Video #264: “I would like to ask for more tutes on sculptural flowers! Your lessons give us so many “AHA” moments.” ~Tanya-L
I fell in love with the Ranunculus flower when I was in my twenties, working for a Dutch flower grower in Chilliwack BC, Canada.
The environment in the greehouse was a warm and sweet smelling departure from my previous employment as a trout farmer with Doug… spending long hours in cold water wearing leaky chest waders… and elbow deep packing freshly cleaned fish in ice. Brrr…
Ranunculus weren’t the only flowers that I worked with in the greenhouse. There was also ‘miles’ of Pansies, Easter Lilies, African Violets, Primulas and a small assortment of tropical greenery. But the Ranunculus were especially stunning!
Just like with many other flower varieties, Ranunculus come in a gazzillion different color ways. Here’s a YouTube clip that will help to get your creativity flowing for this week…
Thank you for the extra Youtube videos! These little added features are what separates you from all the others who teach. Thank you for being YOU! ~Patt-W
Cindy, after seeing those gorgeous ranunculus on your Pinterest board…. oh, to be suprised one day on how to create these in polymer clay with a tute would make my day. ~Jocelyn-C
So… without further ado, coming up tomorrow (Friday, July 13, 2012) in the Vol-050-2 members video at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library, I will teach all of you how to make gorgeous Ranunculus Flowers that you can use for polymer clay beads, pendants and other polymer clay jewelry projects.
Here’s a sneak peak of this week’s tutorial…
The full version of the “Ranunculus Flower” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-050 Back Issue Package.
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… 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.
By the way, many of the “shopping” links I provide for the various tools and supplies used in my tutorials, are “affiliate” resources. That means companies like Amazon and the other suppliers I refer, pay me a small commission if you click on the links and end up making a purchase at their site. It’s not a lot, but every little bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials so low… at only $3.32 per month. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay. So please do feel free to click whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for supporting this site :-)
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Wow Cindy. You make this so easy. I am just getting into clay and must say I am getting some great ideas from your sight. Thank you so much. ~Roberta-M
I love these beads and have tried to make them before when I found tutorials, but they never turned out like this. This method is so much easier and more accurate! I can’t wait to try these again. You always make things so easy for us. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful tips!! ~Terri-N
Bravo Hun on another great tutorial. You made it look so simple and easy. Wish I’d have seen this when I tried my first ones. I remember trying to follow directions from a book and agonizing over trying to make mine look like the ones in the illustrations. But of course there werent enough pictures. And of course they didnt look very much like leaves when I was done. Unless of course they were some kind of radioactive mutant plant form, LOL! But if I could have watched a good tutorial like yours I have no doubt I would have done much better and much sooner, with lots less frustration. Thanks so much for being you and sharing so generously with everyone the way you do. I know if more people could watch your tutorials, the ranks of clayers would grow exponentially when they saw how easy and fun it really is and passed the word along. XOXO ~Jamie-H
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Ranunculus Flower video tutorial:
- See examples of Ranunculus Flowers done in a variety of unique color ways, as well as used in a variety of different jewelry projects.
- Learn the reasons why making tiny cups will make the perfect Ranunculus flower shape.
- Find a cool way to make your jewelry designs stand out from the crowd, by using your own color combinations and different sized cutters.
- Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity, there are many ways to come up with other unique designs of your own.
The full version of the “Ranunculus Flower” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-050 Back Issue Package.
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Hi Cindy,
Another lovely flower to add to my collection and some great ways to use them. I’ve now made lots of “K” cords in different colours so seeing them used with this beautiful flower is what I would call EYE CANDY.
Great that you were able to salvage your burnt bits and turn them into distressed pieces. Good to know you have your WHOOPS moments but can turn them around to become AHH jewelry…………………………………………………cheers xx……………………….
I am ecstatic! Thank you!
I love to grow these and never knew there was a large form. Big or small they are beautiful.
I love seeing all the different ways these flowers can be strung and wired up. I had made some sculptural flowers a few years ago and then got stuck with how to finish them. This gives me great ideas!
They look like peonies! So I wonder what is the difference in the two flowers?
They are pretty similar to peonies Claycass. Ranunculus tend to be much smaller and more compact. And most of the peonies I’ve seen, seem to have more feathery petals, especially in towards the centers. You could adapt this ranunculus tutorial and create some peonies if you wanted. I would just open up the petals more and figure out how to fray them to get that feathery look. (Sounds like a challenge to me!) Let us know if you try it. :)
Claycass, that’s exactly what I was thinking. The peony is one of my favorite flowers.
Looking forward to tomorrow!
Such pretty flowers- let make some tomorrow!!! I’ve been making some “K” cord (thanks Elaine) too. Isn’t it nice to co-ordinate ???????? You make it possible to create a totally finished product – how about that? I get tired of plain ole necklaces – blah……Now we can put all of it together -THANKS TO YOU
Hi Cindy and all,
well fancy that, Ranunculas, one of my fav flowers,as when I was a kid, I always grew them.
they were a good flower to grow in a cold country. the colours of Ranuncs were so many , and they always grew well.
They come from the most wierd looking tubers, or roots, but are wonderful flowers. sort of like the ugly duckling coming out into the beautiful swan.
looking forward to this tut.
XX Elizabeth K.
Beautiful flower; it does look very much like the Peony. Love these flower tutorialsCindy. would love to see you do a carnation and chrysanthemum. I’ve been trying to do a carnation but haven’t succeeded with the petal edges.
Hi Cindy – bearing in mind Doug’s comment to Jocelyn in June, “You may just get your Ranunculus wish sooner than you think…” it’s obvious that a great deal of thought and planning goes into every tutorial you both make. This one is wonderful, so life-like and vivid. I just want to thank you again (sorry to be so repetitious!) for all the research, hard work and enthusiasm you put into everything you do! I’m so glad I’m a member of your ‘class’!
Marion
Still in my PJ,s sorting out my clays, deciding on what colour Ranunculus to make. Dinner’s cooked for tonight, washing done but I am afraid the hoovering, dusting and polishing can wait (should have been born mega rich with a few servants) My postman has just handed me two more packages. He always gives me a big grin, I am sure I help to keep the post office on their toes. Still raining so will get started on making these fantastic Ranunculus. Now what colours do I make first?.
CINDY, will put the blame on YOU if the house is a little dusty, but hey whoever heard of an Artist doing housework? Lucky my DH needs new glasses so will have a quick tidy-up later and make sure the first thing he smells when opening the door is the curry for dinner.Well they do say the way to a man;s heart is…………………………….cheers xx……………………………………………..
Cindy,
You have done it again, another amazing vedio!!!! Thank you for this one… I have made several of mini flowers and could not figure out how to get the center to work out, this helped me out so much………….looking forward to next week……….HAPPY CLAYING………
When I was young, I had all four wisdom teeth removed in surgery at the local hospital and awoke to find the entire family hovering over me. Somehow, they had “lost” me during the surgery, and I came back. Hmmmm.
My high school boyfriend was so concerned, on his way to the hospital he stopped at a very “chi chi” floral shop and bought me a bouquet he thought was my favorite flower, peach roses. They were spectacular, but, not roses…..they were ranunculus. I fell in love with this flower.
I was very sick after the surgery, infected and sore, so this display got a lot of attention from my Mom (Ms. Supreme Green Thumb) and I. Over the years, we spend a small fortune trying to get them to grow in CT and RI. Never had a lick of luck.
Now, finally, I can duplicate the bouquet, exactly as I remember it. I only wish my Mom was still here so I could make them for her, because it was her nursing care that got me through a high fever and long recovery. Her’s would be in “nursing white.”
Cindy, I love the way the teardrop blend gives dimension to the flower. Who would guess a circle shape could become so gorgeous?
Hi Cindy,
Great Tute!!!
Awesome Ranunculus. I love it. I am going to try this week.
I love Flowers, not wonder most of my beads are flower..:)
What kind of glue did you use to attach on the bail?.
I usually used E 6000 but it doesn’t really work well, after some weeks the bead off from the metal.
So now, I used bake and bond and secure with E 6000.
Thanks,
Dia
Hi Dia, I usually use Weldbond Glue for gluing polymer to metal, but you do need to make sure your pieces have been cleaned with rubbing alcohol first where you plan to glue. Another choice is a instant glue like Krazy Glue but I do find sometimes it breaks down over time and falls apart.
Another amazing tute. What a neat way to form the flower. I could get lost in the petals! With the K cord the results will be stunning. Between all the colors you can make with PC, and all the colors in embroidery floss or rattail – any color way is possible…………How fun—–gotta go playclay…..
I never heard of this flower but it is gorgeous and Cindy you make it so easy to create it out of polymer clay. I love the way the blended colors bring out the true beauty of this flower. I am so anxious to try this. My kumihimo cords turned out great also and am making 2 matching in blues to hold a mokume gane wood grained lentil for my son and grandson. I showed the cord technique to a dear friend of mine and although she is not a clayer was enamored with the cord making and has learned how to do it following instructions she found online.
So here is another spin-off from your tutorials where friends, relatives and neighbors will purchase supplies for special techniques even though they are not polymer clay enthusiasts. We send them to places where we shop and they end up purchasing other things! It is amazing how far reaching your tutorials have become! BTW, the Ranuculus earring are adorable. Love it when you show matching earrings. Thanks Cindy.
Dixie I don’t remember where you are from but the Ranunculus flower is out for me. I live in zone 5 and it is hardy in zone 7,8,9 but I am going to do some more research because they said there are many kinds. Let you know if I find something different out. I was thinking you live in Iowa also, is that true?
Peggy, try putting a glass cloche over it. You need a wedge to leave it open at the bottom, but some have removable tops. The increased warmth and humidity might do the trick.
My Mom got a lot to grow and transplant using terrariums, large commercial glass jars, the occasional aquarium, lol, really anything that kept heat in. Our gardens were comical, but those plastic and cardboard milk boxes keep the vermin off the seedlings, and the year she draped half the tomatoes with a clear tarp…..we never wanted to see another tomato as long as we lived.
Hi Peggy, yep I’m your neighbor over in Cedar Rapids. I miss my flower garden I can’t take care of it since the accident. My son had to pull out eveything and donated the plants to the church for their annual plant sale. I really miss them and taking care of them. I do love this flower, it is so majestic like the Rose and the Lily. I will have to settle for clay ones though. Sigh…..
I loved the tute. But I would like to make a bracelet with it. Could we Learn how to cut closings/clasps out of metal? Cuz no matter how careful I am with tin snips it comes out looking like my dog chewed on it and my DH ran over it on our gravel drive way. Thank you.
Hi Teresa, I have done a tutorial called Hammered Metal Bracelet Blanks where I show you how to cut sheet metal into strips, which would help you a lot. As far as getting the metal all mangled, you may want to try a different type of tin snip, or even a heavy pair of kitchen scissors (don’t use your good ones). They will often do a nice job if the metal isn’t too thick. Hope that helps!
Dixie I am with you, I have never heard of this flower. But I am going to look it up to see if it something that can be planted in Iowa :) I will let you know what I find out. If not maybe I will just have to make some and plant them already made hehe. I watched this tute early Friday morning about 4am and was so tired after watching it twice I said I would come back to comment later and forgot all about it till just now. Haven’t made any yet but I can’t wait till I get a chance to try out this wonderful tute. I have been making some of the kumihimo cords with a lot of success. I really would love to learn how to incorporate beads into the cords, maybe later. One thing at a time and this beautiful flower is next. Thanks again Cindy, you and Doug have given us another wonderful tute to add to our intense collection of PC plus tutorials.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone
Many Uuuugggs to all
Here is a Google Images search of ranunculus. Pages and pages of gorgeous shapes and colors.
The center of the flower is interesting, but, frequently obscured by the petals.
Thanks Jocelyn for the link to the flower photos. They are just gorgeous. Amazing the different colors there are.
Cindy and all, I have discovered a new product that is really great to use. One of my problems has been in using the liquid clay or bake and bond when it comes to attaching it to unbaked or baked items. It has a tendancy to slide around and sometimes it is a real pain. I discovered a product quite by accident called Kato Poly Paste. It is a texture, adhesive and grouting medium that works so much better for me. It is
a polymer clay Paste that comes in a jar. You can scoop out a dab or however much you need to adhere your piece and it stays put much better before baking. I found it at Hobby Lobby and got 40% off using my coupon and ordered it online. It doesn’t cost anymore than a small bottle of bake and bond. I was so excited with the results of this paste I wanted to share it with all of you. I will continue to use my BB and Liquid clay but adding this to my stash for certain applications is a real bonus!
Dixie Ann, it is good to know about the Kato Poly Paste; it is one of the last of the Kato products I haven’t yet tried. I know it can be mail ordered (along with lots of other goodies) from my favourite online shop here in Canada: Shades of Clay
You mentioned it could be used as grout… I wonder if you could tint it?
Hi Monique, I am sure you probably can. I have tinted my BB and the liquid clay so am
assuming you could do this the same way. Why don’t you try a little and see and let us know. Shades of Clay is where I actually got led to and first heard about it but since I live 30 min. from a Hobby Lobby it was easier for me to get it there. Surfing sometimes really pays off!
Hi Dixie Ann,
According to Dona Kato you can tint Poly Paste with oil paints, pigment powders or inks. I think you have to mix them in very well and do not know the ratio of tints to poly paste but no doubt Monique or someone on this site will experiment and let us know. Seems like a great product to use for grouting. ~In the past I,ve smooshed solid coloured clay with liquid poly, but takes some time to get mix right and I didn’t jot down any notes, but it turned out well for my mosiacs. made a couple of Ranunculus yesterday and left them ready to bake covered by the foam mat. DH came in and lent on the counter thinking the foam mat was there to lean on, result two smooched Ranunculus………..oh well back to the drawing board…………………..cheers xx……………………..
Oh my goodness Elaine! You must have been devastated to find your flowers smashed. You keep to refering to DH is that your husbands initials? Just was curious. A couple of you use that term. I don’t have a DH anymore (sob) lost him in 05 but I have a cat who can sure cause me some grief. I baked some gorgeous Lentils and the next morning I came down and she had left teeth marks in everyone. Had to do them all over. Sigh…..
Thanks for letting us know about the tinting.
I have grouted small mosaics with the paste. Tent it well and watch your temps, it does brown.
oh-h, that is good to know. I would never have thought of that. Good show Jocelyn. ((hugs))
Thanks Dixie for sharing this product information with everyone. I have not yet tried the Kato Polypaste, so it is nice to get a review from you!
Oh Dixie Ann,
Had to laugh at your cats taster session. DH is my name for for my husband (dear heart) but when I’m in a bad mood it can be (darn horror) or worse. He is very supportive in all my efforts and will tell me if he thinks my work is not up to scratch. He will test things to distruction, always bringing me bits and pieces that might be useful and will even sit and condition PC for me by hand and unravel string etc.
2005 must have been a very sad time for you losing your DH. but I,m sure you have some lovely memories of your time together.
My DH is on his second course of treatment at the local hospital so I try to make every day count and PC certanly helps as Art Therapy. it is also so nice to “chat” to the members of this clay family I have yet to meet anyone in my locality here in the UK who uses PC as it is usually sold in the kiddies section in hobby shops. Hopefully that will not put CINDY and family off if they decide to visit the UK on future PCT road trips.
You might like to visit craftartedu.com/kato-polyclay – tutorial for info on poly paste (hope I’ve typed that in correctly)…………………………..cheers xx………………………………………………………………………….
Dix, how you remain so productive in spite of difficulties sure raises the bar for me. I wish you and your family the best of luck, as I do Elaine and many others here. It’s so great to watch you and others develop only, first or second careers. Our retirement planning never seems to cover the lux items (polymer of course), and starting a home business using the computer is brilliant, I salute you all.
It sounds like you have been really busy getting your area all organized.
It is always exciting when we get a few new thngs and get to plan and organize. I am so happy for you. The heat here is terrible and now we are in a drought. I stay inside most of the time so am able to get a lot done. I have the clay already rolled out for the flowers and will get to them tomorrow. I hope you enjoy your new craft area.
Elaine, I couldn’t get to the link you left. I got misdirected. Thanks for thinking of me. My DH and I were married for 25,5 yrs before the Lord decided it was time for him to go. I sure wish yours the best of luck and hope everything goes well with his treatment.
God bless you both.
love it when you teach us flowers- thank you- my favourite one
The Persian Buttercup, Ranunculus asiaticus
Article + Stunning Ranunculus Photo
Info Published by Iowa State University
Hi Cindy
I set up my PC room in the basment at our summer home..a lot cooler than the first floor> I was excited to try this new flower design..I have not tried that other..all though I have bought the
Wilton flower set…just did not have the incentive to try it..well today will the grandkids were at camp I sat down and downloaded all the color recipes for A ..found out that i did not have all the color PC that I neede to make samples…but will try to start doing it this weekend….I did try making the R flower with colors close to what I needed..I did not have the foam to use to make the cupped leaves so mine came out cupped outward..not sure what kind of flower you would call it but I did use the small calyx on the back in a green that I had lightened with translucent clay…the flower is 1 1/2 in diameter and 3/4 deep….now I am not sure how I should attach it…What do you or anyone else suggest…I have made some kuminhio cords……but not sure what type of bail to put on it…I have not baked it yet..waiting for some suggestions from fellow PCers and Cindy…it looks beautiful even though it did not turn out like yours..I guess I added my creative touch by curling it outward instead of inward…I guess I need that foam …that.s on my list….
All help is welcome…
Natalie Herbin
hi Natalie, I did the same thing you did and curled my petals out so it resembled a Rose.
I kind of like the look. I also made several the way Cindy did. I did not have the foam pad either but if you have a mousepad Or a piece
of that kids foam sheeting, both work quite well. You can also take a small folded towel and put a piece of chipboard on it and use that in a pinch. As far as how you want to display it, a lot will depend on where you made your bead hole or how you want it to hang. Go back and look through some of Cindys tutes and maybe you will get an idea.
Good luck doll, hope this helps.
Hi Cindy
I made a new flower..last on was way too thick..new one looks a lot better..still not sure what type of bail to put on it ..would like to make it into a pendant…..one that can be removed an replaced with a different one depending on what i am wearing…any suggestions
Natalie Herbin
Natalie, because I was curious myself, I through “making bails” into the search box. Wow, Cindy has a ton of great ideas…..try it.
Hi, Cindy! We grew these a long time ago and loved them, too. I just joined and learned lots from this, my FIRST tutorial. Thanks!