Polymerized Fabric Roses Polymer Clay Tutorial [Video]

Vid #188: “A polycloth
rose is huge on the
WOW scale for me!”
~Linda-K

According to Wikipedia, Serendipity means, “a propensity for making fortunate discoveries while looking for something unrelated.” Well… when it comes to polymer clay, this happens to me all the time.

For example, just after publishing the teaser video for my new Polymerized Cloth Technique, I came across an interesting article from Tip Junkie that showed a paper flower made out of recycled magazines. This led me to the Frugal Life Project blog which linked to a tutorial on making paper roses that Splitcoaststampers did back in May 2010.

During this little serendipitous journey, I realized that the paper flower making technique could be easily adapted to work with polymerized cloth for making beautiful fabric roses.

Cindy, I am really inspired by the Polymerized Fabric technique. I have been working on combining my love of fiber with my love of jewelry and polymer clay. This is the perfect marriage. Your Fabric Rose is wonderful!!
~Heather-P

This feeling – being passionate about something – is one I haven’t experienced in many years, and your work has played a big part. I simply cannot thank you enough. Serendipity is always such a wonderful surprise, and that’s what happened – the warm weather, the magazine, your course. I never expected any of them, but together they have set me on a course that I’m thoroughly enjoying. ~Linda-D

I love when something unexpected and beautiful happens! Definitely serendipity. ~Silverleaf

The art is in the serendipity of the process. ~Lisa-R

Health experts are always telling seniors (I guess being in my late 70’s qualifies me) to learn new things to keep the brain active. Your tutes are definitely keeping my brain buzzing. A polymer cloth rose next??? Wow – bring it on !! ~Fran-R

Well… coming up tomorrow (Friday, January 21st, 2011) at the Polymer Clay Library I will demonstrate how to use the polymerized cloth you guys made in the Vol-032-1 tutorial, to make some beautiful Polymer Fabric Roses.

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-032-3 Polymerized Fabric Roses:

• A sample of polymerized cloth in a round or square shape somewhere in the size range between  2″ x 2″ and 4″x4″ depending on the size rose you wish to make. The piece I used was approximately 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ square which created a rose approximately 1 1/4″ across and 1″ high. The size that the final rose will be will vary depending on how it is cut and rolled, so these measurements are only approximate.
• A pair of scissors.
• Bake and Bond, or liquid polymer clay… though Bake and Bond is stickier and will be easier to use in this technique.
• Ceramic tile for baking on.
• Lighter or candle for singing edges (optional).
• Cardstock for tenting rose while baking.

The full version of the Vid-032-3 Polymerized Fabric Roses video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday January 21st, 2011. 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.

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Here’s That “Link Below” Referred To at End of the Video
>> Polymer Clay Tutorials <<

The full version of the “Polymerized Fabric Roses” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-032 Back Issue Package.

Customer Feedback About Membership Value:

Somehow or another I have never come across your website before Cindy. Until last night! I finally decided to give myself an early holiday present and subscribe today. I just watched my very first video, the feather cane, incredible! And you make it look so easy! I have been handsculpting little clay animals and such for years. But lately I have found myself drawn to the beautiful clay beads that I see. I desperately want to broaden my knowledge of polymer clay art. I know the basics, and I know how to put balls of clay together to make animals and flowers, but I want to know the techniques to make the fancy looking stuff too. None of the books I have looked at really give great instructions or a wide variety of projects. Thank you so much for offering such wonderful tutorials, such a wide variety of project ideas, and at such a great price. ~Anita-M

I’m always hoping that other clayers or interested beginners will find Cindy. I always try to spread the word… so they can discover what she has to offer, for themselves. I admit, I was a little ‘unsettled’ yesterday, worried that someone might get the wrong idea — that books are a better way to start out with clay. No way! Cindy is the way to go, for SO many reasons… and it’s especially true for beginning /intermediate clayers… they can really benefit from the foundation of knowledge Cindy offers. Not to mention her unique teaching style… makes it all so simple. Read this blog… you’ll see that ‘before Cindy’ (BC… there’s even an acronym for it!) many of us bought materials we didn’t need. Many of us were doing things the wrong way — because we were using books or “free” tutes that ended up costing more in wasted clay and materials. Those “missing steps” Linda mentioned — so true! There ARE lots of gaps in those books and magazines! Cindy fills them with her step-by-step tutes… we get to see every move she makes, so we know what to expect, and how to deal with any problems that might occur. And of course, she’s here to answer questions if we have them. You never get that with books, magazines, or DVD’s! I’m very fortunate to have the ability to follow directions / instructions easily. I don’t usually need video to understand how to do a technique. BUT, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it! When I saw Cindy’s videos, I became a convert. It was so nice to have it all made so simple (and her tutorials are SO inexpensive!) I haven’t bought a book in a long while, because Cindy’s videos and the inspiration I get here at the blog offer a LONG list of ideas. The new Facebook Gallery adds even more, and really spurs creativity. I still “cheat” occasionally, LOL. I browse the web, and skim through books and mags to see what inspires me. And I would never ‘toss’ my old books. In fact, I now have a better understanding of the written techniques that did have “holes” or “gaps” in them — and that’s because of all the great things I’ve learned here. One last thing Cindy teaches you, is that it’s okay to make mistakes (but you’ll make fewer ones after watching her videos!) She gives you the confidence to practice actually open up that bar of clay… and play with it — you end up learning even more. A big “Thank you!” to Cindy Lietz!
~Phaedrakat

Cindy, You do so much for so little money. I do hope you have many subscribers to make it worth your while. I just purchased this Vol-30 Back Issue with feather canes, kateydid bezels, pod beads and polymer postage stamps. And you also mentioned about faux opals too. I am just so excited to learn about all of the things mentioned so glowingly in the user reviews of back issue packages as soon as possible. Btw, your vintage rose choker is gorgeous and I am excited that you incorporate mixed media with your polymer clay tutorials since I am a big admirer of mixed media art – especially when it features polymer clay. Thank you so much. ~JoAnna-G

The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Polymerized Fabric Roses video tutorial:

• See examples of several different polymerized fabric roses and the jewelry that was created from them.
• Discussion of the tools and materials needed to create this fun and simple polymer clay technique.
• Learn about how simple it really is to make this unique and versatile art bead technique.
• Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity, there are many ways to come up with unique versions of your own!

The full version of the “Polymerized Fabric Roses” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Volume-032 Back Issue Package.

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