Findings Before Baking & Mokume Gane

This photo is an example of inserting my handmade findings into my polymer clay pieces before baking them. My usual method was to make a hole for the finding and then bake or make no hole in my pieces and wire wrap after baking.

This simple set was completed in less than 2 hours. No need to wire wrap the pendants or the earrings.

Since I have begun using suede lace in place of chains or nylon string on some of my pieces, this technique is turning out to be quite useful and a great little time saver.

Fun with Dream Catcher's

Making a dream catcher has been very relaxing. The technique is quite easy once you get the hang of it.

To date, I have made 5 and given 4 away. Now that I've decided to add dream catcher's to my inventory, I wish I had taken photos or created a tutorial before giving them away. Oh well.

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