“Life does not
get better by
chance… Life gets better
by change.” ~Jim Rohn
As you may have noticed from today’s featured Gallery post, as well as from previous ones (see Woodland Flora Pendant for another example of a recent Gallery feature), these photo spreads are included here at the blog to provide you guys with creative jewelry making ideas and inspiration.
Please use the comment section at the bottom of the page, to discuss the items presented… or to let me know what other projects you would like to see and learn more about.
Seeds of Change, Polymer Clay Art Jewelry Bracelet:
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Seeds of Change, Polymer Clay Art Jewelry Bracelet:
Sometimes we need to sow the seeds of change, in order for our lives to get better… and this art jewelry piece says it all. Inspired by the words of the late Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker who touched the lives of many, this piece speaks to those of us that aspire to having greatness in life. Written around the 2 1/4″ (5.5 cm) diameter circular face of this polymer clay bracelet, are the words, “Life does not get better by chance… Life gets better by change!”
And from these words, sprouts a fresh new wire and polymer clay leaf. Symbolizing the hope and dreams and change we all must go through in order to better ourselves. Created with polymer clay and copper wire, this wearable art piece was born from my own desires for a better life. A life of peace, balance, creativity, prosperity and love… some of which I have lots of, and some of which I need more. The bracelet will fit a 6″-7″ (15-18cm) wrist comfortably. Although it looks top heavy, it is actually quite light and is designed to stay upright and to keep from rotating on the wrist. Because of its sculptural form it is more of special occasion piece rather than everyday jewelry. In other words, it is not very practical to wear while doing housework or gardening :-) Total height of this bracelet is approximately 3″ (8 cm) from the tip of the leaf to the end of the clasp. This unique bracelet is one-of-a-kind and would make a powerful statement accessory for when you or a friend are wanting to see some positive change happen in life.
Price: $40 (US) – If you are interested in purchasing the Seeds of Change Bracelet shown in today’s gallery post, then please send me an email. Be sure to include your full mailing address so I can work out the shipping cost for you. |
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| ** Did You Know… Members with current subscriptions to the weekly tutorial videos are always entitled to a 10% discount when purchasing 6 or more back issue packages in a single transaction. If you are interested, let me know which back issues you would like and I will send further instructions on how to complete your order. |
 
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Very unusual and unique bracelet.
Wow, Cindy, another absolutely amazing piece! From the pics it looks as though the leaf has a shimmery aspect to it. Is this just from the clay or is there a coating as well? Would you do a tut on this for us please? Is the part with the wording on it clay too? Everyone who ever said you’re a mind reader is right.. I was just looking at different styles of pc jewelry this weekend that have quotes on them and have that on my list of things to tackle too! :) (If I can ever figure out how to get my sanding done I’ll have a ton of pics to send you of a lot of different things!) Thank you once again for sharing you’re beautiful work and ideas!
Hi Cindy: Wow, very cool. Thanks for your words of encouragement. You are much more than a “polymer clay tutor” and are a source of strength and encouragement to me in my own personal journey through life. Always best wishes to you and your family. Take care.
This is so so beautiful! There really is a peaceful spiritual aspect that emanates from it, even from just the photos (which are also magnificent by the way,Doug). Amazing!
Cindy, your creativity stuns me, that is a fabulous bracelet. Thank you for making it available to us. The best part is the little seedling poking up. Just love it!
This is a beautiful bracelet…love the words on the round disc with the leaf coming out…unique and beautiful!
Great concept though the bracelet itself is not my style. With some adaptations I can see this for myself. I could see this more as a pendant than a bracelet. I really like the idea of the quotation on the disc.
The colors and the effect are lovely, it looks as though the piece has been hand painted. I love the circle quote handwritten too, very cool! Not sure if this “painting” technique can be turned into a lesson…I’d love to learn this if we can Cindy :0)
Wow I love it. So the disk and the leaf are out of polymer clay. This design is awesome. I would wear a piece like that.
I have to agree with Carolyn. Not my style. Very Unique indeed. I love the idea of the new growth and the Quote it is beautiful. It reminds me of a Sun Dial.
Hi Everyone! Please forgive me for introducing a new topic but I am so excited and I have to share this with you. Last Thursday night, (07/15) at 10:00 p.m., I submitted an order to Ultra Dome/EpoxyJewelry.com for the UV light and some resin. My order was delivered to my door TODAY, Monday, 07/19!!! Talk about customer service! Isn’t that amazing? I can’t wait to begin my new adventure.
I have 3 days of ceramics class left in the Summer semester and then poly clay and UV resin – HERE I COME!!!
Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you! My family doesn’t seem to understand why this excites me but I knew that my poly clay family would understand.
@Cheryl V.: This could have been posted over on the blog where Cindy gave the video about UltraDome – but no matter where you put it … yes, Terry is great! Very prompt and responsive. You may notice that he even pops in here once in a while to answer questions. So glad you’ve got what you need. This is a real fun process. You could see several of my pieces over on Cindy’s Facebook.
Cries… My AC unit quit working lastnight!!!! Pray that the ac man can fix it! It is going to be a hot one today!!! I might have to close DC until then. Ugh……. SHould I through my bucket of pc in the fridge? it is 83* in here right now and it is only 6:55 in the morn.
@Brenda: I’d fridge it if I were you.
@carolyn: The clay is in the fridge and the ac is fixed. still waiting for the house to cool off some more before getting it…..
@Brenda: ugh.. I for got to finish what I was saying “LOL” I was trying to say “before getting the clay back out..
Although this bracelet isn’t my style, I do appreciate its beauty. I can see why it reminds Brenda of a sundial, but my first thought was that it looked like the Olympic flame. In any case, the components interest me, especially the writing.
@ Cindy – Beautiful art bracelet with a wonderful message. I love the writing around the clay disc and the little leaf sprouting up. A sign of hope. I haven’t got round to trying writing on clay but would love a tutorial about how to write and paint on polymer clay.
Thank you everyone for your kind comments! When I made this piece, it was more for the artistic experience, rather than the practicality or even the potential for making a tutorial from it. So much of what I do is practical so it is good for me to just let my mind go free, to spread my wings and let my heart speak every once in awhile.
There are teachable elements in this bracelet, however, such as the inked surface, the grommet-ed disk, the hand written surface and the dipped polymer leaf head pin that was used in the center. I do plan on showing you all some of these techniques in the future, so stay tuned!
Cindy, I’m so happy that you spread your wings and let your heart go free! Knowing you “let go” while creating this makes me appreciate it all the more! It’s lovely, and has some VERY COOL features, indeed! I tried making something along the same lines as to your wired leaf a few months back, but I wasn’t nearly as successful! (Using wire with raw clay was trickier than I thought.) I would love to learn how you did it (leaf headpins, you say? Smart and cool!) The writing on the disc intrigues me, as well, as does the grommet-ed disk with the gorgeous inked surface! The techniques you used while creating this impressive piece of art seem extremely useful. I’d love to learn whichever ones you’re willing to teach us… ;D
This piece really moved me, Cindy! I love the inscription—really made me think. It certainly hit home–big time! My life is at its worst right now; sometimes I feel I have nothing. But of course, I do. I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach (and yes, clay in my studio!), and other things that people all over the world can only dream of. So I have no business complaining. Still, I’m always in pain, and I’ve been so depressed for so long. I feel like “things will never get better…” And that’s what’s wrong—I’ve been waiting for something to change. I’ve been leaving it to chance.
Jim Rohn’s words tell us not to wait for chance, but to change things to make our own lives better. When I read it, I knew I needed to work on changing my life. The amazing, yet ironic thing is that something happened to me “by chance” last week. Something surprising and wonderful—something that made me feel happy, blessed, and appreciated. The timing was like magic. I’m afraid to mention it, for fear of “breaking the spell”! But I feel like I can truly make my life better now. I am so appreciative of this “amazing thing,” and I can only say “Thank You” to the wonderful, beautiful person who made it happen. Life—and people—really surprises you sometimes! I hope the person knows just how much this thing means to me, and how their kind generosity has affected me.
The combination of Cindy’s lovely piece, the inspirational quote written on it, and this truly magical happening—very powerful! I now know my life will get better—I know because I will make it so! And so, the seeds of change for my life have been sown… :D “Yay!”
@Phaedrakat: Wow, Kat, I hope that whatever happened to you continues to make your life better…a whole lot better.
It’s nice to have you back. You’ve been missed.
@Phaedrakat: Kat, please don’t be so hard on yourself. When your body is continuously wracked with pain an otherwise positive person like yourself is bound to be brought down emotionally at least once in a while. You are very strong and I can tell from the short time I’ve “known” you you won’t let yourself be defeated and down for long. You allow others to feel their pain and you lift them up with your kind words and caring. Allow us the honor to do the same for you. Read what you wrote and notice how your the one who mentioned all you have to be thankful for and that YOU are going to make your life better. See? YOU pull yourself out of your despair! And you do that for so many others, too! You are such a positive influence on so many but you need to remember that no one is positive all the time. Especially not when they have to deal with what you do day in and day out. I’m so happy you got this “amazing thing” last week. No one deserves it more than you! And it wasn’t by chance.. It was because God blessed you in the midst of your suffering because you deserve it! Sending tons of love and prayer your way ~ Tanya
@Tanya L: Thank you so much, Tanya. That means so much! It’s very easy to doubt yourself when all this stuff is going on… :D
Thanks again!
@Tanya L: What a blessing it is to have here. I’m so glad you found us, and even more glad that you decided to become so active in our friendly little community. Polymer clay is the common theme that has brought everyone together, but it’s the sincere and genuine kindness, as you just showed to Phaedrakat, that really makes this place what it is. So I thank you for that.
@Everyone – I wanted to take the time to give a big shout out to Tanya because she is fairly new here. I just wish I had more time to “be there” for each and everyone one of the other gracious comments that show up in the various threads, every day. Please know that I love and appreciate ALL of you. It is you guys that make this community what it is. I feel very honored to have been given the opportunity to become part of your lives.
@Cindy Lietz from It Takes a Village… to Raise a Polymer Clay Community: Hi Cindy. I want to thank you for the kind words you posted yesterday. It really means a lot. And I want to thank you and Doug for all you do for all of us. You put so much of yourselves into making beadsandbeading.com such an amazing place. I absolutely love it. It feels like “family”. And I’ve come to love and care about the people I’ve gotten to know because of the effort you guys have put into it, making it such a wonderful, caring community. I was permanently laid off in Feb 2009 after working at the same place for 30 years, and I’ve been lost without the daily interaction with friends that I had there until I found your site. Now the first thing I do in the morning is grab a cup of coffee and hit the computer to check the messages. Even if I’m having an overwhelming amount of pain that day, like yesterday, I have to hop on at least once, until I can’t stand sitting any more, and then I still have to drag myself away because I’m afraid I’ll miss something! LOL! I bet I smile, or even laugh, at least once every day because of something I’ve read. So much better than “BC” (you know.. “Before Cindy”).
I see I have missed a lot just as I thought I would. Liberty my 7 yr. old grandaughter was here by herself for 6 days last week and she kept me going. She worked on PC of some kind ever day and made seed bead bracelets and ankle bracelets for herself and friends everyday. Choice of togglr clasp so I was very busy with the crimp beads and crimp bead pliers. I thought my hands were going to fall off before we were done. But the smile on here face made it all worth it. She has a close friend who lives 2 doors behind them and is moving to another state on the 30th so she made her sister and her a necklace and bracelet set very nice work she is quite talented. She has asked me if I will show her how to do her own crimp beads next time she stays by herself. She is only 7 but she is ready. She will be teaching me before long. Well better get busy reading and see what else I missed.
Cindy I am so sorry I didn’t even mention your gorgeous bracelet. I am not sure if it is something I would wear or not. I think it is one of those pieces of jewelry that has to grow on you for awhile. But I do love the quote. So true and meaningful. I would also love to use the quote on some other pieces. Is this something you need to get permission to do? I would like to try to make a pendant and a different style bracelet to match. Would this be ok Cindy? Your artistic ability with the jewelry and Doug’s artistic ability with the camera. What a FANTASTIC TEAM THE TWO OF YOU MAKE!
That bond that will never be broken the dream team has done it again.
Thanks for sharing with all of us you two.
@Peggy Barnes: That is a good question Peggy. I had always thought as long as you included the original authors name, it would be OK to use the quote, but I am no lawyer and could be very wrong about that. So I will can’t say whether or not you can use this quote or any one else’s for that matter. The only way to really be sure, is to ask the original author or the company that owns the rights to the author’s name. Better to be safe than sorry.
@Phaedrakat: Hi Kat. Someone once told me you’re allowed 24 hours to feel sorry for yourself, then you gotta pull yourself up by your boot straps, gather your strength and forge full force ahead. I always remember those wise words and try to do just that. You need to allow yourself to feel bad without apologizing or doubting yourself (I know, easy to say, harder to do). You’re human, and you allow others to feel that way with complete compassion. But your kind words and helpfullness for others WAY exceed any “complaining” you do (geeze, I wish every one would “complain” the way you do!). So thank YOU, Kat, for being there for us all!
@Cheryl V.: Cheryl, my family doesn’t understand why I get so excited over anything having to do with PC the way I do! I can’t figure out what’s wrong with THEM! LOL! Don’t worry, you just share your excitement with us.. You’re right, your poly clay family understands! :) Let us know how things work for you.
@Peggy Barnes: Wow, Peggy, isn’t it great having that time with your grandaughter? That’s kind of funny, because my 6 yr old grandson has been staying with us for the past 8 days. He goes home tonight, and even though he’s a handful I’m gonna miss him a lot! (Definition of boy – a noise with dirt on it. That’s my grandson to a T!) It’s wolderful that she wants to “clay” with you. Alexander had me make him a flat grey “rock” with his name on it, and I made “pebbles” with names or initials for the boys in our family to use as key chains. Not having much success with any of the coatings I’ve used on any of them – I think it’s just way too hot and humid, and I haven’t gotten back to them since Friday. Although I did make a really awesome necklace Saturday morning that I wore to my sisters birthday party. I’d post a pic of that but my cousin confiscated it! I made the cord ends, the clasp, and wire wrapped a “BC” poly clay flattened tear-drop shaped pendant. Everyone was impressed, and my cousin said “Wow, Tanya! That looks professional! I can’t believe you made all that.” That’s all I needed to hear – can’t wait to do more! One of these days I’ll get to post pics…
Just looking at this bracelet again and admiring it. It’s really a unique piece. Cindy you mentioned there are a few teachable elements to it – any chance of a tutorial on the hand written surface and the grommetted disc in the near future? I’m sure there will be many who will love these tutorials.
I agree with Cherie…this bracelet is definitely worth admiring! I’m with her on the tutes, as well…hope you still have these cool techniques on your “to-do” list (videos you plan to film soon!) So happy that you are back, and thanks for all you do~
Just went out to check my “real” irises these are the ones I use for color inspiration and the one blooming now is gold with a tiny bit of deep burgundy way at the bottom, Much to my horror ( too dramatic ) I found a slug on one of the petals so I ran in got my trusty bag of used coffee grounds and spread a nice barrier around the plants between those and the two snakes that live in the planter next to the irises that should do it.
I went out to take a picture to get some inspiration for putting a necklace or something together, I have no trouble making the beads and pendants but when it comes to assembling them I start to procrastinate, I could use a tutorial on different ways to finish the backs so that they can be hung or adhered to a bracelet or earrings besides glueing them on a post, and look professional. I would like to “stack” some of my beads for a more architectural or artsy look.
I have many books but your videos are so much more fun and interesting as well as personal, and make me feel like I am not alone in this. Artists need feedback and yours is so helpful, the good and the bad, but the bad is constructive and always gives an alternate way to do things. Also the feedback from all the wonderful members here, really teaches and uplifts ones spirits.
I guess the artist in me creates the pieces but the medication I take because of the bi-polar puts the skids on.it is designed to block any strong emotion and emotion is the gas that powers creativity. It is a daily fight to keep the process going before the meds kick in and shut it down, When my best friend died I was unable to cry for him, the tears were there but I could feel the meds holding them back.I need my tears but I will never play around with my meds to get results it would be too damaging to those around me. So I creat and try to get the inspitation to finish wherever I can and this site was a godsend so thank you all
Hi Cheyrl, thank you for this comment. It is good to see that you are using polymer clay to help you cope with your bipolar. That must bring many challenges for you. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have your creativity dulled by medication but I can appreciate that it must help to settle and over stimulated mind. Although I am not bipolar myself, I can find that I get overwhelmed at times with ideas that spin around in my mind. I am very fortunate that my mind doesn’t over do it to the point where I have required medication.
As far as tutorials go, I am trying to add new ones that show as many different ways to use the beads and techniques as possible. In the next few months I will have some tutorials that deal specifically with the backs of the piece, that should help you out.
In the mean time, do make sure to use that search box. Most questions have already been answered here on the blog at one time or another.
Thanks again for all your support and I am happy that you are getting so much out of what you are learning here!
Cindy, thank you not many people understand, they hear bi-polar and immediatly picture schizophrenic ax murder. Most people with the ” deficiency ” since it is just a short in the system and is not a mental illness but physical, cope nicely if they take their meds and don’t play around with them, Many think they are all cured when the meds work and so quit taking them and some like the ” high ” they get from not taking the meds, it can be addictive.
We are a very creative lot, I was amazed to find out just how many famous artistic and powerful people throughout history have the condition. From time to time you will find me getting a bit loquacious and running on and on about something or seem to be jumping from topic to topic, it is nice to know that when I do it is understood that I am just being who and what I am in the best way I know how. It is not often I do this now and the clay helps to ground and focus my enthusium by placing all of my energies into a common forum. Thank God for this site and it’s wonderful members who are so supportive and kind.
Cindy what with all of the horrific killing sprees in the world and U.S.recently, I would love for you to reach out to the poly community with a tutorial for this very important and worldly message a ASAP because we so need to make change and this message could be so inspirational at this time of so much loss. Wearing it would send such a huge message! Thank you. Linda
In this horrible time of angst throughout the world, I would love for you to do a tute on this particular bracelet Cindy….I looked through the tutes and did not find anything.
There have been so many horrible shootings and killings and the world needs to change. I really really want to make this bracelet…..so can you please do a tutorial so that i can purchase it. i can probably figure it out, but you are in business and I am ethical, so I feel that since I live in a very depressed area – this bracelet could make change.
And I quote you at the time you made it: “Created with polymer clay and copper wire, this wearable art piece was born from my own desires for a better life. A life of peace, balance, creativity, prosperity and love… some of which I have lots of, and some of which I need more.” WE ALL NEED MORE TO HELP THE PLANET
Thanks for listening~~~~
Linda
Hi Linda, thank you so much for your words and for your tutorial request. It really has been a time of unrest. As long as people hate others who think differently than themselves, chaos and pain will continue.
This bracelet design was made as a one of a kind art piece, but the message for planting seeds of change is a good one. I will let the idea brew around and see if there would be a new project that I could teach that would convey the same message.
Don’t let the inspiration pass though. See what you can come up with on your own that will spread the message of change, love, peace, acceptance and desires for a better life for one another.
Thank you for inspiring me to look another direction I realized it was really not even so much the words as the growth and turning over a new leaf or a chapter in the book of life that had grabbed me as well as the words. I see that I want to look up phrases or develop my own that guide my creative pursuit.
Here is a bust a gut idea – – friend gave me a plague years ago that states “pull up your big girl panties and deal with it!” I see this big pair of panties with a little girl inside and said pair of panties around her neck She has great big eyes with a funny little smirk on her face that said to me “you can do it Linda… Just pull up” – and I got through bad times that way.
I get you and thanks for showing lme to look at the concept of what I want to help others with and build on the concept to gently and creatively express.
Thanks so much Cindy
Sometimes we look to others for inspiration, when all we needed to do was look inside ourselves. :)