Up Next in Vol-020 | Tribal, Hearts, Lace, Interchangeable Pendant

Polymer Clay Library Tutorials Vol-020 1: Tribal Canes
2: Heart Beads
3: Lace and Ink Texture
4: Interchangeable Pendant

I can’t believe that a new year (and a new decade) is almost upon us. Time sure flies when you’re making polymer clay beads! And there’s no slow’n this chick down :) Today’s post reveals what you can expect to see in the up coming Volume-020 package at the Polymer Clay Library. All of this new content will be published during the month of January 2010.

These tutes are released on Friday mornings to help get you in the mood for spending some fun time on the weekend playing with your polymer clay.

Hi Cindy, Thank you so much for updating my acct. I would hate to miss even one of the Friday videos especially since I am now on winter break from my school job and I have time to “carve” away (bad pun :-o ). And Cindy, I want to wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed new year. I am so grateful to have found your site and to have become a member. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with the quality of the instruction you provide which is so packed with tips, information and encouragement I wonder how you do it! And the videos are so professionally done! Although I did sign up for your beginners course (which was very helpful), I think anyone could pick up any lesson and be successful with it. And it continues to improve all the time. I was so flattered that you took my suggestion to list the supplies we need for the upcoming video, thank you so much! All that and personal attention to the blog, to our account problems, encouraging the growth of a new community… well I could gush on. Your site membership would be a bargain at twice the price (or more)! Thank you for a wonderful part of my 2009 and I hope, to a long continuing virtual relationship. I look forward to what 2010 will bring! Most sincerely ~Sue Werner

Here’s What’s Coming up in January (Volume-020):

Volume 020-1 Tribal Canes: In this video you will learn how to create a unique tribal theme cane that is actually three canes in one. First you create a neat triangular patterned cane that you can use on it’s own. Then you can use it to create a more complicated X patterned cane or a repeating V patterned one. In fact if you combine the canes in other ways you can make even more canes. You will need a Makins Extruder for this one, so now is the time to get one if you don’t already have one of these awesome tools.

Volume 020-2 Heart Shaped Beads: Valentines will be just around the corner when you see this video, so the timing is perfect. You will learn how to make two different styles of heart shaped beads that can be made in any size. Leave them plain or cover them in the cane designs of your choice.

Volume 020-3 Lace and Ink Texture: You are going to love this technique for making Valentines, Victorian Jewelry, Steampunk Jewelry, or any polymer clay project that needs a lacy touch. Using real lace and pigment ink, you can give any bead or pendant the look of lace.

Volume 020-4 Interchangeable Pendant: An original design of my own, you can take any polymer clay bead or beads and add them to this unique wire pendant to create a beautiful focal piece. Slide off the beads and replace with different ones with this interchangeable jewelry design. It can be created using any type of 20 gauge wire, making the possibilities endless!

I too would love to learn the tribal cane, but will relish whatever cane tutorials you decide to offer.
~Elizabeth-S

Would love to see more in your valentines series. I really like the way you combined those pieces together and came up with a unique, one of kind heart shaped bead. Keep up the great work. ~Drew-G

What pretty spoon necklaces. I love the delicate look of lace on the bottom of them. ~Freda-K

Oh yes, please do make this video Cindy. I’ve seen interchangeable pendants online before, but they were too expensive for me. This would be ideal to have as an option when selling my beads and pendants. ~Maria-C

I hope you enjoy the new Volume-020 video tutorials. Preview clips of each tutorial will be posted here at the blog, usually by Tuesday each week. Then on Friday’s, the full tutorials are posted for paid members at the Polymer Clay Library.

Also don’t forget about the great new color recipe palettes that will be available during the month of January:

If you are interested, here’s the link to become a member at the Polymer Clay Library. In the following comment, Jackie-N says you will not regret it :-)

Hi Everyone, This Christmas is definitely different than last years. Here I am sitting at my computer 5:30 in the morning with my coffee, anxious to see what’s new. This past year has been full of up and downs as most of you know. But looking forward every Friday to Cindy’s wonderful Videos is always the first thing I do. She is such a kind and wonderful teacher. I know she probably does not realize how important what she did for me was. I know it made the difference on whether or not to unpack my clay or give it away. I am happy that I did not give it away. Well things are starting to happen fast here with me, and its due to the support and kindness of Cindy and every single person in this community. So if anybody reading this has the opportunity to become a member please do so. You will not regret it. I am truly lucky to have found this site. So Cindy thanks again and Happy Holidays to everyone. ~Jackie-N

Cindy Lietz SignaturePolymer Clay Tutor


  1. Elizabeth S., 31 December, 2009

    Oh Cindy,

    What can I say about how excited I am that we will be learning these beauties?
    I am personally bestowing on you the “Teacher of the Year”, award–no, “teacher of the Decade”-no, “Teacher of the Century”-no, “Teacher of the Millenium”-(I don’t know what comes after that, but you get my drift).
    Your trophy is made of my thanks for your commitment and generosity in helping us grow in our art.
    Warmest wishes to you and your family for a wonderful new year.

  2. Cindy Lietz, 31 December, 2009

    Elizabeth – You are always so kind with your words. I want to give back a BIG special thanks to you for always being here each morning to get these comment threads going. The conversations that happen here at the blog are a huge part of why this polymer clay community is getting stronger and stronger every day.

    By the way, I’m on the west coast which puts me 3 hours behind many of you Eastern time zone dwellers. That means I get to wake up each morning excited to find out which direction the morning chit chat is going. I love that!

    Not sure if anyone noticed, but a few weeks back, I added a new feature to the right navigation side bar, which displays 3 days worth of comment links as they happen, where ever they happen. So now you can monitor and join into conversations that are going on even in older blog posts that you may have long forgotten about.

    The more you guys can respond directly to each other with ideas, thoughts, encouragement, inspiration… the more value you will receive by being a participant in this growing polymer clay community.

    Happy New Year Everyone! It’s going to be a good one.

    SPECIAL NOTE: I’ve got a surprise announcement scheduled for tomorrow’s post on New Year’s Day. Without letting the cat out of the bag too much, the announcement has something to do with how you guys will have the chance to win a gift package of polymer clay beads, handmade by me. As you will see in tomorrow’s post, I’ll be looking for feedback about how best to launch this initiative.

    Crossing my fingers that all of you are going to be as excited about this bead giveaway idea, as I am in being able to offer it to you.

  3. Lupe Meter, 31 December, 2009

    Cindy,
    I am excited about the new video tutorials especially the Lace and Ink Textures and the Tribal Canes! I can’t seem to give you enough thanks for putting them together for us each week. It requires a lot of work and dedication…so I agree with Elizabeth, you should get an award for Teacher of the year…of this decade! Best wishes to you and your entire family and a very Happy New Year!

  4. Melinda, 31 December, 2009

    It looks like a fabulous month!! Can’t wait. Have a wonder New Years Day!

  5. Ken H, 31 December, 2009

    Wow is all I can say, what a way to kick off a new year of tutorial vids. The tribal pattern is someting I’ve been interested in since the polls on what techniques to film next.

  6. Maureen, 31 December, 2009

    Me too! Can’t wait for the Fridays of January to come. And I finally finished something!! I actually made beads into jewelry. I made memory beads out of my aunts funeral flowers. She passed away in September. Then I made bracelets for her daughters and grandaughters. I promised myself to get them done before the new year. As I said before my New Years resolution is to clay more instead of just watching what everyone else is doing.

    Like the others, this blog and Cindy’s lessons are what makes getting up early everyday worthwhile! It is the first thing I look for everyday!

    Happy New Year to everyone. Stay safe and be healthy! Happy New Year, Cindy!

  7. Maria, 31 December, 2009

    Just want to wish you, Cindy, and my entire polymer clay family a very Happy New Year! Looking forward to all the new exciting ideas to come in the year 2010!

  8. Cindy Lietz, 31 December, 2009

    Maureen’s comment about her “…New Years resolution to clay more instead of just watching what everyone else is doing.” … ties in PERFECTLY with tomorrow’s special announcement. Stay tuned…

    Happy New Years Everyone! Thanks for helping to end this year with a bang!

  9. DJ, 31 December, 2009

    These tutorials are brilliant! Love the diversity – from tribal patterns to pretty lace. Thanks so much Cindy for all your work, inspiration and creative teaching style.

    We both have the same resolution in mind this year Maureen! Much as I look forward to learning I will be doing all I can to play with clay in the next few months.

    Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and wishing lots of joy, warmth and peace in the upcoming New Year! AND lots of creative adventures too…

  10. Lawrence, 31 December, 2009

    WOW, this fits in with what I have been concentrating on recently,faux Bone and Ivory with tribal designs or scrimshaw whaling ships.
    Our Pacifc Northwest, like the American Southwest, is so rich in Petroglyphs and tribal art which is adaptable to our polymer clay art. Other parts of the world like the Lascaux Caves in France also offer the same opportunity for some ingenious designs.
    I am always patiently waiting for the Friday AM videos so keep up the great work Cindy
    A Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and your family and all the wonderfully helpful people on here.
    Hugz to all !

  11. Peggy, 01 January, 2010

    What an entrance for 2010 Get ready to Rock and Roll here comes Cindy to guide us like the North Star. We can always count on you to shine bright and direct us all through the easiest most effecient path there is to go on. That shining star within you has tought me how to have fun achieving my goal with each video you bring to me.
    Thank you for that bright shining guidance.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!
    Love and Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggggs, Peggy

  12. lynn watts, 01 January, 2010

    Happy Claying Everyone. How would you send in Photos of your work ? I am new to all this stuff but would be willing to learn if someone could help point me in the right direction. Thanks Lynn Watts HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. Cindy Lietz, 02 January, 2010

    I’m excited that you guys are excited about the the upcoming Vol-020 videos. Your enthusiasm gives me so much energy!!!

    @lynn – with regards to sending in photos, that is all done via email. Unfortunately I have not yet found a way for you guys to post your own photos in the comments section of this blog.

    If anyone knows of a WordPress plugin that allows visitors to do “self-uploads” of photos, let me know. I would be interested in having a look at an application like that.

  14. Tiffany, 02 January, 2010

    Cindy,
    I can’t wait to see all the exciting things you have in store for all of us. You are such a talented artist, and I feel very blessed to have found your website and become a member. Will you be showing us how to make the gorgeous rainbow colored bead in video #4? That is soooo pretty, please show us how to make it!!

  15. Cindy Lietz, 06 January, 2010

    Thank you Tiffany, you are very sweet! I hadn’t planned on teaching that particular rainbow bead. If I get enough interest I could put it on the list. Thanks for asking!

  16. carolyn, 06 January, 2010

    Cindy – Thanks for including the interchangeable pendant in this month’s tutorials. I make an interchangeable pendant setting and another for interchangeable beads out of sterling or gold filled wires. My pattern is quite complicated, and uses lots of wire. I am looking forward to finding out how you do yours! It appears less complicated but still lovely and seems to lend itself to PC, whereas mine is for semiprecious stones. I’ve sold a few but they are quite expensive because of the materials and hours I put into them. I would imagine that I could sell yours at a much lower price. Since I sell most of my work at my church I like to keep the prices down, even though I give 100% of the money back to the church. This seems to be my mission. I can hardly wait for this tutorial!

  17. Linda K., 11 February, 2010

    @ Cindy: I would also really like to learn how to make the rainbow bead that Tiffany mentioned. She’s right, it’s gorgeous. Can you put it on your list for tutorials?

  18. Cindy Lietz, 16 February, 2010

    Thanks Carolyn for your comments! I think you are right about being able to sell the interchangeable pendant for a good price, since it is quite quick and doesn’t take a ton of wire. I think it is wonderful how you sell your jewelry and donate to your church. You are a very giving person!

    @Linda and Tiffany: I have just come up with my own unique version of the Rainbow Jelly Roll Cane, that I am very excited about. My plan is show you guys how to make it next month in March. So stay tuned!

  19. Linda K., 16 February, 2010

    Oooh! Can’t wait for the tut!

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