend.. I can’t wait to get home to try this Technic.
Yes, I have an issue with certain molds… they sag in the middle so easily, so a blade across the filled shape to make a flat back, instead tries to chop the sides off the silicon (if that’s what they are). Or it pulls the clay out of the mold as it goes, messes it up all too well. I’ve tried sitting the whole mould in a bed of cornflour to support the hollow underneath, but still isn’t all that effective. Next time I get to a beach I should bring back some sand, see if that will work better underneath. Would love to hear some ideas on how to solve this problem.
@Squiddy: I’ve had the same problem with almost slicing these flexible molds! I find the more I practice, though, the better I get at it. I stick some warm, conditioned clay into the mold, then let it sit for a while to cool off & firm up. (If it’s hot, you can put it in the fridge for a while.) Then I slice it close & pop it out. If it doesn’t pop right out, I make a scrap clay “handle” to stick to the back of the clay. It helps me remove it from the mold. Then I gently coax the handle off (or slice it off the back.) If the back of my mold isn’t perfect, I don’t worry. I’ll be sanding anyway! Or sometimes I’ll press a texture sheet to the back of the clay, instead. Then I take an edge and pull the clay carefully out of the mold. Then I cut around the shape. I do this with things that will be earrings or something, where I want the back to have a cool, different look.
Thanks everyone for the great comments, tips and ideas passed along! That is awesome! Also an extra thank you to Ken and Phaedrakat for helping pollyanna, Joan, Squiddy, and Koolbraider (fun names btw!)! This is so helpful since I can’t get to everyone’s questions like I used to. So much fun stuff going on, it is hard to keep pace with you guys!
@Squiddy: One thing you can do is fill the mold with clay and trim it best you can. This will give you the correct amount you will need to fill the mold. Then pop the clay back out and re-roll it into a ball. Now when you press it back into the mold you can make a nice smooth back. Or you can use Phaedrakat’s cool idea of pressing the back with a texture sheet. Either way should work for you.
@carolyn: Bake at the lowest temp. of the clays you’re using. Bake for an hour no matter the brand.
Cindy,
How long do you recommend baking these? I am new to this and don’t want to burn them.
Joan
@Joan Wallace: Hi Joan, have you taken Cindy’s fundamentals course? The link to it (the Polymer Clay Basics Course) is also at the top of the page. It has lots of information about all aspects of working with polymer clay, including baking. Cindy recommends baking most items for about an hour (larger, thicker items even longer.) It’s crucial that the items are cured at the right temperature for your clay, so you’ll need an oven thermometer to monitor it. What type of clay are you using?
When using lots of translucent clay, you’ll want to be careful about browning/darkening. There are ways to protect your piece, like the info I put in this comment (Avoid Scorching Polymer Clay) to another member. They include tenting your beads, baking in cornstarch, using a ceramic tile, etc. If you haven’t purchased the beginner’s course, you should read as many of these articles as you can. Making sure your beads are completely cured is extremely important; here’s an article called Baking Polymer Beads Properly.
It has a list of links to other baking posts, so there’s lots of info available. Don’t forget to read the comments under the articles, as well. They contain tips and advice that aren’t always found in the articles. You can find just about anything you’re looking for by using the search box at the top left of the page. Just type in a few words, like “how long do I bake” or just “baking”, and you’ll get a list of articles on the subject. You can also use this to find info on those things I mentioned to prevent darkening — “baking in cornstarch” “ceramic tile” or “tenting beads”.
Good luck with your project, and leave another comment if you have any questions. Everyone is quite friendly here and willing to help.
@Phaedrakat:
Thanks for all of your good information. I haven’t taken the course yet, but have read up a lot on polymer clay, and have made a few small projects. I had one bad experience burning some beautiful mokume gane beads, and I only baked them 15 minutes! Bleaching them helped, but they still look a little dingy. I can’t wait to try the faux jade, but am nervous about spoiling them. I have been using mostly Sculpey III and Premo.
Joan
@Joan Wallace: Hi Joan, you’re very welcome. About your mokume gane beads — if they burned after just 15 minutes, the oven was way too hot. You should be able to bake them a long time, even multiple times, without burning if the temperature is right. Make sure you get an oven thermometer at the dollar store and put it in the oven. Check the temp before you bake the faux jade. About 265F to just under 275F should be good for the clays you’re using (or use the lower temp of the 2 shown of the clay pkgs.) Have fun!
@Phaedrakat: I do have a thermometer and I’ve checked it for accuracy. I’ve been baking the beads at 275 degrees. I was also using a bead rack so that the beads were suspended on skewers and the air was circulating around them. I thought they would bake more evenly that way. They did–evenly brown!
Joan
@Joan Wallace: Are you talking about your new jade beads? Or the previous mokume gane beads you baked before? If you’re still having problems, you might want to back off the temp by 5 -10 degrees, then bake longer. You can put your bead rack on a ceramic tile, if you haven’t already done so, to keep the temperature more steady. Then tent your beads, using cardstock or foil over your bead rack. (If you use foil, make sure it’s covering, but not touching the beads. Metal gets hot quickly.) Also, make sure your “tent” doesn’t hit the heating elements in the oven. Good luck with your jade! :)
@Phaedrakat: Hi, I was still obsessing about the mokume gane beads. I don’t think I put the bead rack on a tile, though I have used the tile for baking pendants. I hope to try the jade beads this week and will use everyone’s suggestions. Thanks to all. Joan
@Joan Wallace: Hi, Joan – Phraedrakat gave some good advice about that oven thermometer … but you must also check that thermometer frequently. Your oven could be spiking – that could sure enough cause your beautiful beads to burn.
@carolyn: Hi Carolyn, I do have a thermometer but I think part of the problem is that those particular beads were smaller than some of the earlier pendants I had made. Plus I didn’t watch them as I should have!
Joan
It’s amazing how sanding and buffing transforms the clay. I like how Cindy emphasizes the need for doing it. Jade always has a very polished surface but sometimes we don’t see the obvious until some one points it out. I love Fridays!!!
@Koolbraider: I love your enthusiasm! Have you already made some of this jade? The way you’re talking about the sanding… I know it makes all the difference, but I sure hate to do it! I guess I’m lazy, but it is hard work. Still, when I get to the buffing stage, and that shine comes up? Whew, that’s when you know it’s all worth it! Actually, I don’t mind pendants and larger items. It’s the round, little beads that drive me crazy. I need to get a rock tumbler, then my problems will be solved (well, some of them!) Have fun, Koolbraider!
Cindy, When you mix different types of clay, at what temperature do you bake the pieces … and for how long?
When you were slicing the excess clay off the mold, I sure wish the video had stayed on you just a few moments longer so we could see how it actually worked to remove the piece from the mold.
Thanks, Carolyn, I didn’t make that very clear, did I? I was trying to emphasize getting the thermometer, so she’s able to check the temperature, before she “gets around” to baking her jade. I meant for her to check regularly during baking — assuming she’d keep checking, since I gave her lots of reading material! LOL (Sorry, Joan) Yes, absolutely, check it often. Until you know your oven really well, you don’t know how high it really gets while it’s at the peak of it’s reheating cycle, or if it spikes for no reason, etc. Once you’re familiar with your oven’s quirks, and find the “sweet spot” where the temp stays just right (without spiking too high,) you can relax a little. But even then you still need to check it now & again during baking. You just won’t have to hover the entire time!
On another page, Ella posted about a Sunbeam digital thermometer that has a programmable alert! It can be set to sound an alarm if your oven gets too hot! Pretty cool, huh? She said the newer ones have timers, too. Sounds like an awesome tool to have! …Good luck with your projects, June! And thanks for clarifying that, Carolyn!
thanks cindy for the lower temp. longer bake advice. tried it , nervously !, and it worked ! have tried jade before and wasn’t too impressed but this method is different ,use of alcohol ink etc. so will have a go, many thanks
NEW PHOTOS JUST ADDED:
Hello to Everyone,
Some new Spotlight project pictures that relate to the topic of this page (Polymer Clay Faux Jade), have just been added in another post. They were submitted by Ken-H. The link by my name will take you to where you can see them, along with a bit of a write up. Hopefully they will inspire you to achieve great things with your own polymer clay projects.
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
Joan, if you are using a thermometer and watching your oven for spikes, yet you still burned some beads, it might be because the heating elements inyour oven are too close to the clay.
I have a very small toaster oven, which means that no matter what I do, the heating elements are close to what I bake. I use a thermometer and a ceramic tile, yet I have still burned a few items. I mostly solved this problem by burying my beads in a bowl of cornstarch. Even so, I scorched a couple of beads the other day. I normally pierce 3 beads on one piercing pin and leave them on the pin while I bake. Since it was the end bead on each pin that scorched, I figured out that I must have pressed the scorched beads against the bottom of the glass bowl, where they got too hot.
Linda, Thanks for your input. I haven’t tried the cornstarch method yet. Maybe if I put the beads on the piercing pin with scrap clay at the ends, then lay them in a shallow tray. Worth a try.
Joan
Your’e welcome, Joan. I highly recommend baking in the cornstarch. I was just pointing out that you want the beads to be totally surrounded by the cornstarch and that you don’t want them to touch the glass.
My oven is so small that I even had problems using the bead-baking rack on a ceramic tile with a tent over the rack!
Hi All, I have been so busy with my grand-kids that I haven’t had the time to stop and play. My DD(Dear Daughter) was in a car wreck, so I drove up to get the G-Kids, that way she could rest. We took a trip to Disney. It was a blast! My DD is doing better, nothing broken. The kids are fine as well. They are 2 and 5. I am run ragged * LOL *
I love the Jade Tut. I made a necklace and wore it to the jewelers and got a complement. The jeweler said it was a stunning piece :) I never thought of using different colorers other than the green. Thanks.
@Brenda: Sorry to hear about your daughter Brenda. She must really have been rattled! Glad she is OK and that you had fun with the G-Kids.
Congrats on the compliments on your faux jade. That must have felt awesome!
@Brenda: I hope your daughter is doing better, and that the rest of your family is well. You’ve had a lot going on lately! I wish you all the best! Good luck keeping up with the G-kids, and congrat’s on your beautiful, jeweler-foolin’ faux jade!
Hi again, and thanks for the suggestions. A claying friend of mine has suggested I pop the mould upside down, fill it with plaster of paris. Then separating them after it has set. So when I need the mould to stop warping or sagging, when I want a straight blade movement, I put it back over the P-of-P mould to keep it straight. Got to be worth a try, especially for the sconces mould, as those as such thin pieces.
@Squiddy: Cool idea! That would certainly keep it nice and rigid! I hope the material the mold is made of is compatible with PoP. I don’t know much about it, though. Let us know how it works out!
Lovely faux jade and I love the mask molds. Anyone know where I can find these in the uk ? Any chance of faux rose quartz in the future ?
@christine le grice: Hi Christine. Silverleaf (a member here) is in England, and she knows a great deal about claying and could probably help. For moulds, try Penny Dog in Leicester. Kerry Wilkinson is the proprietor: she works mostly in resin, but some moulds are OK for both poly & resin. She’ll know which. Her website is penny hyphen dog dot co dot uk. (If I write it in full it makes something go kerfluey.) Google or Jeeves or Ask will find her. Cheers, Mary (NSW Australia)
@christine le grice: Regarding the rose quartz, there are quite a few tutes out there for this. It’s a fairly common stone to mimic. Usually, the tutes call for the same type of iridescent “buffalo snow” flakes that Cindy uses in her Faux Opal tutorial. The base clay is translucent tinted with a bit of red clay (Premo Aliz. Crimson, for example) to get a nice pink. Then you fold in the flakes, shape, and bake! I’m not sure if Cindy has this on her list, but she may do it eventually. It’s pretty easy, though. Like a combination of Faux Opals & Ken’s alternate version of Faux Jade mixed together! Have fun~
NEW PHOTOS JUST ADDED:
Hello to Everyone,
Some new Spotlight project pictures that relate to the topic of this page (Faux Jade Technique), have just been added in another post. They were submitted by Cindy-G. The link by my name will take you to where you can see them, along with a bit of a write up. Hopefully they will inspire you to achieve great things with your own polymer clay projects.
thanks, guys, for the advice on molds and rose quartz,will follow these up. Kerfluey, brilliant word,must work this into a conversation !
@christine le grice: I love Mary’s comments—she comes up with fun words like “Kerfluey” to try, and is a sweetheart to boot! Have fun working it in to your convo’s!
NEW PHOTOS ADDED… that relate to the theme of this page… Faux Jade. Click on the link by my name for the full story from Brenda-M.
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
hello Cindy
I just finished making faux jade which turned out very nice. However one small thing bothers me – it came out of the oven with tiny white dots on it giving it almost a speckled effect – does that exist speckled jade? Anyway even after sanding it is still there – can you please tell me why and how to avoid it? Thank you
cordially
Laurette
@Laurette M: These speckles may well be the result of working the translucent clay too much which can cause what you are describing.
@carolyn: Great to hear from you! I hope you are feeling better these days. Thanks for responding to Laurette.
@Laurette M: Those little white dots could also be happening because of the type of embossing powder you are using. Some brands have a thin layer of color on the outside of each grain, and a white core on the inside. When baked, the color dissipates into the clay leaving the white specks showing. What brand of embossing powder are you using?