1: Puffy Beads
2: Faux Jade
3: Hammered Metal Bezels
4: Johnny Jump-Up Cane
Well it’s time once again to announce the line up of video tutorials coming in Vol-023 at the Polymer Clay Library. But first, for anyone who is still on the fence about becoming a member, here’s a couple of quotes that may help to show you what makes this site and my teachings so unique.
Hi Cindy, I wanted to say that I enjoy your videos. My kids will enjoy learning from them as well. I wish we would have found these earlier. We did a lot of research, made mistakes and bought several books. Your web site, the course and the weekly videos have been so helpful I wish we would have found you first. It’s great having all the information we need in one spot instead of surfing and hunting for help in many other places. Thanks. ~Missy-C
This Rubber Stamp Texture Video illustrates perfectly what I love so much about your tutorials Cindy. And that is how much you really give us each week for our tiny membership fee. Not only did you show how to use rubber stamps for a great look. But you also showed how to make several types of beads AND how to antique them to highlight the effect even more. That’s three great techniques in just one video. There isn’t a better value for your money to be found anywhere else on the web. And believe me I have looked. XOXO ~Jamie-H
Thank you Missy and Jamie for sharing your kind thoughts and feedback. I feel so blessed to know that my tutorials are helping each of you in such a positive way.
And speaking of tutes, the following Volume-023 lessons will be released each Friday morning throughout the month of April 2010, to help get you excited about spending some fun time on the weekends playing with your polymer clay.
Volume-023-1 Puffy Beads:These pretty little hollow beads are puffy on one side and flat on the other, which gives them lots of dimension while still lying flat. Many clayers have problems making this type of bead. But after seeing my tutorial you will wonder why. Definitely a great bead shape to add to your collection!
Another yes vote for me. Puffy beads can be a real bugger in my book so learning an easier way is definitely a want to know thing. Thanks Cindy for asking. ~Ilaya-B
Volume-023-2 Faux Jade:A classic as far as polymer clay goes, faux jade done in the method I will show you is not only simple to do but can also be adapted to any of the different colors of jade. Faux jade is well suited to molding and faux carved techniques. A must know technique for making faux stones.
I have a recipe for faux jade but would definitely prefer a video from you, Cindy. Your teaching is so good, we can follow step by step. So I vote yes! ~Cheryl-H
Volume-023-3 Hammered Metal Bezels: This crazy cool metal working project uses steel flashing commonly used on roofing and chimney projects to create gorgeous hammered metal bezels that look much like oxidized silver. If you make jewelry, you are going to love this innovative technique!
I vote yes… I can’t believe that is galvanized steel flashing from Home Depot…what a fantastic idea! ~Lupe-M
Volume-023-4 Johnny Jump-Up Pansy Cane: This pretty polymer clay pansy cane is fashioned after the cute little Violas in my garden, called Johnny Jump-ups. The name is fitting since these wildflowers Jump Up wherever they like, sharing their lovely colors for all the world to see. Soon they will even be jumping up in your bead and cane collection too!
Cindy, You have completely inspired me and boggled my mind all at the same time! Whoa!!! Is it really possible to make a cane like this beautiful Johnny-Jump-Up flower!?! Well, wonders never cease! If I can learn to make a cane anywhere near as beautiful as this, then the world truly is my oyster (hey, I could probably make an oyster too)! I know that I use a lot of exclamation points when I comment, but, Cindy… I am soooooo excited about all of this new found knowledge that I am receiving from you!!! I think you must be a polymer clay angel sent from above :)
~Cindy-E
I sincerely hope you enjoy all of the new Vol-023 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 April:
- Vol-023-A Series (for paid members):
Johnny Jump-Up Polymer Clay Color Palette (Premo Sculpey) - Vol-023-B Series (free for everyone):
Alpine Lichen Polymer Clay Color Palette (Premo Sculpey)
If you are interested, here’s the link to become a member at the Polymer Clay Library. Chances are you’ll experience more artistic growth that you could ever have imagined….
Cindy, I love how you continuously reinvent and expand on the uses for this wonderful medium. I have said it before, but I am growing artistically more than I could have previously imagined and I thank you so much for that. What a fun day I am about to have. ~Elizabeth-S
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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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Roll on Friday!
I am intrigued to see how the puffy beads are done and the faux jade looking forward to Friday
And away we go!!
These four tutorials may end up being my favorites.
I can’t wait for the Johnny Jump Up Cane!! This would look great on a pen!! I usually use my canes that don’t turn out quite right for covering ink pens but I think this one will be great! I’m JUMPING UP and down for this one!!!
@Catalina: Just what do you do to cover a pen? I want to make one for my son to match the egg I made for him, but I’m not exactly sure what to do. Any help you can give would sure be appreciated!
And I’m with you – I just can hardly wait for that Johnny-Jump-Ups. I wonder which will come first … the ones in my garden or this tutorial! I get them every year and just love ’em.
@carolyn: I just posted a photo of one I made on FB. I just use a Bic pen and remove the ink, it pulls right out. I cover the whole thing with a thin layer of clay and then add cane slices. Make the slices as thin as you can. Use the acrylic piece that comes with the bead rack to roll the clay covered pen until smooth. Trim the edges and then bake as normal, sand and buff. What is neat about these pens is you can replace the ink or change the color. I have actually used up the ink in one pen. Everyone knew it was mine so I never lost it.
@Catalina: Thanks a heap! Don’t know why you think something was wrong with your cane … sure is a lovely pen! Now I know where to start and how to go about making one for Jono (my son, Jonathan). Hmmm, maybe that’s another reason I like Johnny-Jump-Ups … never thought of that before!
@Catalina: Thanks for the tips. I made one and then realized it was not a Bic but some off brand – so I’ll keep that one for me. It is nice and fat and with my fingers I need fat pens. Anyway, I made another polymer clay covered pen for my son. They are really cool – and quite fun to make!
I’m looking forward to the metal tute. I went to home depot and couldn’t find less than a 10ft. roll and there were two thicknesses. so I came home confused. I will try Lowes. What did you use to make it rounded. I so look forward to Friday mornings!!! THANK YOU
Thank you so much everyone for the kind comments! I think you are really going to enjoy this set of tutorials. :-)
@SANDRA G: The metal you found at Home Depot was the roll of Aluminum Flashing. The stuff I’m talking about is called “PEAK- Flashing Step, 3 x 4 x 10.5 In. – Galvanized”. It is made of steel. If you go to homedepot.ca and type in ‘galvanized step flashing’ in the search box you will see it there for 99 cents and can print a picture of it to take around with you to the stores. Someone there can help you find something similar. It doesn’t have to be bent. As far as how I round the bezels out, I will cover that in the tutorial. I think you will have fun with this one!
@Cindy L: Thanks for the info on what to get. Now that my car’s down, shopping’s going to be even harder! I not only have to wait for my back to cooperate, but for someone to drive me or let me borrow their car. What a mess! Anyway, now I know what to look for when I go. Is there anything else we need for this month’s projects, other than clay & this galvanized flashing? It looks like a great month of fun projects (and already — the puffy bead tute’s awesome!) Thanks, Cindy!
@Carolyn: I’m so happy you were able to make some pens! Thanks to Catalina, who was so nice & gave you great directions. Are you going to post your pen on your blog? …hint, hint ;)
@Phaedrakat: I hope your back is getting better. I hurt my shoulder so I can relate. At least playing with clay can help keep our minds off the pain. :)
@ Carolyn: Please post your pens! You can use any pen but I realized if you stick to one type you can refill them easier or interchange the ink color.
@Catalina: I can’t put the pens on my blog because my son sees the blog and I don’t want him to know what I have done until I actually give it to him. I did send a photo to Cindy.
@carolyn: I did get a chance to post your photo of the pen as well as the egg that you sent over to me. The link by my name will take you there. Lovely work! I bet your son at UPenn is going to love them both.
@Phaedrakat: I am sorry to hear about your car. :-( That’s a pain! As far as supplies over the next weeks, you’ll need clay for the cane; translucent clay, alcohol ink and embossing powder (optional) for the jade; the flashing, a chasing hammer with a ball pein head, a block of metal to hammer on and some tin snips for the bezel. Sounds like a lot but they are all inexpensive and will be used over and over for lots of projects. Hope you can find a ride for shopping and that your back gets better real quick! It has given you pain for long enough. It is time it stopped being such a burden to you! (Did you hear that back? Cindy says to back off!) :-)