“I have one of those
roller thingies and have
never understood how to
use it. Your video should be
part of the instructions incl.
in the package!” ~Maria-C
On September 14th, I posted an introductory preview clip for the Tube Beads & Roller tutorial. Today, the full version of this video lesson (Vol-028-3) is available for viewing at the Polymer Clay Members Library. Here is the link: How To Make Tube Beads Using the Amaco Bead Roller Tool
For anyone who is not yet a paid member, if you did not know, the cost works out to only $3.32 per month. This gives you 24/7 access to the full versions of my Friday video tutes. Plus you also receive four A-series color recipe cards. This week’s color is: Autumn Squash (3A) from the Autumn Sunflower Polymer Clay Color Palette.
All of this, so true. This is the PC place to be. I have been poking around the web for nearly a year, thinking about getting my polymer clay out of storage and getting back into it. This is the only place I have found where you get your questions answered quickly and the people are genuinely caring and sharing. Cindy Lietz is a superwoman; there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all that she does. I don’t know how she does it, even with her husband’s help. Now that I am a member, I’m so pleased. Its value is well beyond such a small price! ~Phaedrakat
I absolutely agree. I’m a teacher too and I can recognize good teaching. Cindy is the best teacher. I’ve watched a lot of other jewelry videos and read books but it makes a big difference watching Cindy. You can pause the video and actually go along with her. She makes things so simple and easy you simply get encouraged and motivated to try it out . And Doug’s photos are amazing – the clarity and angles. It’s certainly worth every cent and the cost is a real deal. I would encourage anyone to definitely sign on and buy the membership. I have bought the whole collection and I’m so glad I did. ~Cheryl-H
I am just 2 weeks into this and already am looking forward to trying some of the techniques taught by Cindy. I have daubled some in polymer clay, but was intimated by the intricate designs thinking there’s just no way I could do that… but after watching just a few videos, I can’t believe how easy it is! I’m especially ordering back issues! I can’t wait to see what I’ve been missing all this time! Well I’m in now. Phew, finally my polymer clay ambitions will be filled. ~Laurie-W
If you want to become a paid member, here is the link:
Polymer Clay Video Library
Or if you are brand new to polymer clay, the best place to first learn all of the fundamentals is here: Polymer Clay Beginners Course
To browse other video tutorials that are available for purchase without becoming a subscribing member (in other words… just a one time fee), you can go here: Polymer Clay Video Back Issues
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Open Mic… Please use the comment sections of these Friday posts to discuss polymer clay challenges that you need some help with… success stories about your bead and jewelry projects… requests for upcoming video tutorials. In other words, it’s an open mic :-) .
Listed below are the topics that were discussed in the last Friday’s Open Mic comments:
- Wheels are spinning (in a good way).
- Baking polymer clay at high altitudes.
- No time to clean the house.
- Dahlia flower cane (tute request).
- 3 year old grandaughter “Makin beads”
- From a childhood marble collection,
… to losing your marbles later in life. - Sourcing ideas for shaped cutters
- Making your own custom cutters.
- Deformed polymer clay mushroom beads.
- Grandkids add “spice” in your life.
- Baking times for thin clay.
- And more…
If you need to catch up, here is the link to the article where last week’s topics were discussed in detail: Polymer Clay Bead Caps
Otherwise, you can use the comment section below to start talking about some new topics and ideas. Happy Friday!!!
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Oh, wow, the possibilities are endless! I love how you used the kaleidoscope and animal print canes, Cindy, and especially loved the zebra with the bright purple base and the finished piece that also used the matching beads!! Once again you got my wheels spinning! My husband often asks me what I’m thinking about when I’m zoning out, because he says I’m a million miles away. And I am! I’m thinking about what all I want to do with PC!!! The only problem is, doing it in my mind is so much faster than doing it in reality!! I’ve got so much on my list now I’ll never catch up!!! But that’s ok, you just keep it coming!!
Thanks so much to the both of you for another amazing, high quality, not to be beat tutorial, and for all you do for us every day of the week..
Have a great weekend all!
Hi People: I know this is off the subject but i wanted to let you all know. If any of you sell on line handmade venues ARTFIRE is offering a $5.95 monthly fee for life, for a limited time only. At the present time their monthly rate is $15.95. So for what it is worth you might take a quick look. ARTFIRE.com
Hope all are having a great day. PEACE CHAZ
Another doh! moment. I am constantly amazed to discover after watching these tutorials that I have been doing things the hardest way possible. You would think that just once I would figure out the easy way to do something, but…… no.These tutorials are definitely worth the price of admission.
I’d like to make some candy cane earrings for fall. Do you have any suggestions on a way to make them, not too large and consistent. I tried a bit yesterday and they didn’t look right. THANKS…
@Linda Knight: Hi Linda, I haven’t made these before, but I have a couple ideas. You could use this tutorial of Cindy’s to make some red/white striped tube beads. If you want them thinner, use a piece of acrylic to roll them to the right size. Then cut them to the lengths you want, shape into a “cane”, and bake!
An easier way to do it might be to take red and white snakes of clay, twist them together, then roll the candy-striped log smooth with an acrylic or plexiglass sheet. Then cut, shape, bake the same way… Experiment a bit, with just small amounts of clay, until you discover which method helps you achieve the look you want….
As for attaching to earwires, you’ll need to make holes…you could poke them in the “canes” before baking, or drill them afterwards. I’m sure there are lots of other ways to make Candy Cane earrings, too. C’mon guys, help Linda…tell us your method! Please? :D
Hello All! First, I love this tute! I will be ordering one of those rollers!
Second, I had a show today and I wanted to share some good news. It was an 8 hour show and I made $304.00! Then I got home and had sold 3 items in my Etsy shop!
A lot of the items sold were made using a technique from our dear “Polymer Clay Tutor”, so I would like to give a special thank you to Cindy and Doug. Thank you both for creating such a wonderful place for us all to share and learn from!
Wow! Congrats Carrie :) That’s amazing.
Phaedrakat, you darling girl. Thank you so much for your message to me which I appreciated greatly. It’s true I’ve ben MIA lately, not because I’ve been on a desert isle with a gorgeous hunk, sad to say. Just not up to par, bit of a sicknik, though now I can see daylight and am glad to be in the world – very glad. Dreams of PC jewellery float in my head and by golly, one of these days… Enjoying the news and Cindy’s magic. Thanks again, dear Kat. XXX Mary
@Mary: Hi Mary, so sorry to hear you’re a “sicknik” these days (nice word…for a not-very-nice condition!) I’d rather you be on that isle with the hunk…or at least a ‘hunk’ of clay! (Both would be best!) I hope you get to feeling much better…we miss your fun personality around here! You’re always so sweet and have that sunny disposition. I’m sending you all the positive energy I can muster…it’s coming right now…can you feel the love? :D ~Kat
Has anyone ever tried using an electric meat/cheese slicer to cut polymer clay canes? I have some designs that use 50-60 canes per item, larger slices. Wondering if a meat slicer, like the kind in a deli but smaller for home use, would work? Looking forward to hearing some feedback. Crazy question I know….
@Jackie Bessner: Hi Jackie, I was thinking you could make a “test” log of clay and practice slicing it. Then you could see if it does the job like you want it to. But you probably want to know that it works for sure first — before commiting the slicer to polymer clay use only — right?
That’s a good question…never heard it before! Good luck, hope you get a good answer on this one!
Thank you Rada!
@Carrie: Congratulations! That is really exciting news! So glad to hear you are having success at selling your polymer clay jewelry. Nothing feels better than doing what you love AND making money too. Makes all the effort of learning and perfecting your art worth it!
@Jackie: I’m with Phaedrakat on this one. The only way to know if it will work, is to test. Make sure the clay is as cold and as firm as possible, or you will just end up with a gummy mess. Let us know how it goes.
@Carrie: Congratulations on your sales! That’s so great! And I think successes such as yours inspires us all have a little more courage where maybe we otherwise wouldn’t, and get our creations “out there”! Cindy’s right, nothing does feel better than doing what you love and making money doing it, and I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say that, at least the majority of us here wouldn’t be anywhere NEAR as accomplished or polished as we are if it weren’t for Cindy’s expert tutelage and inspiration, so Carrie’s success is also yours to share, Cindy! Keep us posted on the sales, Carrie, and I wish you continued success with your business!
@Jackie: From years and years of experience working our way through home deli slicers and finally ending up with a “pro” model like they use in butcher shops, the one thing I would stress on top of Cindy’s advice is to make sure the blade is sharp! None of the home models we ever had truly had a sharp blade, which, in my opinion, would slice comparable to the tissue blade you would use when doing it by hand. The blade on the slicer we have now is so sharp that if you accidentally knock your finger nail against it, it cuts right through, and that’s without the machine running. Makes slicing thin roast beef a breeze! LOL!! Not that you need one this sharp.. All I’m saying is that if the blade you’re using isn’t sharp enough it’s going to squish your cane before cutting.. But I think your idea is ingenious, so please let us know how it works! We may need to add a new “must have” kitchen appliance to our lists!! LOL!
Yeah! Got the tube rollers. You are right, Cindy. Using you “method” sure saves time and frustration. Been rolling away -not to learn how to put in the pin. This a great tute. Thanks, again
Crumb! -the darn keyboard MESSED up again. I meant to say Now not not.LOL
Well, I finally got to watch the video. NOW I know how to use those tube rollers! Cindy, you’ve solved the problems I had when I first tried to use mine…and you have some excellent tips on piercing and sanding!
Here are a few topics / questions that got missed over the past week. If a few of you could offer some advise to the following ladies, I know they would appreciate it…
1) Lonny is having a heck of a time finding where to buy river rocks for her rock tumbler… and is wondering if anyone adventurous has actually collected them from the river.
2) Linda Knight is wanting help with making candy cane earrings.
And… 3) Elizabeth S (our resident story teller extraordinaire)… is wondering if she is being superstitious or just plain nuts, for thinking that her Chevrolet’s hydraulic thingamajig is “talking” to her. She was in the process of loading up her entire craft room into the car for a 12 hour road trek. I personally think she is being delightfully nutsy, and that she should definitely keep sharing her funny stories to keep us all entertained around here!!!
Is there a top coat or some kind of enamel that can go over rhinestones in finished beads of polymer clay that helps them adhere longer? Thanks, Sue
@Sue Dannecker: Hi Sue, how are you? Are you using one of the hot-fix types of rhinestones (where you can use a heat tool?) Or are they the kind that require glue? If you are pressing them into the clay & baking them, you could add more strength by gluing them, instead of adding a layer of over the top to seal them in. Unless you wanted to go with resin, which is very strong!
Anyway, you could just take the rhinestones back out after baking…add a drop of glue…then put them back in place. I haven’t tried putting a glaze over the top of rhinestones (I just sand and buff, then glue the stones back in place.) But if you want to add a top coat/finish over your cool, “bling’d” piece, you could use any of the polymer clay safe finishes.
The article has information about several of them, including Pledge w/Future shine, Varathane finish, and Studio by Sculpey (information in the comments section.) This is one of the older articles here at the blog, but it has good information…as well as extra tips, tricks, and product info — be sure to read the comments section under the article, as that’s where you’ll find most of it. You’ll also find links throughout that deal with each specific product…
As for the glue…there are several different types that would work. This article, Craft Glue for Polymer Clay Projects, describes some of the main glues that are safe to use with polymer clay.
You could use any of the glues in that article — except for category #1 (liquid clay wouldn’t really work as a glue unless the rhinestone was completely covered in it…and then, of course, you’d have to cure it.) But you could use Weldbond (Cindy’s favorite,) E-6000, or even super-glue. You could also use a special rhinestone glue…I’ve seen a couple at the craft store, and I’m confident that they would work on polymer clay.
Well, good luck with your project! If you need additional information, try the search box at the top of the page. There are hundreds of articles on just about every topic here. But of course, leave another comment if you have further questions… ~Kat :D
Thank you all! I do love that there is somewhere we can share things like this with each other! Cindy- You Rock!!!
@Linda Knight- I would do just as Phaedrakat said, may take a little time and practice to get them consistent but I think those methods would work wonderfully for you. Also, I am a big fan of drilling holes AFTER baking. I’m more skilled with my dremel than I am with piercing pins!
If you go to google and enter “how to make polymer clay candy cane earrings”, a number of tutes will come up.
I think this was discussed somewhere sometime; How do I measure 1/8 part. When measuring for mixing colors what do you use as one part?
@Cherie: Cindy answered your question about measuring “parts” for color mixing in the Spotted Lily Petal Cane — Now Playing post.
Another way to look at it would be to “multiply up”. Instead of taking 1/8th of a part, make the fraction 1 part…by multiplying the rest of the recipe. I’ll use a fictional recipe as an example…say it calls for:
1 part Red
1 part Yellow
1/8 part Black
You could use a tiny circle or a straw as your “part”…and multiply the recipe by 8. That would mean you’d use:
1 (x 8) = 8, so 8 circles of Red
1 (x 8) = 8, so 8 circles of Yellow
1/8 (x 8) = 1, so 1 circle of Black
Hope that makes sense! Cindy’s way is easier, of course, but I thought I’d try explaining it the opposite way. The reason fractions are used in the recipes is so you don’t have to measure such a large # of parts (or cutouts of each color,) to make a recipe. Good luck!
@Cindy: I have a request.. Since we now know how to make tube beads. Is there a way to texture them without leaving a seam? I have tried over and over and keep failing. If anyone can teach this I know you can XD ……
@Brenda: I have some experimenting to do with that technique, before I teach it. Will let you know if I do a tutorial on that.
A new cane slicer.