6 Videos #268 to #273: “A 50th birthday present for one of my best friends.” ~Cindy Lietz
Today I am excited to let you all know about the first set of monthly tutorial videos using our new wide-screen hi-definition filming format. If you are not yet up to speed with all of the publishing changes that were announced last month, be sure to first watch this video: Polymer Clay Tutor News
Posted below is a summary of this months Sweet Pea Earrings Project Tutorial, that will be posted tomorrow (Friday, August 3rd, 2012) in the Vol-051 members area at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library. Here is a Sneak Peak Video for you…
Vol-051-1: Video #268: Introduction: In this 6 part video tutorial series, you will be learning how to create a pair of lovely Sweet Pea Earrings, from start to finish. The videos will contain a variety of tips and techniques that will not only have you creating a stunning piece of jewelry, but will also give you some new skills that can be applied to other jewelry making projects as well.
Vol-051-2: Video #269:
Custom Teardrop Blends:
In this video you will learn how to create your own custom color blends using my super easy teardrop method, so that you can create beautiful Sweet Pea Flower Beads in which ever color way you desire.
Vol-051-3: Video # 270:
Shaping The Petals:
In this video you will learn how to cut, texture and form the petals of these delicate blossoms, as well as learn alternative methods for creating the sweet pea flowers should you not have the cutters I used.
Vol-051-4: Video #271:
Assembling The Flower Bead:
This video is where you put all the pieces together to make the sculpted flower bead. You will learn some simple tricks that will make the bead strong in structure and light and airy in look and feel. You will also learn some great baking tips for protecting the delicate flowers while they harden.
Vol-051-5: Video #272:
Wiring The Bead Dangle:
In this video I will show you how to prepare your bead by cleaning out the bead hole and threading it with a headpin. Then we will do some some basic wireworking to create a dangle to hang your Sweet Pea beads.
Vol-051-6: Video #273:
Beaded French Ear Wire:
Finally, you will learn how to make your own gorgeous, Beaded French Ear Wire with Swarovski Crystals or the beads of your choice. I’ll share lots of tricks for making perfectly shaped ear hooks, plus tips on making the wire strong and safe to wear. After finishing this video you’ll be able to slide these beauties into your ears and head out for a lovely afternoon or evening event. Be prepared for all the compliments you are going to receive!
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 down. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay, even if it is a “sale” price. So please feel free to click whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for your support.
The full video series for the Sweet Pea Earrings tutorial described above, is available in Vol-051 at the Polymer Clay Library.
If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials
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… Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my monthly library 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, 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.
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Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Wire work – I have always thought it would be too difficult to achieve so I have avoided working with wire. You have made it achievable. Financially this is an amazing bonus – thank you again. ~Cara-L
Cindy, Well I’m so happy that you are so committed to this place and polymer clay because you and this place are an integral part of my life now. I work full time outside of the home and then I come home and clay and often dream of a day when I won’t have to work so much and just stay home and clay all day. I’ve worked in many mediums… I was a fine arts student before I changed to nursing… and I love polymer clay more than any other medium… It’s a medium that you can get immediate gratification from. I can go from a couple blocks of clay to a finished project within a couple hours… ready to wear even!!! I love that. There are so many materials you can use with PC that the possibilities are limitless. I think that’s my real love! There is and will be a new technique, a new shape, a new medium in which to add… and someday I will discover something that no one else has… that is exciting! PLUS!!!! I love creating… it’s a drive that powers my psyche, that infiltrates my being and lets me know that I’m validated and alive. It soothes and awakens my soul. If I did not create… I could not be me. So thank you Cindy for the reassurance that you too shall be here to be a light and guide on my journey. ~Melinda-H
Thank you Cindy for another year of WONDERFUL polymer clay tutorials and rainbow color palettes; and thank you Doug for such EXCELLENT VIDEOGRAPHY. ENJOYED every lesson … and am trying my best to keep up with past purchased lessons as well as even the basic course. Thank you so much for your willingness and joy in sharing your knowledge with all of us. Like so many others, I am very appreciative of your massive library of e-videos an color recipes and am a lifelong fan/e-student. ~Yong-R
The full video series for the Sweet Pea Earrings tutorial described above, is included in Vol-051 at the Polymer Clay Library.
If you would like to receive 3 free beginner videos right now, plus some free color recipes that get sent out each week in my Friday email newsletter, please click this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials
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Oh how delicate and beautiful. Just love these,
Spent this afternoon beginning on these gorgeous earrings, but I seem to have a problem with my pasta machine. I remember taking a class at Michael’s some years ago, and the teacher at that time told us to buy the cheapest we could find. So, I got this Amaco machine, which is probably a piece of junk — and it does not come apart so that it can be cleaned inside! I haven’t started doing the teardrop blends, because I could see that I’d waste the clay! I’d rather not spend the price of the Atlas machine, but which one do you suggest?
I love the new format and the HD video is stunning. I can hardly wait for the rest of the video tomorrow.
Love the way you laid out the steps and videos for this lovely sweet pea.
Can’t wait!
wow … absolutely beautiful !!! they look so real … can’t wait …
Simply amazing, they look so delicate, can’t wait to try this tute. Love all the updates, thanks for all your (everyone involved) efforts.
all i can say is WAY COOL! Really love having the the whole series in one hit.
One of my late mother’s favourite flowers, Cindy.; she loved their simple beauty and fragrant aroma. Looking forward to enjoying your newest offering in incredible HD!
One of my Mom’s favorite flowers. This series certainly looks like a winner. I am sure looking forward to making some more beautiful flowers. Even though our climate refuses to let t me grow many flowers, now I can create scrumscous versions of you tutes ! How lucky is that?
I am back home from surgery. All went well, and should up and running soon. Thank you all for you prayers and good wishes. THEY WORKED. Prayer is so strong – we should use it more often !
Ditto Monique. My late mother also loved sweet peas.
Patti, glad all went well with your surgery. They sure don’t keep you long in the hospital anymore. I would much rather recuperate at home anyway. Don’t try to do too much at first, you will need a little time to heal. Hopefully you will be able to play with your clay soon.
So glad surgery went well and yes Praise Jesus for the power of prayer. Still praying for a speedy 100% recovery.
Just lovely! So looking forward to this. Funny, I didn’t think I would be so drawn to the sculpted flowers, but now I love them. And these earrings are beautiful. Thanks again Cindy!
I love the the way you are doing the new step by step videos
Thank you
Elly Moore
This sounds like a great new adventure! Just love flowers. Can’t wait to to see these videos. I haven’t played with my clay in almost three months. Just too much going on and being sick myself. But, i’m doing better and feel I could get back and play again!
Very pretty earrings. I am liking this new format a lot. Being able to complete a whole project from start to finish is a real bonus and to get it all at once in several videos is going to help pace myself better I think. I always liked the way Cindy had samples to show us but now we will be able to go from step one all the way to a completed project. I especially like the extra tips and her special spin on things. Can’t wait to start the earrings this month.
WOW, WOW, WOW, oh did i mention WOW?! what a wonderful way of doing the videos. to have so much detail in these is great and very helpful. Thanks heaps guys, you have done a magnificant job.
These are so pretty! I haven’t played with clay in a while and these make me want to play again!
WOW! great format and look- very impressive and gorgeous earrings-thank you
The videos are great! Love having a whole project’s worth at once too. And these beads are gorgeous! My mom got me the Wilton cake set and texture plates as a gift recently. I think I’ll make a pair of these earrings for her. :D Or maybe put one on a necklace as she’s not the “dangly” type. LOL!
Thanks again Cindy and Doug!
Lathyrus odoratus,
Doesn’t sound so pretty as sweet pea but it is the Latin name for this fragrant bloom. The romantic meaning is “delicate pleasures and departures”. I imagine the flowers turning into beautiful coloured birds and winging away into the heavens.
Well CINDY, got quite poetic there watching these great set of six videos. The new format really works. So congratulations go to you and Doug for stepping over the brink (if you know what I mean)
I think this is the first year that I haven’t planted some sweet pea seeds, in fact have given the garden over to the wildlife and just enjoying the creatures and critters who are visiting
So a BIG thank you both. It was great to see a project from start to finish, not skimping on the very detailed instructions, brilliant close-up shots and advise on equipment that makes this PCT site so interesting and fresh every time…………………………..cheers xx……………………………………
Awesome!
Cindy, I really enjoyed this series. Thank you for making each step available right away. The earings are lovely.
Hi Cindy,
I finally hit the Zen zone with kumihimo. I had to laugh when you said you have a hard time saying “Swarovski”. You should of heard me saying kumihimo until I got that right. By friends had no clue what I was talking about. Thank you so much for that tutorial. Now I got to make a kumihimo necklace for the sweet pea pendant. I am so lucky to have a friend like you.
God Bless,
Pat
Cindy and Doug
It was hard to imagine how you could improve on the process you have already developed, but this new video series approach is just the best! HD provides the ultimate close ups, and the series approach allows you to slow down a tad (lol) so I can absorb more.
In a couple of spots, my motion sickness part of MS kicked in, as you moved stuff around at a level of closeness I am not used to seeing in any videos on the market. I found I had to concentrate on one little detail, and it passed quickly. Sort of that sensation when you are in a parked car and the folks next to you move and you have that moment of panic thinking you are moving, lol. Whoa.
Don’t think I could master this beautiful sweet pea as easily in the old format, you really need to see the details to create such a delicate flower, then string it onto the metal findings.
I enjoyed this series tremendously, will watch the processes several more times, then attempt. Even if my first couple comes out a little rickety, the way the videos are presented, I will be able to go back and fix each detail step by step.
Thank you both so much for taking the time to find ways to make the creation process easier and better!!!!
Great tutorial! Love that you were able to show so much detail. This is going to bring a whole new level to your already great tutorials!
Well I never get up at 6:30 in the AM except for today when I watched all 6 videos in the new HD format. Wow, Now I know why everyone is so excited about HD. It is amazing clarity and color when videotaping. Excellent job Doug! Thanks so much for choosing the Sweet Pea for your first project. It is my birth flower (April) and it of course is my favorite flower of all time. It has several meanings and all are wonderful. Perhaps Cindy can go right down the months and create a birth flower tutorial for each month, hint, hint. Mays birth flower is the Lily of the Valley, wouldn’t that make a beautiful project?
I love Lily of the Valley – so delicate! would be awesome to have a tutorial.
I just finished watching the Sweet Pea Project videos. What a GREAT way to teach us a project!!! I can hardly wait to get started!
I’m on video number five and had to stop and say…WOW!! Love the HD love being able to go right to the next video which of course is the great high quality product we’ve come to love and know we’ll receive with the Lietz family. I appreciate all the hard work you guys do. BTW, what’s going on with the bus tour? Any updates? OK gotta run and watch the rest of my videos, lol!
This is my first comment to you, coming from London, England. These earrings are so beautiful, so natural. In fact they have truly inspired me. Thanks Cindy. You’re Amazing.
“Play it again, Sam”, I just see this set of tutes whirring for a very long time. Maybe before long I’ll be able to get in some clay time. Wayne has had two hospital stays in the last few weeks with a Petscan results due Monday. We’re hoping for the best and wishing for a cure to his added upper respitory problem. One of the earliest flowers I remember are Morning Glories. We had them
growing up a vine on the side of our porch. This was way back in the 1940’s! Its also the first childhood home I can remember. I loved to touch them, very gently, so velvety and the colors were also beautiful, not quite so vibrant as the Sweet Pea. So beautiful…..Love this new demention and having the complete set of videos at the same time. Thanks again, Cindy and Doug for being willing to grow. As you “grow” we follow and just keep on learning.
Best wishes to your husband, Joyce. I keep him in my prayers.
Many thanks, Jocelyn, prayers are very powerful as someone here said recently. Sometimes I just know “Someone/Someones” have just said a prayer, it just has to be.
Joyce- prayers sent your way. Hope your results are good!
Thanks, Patt, our results weren’t what we were hoping for so we go forward with a bone marrow test on Friday and if these results are in the positive range Wayne will have a Zevalin treatment on the 28th. We are so greatful to all who are sending prayers and positive thoughts. Hugs to all of you.
I love the way you have everything all at once. i will start mine tomorrow but have to visit Micheals for the cutters tonight. What do you tint them with ? i have the inks or should i use something else?
Mikki, in this series, Cindy used a teardrop blend of off the rack Premo colors, modified with translucent and pearl. You sure could tint them if that’s what you choose. I quess you could also antique them too to bring out the shapes. Best of luck.
hi guys,
real quick ? Cindy —
I saw that you tweaked your bead baking rack & wanted to know
if it kept the pins from falling off?
ereh: dnuora kool wen elohw eht givol
Good eye Sherry! I’ll share with you guys in Friday Vlog what those green blobs on my bead rack are all about. I was wondering if anyone would pick up on that.
;kjf ghe rhub ohgij lgdjnu ojngh !!!
(I have no idea what that says, but my keyboard was lonely and wanted to chat with yours… I guess they both have a qwerty sense of humour! :)
Yeah, I picked up on the green blobs too and was wondering what they were.
Can’t wait for your trick with the bead rack. I never did like the silly thing!! The beads either ganged-together or fell off. YOU WAY is so much better;
the last line in my comment above
is why i dont reply alot :)
my real keyboard is broken
& this virtual one has a warped since of humor :/
Must say I love the new format! So nice to have an entire project from start to finish. Thanks guys, it’s brilliant (tho I knew it would be …)
Wow! What a difference the HD makes in the close-ups! Just amazing!! So glad I have a good stock of clay. I just realized I have never seen a Sweet Pea in person. I have never grown them in my garden. How could that have happen?
I know now that Polymer Clay is getting more popular. At my Micheals we had ALL the clay, Premo and Fimo stolen!!! I thought it was due to the recent sale of 4/$5 but that wasn’t the case. Everyone asked me if I knew what happened and I was surprised. I’m just glad I have a good supply on hand. Michaels is supposed to add a Polymer Clay class this year. Just wonder what that will be.
Oh my, Catalina, I can’t imagine anyone stealing ALL the clay. What purpose does that serve? If they use the clay do they really look for good results? If they sell it what will the money gained buy them? How will MIchael’s recover that loss? Will they put a cage around that area? I just get irritated when I want to buy a tool that has a lock on it and have to find a clerck. Hope the person/s responsible are caught. Good Luck, Michael’s.
That really blew my mind that someone would steal all the PC. That’s a lot of clay and it is heavy in bulk. I know Michaels has insurance against theft but how in the heck did they get out the door with it! ah, the lure of polymer clay just keeps getting better! (or worse)
Oh jeez that is sad that someone would steal all the polymer clay from the store. The fact that they took Premo and Fimo means that they know what quality is, so I’m guessing they are an adult clayer and not just a kid lifting some clay.
What makes someone so desperate that they steal so much of a craft supply?
Hopefully this person puts the clay to good use, sells the work and feeds their family with it… then I hope they give back to charity for helping them to survive.
If it is just a matter of being cheap and not wanting to pay for the product, then I hope all their beads burn and that they get lung irritation from smoke inhalation!! OK enough with the rant Cindy…
Oh, Cindy, you sound so much like me!! Shoplifters make me mad! Mainly, because if they steal it I can’t buy it!! Plus, this is why everything goes up. It may take a month to get it all stocked back up.
The only bad thing about micheals is they use their own employees to do the classes. this isnt always a bad thing but I have seen demos of different things there that I knew more about than the associate did. I think the only Polymer class i will pay for for a long time is this one here .
Mikki, actually, Michaels does not use their own employees to teach the classes they offer. All instructors have to go throught a very detail hiring process and submit a few samples and prove their knowledge and ability. Although, any employee may apply to teach it doesn’t mean they will be hired to teach. I just happen to do both!
Most demos are generic crafts and required by Micheals corporate and some associates may not be the most artistic crafter. But, any instructor who does a demo for an actual class should stand out. Otherwise, they would not get any sign-ups for their classes. If you are ever in the Detroit, Down River area, please take on one of my classes! We would have a blast!!
Mikki, I’m also a certified bead instructor at Michaels and I agree 100% with Catalina.
Honestly -why would someone steal all that clay? What is this world coming to? I am surprised someone didn’t see the culprit. Must have bee desperate. No wonder stores have security cameras. Hope Michaels catches the jerk!
I used to manage a charity shop in the UK (donated goods) …and believe me, we’d get thieves there too. Some people will take anything if it has a market value… and some will even if it does not. Sad, but true. I suspect it was not a crafter that took the clay. I bet it went online or got sold off pretty fast….
I picked that up too and i too thought they were to prevent the pins from moving and falling into the rack. I have had that happen a few times.
The tutorial is fabulous and the HD vido and colors just stunning. The flowers look so delicate and real. Love the earring wire with the crystals; I had started putting a bead on my ear wires; I think it just makes the simple plain ear wires look really special.
Love these flowers and I really love the new format of the entire project at one time, still haven’t gotten the Wilton set yet, but I do have two gift cards that I intend on using to get the cutters and the texture mat.
Thanks Ken! You know if you just want to get the Sweet Pea Cutters, they are only $4 or $5 at Micheals. With the 40% off coupon, that makes them practically free! Oh, good luck with your part in the musical… I know you will be a big hit!
Oh Ken I just realized that I probably made a faux pas, by referring to the opera you’re in, as a musical. I’m sorry about that. Hope it is a wonderful success for you. Break a leg!
No problem, I understood the wishes, and I have also done musicals, not many but I have done them, and thank you again!
I love all the new things going on here. This is just fantastic, the Lietz team once again goes all out. Love the sweet pea earrings and I can’t wait to see the rest of the tutes that complete it. Thanks again for continuing to give us more and more.
Uuuugggs for all.
Late checking in to say a big Thank You for the new format and presenting the entire project at once. Also, Doug, the new HD is a great viewing improvement.
I signed in Friday AM hoping to quickly watch a video before heading out the door to Vancouver for our holiday weekend and YIKES! I didn’t have time and only got to see them last night. Forty eight minutes and what a deal. Now I have to make a couple of the sweet pea beads while watching the Olympics. Thanks again Cindy, Doug and family.
I just found the sweet pea cutters for $2.49 at Hobby Lobby. Was happy to find them, especially at such a good price.
I found them at hobby lobby also not even worth using a coupon on. I have a craft show in Sept and will sell some there. I will say they were handmade, but I will also have a sign that it was a design by Cindy Lietz. I am so glad I found her classes before I started this adventure. I’ve learned so much from this.
Lucky you! I just called my Michaels, they don’t have them and then i just scanned 60 pages at hobby lobby and they don’t have them which I thought was strange. I did a search also and they didn’t show up.
If you dont have a hobby lobby store there and you trust me i will take a 40%off coupon and if you will pay that and the postage i will get you some. and mail them to you. i have padded envelopes and i dont mind doing ot for you.
I rec’d my cutter set – Sweet Pea by orderding through Amazon. Went to a company called Stuff4Scrapbooking.com. Was very reasonable including the shipping. Might try going directly to the website. Haven’t been there yet but their scrapbooking supplies might have other “goodies”. Hope this might help someone.
OH Happy DAY !! Your up-grading and HD presentation is so much better ( I really didn’t expect such a change). Technology is moving as warp speed – and you’re right there with it . Thank YOU really is NOT enough. All of us appreciate your hard work and handling of of all the details involved with the new set-up!
Not only are the tutes outstanding. Everything looks brighter. The close-ups are incredible . Your method of teaching has improved in the last year. So everything is PERFECT !! Super Yeah!!! A months worth of tutes all at once is great.. Watching them several times, helps solidify the process. Can’t wait to make some Sweet Ole Peas…………..
Cindy:
I have been gone for awhile; and I come back to such WONDERFUL lessons and ideas. So much to catch up on! The torch headpin video was great! I just started working with soldering, etc, but I must say that I did laugh out loud and continue to chuckle with the advice of “no medications or wine” prior to starting the lesson, and more importantly the torch. Everything looks so great! Thanks Cindy!
Computer has been giving me fits so I didn’t get to see the videos until today. Wow, Love the clarity and all. Love these flowers and you’ve made them so doable . I’ve always been behind but wanted you both to know I appreciate your hard work.
I guess just the Micheals here uses their own employees for the classes I took a Calligraphy class at Hobby Lobby and she had asked micheals if they needed her and was told they only use their own employee’s i saw an employee do a demo on a yudo that really did’nt know what they were doing I had watched a video on lone that taugh me much more but iy must be this one store. I love shopping at both places but most of the classes I wouldnt take at Micheals anyways it is mostly scrap booking and cake decorating Hobby Lobby has more painting and sketching and such
How can I watch the last two parts of this session without watching the whole thing? I watched the first parts about making the earring the first week. Now I want to just watch the last two.
Hi Freda – You can watch any one of the videos in the six party series at the members library page. Here is the direct link: Sweet Pear Earrings Tutorial
Duh! I just wasn’t putting the cursor on the numbers instead of the name. I knew if you made a six part video they would be separate.
Wow! This new format is really wonderful. The Lietz team has done it again! I’ve only had time to watch the first two sweet pea videos so far, but I hope to see the rest tonight. Cindy, I’m crazy over these flowers and hope I have time to make some soon.
I haven’t worked in clay for over a year due to my schedule, but I started a new clay project yesterday to donate for a silent auction. I was rusty, so I reviewed a few of the older videos, including the original teardrop method video. Today I started to watch the sweet pea videos. I LOVE the recent addition you’ve made to the teardrop method for giving flowers more translucence.
I am sorry i wasnt attacking ANYONE. But the micheals here doesnt do a lot if you want art a lot of cake and scrapbooking I love micheals
\
Of course you weren’t attacking anyone, Mikki. We just wanted you to know what the corporate policy was.
Great idea to have demonstrators in store… trained or not… it has to inspire!
In Finland, we have Tiimari which is a national store. We only have little A6 size pamphlets for ideas… and online information too… However, imho, they are pretty basic things.
This link takes you to the info page.. in finnish of course.. but on the right hand side is the list of jewellery items they show to make.
Polymer clay related items are very limited. Hence why I buy online.
Got my sweet pea cutters yesterday and had a go this am. WOW what a difference a little wiggle will do! am really happy with these. Will post a pick as soon as they are baked.
Dear Cindy,
I think I owe you an apology of sorts. Some months back, when I first discovered your video library, I voiced some disappointment via email regarding one of the videos I had purchased. It was specifically the dogwood bead video. Don’t get me wrong, the dogwoods are lovely (I even made one for my Mom for a mother’s day pin/broach), but I was disappointed that the video featured a product and not as many “techniques” as I would have liked.
I have debated and debated about joining to receive videos. I always love the color recipes because it gives me ideas as to various color combinations. I have yet to make anything with them, but I am sure I will.
Anyway, I finally joined so I can receive videos, and I purchased a few back orders. Oddly, and this is where the apology comes in, my favorite so far is the sweet pea earring, which, ironically, uses a product. In this one though, I feel like I got the best of both worlds… a good product suggestion AND lots of techniques.
I, for example, have been making my own kidney wires for years. I am allergic to many metals, but I love, love, love having lots of pretty earrings. The solution?!! Make them, of course. I have made so many kidney wires, in fact, that I no longer need a jig. I love the look of French hooks, and now I know how to make those too. My husband has a full metal shop (industrial) and I am hoping he will make me a bench block and such.
Now I want to see how you make eye pins. As you know, silver wire isn’t cheap, but it is certainly cheaper than pre-made eye pins and ear wires, so I will be looking that one up.
I am an avid crafter, and I hold a BA in Fine Arts, so I adore anything creative. I also hold a BA in Mass Communications and a MS in English Education. I currently teach high school English, and my jewelry is sort of my teacher gimmick. (Students will say, “You know Ms. A. She is the one who makes all her own jewelry.” It is a nice conversation piece and I often give students pieces for gifts for their Moms and such. I teach in a poor community, and such tokens are real treats for me and for them.)
Again, just wanted to say that my first impression has proven wrong. Looking forward to my next video.
Gina
Well Gina looks like you are now a part of an amazing clay family. Everyone here is so helpful and kind. I also have been with Cindy for a long time. Like so many others the first time I came across her Videos I didn’t join. That is the biggest mistake I made. Although I didn’t miss many and was able to pick up the ones I missed out on quite quickly and am still here today. I figure I’m not leaving unless Cindy forces me out. Believe me when I say she is way to kind of a person to send me on my way even if I’m not around all the time. This family just keeps getting bigger and better by the day. Hope you enjoy as much as I have and will.
Sending Uuuugggs
Welcome Gina and glad you have found what so many of us are excited about. I have been a subscriber since almost the beginning of Beads and Beading Blog. I always learn something from a Tute even if I never get around to doing the project. MY BAD. Many times I go back to past tutes to find “just the right gift for someone. I too was hesitant about purchasing more “stuff’ for clay but there are SO many of Cindy’s projects that are with things we already have. Cindy is soooo amazing, she has so many tutes and never ceases to amaze me with her new ideas. She also tries to offer an alternative to purchasing a piece of equipment. I have not bought a Big Kick, and probably will not but I have discovered all the embossing and texture “envelopes for the machine that can be used to add to texture clay. So welcome back “Clay Sista !!”
Anna-Des Moines, Iowa
Welcome Gina! what can I say….my clay “sista” said it all. We are so glad you are part of our family!!
Thanks for all the friendly greetings. I do not know if any of you are teachers, or maybe work at your church bazaars or anything, but last year, before I joined even, the school club I sponsored made over $100 just during two lunch periods selling polymer clay charms that we had made. My students learned a skill, and we worked and strung the charms on inexpensive nylon cording. They sold very well. This year we are thinking of doing the same thing for Halloween by making candy corn charms, mini pumpkins etc. Really, when you think of it, the clay is very inexpensive (especially on sale). Lots of fun too!
Again, thank you for making me feel welcome.
Gina
PS I adore the “clay ‘sista'” title. It is so addictive, that I feel like I have a support group of sorts, haha.
It is wonderful to see that several girls popped in here to welcome you Gina! I think you are going to love how helpful and supportive everyone is here. Congrats on the sales you and your students made with your polymer clay charms. The Halloween charms sound like fun. Have you seen the Pirate Cane Tutorial, the Pumpkin Cane or the Pumpkin Beads? They might be fun ones to do with your kids if you hadn’t thought of that.
Thanks! Yesterday my students and I were at a local arts festival. We were making puppets out of paper bags for the little ones. I wore a pair of sweet pea earrings that I had made in a blend of peach and purple (with purple being the dominant color). The parent of a former student came by to say hello and noticed the earrings immediately. Her daughter is one of those “remember always” students, so I simply took the earrings off and gave them to her as a thank you for raising a wonderful daughter. What is so great about making jewelry this way is that you can “gift” them without breaking the bank. She was so excited to have them. These lovely, little sweet peas have now helped me make someone’s day. Neat stuff.
Yes, I saw the pumpkin canes and beads. I think they are adorable! They look shaded and have so much depth.
Thanks for sharing!
I thought I would pass along a tip of sorts that some might find handy. I always look for less expensive alternatives to different products and such (I am sure we all do), and I have found that cheap eye shadow provides a nice alternative to mica powders. Goodness, from what I understand, mica is a cosmetics ingredient that is often used to give eye shadow its pearl quality–so why not? I buy the most garish colors I can find and have endured some rather strange looks at the check-out counter, but oh well.
Anyway, I had been making the sweet peas, and I had just enough green left to make the little calyx. I was just about done, so I did not want to mix more. I made the pea pod out of the scraps of the purple tear drop blend I had made. Once on the bead pins, I took my handy eye shadow and applied green, yellow and orange using a small paint brush. You could also use the sponge applicator that comes with the eye shadow, but I find a brush gives more control. The brush also helps work out fingerprints. Because the underlying color was cousin to the flower petals, the pod, although now green, had an undertone of the flower color, and I believe it has, in a way, added to the realistic quality of the flowers.
Also, the eye shadow can add silver or gold tones to any non-pearled clay!
Thank you for your comments and tips Gina! Nice to see your lovely face in the gravatar too! Glad to see you figured it out. Love the sweet pea story and the mica eyeshadow tip. It is fantastic to see you getting involved and enjoying your polymer clay journey!
Hi everyone
wanted to pop in and say I LOVE my sweet pea earrings :D
I put a photo up at Cindy’s Facebook page
they are so light and they make up quickly
Your Sweet Pea Earrings are truly Gorgeous Sherry! Love the look you gave them by hanging them upside down. They look very frilly and delicate. Great to seeing you doing such a great job with the tutorial!
Thank you Cindy :)
yesterday was crazy – but I did read your kind words above
wanted to tell you that I said out loud (w/ just the kitties & me here) ‘I hung them upside down?’ laughing & smiling logged off and went to do the dishes —- not sure I ever remember smiling and doing dishes LOL so thanks for that too — just another reason I love it here <3
Cindy – I am having fun making these sweet peas, tulip beads, poinsettia flower earrings, etc. Based on what you taught me during our recent PcT Roadtrip visit, I’m now working on making the flowers a little smaller for the earrings. Thank you for providing such great videos, I am understanding the size issue much better now.
Hi Cindy!
Hope your Thanksgiving was awesome and blessed! I always check my Inbox every Friday to see what new videos you have put together. It make’s for a very fun week-end.
I recently did the sweet-Pea tutorial, a favorite flower of mine as well! It turned out so pretty and was a bit of a challenge which I enjoyed very much. I like to push the limits!! I made a pendant and a pair of earrings to match, very pretty ! Thank You!
And I would love to say that I really enjoy all the new changes you have made with the website and the way you are doing your tutorials. Great work on Doug’s part! You guy’s are a super team!
I wish you and your family and a Very Warm and Wonderful Christmas! Ok I’m out of here ! Take Care & God Bless
Debra Gibson , Claying in Cali
Hi Cindy
Just want to share that I sold a pair of yellow sweet pea earrings on etsy. I now have 3 sales on Etsy.
Congratulations Cindy P!! That is awesome!
I went and took a look at your sweet pea earrings on Etsy and they look great. You have definitely refined your skills and the flower petals look delicate and pretty. I see why they sold.
I do have a couple of suggestions that should help to increase your sales, if you are open to hearing them.
One is, that you should maybe get Duane to look at your photos when posting them. They are a little blurry. Not a ton… which is probably why you missed it since you do have very limited sight. Pictures and words are the only contact people have with your work when its online. So they need to be as good as you can possibly make them.
Another thing is that you may want to consider listing the materials you used in your piece, such as the crystals and what the ear wires are made of. Many people are hesitant to buy earrings when they don’t know what the metal is, since many are allergic to a lot of the metals that are out there.
And finally I would consider adding a little more to your story and your descriptions.
People like to buy from real people. It is nice that you are talking about your dog Meisha but I don’t think it would be such a bad thing to mention that you are legally blind.
Not for a sympathy thing, but as a way to share your true story. You could tell them that your blindness has made you put more attention into the tactile aspect of your work. That you love to design with bright colors and vibrant designs because that is what you see best with your limited vision and what makes your heart sing the most. Stuff like that.
The real you is what people will connect with. Don’t try and hide it. Celebrate it! :)
Hi Cindy,
Love your tutorials! I was wondering what the green material is on your bead baking rack in this Sweet Pea Earring Tutorial? I am thinking it may be something to keep the pins from twirling. Could you tell me what it is?
Thanks in advance!
Ruth Marie
Hi Ruthie,
Glad to hear that you are enjoying the videos. Thanks for letting me know.
That green stuff is called Sugru and in newer videos you will see that it is red now. You are correct… it is how I keep the pins from twirling. Actually this “hack” works so well that I can now turn the rack right upside down without having to worry about my beads falling out.
Here is a video you can watch to learn more…
A Sugru Hack To Keep Amaco Bead Rack Pins in Place
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Of all the YouTube videos I’ve watched, you are absolutely the best! I absolutely LOVE your work! Never thought I’d actually pay for a tutorial, given the fact that so much is available online for free, but 1) I decided that you, of all the experts I’ve seen, certainly deserve to make some money at what you’re doing so well, and 2) I especially love the sweet pea earring (bought this tutorial)!
I am an artist, specializing in miniatures, but I’ve just started playing with clay (both for my mini houses — makes fabulous stone or brick walls and roof shingles — and for jewelry that I hope to be able to sell!). Much like yourself, I’ve tried just about every craft, and have hundreds of stamps (and many, many other items) that I can use for my clay work. I’ve done Skinner Blends after following your tutorial, and will absolutely try the Lietz Teardrop Blend next!
I have several flower molds that are really very tiny and very deep in places (to accommodate the petals), such as these flower molds.
How do I get the clay to fill into all the tiny apertures in the mold? Is this where I would use liquid clay and, if so, what type of resist would be best… Armor All or cornstarch? Or is there a better way to do this? I tried using very soft clay, but it moves around so easily that it loses contact and thus the sharp outlines of the mold. While awaiting a reply, I’m going to try once again simply packing the clay by pressing really hard, using cornstarch dabbed on my fingers to help keep the clay from slipping out from under! Also… these molds can withstand oven heat up to 300 F; do you suggest that, once I get the clay impacted successfully, I freeze the mold for an hour and then remove the clay before baking, or cure the clay in the mold?
Thanks in advance for your help! Being handicapped, this (and my minis) are some of the things that I am still able to enjoy doing, and once I get started, I spend hours until I perfect a given technique! I sure wish you were giving classes at my local Michael’s store.
Sandy, until you receive a response from Cindy, have you tried the search function at the top of this page? I think you will find just about any answers to your questions regarding using molds and what to use as a resist. My experience has been in using the bakeable molds, I didn’t need any kind and they just popped out after baking. I also use a firmer clay such as premo or fimo. Good luck with your clay making. So glad to have you here at the blog!
Thanks Dixie Ann for answering Sandy so nicely!
Hi Sandy, thank you so much for your kind words! I appreciate the support and am so happy that your are enjoying the tutorials. Dixie Ann is right, a firmer clay should actually help rather than a soft one. You can roll your clay into a point where the deeper parts are, to get more clay into those parts. Most silicone molds don’t really need a release, especially if you bake it in the mold where you can. What I would do is bake the piece for ten minutes or so then pop it out… then bake it the rest of the hour outside of the mold. That way you can do many at a time and the heat gets deep into the molded piece.
This video should help with the molding…
Krafty Lady Art Moulds For Polymer Clay
Didn’t see your suggestions until quite late, but that’s fine. Now I know exactly what I’ll be doing tomorrow!!! Playing around, using both you and Dixie’s suggestions to make this work. Oh, and I realized that if I had dabbed some cornstarch on the tips of my fingers while trying to pack the clay into the mold, it might have helped stop it from slipping all over the place. I was really frustrated, but at the same time it was so funny that I couldn’t stop laughing! I decided that I could not deal with it any longer, and just went to bed! So… I’m really glad that you both had such good — and timely — advice!
Oh, and tomorrow afternoon I’m off to Michael’s (where they actually have those electric scooters!) for the right colors for the sweet pea earrings. I did order the molds from Amazon and, because I’m a Prime member, I should have them by Thursday. What a fun week this is turning out to be!!!
Unfortunately, Michael’s doesn’t carry Premo clay, so I had to do my shopping at Hobby Lobby. But, I did get all the colors needed for the sweet pea flowers, and then some! How could I resist? Trouble is that my brain works faster than my fingers ever could! There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything on my list!
Oh, and I ordered earring wires (both silver and gold), only to see that you’ve got tutorials on how to make these! That’ll teach me to stay away from ebay (at least for a week)!
Hi Sandy, that is the first Michaels I have heard of that doesn’t carry Premo polymer clay! Must be a smaller store or something. Can very much relate to the brain working faster than my hands… though if you ever noticed in the videos, sometimes my hands move faster than my brain! Glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself! And guess what? The next tutorial (April 2014) there will be another ear wire lesson included so you better pick up some 20 gauge half hard wire so you’re ready! ;)
Hi Cindy,
I’ve just finished making the Sweet Pea earrings.. WOW you are such a talented teacher.. they came out perfect the first time because of your detailed step-by-step method of instruction. And camera work is so perfect!
Thank you for being there for me… I’m logged on often reviewing your videos to improve my skills. I’m also learning to use the search engine at the Blog – that’s amazing!
AND thank you for your introduction to the JoolTool.. I’m now using mine successfully and can’t wait to see more demos.
This membership, Cindy, is the best thing I’ve done for myself in ages! Thank you so very much.
Best Regards,
Donna Schnare
Airdrie, Alberta
Hi Cindy!
I’m just about to start my second tutorial this one, the sweet pea earrings. I’ve got a question about the tear drop blend. If I only use two colors, two tear drops instead of three as pictured in the tute, do I need to adjust the amounts of translucent and pearl that I use? Thanks for all your help. I love your tutorials!
Hi Karen, you can either leave it the same, use a little less of the Trans and Pearl or add a little more of the other two colors if you wish. It doesn’t matter that much since all the versions will look great and it is just a matter of preference in this case. Have fun with the tutorial!
Thanks for your prompt reply, Cindy. Looking forward to doing the tutorial, just waiting for my supplies I ordered to arrive :) !
Hi Cindy
I just had my first clay disaster in a long time. I made two pairs of sweet pea earrings and they came out lovely. I used Premo translucent and pearl and fimo for the main colors. I baked them for an hour at 275, I should have realized something was wrong when I saw smoke coming out of the oven but I thought it was coming from the card stock that I tented with. When I took them out of the oven they were burnt to a crisp. They also sagged out of shape. What could I have done wrong?? The only thing that keeps me from feeling completely crushed is that it only happened to four beads this time. I will start over, but I need help. I’ve never baked clay that was this thin before. PLEASE HELP. Thanks
Cindy
PS I used the same toaster oven and oven thermometer that I normally use. I am completely baffled.
KS
Hi Cindy
Sorry to keep spouting, but my brain is just racing trying to make sense of what happened. I just checked the white fimo that I used in the blend and the package says to bake it at 230. Could that be why it burnt? I think I’ll do a test bake at the lower temperature and see what happens….Wow, nothing worse than making some beautiful beads and then turning them into charcoal!
Hi Karen, so sorry to hear you are having baking problems. The results you are referring to is definitely a problem of the temperature being to high for the clay and not an issue with the clay being thin. Like you just suggested, it is most likely due to using a mix of Premo and Fimo together. Although some people do mix their clays, I don’t because of these very issues. In the future, stick with only one brand and bake at the temp recommended for the brand. You did all the other things right… the tenting… the time… the oven thermometer. Try it again and let us know how it goes. Good luck!
Thanks Cindy. I’ll make another attempt and let you know how it goes.
Dear Cindy,
Wire working is still new to me, but I love the look of your handmade ear wires. I got a torch for Christmas to do the flame dipped headpins and that was fun! For these sweet pea earrings, I got that they were fine silver and 20 gauge but not if the wire was dead soft, half hard, etc. This will be my first time to order silver and I’d like to get the right thing. Thanks for all your attention to detail.
Lynn
Hi Cindy
I want to try my hand at making hand torched head pins. You mention using 20 gauge for the wire, but do I use half hard wire?
I guess this is a newbie question. I did make these earrings several years ago and sold two pairs back to back, but I bought the ear wires. I am looking forward to saving some money making my own. And I Love how they make the earrings look. The jeweled ear wires Just give them that extra flair.
Thank you
Hi Karen, sorry for the slow response… I am getting quite far behind!! As far as which wire, I use half hard wire for all earwire and head pins. Now the torching will soften the wire a bit… right next to the ball, but it stays pretty firm the rest of the way up the wire. If you use dead soft wire for earwires or head pins, then they need to be hammered or tumbled with steel shot, to work harden them up… otherwise they will just bend too easily and loops will pull out of shape. Hope that makes sense! :)
Hi Cindy
Thank you for your response. I look forward to making some nice earwires and headpins. Such a great skill to have, too!
Have a good one :-)
Karen