Making Pendants with Premo Accents

click to enlarge

This morning my goal was to get up really early and start working on the  pendants I wanted to create today. I must admit, I did not get up as soon as my alarm went off but I only hit the snooze button a few times.

I have a craft fair quickly approaching in January 2015 and need some more jewelry pieces for my display table.

Now, on to the pendants. The polymer clay colors chosen were all Premo Accent colors of 1oz size bars. The colors are Bronze, Peacock Pearl, 18k Gold and Navy Blue.

Which Clay's Do I Use?

Recently, I was sent an email asking what brands of polymer clay I use when making the jewelry displayed on my website. 

That's easy to answer. My all time favorite is Sculpey III. Next on the list would be Premo and Fimo. 

I will list a few of the pro's and cons I've encountered. Although there are many polymer clay brands available, I can only comment on the one's I've actually worked with.

A Word About Varnishing

Let's talk a little about polymer clay varnish

After much internet research and testing, I've found Varathane to be the best varnish to date. Look for, "Varathane Crystal Clear Water-Based Polyurethane Heavy Use Formula". It comes in a choice of Gloss, Semi-Gloss and a Satin formula. Mine was purchased from my local Ace Hardware in the half pint container. 

Varathane comes in water based and oil based versions.  When using this varnish for polymer clay make sure you purchase the WATER based version.

Let me start by saying I don't use varnish on the majority of my projects.  Baked polymer clay is durable. It holds up to washing, wear and weathering.  

Twist Fold Roll: Part 1 - Making the Canes

Today I decided to try my hand with twisting clay.  The colors used were black, chocolate, gold, sweet potato, pearl blue and translucent. I think the results were amazing.  The translucent
really made the colors pop! 
Now, it's just figuring out how I want to end this

Blending Colors

Another beautiful Sunday means blog time.  

I collected my favorite fall colors, mixed them and swirled them.  Once baked they are just beautiful.  

But, darn it! Where are the holes???  Guess I'll have to wire wrap.  I could drill holes now but I like the look of the holes made from wet clay instead of those made when drilling after the clay is cured. Next time I'll remember, "punch the holes!".


Quick Instructions

Condition the clay

roll into logs & lay side by side

flatten evenly with roller 'til clay fits thru largest pasta maker setting

keep rolling thru smaller settings 'til you blend a pleasing pattern  

.

Thanksgiving - Moving it Forward

On Thanksgiving Day I reflect on my life and what I have accomplished.  Some things are good, some bad.

Today, I helped out Union Station in Central Park, Pasadena, CA by setting up chairs/tables and cutting pies.  I have been volunteering my services on Thanksgiving mornings/afternoons at Union Station now for about 5 years.

More Handmade Clasps

Using 14 gauge wire, a steel block and hammer are all that's needed to create beautiful clasps. I plan on using these clasps on some jewelry I've been working on for an upcoming craft fair.   

Although copper is an inexpensive metal to purchase, I need to start looking into where I can purchase it in bulk.  I believe I'll start visiting the home centers and plumbing shops in my area. Hopefully, these shops will carry copper at a more reasonable price. 

Homemade Findings

This project was a lot of fun.  I'm making my own finding now.  I use a hammer and steel block to flatten different areas of my pieces.

I am currently making necklaces through wire wrapping the stones, adding chains and topping them off with a homemade clasp finding.  Guess my next step will be to hit the flea market.

Selling to friends has turned a nice profit but it's now time to expand.  Since I live by the Pasadena Rose Bowl and they have a flea market every second Sunday of the month, that's where I'll start.

Inspiration - Nature Can Inspire

When artist block overrides the senses and the creative juices cease to flow how do you recharge your imagination?

Sometimes I just walk.  I find walking through my neighborhood leaves my soul uplifted and my mind refreshed. 

I bring my camera along and snap photo's of plants, flowers interesting people and landscapes.  Basically I'll snap anything I find beautiful. 

During my last walk I snapped some photo's of my walking trails. Today, I'm posting a couple of those photo's. 

The second photograph is the end of the walking trail. Next time I will take some photographs while it's raining.  The scene during the rain is stunning.    

A couple ways I've found inspiration,

Black & White Mix

One of my clay suppliers had a great sale on black & white. I decided to purchase a pound of each.  When it arrived, I thought, "Now what? What do I want to start with?"   Then, I decided to make some basic canes and apply them to some of my scrap clay.

Even though I'm ready to start creating, my clay isn't.  It's warm and soft.  Cutting soft clay distorts the pattern. Oh well, after an hour in the frig the clay will be ready to cut.  Guess that's it for now.

Coffee Break over.

Inspiration - NYIAD My Collage

I've mentioned before that I'm attending the New York Institute of Art and Design.  Here is a poster collage I had to create for one of my projects.   

This project was designed to bring out creativity and inspiration.  Although I created this project a while back, I still find myself feeling inspiration from this poster.

If you're a designer you may want to try this exercise out for yourself.  Grab some old magazines and find photo's that inspire and make you smile.  Cut them out.  Find a nice size poster board and glue the images on. 

Viola! Instant inspiration. 
Oh, did I mention I received an A+.

Cutting Color Circles

Here is a visual of cutting circles and then rearranging the pieces. It's easy peasy.

This tutorial requires a blade cutter, a acrylic roller and a pasta machine.

Try to select colors that are sure to blend well. Adding a bold color and a light color to the mix really makes the colors blend well. 

Directions

1. Pick out 4 complimentary colors.

Faux Wood

Rainy day in normally sunny California.  Rained yesterday, raining today.  Great weekend to play with some clay.  I picked out some colors in gold and brown, made a few canes, sliced them up, and here is the outcome:  faux wood.  

I think this looks great!  Definitely will use these beads to make a necklace.  I bet translucent, pearl and turquoise would also make some beautiful results.  I will definitely try those colors next time. 

Welcome to Coffee Break Sunday's

My Teach Me Clay (TMC) posts are published on Sunday's, most holidays and any time the mood hits. They describe what I'm creating, tips and links to my online tutorials. If you enjoy my blog, sign up to receive RSS feeds or emails sent directly to your inbox when a post is added.

To read my full story, visit my 'About' page on my Teach Me Clay website, 


Okay, I'll say goodbye for now. I just wanted to write my first post and finally get my blog started.

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See ya next Sunday
Dee